TIMOR-LESTE REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN SURVEY
PILGRIMAGE TO PEARL

Probably the most important WWII location in the Pacific is Pearl Harbor on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. It was the attack on the US Pacific Fleet by Zero dive bombers of the Imperial Japanese Navy that drew the United States into the war. December 7 1941 was cartainly one of the most important dates of the Second World War, not only for the United States but for all participants because the Axis agreement between Japan, Germany and Italy then brought the Americans to Europe at a time of great need by Britain and France and the other Allies. It is important that we not forget the sacrifice made by servicemen and women over 60 years ago.

Having come to Hawaii I could not leave Oahu without a visit to Pearl Harbor and Molly Hagemann kindly offered to drop me off at the location in the morning. Although I did not have time for a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, or any of the organised tours for that matter, I could view it from the shore. I walked around the entire landward part of the site photographing torpedos, submarine conning towers and other artifacts and reading the numerous display boards and indoor exhibits.

.

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument	Pearl Harbor Historic Sites
USS Bowfin submarine	USS Arizona Memorial

My two hours flew past and then it was time to meet Molly who then dropped me at the airport to catch my flight to Hilo on the island of Hawaii, locally known as Big Island for the IUCN woskhop. My flight left at 14:40 and took around 50 minutes.

Click on any image to enlarge it
Click next page below for page 2