( 7 reviews )
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Posted: Dec 19 2008
I recently returned from a trip to Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) and was lucky enough to dive among the many wrecks that are there. This book was a PERFECT reference for selecting which doves to make, as well as the background of each ship. I would recommend this book to any dive enthusiast (especially if you have been or are going to Truk Lagoon), as well as any WWII history buff that wants an accurate description of the wrecks and how they came to rest in the lagoon.
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Posted: Mar 9 2008
I recently completed seven days of wreck diving in Truk Lagoon in the Federate States of Micronesia. I went to Chuuk (the main island's current name) knowing vitrually nothing about the island, the people or the wrecks located there, except that it was loaded with Japanese ships from WWII. While there I was loaned this book by the dive operator as a reference for planning my dives. The first night I opened the book to peruse it my immediate reaction was that I wish I would have known this book was out there prior to taking the trip. The book opens with a bit of history of Chuuk, touches on the culture of the people then immediately dives in (no pun) to the details about "Operations Hailstone" in February 1944 which resulted in the sinking of many of the ships that currently lie in Truk Lagoon. All this background makes for great reading to anyone who is interested in the history of WWII as I am. But if you're a diver, and enjoy wreck diving, the true value of the book lies in it's second half. It is here where the author dissects each ship with its history, its role during the war, and the circumstances surrounding its sinking. Because Bailey has dived these wrecks numerous times he is intimately familiar with their depth, points of interest for each, and the potential hazards of exploring them. It is this information that anyone planning a dive trip to Truk needs to be familiar with. His research was meticulous, the photos first rate and the information was spot on. If you are planning to dive Truk for the first time, or you have an interest in this subject matter, this is a must read and worth the price. I'm currently reading "WWII Wrecks of Palau" by Bailey in preparation for my May 2008 dive trip to Palau. I will be much better informed and ready for the Palau trip than I was for my trip to Truk Lagoon.
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Posted: Jul 12 2007
What an outstanding written document on what happened and on what is below the surface in that special part of the world. It's a must for history lovers and for scuba diving fans. And it's mandatory for individuals that fit both categories.
