THE BASE OF TRUK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32422, 24 April 1944, Page 2

THE BASE OF TRUK

IS IT A PHANTOM? REPORTS OF EYE-WITNESSES Is Japan’s much-heralded ocean bastion of Truk largely a phantom? Is the elaborate system of lagoons and reef defence works only capable of serving a small naval squadron like the one our raid forces found anchored in it? Eye-witness reports ol American naval pilots participating in the recent carrier-plane raid certainly indicate that Truk showed no extensive development.

According to Lieutenant-Commander Donald B. Ingerslew, commander of a dive-bombing squadron, LieutenantCommander William G. Privette, junior commander of a torpedo squadron. and Lieutenant-Commander Harry W. Harrison, commander of a fighter squadron, the Japanese appeared to be rushing the fortification and development of Truk when tlie carrier-plane attack occurred.

From their observations during repeated strikes against Japanese shipping and parked planes, they said Truk appeared primarily a staging and supply base, without much evidence of extensive repair dry docks or other installations commonly associated with major naval bases such as Pearl Harbour.

Although observations by these airmen indicated that Truk is not so powerfully developed as was reputed, unofficial observers point, out that the mountainous topography of the Caroline Islands is adaptable for underground installations which are difficult to observe by aerial reconnaissance.