Located in the south-western Pacific Ocean, about 2,580 miles (4,160 km) southwest of Hawaii. Oval in shape, it has a circumference of 12 miles and an area of 8 square miles, near the equator. Nauru's capital is Yaren administrative center Nauru is the smallest republic in the world and has no capital.

Today
In 1947 the island was placed under United Nations Trusteeship and Australia resumed administration on behalf of the three partner governments: Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. Nauru became an independent republic on 31 January 1968.

History
Nauru existed as an independent island society until it was annexed by Germany in 1888 as part of the Marshall Islands Protectorate. In 1900 a British company discovered phosphate on the island and negotiated with Germany for mining rights. In November 1914 Nauru was seized by Australian troops and remained in British control until 1921. At the end of the war, a League of Nations mandate was granted to Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. The three countries provided for an Administration and set up the British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) to run the phosphate industry.

WWII History
During the war, the island had the distinction of being attacked by Germany, Japan and America. German Raider Komet bombarded the phosphate mine on December 27, 1940. Occupied by the Japanese in late 1942, the garrison was commanded by Takeuchi. 1200 Nauruans were deported to Truk in September 1943. Only 700 survivors returned.

Missions Against Nauru (partial list)
German, Japanese and American raids on Nauru.

Their are bunkers and trenches everywhere. The Japanese fortified the island extensively.
Photos from Peter Flahavin.

Photograph is a 127mm gun, from Peter Flahavin.   At least one 80mm coastal gun remains in a bunker . All other weapons were dumped into the sea in 1945.

Photograph from Peter Flahavin.

New construction and the Nauru phosphate Corporation occasionally dig up unexploded or abandoned munitions. Photo of an unexploded Japanese aerial bomb. It is a sight to walk down a trail and suddenly it "stops" where a 1,000 pounder went off. Photos from Peter Flahavin.

Nauru Airfield
Built by Japanese, still in use today

Nauru Military Museum
Collection of artifacts, weapons guns and aircraft wreckage

Japanese Tank Parts

Photo from Peter Flahavin.

F6F Hellcat

B-25G "Coral Princess" Serial Number 42-64977