Underwater cemetery of Japan: pictures of submerged equipment from the Second World War

Japanese military planes, trains, tanks, ships and other equipment are now covered with corals and lie on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. This series of unique underwater images was taken by American diver Brandi Muller. She coped with this task in a week, diving up to five times a day. In the Second World War, all this equipment, ammunition, dishes, food, as well as the airfield were located at the strategic Japanese base on the Micronesian islands of Chuuk. 

37-year-old American Brandi Mueller was able to photograph the sunken equipment in one of the world's best dive spots off the island of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. 

Chuuk Lagoon is part of the larger Caroline Islands, historically known as the New Philippines. The Caroline Islands, consisting of 500 small islands, are politically divided between the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.

During the Second World War, the ships of the 4th Imperial Navy and the command of the 6th Submarine Fleet were located in Chuuka Lagoon in Micronesia. Almost everything was sunk as a result of the US military operation "Hillston" on February 17, 1944. In particular, this operation allowed the allies to gain superiority over the enemy in the Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, control of Chuuk passed to the US Army.

According to rough estimates, more than 400 aircraft and 50 Japanese warships were destroyed in this deadly operation. More than 2,000 Japanese soldiers were killed in a 36-hour US air attack. 

Most of the Japanese military equipment is now covered with a stunning layer of colorful corals and has become home to numerous underwater flora and fauna.