Page 164 - Micronesia

151030'E
and bombs. Many of these sunken ships still have full cargos.
They contain fighter aircraft, tanks, bulldozers, railroad cars, mo-
torcycles, torpedoes, mines, bombs, boxes of munitions, radios
and thousands of other kinds of weapons. They also contain
human remains. More than 3,000 people were believed to have
died during the attacks. Despite the risks involved, divers from
around the world consider Truk Lagoon a must do. Many of these
divers believe that the lagoon is haunted. “Destination Truth” an
American television show did an underwater ghost-hunt at Truk
Lagoon based on many of these reports.
T ruk’s World War II legacy was to become a major influence
on the islands in modern days. The collection of shipwrecks
and aircraft lying on the seabed of the shallow lagoon and the
islands honeycombed with caves, concrete bunkers, and rusted
anti- aircraft and coastal defense guns would come to the
world’s attention in 1970, one year after the Cousteau Expedi-
tion visited the lagoon, conducted a rather thorough survey of
the wrecks, and produced a film that publicized same. The total
numbers and diversity of the wrecks bring over 6,000 divers per
year to these islands. Truk is a World War II enthusiast’s dream.
None of the wrecks are alike; each has its own particular lure for
the diver. Some of the sunken vessels, serving as artificial reefs,
are known for their incredibly prolific coral encrustation.
151040'E 151050'E 152000'E
Battleship Iowa helped in the search and
Franko's Map of attack on the fleeing Destroyer Nowake. SHONAN MARU NO. 15, a 355-ton,
Iowa raised her 16-inch main battery and Japanese sub-chaser was approaching
TRUK LAGOON unloaded, but missed. Nowake fled at Truk Lagoon from the north when it was
February 17-18, 1944 flank speed and escaped to Yokosuka, discovered and sunk by U.S. Aircraft.
at the entrance to Tokyo Bay.
MAIKAZE & NOWAKE 389' (119m), 2,490-ton Kagero class Destroyers CH 24, a small sub-chaser was discovered
by the same patrolling aircraft that had just
put down SHONAN MARU NO. 15. Having
BsbmeUeaRnlNldSsah.mipagwedasbytthheenatstaucnkkinbgyairtchreaftU, tShSe
KATORI 423' (129m), 5890-ton Katori class Cruiser SHIGURE & HURUSAME, a pair of
JAPANESE CONVOY No. 4215 Japanese destroyers, MAIKAZE and Japanese destroyers were attacked by
NOWAKE, Light Cruiser KATORI, and Armed Merchant Cruiser AKAGI MARU aircraft in the northern part of Truk Lagoon,
attempted to convoy out of Truk Lagoon on the morning of February 17, 1944. U.S. and then just outside of North Pass. Both
Aircraft strafed these ships just inside of North Pass, but were met with anti-aircraft fire. escaped.
The ships were again attacked northwest of the pass, with Katori being torpedoed and
bombed, stopping dead in the water. Maikaze was also bombed and strafed, stopping BVoaultigmhot rOeSa2ftUer Kingfisher aircraft is brought onto USS
hNbeoErmWabdiJnvEgaRnaScneEd.YtoA&rkpUaegSdiSoMeIsOa,rWualAwl waasrhriiblveoemdfiebaceneddlyiamfnirmdinesgduiananktet.il-yaSisrocumrnakefththgoeuwnM, sNa. iokwBazaaekttel&eseKhluaipdtoserdiU, tbShuSet the rescue of Lt. Goorge M. Blair (seated
the fighting, fleeing Nowake drew away, even under fire by 16-inch guns. Nowake in back) on Feb. 18, 1944. Radioman, ARMC Reuben F.
escaped. Hickman is on the wing hooking the hoist, while pilot
UDSenSveErsFs.exBahxatderbweaeints.shoBtladiro'swnF6bFy Hellcat from the
AKAGI MARU 463' (141m), 7,398-ton Cargo Ship Pis Tonelik Ushi Island Passage anti-aircraft fire.
U.S. aircraft, submarines or boats rescued almost every
airman who was shot down over Truk Lagoon.
