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
During the war, the Japanese
built two airfields: Moen 1 and later Moen 2. 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. Today, Moen Island has been
renamed "Weno" and is the capital of Chuuk (Truk).
Moen No. 1 Airfield (Airfield No. 1, Harushma, Chuuk Airport)
Built by the Japanese and used until the end of the war. Today still in use.
Moen No. 2 Airfield (Airfield No. 2)
Built by the Japanese in February 1944 as a fighter strip. Disused since the war.
Moen Seaplane Base
Japanese built seaplane base used until the end of the war. Disused today.
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: "It's called "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 lbs hit.
127mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Type 89
Emplaced at Neauo (Neuwo)
References
WWII Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon 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)
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Last Updated
July 18, 2023
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