History of Truk Lagoon Wrecks - Truk Lagoon, Micronesia and Pacific

The fascination of the World War II wreck dive sites has long been a draw for wreck scuba divers from all over the world. See this account of the historyof the wreck courtesy of Blue Lagoon scuba diving centre in Truk Lagoon.

World War II Occupation
During the First World War Truk had been under the control of Germany. Japan, at the time, was part of the Allied Forces that stood against Germany. Consequently, In 1914 Imperial Japan acquired control of the Islands of Truk. Truk Lagoon provided Japan an excellent natural harbor that could accommodate the largest ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Concentrated fortifications were built throughout the islands that encircled Truk Lagoon. Protecting the vital military base from attack by air or sea. Truk's facilities included five airstrips, seaplane bases, a torpedo boat station, submarine repair shops, a communications center, and a radar station.

'Operation Hailstone'
With thousands of troops, and cave emplaced armament among the islands overlooking the lagoon, the "Gibraltar of the Pacific", was a threat to any Allied operation in the Pacific. And so it was the mission of the U.S. Navy Task Force 58 to neutralize this threat. "Operation Hailstone", the code name for the assault on Truk Lagoon, culminated on February 17th & 18th 1944. The American armada included 5 Fleet Carriers and 4 Light Carriers. Supporting the carriers were a fleet of seven battleships, and numerous cruisers, destroyers, submarines, a variety of support ships, and more than 500 aircraft. Japanese losses resulting from the U.S. Navy attack totaled over 250 aircraft and 45 ships. Among the ships sunk were cruisers, destroyers, sub-chasers, tankers, and cargo carrying supply ships. Many other IJN ships were damaged. The American navy lost 25 aircraft with 29 crew killed. A Japanese counterattack on the carrier USS Intrepid also killed 11 U.S. Navy crew. The U.S. Navy raid succeeded in isolating Truk. And although Truk was never the target of an amphibious attack, subsequent air raids and submarine attacks denied Japan effective use of their vital base. The Imperial Japanese Command formerly surrendered Truk on September 2, 1944 aboard the USS Portland.

History of Wreck Scuba Diving Sites

The Japanese Submarine I-169 took part in the attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor in 1941. This submarine is among the the ship wrecks located in Truk Lagoon. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, (credited as the mastermind of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor), kept his headquarters aboard the Yamato while it remained anchored at Truk Lagoon. The Yamato and her sister ship Musashi, (also anchored at TrukLagoon), were the largest battleships ever constructed by any navy. Admiral Yamamoto was killed on April 18, 1943 while flying in route over the Solomon Islands. The Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Bomber, he was flying in came under attack by American P38 Lightenings. Although clearly not the same aircraft, A Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Bomber is also among the wrecks of Truk Lagoon.

Kimiuo Aisek, The Founder of the Blue Lagoon Dive Shop and Chuuk Underwater Diving Industry, Witnessed "Operation Hailstone" at Age 17. Kimiuo Aisek was born in 1927 while Truk was under Japanese rule. He was only 17 years old when the U.S. Navy attacked Truk Lagoon. The Japanese used native islanders for manual labor. And Kimiou watched in horror as his friends perished aboard the exploding transport Aikoku Maru. The result of the U.S. Navy attacks would set the course for the rest of Kimiuo's life.

With his vast diving experience, the momentum began to build. And with the influence of close friends, Kimiuo opened the "Blue Lagoon Dive Shop" on November 13, 1973. The first diving facility in Chuuk.Kimiuo has dived with many world renown personalities, authors, and film makers. His knowledge and skill in locating and identifying shipwrecks was central to the success of many projects on the subject of Truk Lagoon. Kimiuo Aisek passed away on January 4th 2001. He was instrumental in developing Truk as the "Wreck Diving Capital of The World." The friendships he has made with countless visitors from around the world have been lasting ones. Kimiuo's memory has been honored with a stainless steel plaque placed on the wreck of the Fujikawa Maru. On January 26, 2009, Master Diver Kimiuo Aisek was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.
Kimiuo left a legacy that continues today through his son Gradvin Aisek, his grandsons, and the staff at the Blue Lagoon Dive Shop. In honor of his role and contribution to the diving industry of Truk Lagoon, The Kimiuo Aisek Memorial Museum is now open to the public.