PasNsoartghe
07040'N Ushi Passage 07040'N
Alanenkobwe Ebaritte
Lamoil Passage
Ruac
Tora Island
Tora Holap
HEIAN MARU Falalu OITE 327' (100m), 1,523-ton Kamikaze Class Destroyer built AIKOKO MARU 492' (150m), 10,437-ton Ex-Armed Merchant Cruiser
510' (155m), 11,614-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in in 1924 in Tokyo. In February 1944 Oite was on her way to & Raider never worked as an African-Japan ocean liner as intended. She
1930 at a cost of $15,000,000. On her maiden voyage she set a trans-Pacific Japan from Truk with the Agano, and a U.S. Submarine and two sister ships were Japan's best, able to cruise at 17 knots and out-
speed record on a trip to Seattle with passengers traveling in English-style torpedoed the Agano. Survivors were brought aboard the Oite, distance most ships of her time. Pressed into naval service, an unknown
B1tluh7uxe,nus1kru9ye.p4re4HSrashilltedrsuiwcvcoeatursberocedmoinnnbevaeaerrfrifemtreroidysmisinnetfthesoe,ranbUouNS.taSdOvaYynmostrahukgebtoem1wd8anttrhhiCnetewVsot1he0itnpohd.ripetTernhdieneoa1srb9htoh4ipme1wb.beoaOrwssntefhFrxeoepnmblohrUuditaSinbrSgyy and the Oite was ordered to return to Truk while the Agano Avenger either bombed her or crashed into her forward hold setting off a
sank. The Oite arrived on February 18th, 1944 while Truk was magazine explosion so violent that she was obliterated from midships forward
under attack, and was struck amidships by a torpedo. The and she sank in seconds.
destroyer was blown in half and immediately sank.
A Historical Account of Avenger torpedo bombers, which caused an explosion, sinking the ship.
"OPERATION HAILSTONE" FUJISAN MARU 512' (156m), 9,524-ton Naval Tanker was one of the MOMOKAWA MARU 354' (108m), 3,829- Northeast Is.
February 17-18, 1944 largest ships in Truk Lagoon at the onset of Operation Hailstone. It appears ton Cargo Ship built in 1940 for transport of NIPPO MARU 354' (107m), 3,764-ton Passenger-Cargo
that Fujisan Maru was under way, with her anchors up, and outside of the Siberian timber. Since the route is icy, she was Ship was launched in Kobe, Japan in 1936. In 1941 Nippo
TRIBUTE TO KIMIUO AISEK When crowded anchorages. Nevertheless, she suffered severe athwartship bomb reenforced with steel, essentially making her Maru was requisitioned by the Japanese Navy for transport.
Operation Hailstone unfolded on February 17- damage, mostly on the aft end port side, and went down in a hurry. armor plated. She was requisitioned by the On February 17, 1944 she was at anchor, carrying water,
18, 1944, Truk native Kimiuo Aisek was there to Japanese Navy in 1943. Momokawa Maru was firewood, troop armaments, a battle tank and a truck to various
eyewitness the terrifying events. The 17 year- bombed on February 17, 1944, but was not in pPoaucnifidcbIsolmanbdssf.roSmhTeBwFaAsvseentgaebrlsafzreomantdhesuCnakrrbieyraEtsrsioexo.f 500-
old became a walking history of the battle, and danger of sinking until it was struck again the next
he knew every event of the attack. Years later TONAN MARU 3 535' (163m) 19,209-ton Tanker was built in 1938 as a day by a 1,000-lb bomb amidships which caused
Kimiuo's memory came in handy as he began whaling factory, but was converted into a tanker for war use. She was the a huge fire and explosion. The Momokawa Maru
scuba diving and finding the shipwrecks in the largest ship sunk in Truk Lagoon. Tonan Maru 3 was attacked several times burned as she sank stern first.
lagoon. Kimiuo gained legendary fame as a itnhethUeSySeaTrisnobseafo, rthei,sbpurtimmeostatlrygbeet cdaidunsoetogfoedigohwt nd.efAemcteivreictaonrptoerdpoeedsofidreedsigbny
great fisherman and a dive master, the founder had to be corrected because of this failure. However, the damaged ship was Buet
of the Truk Lagoon (Chuuk) underwater diving in Truk Lagoon being used as a refueling station when attacked and finally
industry. He is called the greatest diver in the sunk, with the loss of 315 lives. Oddly, in 1951, she was refloated, fixed,
Pacific, a great man of the sea with a big heart. towed back to Japan, and again became a whaling factory.
