Truk February 16-18, 1944: Page 2 of 3

The ability to reduce Truk signaled that a powerful new carrier force was available to the Americans. By grouping their fleet carriers, and attacking in massive waves, horrific destruction could be achieved. The Americans would use their aircraft carriers as mobile artillery and as anti-air units, grouped in overwhelming firepower, for the rest of the war.

As part of the invasion of the Marshall Islands, Truk was repeatedly bombed during February 1944. During the war it was a favorite target for American submarines and aircraft, who would stalk Japanese freighters and warships entering and leaving. Like Rabaul in the Solomons, Truk was left to wither on the vine. It was still occupied at the end of the war, by starving Japanese soldiers.

After the war, Truk became Chuuk in most western countries, a more accurate spelling of the local name for the island.