Dive Truk Lagoon: The Japanese WWII Pacific Shipwrecks

Truk Lagoon is quite simply the greatest wreck diving location in the world. Scores of virtually intact large WWII wrecks filled with cargoes of tanks, trucks, artillery, beach mines, shells and aircraft rest in the crystal clear waters of the Lagoon—each a man-made reef teeming with life. Truk was the main forward anchorage for the Japanese Imperial Navy and merchant fleet during the early days of WWII. The lagoon had been fortified by the Japanese in great secrecy during the 1930s—the Allies knew little about it.

In total secrecy Operation Hailstone was prepared: nine U.S. carriers holding more than 500 combat aircraft steamed towards Truk—supported by a screen of battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines. Before dawn on 17 February, Strike Groups of 12 Hellcat fighters swept in low towards Truk under Japanese radar and immediately began strafing Japanese airfields. Soon, hundreds of aircraft were involved in one of the largest aerial dogfights of WWII which was over within an hour.

This is the amazing story of Truk Lagoon and the turning of the tide in the Pacific War.