Fanuet KATSURAGISAN MARU 285' (87m), 2,427-
Fanamar ton Cargo Ship was formerly a tramper serving the
China trade. Requisitioned by Japan's Navy on
December 17, 1943, she was promptly loaded with
war materials and headed for Truk Lagoon via the
Northeast Pass. Unfortunately, on January 7, 1944
she hit a mine intended to protect from enemy
invasion and sank with the loss of five crewmen.
SEIKO MARU 394' (120m), 5,385-ton Cargo Ship was SAN FRANCISCO MARU 385' (117m), 5,831- Mor Northeast Passage
YAMAGIRI MARU 439' (134m) 6,438-ton passenger-cargo ship, built for world-wide cargo hauling, but she was brought into ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1919 as part of a KATSURGISAN
the Navy for auxiliary duties, serving Japan's conquests in fleet involved in world trade operations. She arrived in
tbhueiltsiunb1m9a3r8in, we aUsSeSn Droruutme ,towPhaiclhaufiirnedAutwguostto1rp9e4d3oaensd. was located by SsthuteervePilvahecediafidca,. ttTwahhcikiscshshbliipystpesrdouvbSemedaikvroeinreyMsdaifrUfuicSuaSlst toPcoognyquaenrdasUsShSe Truk on February 5, 1944. After escaping her inevitable MARU
07030'N The ship was officially "known 07030'N
heavily damaged and was taken to Rabaul, New Guinea for repairs, and demise on day one of Operation Hailstone, on February
18, 1944 she was struck bEysssiexx5,0a0ft-elbr bombs dropped by
then to Truk. She would remain under repair for two months until sfFouelnlbokrwu" eaodrnybJyu1al7yf,t3e1r1n,9o19o94n43ab.tytaAcafktiesrcrbrmyafabt sosmfrivobemermsUofrrSonmSingUEaSntSttaeEcrpksrssiseoexn,, aircraft from the Carrier which she burned Sand I.
OH1,ip0lle0Cr0aV-tl1ibo7na, nrHedsaouilnlstitenogn5e0in.0a-lObhunbgoFemeebbx,rpubloaysryCiou1nr8ati,ns1dH9fei4rle4ld. sivShehereswsfaraosnmksrtUarupSciSdklyBb.yunokneer Osakura
and sank. Five crewmen were killed.
she still remained afloat, finally sinking the next day, with Falo
the loss of only one man.
Scheiben
Aga
NAGANO MARU 345' (105m), 3,824-ton passenger-
cargo ship received bomb damage in Cebu, Philippines in
April 1942, but was repaired and in action again between
Allei Reef Moen No. 1 fJraopmanthaenCd aSrirniegraEposrsee.x Finally, she was the target of planes
Airfield on February 17 and 18, 1944. On
Moen February 17th she was struck by at least two 500-lb bombs,
I-169 SUBMARINE 337' (103m), 1,400- and the next day was struck by two 500-lb bombs, one
ton Cruiser-Submarine launched on February Shiki Islands amidships and one on the stern. When the planes departed,
15th, 1934 and one of a class of six. This Small I. fires aboard were raging aboard the doomed ship.
FUMITSUKI 320' (98m), 1,913-ton Mutsuki Class Destroyer built Faleallej Passage submarine was present at the attack on Pearl
in 1926 was one of only two real Navy ships in Truk Lagoon. She was SHINKOKU MARU 500' (152m), 10,102-ton Naval Tanker was built in Harbor December 7th, 1941. On April 2nd,
capable of over 33 knots fully loaded, but was under repair at the time 1940 and was one of eight tankers refueling the ships used for the Japanese 1944 while in Truk an air raid took place, and
of her demise, when around the middle of the day on February 17, attack on Pearl Harbor. In August, 1942 a US submarine torpedoed her, but the submarine submerged. Afterward it failed
1944, three 500-lb bombs were dropped on her as she tried to evade. the damage was minor enough for repairs. In July, 1943 she was torpedoed to resurface, and a diver discovered that the
The ship was engulfed in flames and began to sink and list to port. again, but was repaired in just five weeks. She met her fUinSaSl mYoartkcthowonn upper valve of the storm ventilation tube in the
She dropped anchors, but went down by the next morning. CFeVb1r0uahriyt 17, 1944 when a Dauntless dive bomber from the aft part of the conning tower was open a couple
her amidships, and then the next morning she was torpedoed by of inches. Attempts to raise the sub failed, and
Grumman Avengers, which opened a huge hole into her engine room. At last the crew suffocated to death. Bush I.
Lelom Reef she went down.
