Location
Mor Island is a small heavily forested island at the northeastern edge of Truk Lagoon in Chuuk State (Truk) in the Federated States of Micronesia. Also known as "Moch" or "Guadichaud Island". To the south is North East Pass (Mochenap). To the northeast is Basis Island and Quoy Island (Quoi, Etten). To the southwest is Sand Island.
Wartime History
During the Pacific War, two 15cm coastal guns (5.9" guns) in partially revetted positions supported by a 90cm searchlight on the center of the eastern shore of the island supported by an observation post with a searchlight south of the guns. Nearby was a command post with fire control and magazine and supporting pillbox. To the north were three dummy gun positions. The perimeter of the island had 150 Navy beach mines 50m offshore in two rows spaced 6m apart.
At the center of the island was a barracks 120' x 35' with 60' x 35' annex plus latrine. A pier, storehouse, water tank and observation tower and native hut located on the southern lagoon side of the island. Defended by Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) personnel including six from the 4th Fleet Headquarters plus twenty-one from 41st Naval Guard Force. Later in the war, the Navy also maintained a manned torpedo base on the north coast with two man controlled torpedoes maintained by four personnel.
American missions against Mor Island
February 17–April 30, 1944
References
WWII Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon pages 90, 159, 206, 217-218, 226, 509 (index)
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Last Updated
October 23, 2019
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