World War II Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon
Product ID: 6317981
Truk was an important World War II island stronghold functioning as a vital airbase and headquarters for the Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet. It became a potential "roadblock" for the American Pacific Fleet in its advance towards the Japanese Empire. These islands were targeted twice by US Navy carrier striking forces with a powerful group of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers for support. Target objectives included the destruction of the shipping, aircraft, and installations. In addition, land-based US Army Air Force B-24s and B-29s carried out an extensive bombing campaign against the islands. The Japanese defenders were overwhelmed by the concentrated bombing, torpedo, rocket, and strafing attacks by the planes of the US Navy carrier forces and by the heavy pounding given them by land-based Army Air Force bombers. Huge rusting guns in the Japanese-built caves, pillboxes, open emplacements, and a lagoon filled with ship and aircraft wrecks are an important legacy from World War II in this tropical central Pacific island group. The sheer number and diversity of the wrecks found in the relatively shallow lagoon waters brings thousands of divers to this remote location every year. Truk, now known as Chuuk State, has become one of the most desirable dive locations in the world. This 533-page volume documents the Japanese occupation and build-up of Truk into a strategic naval base, the air campaign against the ships, aircraft, and installations, and the exploration/descriptions of the ship and aircraft wrecks that remain. Many new details of the Operation Hailstone raids of February 17-18, 1944 and the Japanese reaction have been included from information found in intelligence file references. Emphasis on the aerial combat between the Japanese and American planes, descriptions of Japanese installations and defenses, and information on the intensive US fast carrier raids of April 29-30, 1944 against Truk have been published for the first time. A total of 173 maps and drawings, 101 black and white photos, and 150 color plates are included in this book. Review: Love it! - Love this book! Gave it to my husband for his birthday. And am completely satisfied with it. Review: Great History Book - The book describes the hostile activities of US forces around the main bombing attack on "Gibraltar of the South". It goes in detail through the events that lead to the sinking of ships and the loss of airplanes, all of which you can now - as a diver - visit. It is part of an overwhelming testimony of war and monument to remember. At this point, I would like to state what my parents and grandparents said after the surrender of Nazi Germany on 8 May 1945: "Never ever again!"
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,890,488 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #3,404 in Japanese History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 38 Reviews |
T**A
Love it!
Love this book! Gave it to my husband for his birthday. And am completely satisfied with it.
R**N
Great History Book
The book describes the hostile activities of US forces around the main bombing attack on "Gibraltar of the South". It goes in detail through the events that lead to the sinking of ships and the loss of airplanes, all of which you can now - as a diver - visit. It is part of an overwhelming testimony of war and monument to remember. At this point, I would like to state what my parents and grandparents said after the surrender of Nazi Germany on 8 May 1945: "Never ever again!"
D**M
Knowing about these wreck and "Operation Halestone" will make for a better photography and video experience
If you planning to dive the World War 2 wrecks of Truk Lagoon Dan Bailey book is a MUST. Review the following wrecks. Heian Marui, Kiyosumi, Goisan, Betty, Fumdzuki, Rio de Janeiro, Emily,Patrol boat 34, Nippo, Fuyikawa, Sankisan, Jill, Shinkoko, Yamigiri, Kinsho, Tugboat and San Francisco. Knowing about these wreck and "Operation Halestone" will make for a better photography and video experience. I would also recommend the DVD "The Wrecks Of Truk Lagoon" a documentary film by Mike Gerken.
L**Y
Must have for Truk enthusiasts
This is an essential book for anyone who wants to learn about the shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon. I lived and worked in Truk in the 90's and had the good fortune to meet the author and lead him on a couple of island adventures. Dan is a leading authority on Truk he has been compiling this information over many years and many trips. This book is well worth the investment.
D**G
Great book
Excellent research into this wonderful book. Would recommend any diver going to Chuuk read this and learn a bit about the history before going.
C**E
Great book to read after your trip
I bought this book about 3 months before my planned trip to Chuuk and must admit it was difficult to read at first. After returning from my trip and being able to relate the sites and island to my own experience I have found it a wealth of knowledge. This book really gives the enthusiast all the background information you could need on operation hailstone and the wrecks of Truk Lagoon.
C**1
I would highly recommend this book
If you're planning a trip to Truk or just a WWII enthusiast, I would highly recommend this book. Lots of pictures, stories and details. One of the best scuba diving / WWII books I've ever purchased.
C**R
Great Book!
Given as a gift and it was a hit. The person to whom it was given is very knowledgeable regarding WWII and he has since emailed that it the book was highly detailed and had many facts he had not previously known. A very well done book!
C**S
In den Tiefen der Truk - Lagune
Detaillierte Darstellung der Angriffe der US Task Force im Jahre 1944 auf eine der größten japanischen Flottenbasen im Pazifik. Die umfangreichen Berichte der Einsätze werden durch Originalaufnahmen und Skizzen nachvollziehbar hinterlegt. Faszinierend sind die Aufnahmen der Wracks in der Lagune, auf denen in den letzten Jahrzehnten aus Tod und Zerstörung neues (maritimes) Leben entstanden ist. Für militärgeschichtlich Interessierte und/oder passionierte Taucher sehr zu empfehlen.
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