Lelom Passage Kuli Ulalu JILL 1 KAITEN (1-man sub)
FUMITSUKI Herit REIYO MARU 400' (122m), 5.446-ton Passenger-Cargo
Ship served from Tokyo to New York beginning in 1920, but was
Faleosicz Moen No. 2 Fighter & FUJISAN
Seaplane Base MARU
(South Field) assigned for Army troop transfers. Her assignment for Navy
Fanufan Reef SHINKOKU MARU COMBINED FLEET ANCHORAGE EbanoISdatEswNewree7re6no1bto&stuhFnCkUodTmuAbriiGnngeAdbMaStIatlelTv.ahgeFesoerTtuwgos, use began in late 1943, as she was carrying miscellaneous
ruignhkot wafnterreWasoornldsWthaersIeI ewnedreedb.oth scuttled provisions, tools, bombs, coal, landing craft and passengers to
Eiol Battleships - Carriers - Destroyers - TIt1no7rtusr,eku1pbL9imad4g,4aowroisnhhneiecaUhswSpsaSeastrSthhonieftarapbapcyboeAlnra.mvzoEeey.ariwrclaMyhniiucnhldttihilpvoelesemt baeooxsrmphnliiobpnsegdirousonrnifsnrFogoemctbhcreUuuratSerriSdpy
Submarines - Heavy & Light Cruisers when the munitions hold caught fire. She sank two days later.
Eight crewmen were killed.
I-169 SUBMARINE
Shichiyo Islands Udot YAMAGIRI MARU HEIAN
Tol Fala-Baguets TONAN MARU 3
KENSHO MARU 384' (116m), 4,862-ton Passenger-Cargo TACHI MARU MARU NIPPO MARU
ship was struck by a bomb and set afire in December, 1943 in
Kwajalein Lagoon, at which time she was run aground to keep Pata REPAIR ANCHORAGE KENSHO MARU Dublon AIKOKO MARU
abfFrnooedmmbrUbusSaindrSkyrioBn1pgu8p.n,ek1Ode9nr4bH4Fy,iellabaCirriucVrcar1arra7yftfat1frt7otfa,rmoc1mk9Ue4Sd4UStshShEeSenKwtYeeanorpssrkrhhitsooitewMo, nnUatrShuCSe.VsAM1t0etoo.rnnrpteberOydeoany EISEN 761
hit amidships, and she promptly sank. KIYOSUMI MARU
Piaanu Passage SAPPORO MARU FUTAGAMI JILL 2 MOMOKAWA MARU
PATROL JUDY REIYO MARU
Param HOYO MARU BOAT 34 SEIKO
MARU NAGANO MARU
OJIMASHOTAN MARU
Param Airstrip EMILY (Flying Boat) ZERO 3
KIKUKAWA MARU
ZERO 2 Eten Airfield HOKI MARU
ZERO 1 Fefan BETTY (Bomber) HOKUYO MARU SHOTAN MARU 286' (87m), 1,999-ton Cargo
Tarik SAN FRANCISCO MARU Ship was used for auxiliary duties and was less than
a year old when it was anchored at Truk Lagoon with
HANAKAWA FUJIKAWA MARU afrocmargthoeoUf SZSerEonatiercrprarifstecohmit hpeornoenntFse. bA. f1te8r, attackers
07020'N MARU FOURTH FLEET ANCHORAGE 1944, her 07020'N
Polle captain tried to run her into shallow water toward
Fanamu Island to prevent sinking. But a huge hole
UNKAI aft of midships flooded the ship too quickly and she
MARU went down in deep water before she could get there.
NO. 6
SIXTH FLEET ANCHORAGE Alanelimo
Pisinmelikomo
Torres I. GOSEI MARU
Faluaw
KIYOSUMI MARU 450' (87m), 8,614-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was YUBAE Pisar
built in 1934 and provided service to New York from Kobe, Japan. In 1941 she MARU
OJIMA 161' (49m), 812-ton Tategami Class Salvage
was converted into an armed auxiliary cruiser, Bwaitlhaoeigahtttaacnktei-daiKrciyraofstugmuni sMaanrud ONE GUN BOAT Uman RIO DE Tug built in 1937. On October 7th, 1943 the Ojima was
a pair of torpedo launchers. US Submarine TAIHO MARU JANEIRO assisting the Kikukawa Maru, which had a fire onboard.
