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.