WWII War Machines Lost on Remote Pacific Islands

Incredible aerial photographs have revealed the remains of World War II in the Pacific region. The remains of combat vehicles are scattered across forests, shores, and beaches of the islands. Photographers have spotted wreckage in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Solomon Islands, and the Rock Islands of Palau. These include tanks, all-terrain vehicles, artillery, shipwrecks, including transport vessels, as well as the remains of Imperial Japanese Navy fighters and even soldiers' personal belongings, such as helmets.





The Pacific Theater of World War II included Japanese military operations against the US Navy, Marines, and Army. Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and other Allied nations also contributed to the turning point of the war, when Japanese forces were defeated on Guadalcanal in February 1943.

The US Army lost more than 41,000 soldiers killed, while the Marines and sailors lost 23,160.



An American M4 Sherman tank in shallow water off the coast of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.

The wreckage of an American transport ship stranded off the coast of Nggela Islands, Solomon Islands.



Mangrove trees grow through the wreckage of the Japanese Imperial Navy destroyer Kikuzuki in Tokyo Bay, Nggela Islands, Solomon Islands.



The remains of a Japanese Zero fighter jet in the jungle of Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.



A Japanese Zero fighter jet on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.



Locals play and walk near the wreckage of the Imperial Japanese Navy transport ship Kinugawa Maru on Tassafaronga Beach, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.



Aerial view of one of the Rock Islands of Palau.



The wreckage of a Japanese Zero fighter in the forest on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.



The wing of a Japanese fighter still sticks out in the dense jungle of Guadalcanal Island.



A Japanese Type 96 150mm howitzer in the forests of Guadalcanal Island.



A close-up of a Japanese Zero fighter.



Verbs of World War II in the jungles of Guadalcanal Island.



Nearly submerged piers used by Imperial Japanese Navy ships during World War II on Gavutu Island, Solomon Islands.



Japanese fighter landing gear.



The Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Kikuzuki off the coast of Nggela Islands, Solomon Islands.



A US Marine Corps amphibious all-terrain vehicle on Guadalcanal.



The Japanese transport ship Kinugawa Maru off the coast of Guadalcanal.



A sunken Japanese reconnaissance aircraft.



Wreckage of American amphibious all-terrain vehicles in the jungles of Guadalcanal.



Aerial view of the sunken Japanese destroyer Kikuzuki.



Wreckage of a Japanese aircraft.



What remains of American amphibious all-terrain vehicles in the jungle.



A Japanese soldier's helmet in the jungles of Guadalcanal.



A Japanese Type 96 150mm howitzer.



The transport ship Kinugawa Maru, seen from above.



The wreck of the Japanese warship Kikuzuki.