with a half dozen topedoes, three of which nailed her, but she didn't go down. A Attempts were being made to extinguish the fire when a
sister ctairmnudeisUoeSfr OOSpyEeonrdatoetirtoponrwisHeeaddilhsidetorhnTeeor.iTnDr.uo4ku3Lgcalargesowodmniv,eewnbhdoeimeredbseinhrstehfweroaamsttaUbceSkinSsg.Yroerpkatoirwedn PATROL BOAT NO. 34 Approx 300' (91m), SUPPLY VESSELS MARU tremendous explosion erupted and both vessels were
aCtVth1e0 935-ton Patrol boat (ex-Destroyer, ex-Sutsuki) was Tsis SANKISAN MARU sent to the bottom with many lives lost.
Tonuamu built in 1919, but retrofitted in 1939 for Patrol Boat
use. Retrofitting of aft end later enabled her to carry a
pair of landing craft. In March, 1943 she collided with AMAGISAN MARU
Japanese Destroyer Yakaze near New Guinea, and UNKNOWN
had to be towed to Truk for repairs. However, she
HOYO MARU 475' (145m), 8,691-ton Naval Tanker built in was not sunk during Operation Hailstone, but was
1936 as a commercial oiler and requisitioned by the Japanese Navy done in under mysterious circumstances on July 3, Fananan
in 1941. The ship was struck by a torpedo and a fire erupted on 1944 instead.
November 6th, 1943. The ship made it back to Truk where it was
Leneperer Reef
Pueilap Reef CubynVd1pe0lra.gnoTeihnsegfsrreohpmipacitrahspewshcizeaenrdriietawrnsdasUsabSnoSkmwEbienthdtetarhpgerailsionesosanonFfdseibxUrcuSraSerwyYm1o7er,kn1t.o9w4n4 Faneu
HANAKAWA MARU 368' (112m), 4,739-ton Passenger-Cargo HOKI MARU Feinif
OaSnhndipFUewSbarSsuaMbruyoinl1tt8ein,re11y994c44i2rcaalefnodduTrcsrauorkmriLeeadogftoraootontapacsnkadanicrdcarmaavfeitafutriopomnongUaTSsoSol lIBisnlueanndkderufrrmHomsil.l 450' (138m), 7,113-ton Cargo Ship was built in 1921
the south with the Hanakawa Maru in their sites. The first torpedo hit her for the Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand for trans-Pacific trade,
midships and ignited her aviation fuel into a massive explosion. In a Aualap Passage mostly to Australia. In July, 1942 she was ambushed by Japanese
moment there was nothing left except burning fuel. Two more torpedoes Ollan Ozoluk ReefSouth Passage Pagura Reef Passage armed merchant cruisers Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru and
were expended on her, although they weren't needed, and a fourth Faleu Paguerion Eo TcUEaosSkpsSyteuoxBr.eaudnnO,dknweUrFiSthHeSbilhYrlueCoarrVrkcy1tro7e1w.w7n,Sbs1heo9enm4t4bbtuesorrhnsteheaedwndaahsntohdrrereisnbpaleteonarktOpebedfuedlynfooaeardetPtabtOhcyekWpelnadeCnbxeatysmdUfparoSymi'Sns
torpedo missed and hit the island, burning a fuel dock and a church. YUBAE MARU 344' (105m), 3,217-ton Army Cargo Otta PassReef attacks.
Fortunately, the priest was being held captive on Udot Island and escaped Ship built in 1919, arrived in Truk with as escorted convoy Fourup Pispis Uput
the inferno. 216 crewmen and soldiers were killed aboard the ship. just one week before Operation Hailstone. She was used
hIJneAtarePdpAeiddNthEoitSthaEeJaaCtopOlal.nNeTVsheeOcZYounkvaoiHyMe9allc0ruamta'sniledDsthivweeeTsaBttosoimfhTabreMurksarLufar,ogbmooothnthcaeasrrUtyhiSneSgy TAIHO MARU 321' (98m), 2,827-ton Cargo Ship was by the Japanese Navy to transport troops and cargo,
men and equipment of the 52nd Army Division were sunk, with heavy used for auxiliary assignments and was in Truk Lagoon with aolftphloaungehs sfrhoemhtahdeoCnalyrraiefreBwumnkeenr oHnillbCoaVr1d7wahtteanckaepdawiritohf
casualties. A third ship, the Ryko Maru was damaged, but escaped, a load aotfaacvkiiantgioanirgcarasfot lfirnoemdtrhuemUs SoSn YFoerbkrtuoawrny C17V,1109h4i4t .heAr a 1000-lb bomb and a torpedo hit, which sank her in one
struggling to arrive in Truk on Feb. 19, 1944. pair of hour. One troop died, and two were wounded.
Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Sunk In Truk Lagoon with bombs at the bow and midships, igniting her fuel drums
JUDY - Yokosuka D4Y Navy Carrier Bomber "Suisei" (qty. 1) into an immense explosion, ripping her apart, with the bow of
JILL - Nakajima B6N Carrier Attack Bomber "Tenzan" (qty. 2) the ship being cast 200 meters away from what remained of
the aft half of the ship. Four crew members died.
ZERO - Mitsubishi A6M Carrier Fighter "Reisen" (qty. 3)
Pizion Passage Fanan
Faleasioz Reef
KIKUKAWA MARU 384' (116m), 4,862-ton Passenger-
07010'N HINO MARU No. 2 (aka Dai Na Hino Cargo ship was built in 1938, but found duties of transporting 07010'N
Maru, or One Gun Boat) 200' (66m), 998- military supplies such as ammunition and personnel. She
ton Naval Miscellaneous Auxiliary Ship began life was apparently attacked at Kwajalein in 1943, and was towed
as a small Transport in 1936, then was converted to Truk lagoon, only to succumb to an accidental fire and a
to a Gunboat in 1942, and finally was made into an resultant explosion of munitions on October 7, 1943. Her
Auxiliary Ship in 1943. She showed up in Truk entire aft half was obliterated by the violent blast and she went
Lagoon after Operation Hailstone, but was sunk in to the bottom before the smoke could even rise.
shallow water after numerous strafing attacks that
set her afire, and bombings on April 29, 1944. Uijec
UNKAI MARU NO. 6 331' (101m), 3,220-ton Otta
Cargo Ship was originally a "Venus" class vessel built
in Great Britain in 1905. The Japanese bought six GOSEI MARU 272' (86m), 1,931-ton Costal
such ships in 1911. No. 6 did not get drafted into war Freighter was anchored off of Uman Island in the Mesegon
uYSasnohereakutttownawtcailknsjutahsbnteodamnfteehbxweetdUdwaSebyeySkwBsahiubercnenrkfaoUefrrtSeHSfOriolEpl,mesbrsuaebttxiooittpnhwlaHatnhaseeinlss'ttsUouanSnnetSki.l Sixth Fleet Anchorage when she was sCtraurcrikebr yUtSwSo
the fire-gutted ship. Three crew members perished. AMvoenntegreeryT.oGrpoeddeoi Bombers from the immediately.
Maru went down
Her holds were virtually empty, however, carrying
only torpedo bodies, and empty oil and gas drums.
HOKUYO MARU 368' (112m), 4,739-ton Passenger-Cargo
Girvy I. Ship served the Far East until the war, when she became a Naval
Miscellaneous Auxiliary Ship. She was carrying cement bags when
she was torpedoed to the sea floor during Operation Hailstone.
Little is known about this ship or her pre-Truk Lagoon actions.
BETTY - Mitsubishi G4M3 Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber SANKISAN MARU 370' (113m), 4,776-ton Army Cargo Ship. FUJIKAWA MARU 433'(132m), 6,983-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was
This Japanese Navy tactical bomber first took to the air in The origins of this ship are a mystery, although it is said tha she was built in 1938 and served in routes to North America, South America and India,
1939, with mass production starting in 1940. Her shape originally called the Red Hook, and was an American vessel doing until being taken for war use by the Japanese Navy in 1940. In September,
gave her the name "Flying Cigar", but she would also light Northwest trade during the depression. Captured by the Japanese in 1th9e4U3 SshSePwearms int,ebaurltysshuenlkimhpeeaddibnagcfkrotmo TTrruukk to Kwajalein by a torpedo from
up when shot, because of her unprotected fuel tanks. This 1942, she arrived in Truk on February 12, 1944. The ship was bombed Lagoon in three days, and was
aircraft could also carry torpedoes. It appears that the on both February 17 and 18, and it appears that the cargo of munitions later repaired and returned to service in January, 1944. The renovated ship
BETTY was landing at the Eten Island airstrip, but went was either struck by a bomb direcly, of reached by a fire. Nevertheless RIO DE JANEIRO MARU 461' (140m), 9,626-ton ship was built in 1930
down just a few hundred meters short, breaking off her nose, it resulted in a tremendous explosion, fragmenting the entire midship and was originally a beautiful eight-deck passenger liner. Requisitioned by the
starboard wingtip, and engines, which were tossed forward superstructure and flinging the whole stern section into deeper water. Japanese Navy in 1940, she was converted into a submarine tender. In July,
nearly 100 meters off the port side. No one knows whether 1942 sailing off of Viet Nam she was struck by torpedoes and received medium
she was shot down or if her demise was a result of the was struck fbryoma tothrepeUdSoSduBriunngkOerpeHrialltiaonndHUaiSlsStoMneoSntterirkeey3. ES-1haet 1420 hours damage, but was repaired and returned to duties. On February 17,1944 she
American Operation Hailstone assault of 17-18 Feb., 1944. by aircraft finally went was struck by one or two 1,000-lb bombs during the first phase of Operation
down the next morning. Hailstone. She was seen languishing at her anchorage and sank by morning.
