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World War II Wrecks of Truk Lagoon by Dan E Bailey
World War II Wrecks of Truk Lagoon by Dan E Bailey
There can be few divers who are not fascinated by the story of Truk Lagoon, the graveyard of so many Japanese World War Two wrecks. Who better to tell the story than author Dan E Bailey, who has dived the site more than 40 times? His new book is something of a masterpiece of underwater exploration, photography and research.
The work is the culmination of eight years of concentrated effort, and there is a mountain of new information, updates and revelations, together with new photographs.
The huge lagoon at Truk was chosen as HQ of the Japanese Combined Fleet, its first line of defence or offence, and an armada of warships was constantly anchored there, with hundreds of aircraft stationed or in transit. Almost all major Japanese naval operations, including the attack on Pearl Harbour, were co-ordinated through Truk, which was regarded as impregnable.
The Americans thought differently. Their two-day air campaign, Operation Hailstone, became one of the most aggressive actions taken by US forces. Some Japanese ships were able to flee, but US aircraft found 60-plus vessels in the lagoon and sank more than 45, including light cruisers, destroyers, sub-chasers, motor torpedo boats, auxiliary and combatant vessels and merchantmen, totalling over 220,000 tons - plus some 270 aircraft. Most were sunk in relatively shallow waters.
Dan Bailey's book is almost impossibly comprehensive, covering in detail the Japanese occupation and development of the lagoon, the US assault, and the exploration of the ship and aircraft wrecks that remain. Hundreds of photographs, maps and drawings are included. This is a remarkable work that rewards a steep cover price.
Bernard Eaton
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| World War II Wrecks of Truk Lagoon by Dan E Bailey, North Valley (001 530 246 7755, www.northvalleydiver.com). Hardback. 533pp, $70 |
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