Operation Bikini (1963) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Mission assignment and team pickup

The American submarine is ordered to alter course to intercept and pick up Lt. Hayes's demolition team. Their mission is to locate and destroy a sunken submarine lying in a lagoon near Bikini Atoll to prevent Japanese recovery and capture of the radar system onboard. The team includes Malzone, Sherman, and Davayo, and the operation is approved by the submarine's commander.

Where

Pacific Ocean near Bikini Atoll

Personal mementos and dreams

Malzone carries a photo of his girl affixed to a torpedo above his bunk, a constant reminder of what motivates him. In two musical dream sequences, Malzone expresses his devotion to The Girl Back Home, adding a human, emotional layer to the tense mission. These moments punctuate the crew’s quiet hopes amid the looming danger.

Arrival at Bikini Atoll and guerrilla contact

The demolition team reaches the atoll and links up with local guerrillas, including interpreter Paul and the sympathetic Reiko. The group begins coordinating their dangerous approach to the sunken radar sub. The environment and local allies set the stage for the forthcoming confrontation with the Japanese force.

Where

Bikini Atoll lagoon vicinity

Paul's death and budding romance

A Japanese patrol patrols the area and kills Paul, removing a crucial local ally and raising the stakes for the mission. In the aftermath, a romance develops between Reiko and Hayes, or possibly Malzone, lending a fragile emotional thread to the perilous operation. The personal ties complicate loyalties as danger closes in.

Where

Near the guerrilla camp on Bikini Atoll

Patrol conflict and casualties

A Japanese cutter patrol comes up the river, triggering a skirmish that leaves Reiko dead and the bosun's mate wounded. Sherman carries the wounded sailor back to Carey's sub, reporting the growing Japanese presence and the ominous sign of many vessels in the lagoon. The news reshapes the tactical plan for the demolition team.

Where

Bikini Atoll river vicinity

Carey alerts the higher command

Carey receives the grim report from Sherman and relays the information to the nearest American aircraft carrier. The lagoon's heavy Japanese traffic is confirmed, prompting an escalated naval response and shaping future aerial support for the operation. The sub's commander coordinates with higher command to maximize impact.

Where

Carey's submarine and nearby carrier

Capture and entry into the lagoon

The demolition team uses the captured Japanese cutter to sail straight into the lagoon, leveraging the element of surprise. This bold approach places them at the heart of the Japanese-occupied area where the radar sub lies. Tension runs high as they push deeper toward their objective.

Where

Lagoon entrance at Bikini Atoll

Descent on the sunken sub and assault

Malzone and Hayes dive toward the sunken radar sub to plant charges, while the Japanese salvage boat opens fire on their cutter. Davayo responds with a suicide ram against the salvage boat, sacrificing himself to protect the mission and clear a path for the others. The underwater approach is a perilous test of nerve and skill.

Where

Sunken radar sub site, Bikini Atoll lagoon

Explosives planted and mission secured

After reaching the wreck, Malzone and Hayes place explosive charges on the sunken sub. They are guided back to Carey's sub by Sherman, demonstrating teamwork under extreme pressure. The charges are set, paving the way for the intended strike on the Japanese fleet.

Where

Sunken radar sub site and return route

Return to Carey's sub

Sherman uses his notable endurance and voice to guide Malzone and Hayes back to Carey's submarine, keeping morale steady during the dangerous return voyage. The crew braces for what comes next as they near safety. The bond between team members is tested and confirmed in the face of death and destruction.

Where

Carey's submarine

Air support arrives to finish the job

A fleet of American dive bombers appears as the team returns, aimed at finishing off the remaining Japanese vessels in the lagoon. The aerial strike amplifies the impact of the mission and provides critical support for successful destruction of the targets. The lagoon becomes a chaotic battlefield of fire and smoke.

Where

Over Bikini Atoll lagoon

Mission culmination

With the radar sub and surrounding Japanese vessels under heavy bombardment, the operation reaches its climax as air power seals the fate of the lagoon. The demolition team's objective is achieved through coordinated action between underwater, surface, and air forces. The team ends the mission having altered the balance of power in the area.

Where

Bikini Atoll lagoon