Location
Spans the length of Taroa Island in Maloelap Atoll.

Prewar
In the late 1930s Japan began to develop a military base here, contrary to the rules of the League of Nations mandate for their administration of the island.

Japanese Airbase
The development of the base began in December 1939, when a battalion of Japanese prisoners was drafted for the construction of the airfield. The Japanese constructed an airfield with two runways: 4800' + 4100'. Two hangars and a service apron were also built. Taroa became a major airbase.

During the war, it based a number of fighter and bomber units, including Zeros, Lillys and Bettys. During the war many of were destroyed on the ground. In February 1942 A5M4 Cluades were based here.

Japanese Units Based at Taroa
252nd Kokutai (A6M Zero) March 1943 -

Radar Installations
There were two radar sets (range 50 miles) on island, giving the air wing some 10 minutes warning.

American Missions Against Taroa
January 23, 1944 - May 18, 1944

American Bombardment
At the beginning of the US bombing a third runway had been begun. By end of 1943 there was a total of 380 buildings on Taroa (with >= 490,000 square feet floor space), 80 of which had a floor space greater than 50 feet square. It had several power stations, a command center, an air operations center, fuel farms (35,000 gals.), a pier for larger ships, several ammunition bunkers, a large barracks area, and an extensive workshop area.

The garrison had an extensive road network serviced by over 70 vehicles. Between Feb. 1942 - Aug. 1945, US aircraft dropped 3,543 tons of bombs and US ships fired 453 tons of shells at Taroa. While the first attacks were carrier-based and irregular, daily attacks were started after Majuro and Kwajalein had fallen to the US forces.

At the same time, all supply lines to Taroa were cut off, and the Japanese garrison was left to starve. Of the originally 3097 strong Japanese garrison (1772 Navy, 368 Army, 957 civilians) only 1041 (34%) survived. Several Marshallese were also killed. The survivor rate for Maloelap is the worst of all bases in the Marshalls. Death occurred from air raids, diseases, accidents, and suicides, but mainly from starvation. The Japanese evacuated on February 5, 1944.

Today
The airstrip is still in use today for small planes only. The airbase is are largely overgrown with scrub and low but very dense bush. An island-style lunch will be provided at the school house between noon and 1pm.

July 1, 1943

November 13, 1943

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