EMILY - Kawanishi H8K Navy Type 2 Flying-Boat Called
the "Flying Porcupine" because she was armed with five TACHIKAZE Kuop Atoll
20mm cannons and four machine guns, plus she could carry
two torpedoes and either eight 250 kilo bombs or sixteen 60 AMAGISAN MARU 450' (137m), 7,620-ton Passenger Freighter sailed TACHIKAZE 337' (103m), 1,215-ton Destroyer was built
kilo bombs. This formidable opponent could also cruise at 334 the Japan to New York route via the Panama Canal in the 1930's, but was post-World War I based on British design, and was becoming
kph (207 mph) for 4,500 nautical miles (8350 km). She had placed into Navy service in th1e94s1u.bmOanrinFeeUbSruSarSyw1o4rd, f1is9h4. 2OsnheAungaursrot w17ly, obsolete in World War II. Apparently she accidentally ran hard
self-sealing fuel tanks and a fire extinguisher system. This survived a torpedo attack by wagarsosutnudcka.gaUinSsSt ItnhtereKpuido,pUAStoSl iEnsesaerxlyaFnedbUruSaSryB, u1n9k4e4r, Hwihlleariercsrhaeft
plane was heading east from Palau to the Dublon Island Sea 1943 she survived being strafed and bombed by nine B-24's, which killed her attacked and their bombs shook her off the reef into deeper water
Plane Base with several high ranking Japanese officers on Commander. She was in Truk Lagoon with a convoy unloading cargo when, where she sank on February 17, 1944. Although she suffered
board. Mid-flight she was ambushed by American fighters, many casualties, the captain and 114 crewmen were rescued.
who shot her up, killing many of those on board, including the She also reportedly shot down three of the 34 attacking aircraft.
co-pilot, but she lost the Americans in the clouds and
managed to limp back to Truk Lagoon. After crash landing
she sank, but the rest of the crew was saved.
07000'N aonndFFeboruuraGryru1m7,m1a9n44A,vsehnegweratsoarptteadcokebdombybfeivres,CfruormtisUHSeSlldBivuenrkdeirveHbillo, mripbpeinrsg, Lauvergne I. 07000'N
her and igniting her fuel oil. The smoldering hulk went down in a hurry.
The Battle of Truk Lagoon Task Force 58 at Majoro bombing runways and air installations on the Bomb Blast Near Dublon Island Japanese Combined Fleet gone. Truk's airfield South I.
"Operation Hailstone" islands, and to destroy all Japanese shipping within personnel were attempting to start a defense, but they
Truk Lagoon. It was also hoped that the Japanese had too little too late. The American pilots were able assembled form aboard cargo ships. Very few of
February 17-18, 1944 Combined Fleet's battleships, carriers and heavy to control the airspace over Truk Lagoon. the assembled aircraft were able to take off in
Truk Lagoon was a major Japanese logistics cruisers would be confronted and destroyed. response to the U.S. attack. Several Japanese
center as well as the operating home base for the However, fearing that the base was becoming too As the Hellcat Fighters began their engagement, aircraft that did take off were claimed destroyed by
Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet. The vulnerable, these warships had largely withdrawn US Fleet Carriers were launching bombers to begin U.S. fighters or gunners on the U.S. bombers and
atoll had been in the hands of the Japanese since from Truk Lagoon and had been moved to Palau the destruction of shipping and shore facilities. torpedo planes.
