Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese for the duration of the Pacific War. Faleu Island guards the South Pass (Southern Pass) entrance into Truk Lagoon and was the control center for the Japanese Navy's underwater detection systems. Underwater detection coils were present here to sense the magnetic of passing ships or submarines. This coil was 4.5m loops and one 750m x 150m loop, marked by two buoys, connected by cable to Faleu Island. By 1943, the detection system was fully implemented and remained in operation until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945.

Thirty men of the 41st Naval Guard Force were stationed on Faleu to man defenses including two 150mm (5.9") Naval guns were emplaced in open pits concrete ammunition magazines facing southward to guard the entrance to South Pass (Southern Pass). A 1.5m range finder and 90cm searchlight on a 6' tower, with sound locater was emplaced nearby. . 15 mines were installed on the west side of the island, the other 135 were destroyed in an Allied bombing raid before being installed. Other frame construction buildings on the island included a command post, barracks, generator in a revetment, shrine, underground water reservoir, latrine, water distillation plant, bathhouses, mess hall and kitchen.

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Last Updated
March 20, 2022