Three post-WW2/Cold War era (4 x 5) photos of U.S. military personnel conducting operational exercises in Hawaii. The three photos have varying depictions, one of which is w/men on the USS Bayfield, Schofield Barracks, and the other pulling a jeep out of a sandy beach. The reverse of the photos have era stamps and they read as follows (some parts of the photo are not readable and thus are represented by xxx in the text below:
Photo 1:
US Army Photo 29 Oct 49
ACC - 7-3-38/AM-49-38
Photog Sgt Triplett 2nd Sig CO
Quadrangle B HQ of th 23rd INF
REGT. During their stay at Schofield BKS
(Operation Miki)
Photo 2:
US Army Photo 22 Oct 49
ACC - 7-3-38/AM-49-338
Photog Sgt Triplett 2nd Sig CO
Fritsche Briefing the 23rd INF
REGT Staff on the USS Bayfield prior to
the landing on Oahu for Operation
(Operation Miki)
Photo 3:
US Army Photo 25 Oct 49
AM - 7-2-412/AM-49-338
Photog Cpl xxxxx 2nd Sig CO
A group of soldiers give a hand in getting
a jeep off the sandy beach. Green
Beach D. Day 2:30pm
History:
Operation Miki was a massive, joint U.S. military exercise held in Hawaii in October 1949. It was the largest amphibious (land-sea) war game since the end of World War II. The drill simulated an invasion of the island of Oahu and helped the military test cold-war battle tactics.
Key facts about the operation:
A theoretical invading force (around 16,000 troops) attacked the island of Oahu using over 100 ships and various aircraft. They landed at Pokai Beach on the Waianae coast of Oahu
The military faced major obstacles during the landing. Huge waves forced them to abandon two out of three planned landing beaches. This crammed the entire invasion force onto a tiny stretch of shore that was only 200 feet wide.
Despite the tough weather and rough surf, the military successfully put the troops and supplies on the beach. It was considered a great success and proved that large groups of troops could be moved quickly under pressure.
