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Truk's History

Truk's history of early Spanish domination was followed by German acquisition  after the Spanish-American war about 1890, and then a Japanese mandate from the League of Nations upon Germany's defeat in 1918.

The Japanese era saw a great buildup of arms and bases in advance of a wide  military blitz over the Western Pacific. The blitz was supplied heavily from facilities at Truk, where often more than 1,000 merchant and war ships moored  in readiness for further deployment.

Five airfields supporting close to 500 aircraft provided complete protection over Truk's Gibraltar-like facilities. A deep lagoon, high islands and circling barrier reef provided extensive natural protection.

Patrol boats, torpedo boats, submarines, tugs, landing craft, gunboats and mine sweepers contributed to the final defenses and service needs to maintain  this big base.

Truk was considered the most formidable of all Japanese strongholds in the Pacific. This reputation caused an overconfident Truk command to relax their  vigil against invasion, in spite of U.S. forces fast approaching from the  East. Supplies from Japan had almost ceased, due to immense successes of U.S.  submarines finally equipped with torpedoes that found their mark. Supply convoys  receiving nearly 90% losses enroute to Truk, deprived the garrison of food,  fuel and new armaments desperately required to maintain strength.

By early 1944, U.S. forces had amassed a huge armada of top line carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines for a major surprise sweep against Truk on February 16th, 17th and 18th. This attack, coded "Operation  Hailstone", caught the Japanese totally unaware, and led to one of the most successful U.S. engagements of WWII.

After a follow up attack in April, 1944, Truk was reduced to rubble with over 70 shipwrecks, 400 aircraft destroyed or sunk, and the menace of this big fortress removed forever.

U.S. forces declined engagement with the 40,000 troops at Truk, and after  these attacks, starvation consumed many of the defenders before the eventual surrender of Japan late in 1945.

About 20 years later, adventure divers such as Jacques Cousteau, Al Giddings and Klaus Lindemann discovered the wonders of this huge sunken fleet, replete  with incredible vistas of war machinery, soft coral draperies, fish life and  personal mementos.

Truk is without parallel-its ghostly remains create the world's greatest wreck diving in a wonderfully comfortable location.
 

The correct original name for Truk is Chuuk Estate, it is best known to worldwide  divers as Truk Lagoon.

Truk Lagoon is the wreck diver's ultimate destination, suitable for both novice and experienced divers. The calm, clear, sheltered lagoon is one of  the largest in the world and being relatively free of currents, providing safe, easy diving conditions.

On February 17th and 18th 1944, the U.S. navy launched a devastating air attack on the Japanese Imperial Fleet that was situated inside the sheltered  waters of Truk Lagoon. The assault was fifteen times more powerful than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

Code named Operation Hailstone, the initial strike was made up of 72 fighters  launched from five carriers. When the smoke cleared 15 Japanese naval ships,  6 tankers, 17 cargo ships and 25 American planes and 250 Japanese planes were lying on the bottom of the Lagoon. Subsequent air raids in April, May and  June sunk more ships, and by the end of the war, more than 60 destroyed vessels  were on the Lagoon floor.

The majority of the wrecks lie off DubIon, Eten, Fefan and Uman Islands and  represent the largest naval loss in history. Their cargoes of tanks, trucks, airplanes, mines, bombs, machine gun bullets and thousands of other artifacts including beautiful china are there still to be explored.

A combination of warm tropical water and prolific marine life have resulted  in wrecks festooned with a variety of soft corals, hard corals and sponges  that provide an eerie home for many fish, plankton, and other underwater creatures.

Nowhere else in the world are there so many wrecks in close proximity, situated  in shallow clear water. Many of the wrecks are visible while snorkeling and there are many on-shore wartime locations to visit.

The lagoon has been declared a monument, salvage and souvenir taking of relics,  are prohibited by
 

Dive Sites Ujikawa Maru A 132m (436 feet) armed aircraft ferry with  six holds, four of which are open. One of the most fascinating dives in Truk Lagoon. There are incomplete zero fighters in the number 2 hold. large deck guns on the bow and stern. Depth to deck is only 15 meters. Submarine 1-169  Lying on its port side in about 38 meters of water, it is 104.7m (343½ feet) long. During the April air raid  the submarine submerged to avoid damage. Unfortunately the valves were not closed during this manoeuvre and the sub sunk. Shinkoku Maru  One of the most colourful and spectacular dives. This vessel is well preserved. Small guns are mounted fore and aft. The ship is upright in about 38 metres of water, 12 metres to the  top of the bridge and 20 meters to the main deck. Susuki Maru Destroyer, subchaser lying on it's port  side. Bow in 3 meters of water, stern with propellers in 15 meters. Gas masks and depth charges still scattered on the deck. Rio De Janeiro Maru A 141 m (463 feet) cargo vessel converted  from a luxury passenger liner. The holds contain supplies ranging from beer bottles to guns and other military supplies. The ship is lying on  its starboard side with it's deck only 15 meters from the surface. Back to Top

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