World War I and was closed to foreigners. War just a week before the attack. A large number of Dauntless Dive Bombers and Avenger Torpedo
planners had little information to go on, so on important auxiliary ships and other combat vessels Bombers had armor piercing bombs to attack The U.S. lost 25 aircraft due to intense anti-
February 4, 1944 a pair of PB4Y reconnaissance critical to the Japanese war effort were still in the Japanese warships expected to be encountered. The aircraft fire, but 16 U.S. aircrew were rescued by
aircraft gathered aerial photographic intelligence of atoll, along with hundreds of aircraft at the airfields. Americans also carried incendiary and fragmentation submarine or amphibious aircraft. A nighttime
the Japanese military installations in Truk Lagoon. tainoitrrrpeaepttdiadocakantdtdaakcmikllaebgdye1ad1JtohafephaUenrSecSsreeIwna.tirreAcrpnaiodftt,hdaeanrmdJaakgpilealedndeths1e1e
The recently conquered airstrips in the Marshall The U.S. attack involved a combination of Torpedo Hit on a Japanese Freighter of her crew, although that attack did not come from
airstrikes, surface ship actions, and submarine on February 17, 1944. Japanese forces at Truk Lagoon.
PB4Y Reconnaissance Aircraft Islands were within range of the PB4Ys. The flyover Avenger TBFs Launching AvengeorvTeBr FTrTuokrpLeadgoooBnombers
finoculnuddinthgattheImsuppeerirabl aFtlteleesthiwpaMrsuhsiapsshwi, ethreeirpSreecsoenndt, Ready to Launch from the USS Monterey damaYgeet datnhoethBearttJleasphaipneUsSeSaIior waatt.ack slightly
Fleet's flagship. There were also carriers,
destroyers, submarines and hundreds of aircraft on attacks over two days, and appeared to take the Torpedo clusters to destroy, burn and blast aircraft on the F6F Hellcat dive bombers raid The Japanese later relocated about 100
Truk's airfields. It appeared that Truk would be very Japanese completely by surprise. Airstrikes Wake ground. A Hellcat Fighter formation protected the Truk Lagoon aircraft from Rabaul to Truk, but these aircraft
costly to destroy, but U.S. and Allied Forces air employed fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers against an expected enemy defense, as were attacked by U.S. carrier forces in
superiority in the Pacific would depend on it. Admiral F6F Hellcat Fighter Cleared for Takeoff bombers in attacks on Japanese airfields, aircraft, they escorted them to their targets. another attack April 29-30, 1944, destroying
Raymond Spruance ordered the attack by Task shore installations, and ships in and around the Truk most of them. The April 1944 strikes found no
Force 58 (TF58), a U.S. Fleet Carrier Force/Battle anchorage. A force of U.S. surface ships and During the two-day operation Japan lost ships shipping existing in Truk lagoon and were the
Group consisting of five fleet carriers and four light submarines guarded exit routes from the lagoon. with a combined 220,000 tons, including a pair of last major attacks on Truk during the war. It
carriers able to fly 500 aircraft. Assisting the carriers light cruisers, four destroyers, an armed merchant was apparent that Operation Hailstone was a
was a large fleet of seven battleships, and numerous Before the break of day February 17, TF58 carriers cruiser, a torpedo boat, three sub-chasers, and 3 tremendous success. Thousands of
cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other support launched a squadron of F6F Hellcats to ensure no auxiliary ships. As many as 17 ships were Japanese forces were marooned on the
ships. The battle group was tasked to destroy hostile aircraft would be in the skies. Since Truk damaged, but not sunk, including a submarine islands of Truk Lagoon and had to await the
Japanese opposition and establish air supremacy Lagoon had been in Japanese control since WWI, tender, a seaplane tender, a fleet repair ship, an end of the war and fend off starvation as they
over Truk Lagoon. To do this the operation was to American pilots were flying into unknown skies. escort, and others. Over 250 Japanese aircraft were cut off from their countrymen.
make the airfields in Truk Lagoon unusable by Reconnaissance photos showed warships and attack were destroyed, mostly on the
aircraft on the ground that the Hellcat pilots would ground. Many of the aircraft were in various states 152000'E
have to confront. At daybreak the fighters were of assembly, having just arrived from Japan is dis-
surprised to find the skies virtually unprotected and the
Copyright 2012 Franko Maps Ltd. 151030'E 151040'E 151050'E