Page 154 - Micronesia

upporting the carriers was a large fleet of n total the attack sank three Japanese light U.S. fighters or gunners on the U.S. bombers
cruisers (Agano, Katori, and Naka), four and torpedo planes. The U.S. lost twenty-five
S Iseven battleships, and numerous cruisers, aircraft, mainly due to the intense anti-air-
destroyers, submarines, and other support destroyers (Oite, Fumizuki, Maikaze, and Ta- craft fire from Truk’s defenses.

ships. Fearing that the base was becoming chikaze), three auxiliary cruisers (Akagi Maru, T he attacks for the most part ended Truk
as a major threat to Allied operations in
too vulnerable, the Japanese had relocated Aikoku Maru, Kiyosumi Maru), two submarine the central Pacific; the Japanese garrison on
Eniwetok was denied any realistic hope of
the aircraft carriers, battleships, and heavy tenders (Heian Maru, Rio de Janeiro Maru), reinforcement and support during the inva-
sion that began on February 18, 1944, greatly
cruisers of the Combined Fleet to Palau a three other smaller warships (including assisting U.S. forces in their conquest of that
island. The Japanese later relocated about
week earlier. However, numerous smaller submarine chasers CH-24 and Shonan Maru 100 of their remaining aircraft from Rabaul to
Truk. These aircraft were attacked by U.S. car-
warships and merchant ships remained in 15), aircraft transport Fujikawa Maru, and rier forces in another attack on April 29–30,
1944 which destroyed most of them. Truk was
and around the anchorage and several hun- 32 merchant ships. Some of the ships were isolated by Allied (primarily U.S.) forces as
they continued their advance towards Japan.
dred aircraft were stationed at the atoll’s air- destroyed in the anchorage and some in the Cut off, the Japanese forces on Truk, like on
other central Pacific islands, ran low on food
fields. The U.S. attack involved a combination area surrounding Truk lagoon. Many of the and faced starvation before Japan surren-
dered in August 1945.
of airstrikes, surface ship actions, and sub- merchant ships were loaded with reinforce-

marine attacks over two days and appeared ments and supplies for Japanese garrisons

to take the Japanese completely by surprise. in the central Pacific area. Very few of the

Several daylight, along with nighttime, air- troops aboard the sunken ships survived

strikes employed fighters, dive bombers, and and little of their cargoes were recovered.

torpedo aircraft in attacks on Japanese air- Over 250 Japanese aircraft were destroyed,

fields, aircraft, shore installations, and ships mostly on the ground. Many of the aircraft

in and around the Truk anchorage. A force of were in various states of assembly, having

U.S. surface ships and submarines guarded just arrived from Japan in disassembled form

possible exit routes from the island’s anchor- aboard cargo ships. Very few of the assem-

age to attack any Japanese ships that tried to bled aircraft were able to take off in response

escape from the airstrikes. to the U.S. attack. Several Japanese aircraft

that did take off were claimed destroyed by