First Bombing Raid Against Japanese-held Nauru - new article

WWII History Magazine has an article (and photos) about the 11th BG's first bombing raid against Nauru, and the Japanese surprise response, in their July issue. The article is adapted from my new book, Finish Forty and Home. I hope you enjoy it!

 

Nauru is the smallest Island nation in the world. I have visited Nauru a number of times and have always found it difficult to believe how many Japanese soldiers and Korean labourers were landed on the Island.

Nauru is only 21sq kms and had a population of about 1800 Naruans when war began and about 700 Europeans (British Phosphate Commission), Chinese and a Military Garrison. About 500 were taken off however no ships made it back to pick up the other 200.

Naura was attacked by the Germans (Raiders) who destroyed the mines and the gasoline storages.

The Japanese landed mid 1942 and eventually had nearly 4,000 on the island.

The Americans attacked the Airstrip by air mid 1943 for which the Japanese executed (5) Europeans.

Because the US bombing had interrupted their supply ships not much food was getting through to Nauru so the Japanese sent 1200 Nauruans to Truk and only about 750 ever returned as they were starved and brutalised there.

By the end of the war, Japanese were known to have resorted to cannibalism. There were 3700+ repatriated after their surrender in September 1945.

The air strip cuts through the middle of the small town.



On nearby Banaba (Ocean Island) all the Tuvaluans, Gilbertese and other Pacific Islanders, women and children were taken to other Japanese held Islands.

150 labourers were retained to work on food growing/gathering for the Japanese. Sadly, after the Japanese government surrendered, these 150 were taken to the cliffs and shot.

One Gilbertese lad survived for 3 months until the Australian naval ship arrived. He told what occurred and the (2) Japanese officers were placed on trial for war crimes and found guilty. The commanding officer said his junior officer was only following orders. The commanding officer was hanged and the junior officer sentenced to 25 years gaol.

These are just some of the stories of how the Japanese worked/starved or murdered local islanders everywhere they went.

 

Thanks, Spidge. Nauru continues to be a sad story even today, with its phosphate deposits played out and slim prospects for the future.

 

Nauru Island under attack by Liberator bombers of the Seventh Air Force.
A really similar picture appeared on th The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada, 3 May 1943 : Jap [Japanese] Base on Nauru Island blazes under attack by United States bombers which on April 21 carried out the longest aerial task force mission of the war - Smoke billows from the important phosphate works and the airfield of the little coral attol seized from the British last August - It is on the equator southeast of the main Jap base at Truk in the Carolines



They did opt for Independence in the late 1960s when the times were good, and the money from the phosphate was squandered. The Island is now basically bankrupt,

 

Thanks, Spider. That photo also appeared in a related article in the July 5, 1943 issue of Life magazine. I've seen a doctored copy of the same photo which showed three B-24s in silhouette, the one actually there and two more. An early example of photoshopping, no doubt!

 

The airstrip is still in the same place looking at the images.

 

Thanks, Spider. That photo also appeared in a related article in the July 5, 1943 issue of Life magazine. I've seen a doctored copy of the same photo which showed three B-24s in silhouette, the one actually there and two more. An early example of photoshopping, no doubt!

Can you post the original photo.

 

Nauru Attack - Direct Hit on a Phosphate Plant - Awesome Stories

 

LIFE - Google Books

 

This link gives some of the story of Nauru island for those who are not familiar.

Once again the Japanese were brutal, nasty, terrible, and acted as demons from Hell and not as honorable soldiers.

I tried this link it takes you there believe it or not.

Japanese Atrocities on Nauru during the Pacific War: The murder of Australians, the massacre of lepers and the ethnocide of Nauruans　　太平洋戦争ä¸Xのナウル島における日本軍の残虐行為−−オーストラリア人殺害、癩ç

 

LIFE - Google Books

Thanks for posting this article, Spider. In the photo captioned Medical Corpsmen removing dead, my father stands near far right with no helmet. His story and that of his fellows in the 11th BG is the heart of my new book, Finish Forty and Home.

 

The airstrip is still in the same place looking at the images.

The airstrip is sealed and the aircraft are 737-400's (rented from Qantas) goes right through the centre of town. when the plane lands they close the gates and after people just trek across.

Not much traffic as you would imagine.

 

Thanks for posting this article, Spider. In the photo captioned Medical Corpsmen removing dead, my father stands near far right with no helmet. His story and that of his fellows in the 11th BG is the heart of my new book.

I dare say you have a copy of the photo to post here.

 

I dare say you have a copy of the photo to post here.

I have only the magazine, not the photo separately, glad you posted a link to the article.

 

The Battle for Nauru

 

The airstrip is still in the same place looking at the images.

It certainly looks like it is in the same location and it reminds me of the early airstrip on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

I still remember the screams of several passengers as we descended

Regards
Tom

 

The airstrip is sealed and the aircraft are 737-400's (rented from Qantas) goes right through the centre of town. when the plane lands they close the gates and after people just trek across.

Not much traffic as you would imagine.



Geoff, what is this memorial?

NAURU / A *CANDY FACTORY PROJECT

 

Phil,

Thanks for the info, I was afraid they weren't commemorated.

 

It certainly looks like it is in the same location and it reminds me of the early airstrip on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

I still remember the screams of several passengers as we descended

Regards
Tom

I have landed there many times and never screamed but the aircraft never came straight in. They would go around the Island, then a more than 45 degree angle, straighten up and down. Was always fun listening to those who had not landed there previously.

Cheers

Geoff