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History
Yap's interaction with Japan began in in 1914 when
British shelling destroyed the German colonial plantation owner's radio.
Soon afterwards, a Japanese Expeditionary Squadron occupied the island on
October 7 1914 in a bloodless takeover. In 1919 a Secret treaty agreement
between Japan and Britain guaranteeing Japanese control over all Pacific
islands north of the Equator was announced at the Treaty of
Versailles.
Pre-war Japanese Settlement & Fortification
By 1920, rapid Japanese settlement began. After 1935, when Japan
left the League of Nations, the island was fortified and by the late 1930's
the island was a major military base. Yapese were forced to work in labor
gangs and at nickel, bauxite and phosphate mines on the island.
Wartime History
During the war, the
Japanese build the lighthouse in Gagil and intensive gardening begins
in a large part of southern Yap. Read Yap's Air Campaign by Richard Dunn for complete history.
American Missions Against Yap
March 30 - October 30, 1944
Colonia (Doanguuc, Korronii, Kolonie, Yap, Yappu)
9° 30' 52N 138° 7' 45E
Colonia Airfield (Yap Airport)
Built by the Japanese, still in use today as Yap's airport
Tomil Airfield
Construction begun by Japanese, bombed in 1944 and abandoned
B-24J Liberator Serial
Number 44-40332
Pilot Sylor MIA July 15, 1944
B-24J Liberator Serial
Number 42-73119
Pilot Diederich MIA July 15, 1944
B-24J Liberator Serial Number 44-40598
Pilot Coleman MIA June 25, 1944 shot down by fighters
A6M Zero
Ditched in shallow water off Yap
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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