Truk Lagoon is situated in Chuuk State, Micronesia. From afar it appears like a tropical paradise. Small mountainous islands covered in coconut palms and lush green are scattered around the calm, clear waters that are protected by a barrier of coral atoll. Upon closer inspection you find a world struggling on as best it can after years of Japanese occupation and a massive Allied military strike during WW2.
The lagoon had been used as a base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. They had constructed five airstrips on several islands, communication centres, built a seaplane base and used the location for anchorage for warships as well as facilitating supplies to their forces in the Pacific.
The Allied attack, named Operation Hailstone, hit Chuuk over the 17-18 February, 1944. It took the form of a massive strike by more than 500 planes supported by five fleet carriers, seven battleships, an assortment of destroyers, submarines and other support vessels.
