Location
Island in Truk Lagoon. Also known as 'Tonoas Island'.

History
Prior to the war, Japan developed the island into a Navy base begining in November 1940, building a HQ building, eight barracks, five garages, and hospital. The island was also built up as a naval base, supported by a large Japanese community complete with trade stores, restaurants and geisha houses.

Fourth Fleet HQ was built in November 1943 a large central concrete building, three others large and nine smaller buildings. Facilities were manned by the 41st Naval Guard Unit. Forth Fleet Hospital could care for 850 patients in 5 wards and 24 other smaller buildings. 12 Concrete water reservoirs, an ice house, dental clinic, pharmacy, three warehouses and research lab existed. Naval Construction Department included 10,000 men at its peak.

The main radio station of the five in the islands was located at Dublon, where several concrete receivers shelters and buildings were constructed. Forth Harbor Department was located on the southeastern part of the island near Doblon Town. It was 22 wooden buildings including repair shops, warehouses and barracks.

South Seas Development Company had docking facilities on the southwestern tip of the island. Its supply storage and fish cannery were commandeered by the Navy, and it became the Fourth Naval Dockyard. It was the main receiving area for the military. More warehouses and a refrigeration building, HQ, and a two story barracks were constructed. A thousand men worked here on ship repairs, mostly damage sustained to ships from American submarine attacks. The facility also had a 30 ton floating crane and 2,500 ton dry dock. Nearby was a sawmill, and small rail cars connected most of the buildings.

The Truk Transportation department loaded and unloaded supplies from ships. Since there were no docks for the larger ships, supplies needed to be ferried to the bigger ships. Truk's marine infrastructure was second rate, and was capable of properly servicing a modern Naval fleet. A derrick, carts, 40 trucks, barges, harbor craft, tugs and sampans were used for these purposes.

Japanese Army's 52nd "Oak" Division
The Army's 52nd Division were based at Dublon during November 1943 to January 1944. There were not enough buildings for the troops and they were forced to camp in tents, and in civilian houses and schools. These Army troops were cut off from supply after they arrived and had to rely on the Navy for supplies and equipment. They built most of the land based defenses on the islands.

American Missions Against Dublon
March 15, 1944 - May 27, 1945

Dublon Seaplane Base
Built by the Japanese

85th Submarine Base
On the western shore was the 85th Submarine base, constructed during May 1942. It serviced, supplied and did minor repairs to subs. Torpedoes were stored in caves and transported by rail car to the shore. Many different repair and barracks existed specific to submarines.

Japanese Grave Markers
Numberous markers on the island

Hospital
Built by the Japanese Navy during November 1940. hospital are easy to locate, as are water and fuel storage tanks, and signposts written in Japanese.

Dick Williams adds:
"Hospital where an American aviator POW met his end. He was kept in the room at the far right. Read his account in "Ghost Ships" Silander Manuel, a Mortlockese who taught me Trukese told me about him that they also slit his eyelids so that his eyes could never close again. This just before they killed him. That's what Richard, the orderly who went to Saipan to testify against the Japanese, told me they did with them.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009