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 Dick Williams 1980  Dick Williams 1980  Dick Williams 1969 |
Location Moen Island is located in the Northern Nomoneas Islands (North Shiki) in the center of Truk Lagoon in Chuuk State (Truk) in the Federated States of Micronesia. Also known as "Weno". The highest peak has an elevation of 1,233' at roughly the center. To the north is Falo Island and Sand Island, to the northwest is Scheitan Island and Dublon Island (Tonoas, Tonowas) to the south and Fefan Island and Param Island (Parem) to the southwest. Further to the west is White Sand Island and Udot Island. Wartime History Prewar and during the Pacific War, the Japanese built Moen Seaplane Base and two airfields: the first Moen 1 Airfield (Airfield No. 1, Harushma) in late 1942 and Moen 2 Airfield (Airfield No. 2) in early 1944 as a fighter strip. Many supply dumps, stores and other facilities were located on the island. American missions against Moen March 30, 1944 - June 27, 1945 Today Postwar American forces built concrete structures and restored Japanese houses are along the exist on the southern coast. Moen Island has been renamed Weno"and is the capital of Chuuk State (Truk). Moen No. 1 Airfield (Airfield No. 1, Harushma, Chuuk Airport) Built by the Japanese at the norhtern corner of the the island. Still in use today as Chuuk Airport. Moen No. 2 Airfield (Airfield No. 2) Built by the Japanese in February 1944 in the southern corner of the island and disused since the Pacific War. Moen Seaplane Base Japanese built seaplane base at the southern corner of the island and disused since the Pacific War. C6N1 Myrt Dumped off Moen Seaplane Base. Japanese Communications Center The Xavier High School was used as a Japanese communication center during the war. Aircraft Wreck Part of an American plane lying in the shallows a few hundred yards north of the Blue Lagoon Resort. Lighthouse Prewar lighthouse, damaged during the war A6M Zero Ditched off Sapuk on Moen Island C6N1 Myrt Abandoned in a mangrove area, salvaged Sapuk Located on Moen Island. 200mm Short Naval Gun (Sapuk No. 1) Emplaced at Sapuk on Moen Island 8" Naval Gun (Sapuk No. 2) Emplaced at Sapuk on Moen Island Caves and Bunkers Numerous caves and bunkers over the island, some with guns still inside exist over the island. Dick Williams recalls: "The Japanese word for bunker is "totchka". About 3' thick concrete. They had tons of concrete. How? You get a lot of coral, burn it to make lime, mix with sand and small pieces of coral for aggregate, mix with water, stir and presto! Concrete. Strong, and real white. Even the Spanish used it to make their churches and fortifications. Still there till this day, still strong, especially when fortified with rebar. That is, unless an armor piercing 500 pound bomb hit. 127mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Type 89 Emplaced at Neauo (Neuwo) References WWII Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon (2001) pages 17, 50, 54, 111, 115, 119-121, 141-142, 145, 152-154, 156-157, 163, 173, 175, 192-193, 197, 206-208, 213, 216-218, 223, 227-230, 232, 234, 241-242, 247-248, 474, 494, 509 (index) Contribute
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 Map Feb 4, 1944 |
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