World War II Deception: A Japanese Military Ship in the California Desert

Deserts are typically used as training grounds for army units such as infantry and artillery, but using a desert to train air forces is unusual.

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This is precisely what happened during World War II when the United States Army Air Forces built a Japanese warship in the middle of the California desert, according to War Online History. The ship, officially called “Muroc Maru,” was built in 1943 on the dry Rogers Lake. This replica of the Japanese “Takao” class cruiser was used to train American pilots to carry out bombing raids against enemy warships.

Construction of the “Muroc Maru” Ship

The replica was built using a combination of wooden planks and barbed wire, covered in tar paper to give the impression of a 650-foot-long ship in the middle of the Southern California desert, at a cost of $35,819.18.

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According to the website, the Muroc Maru was constructed on the bottom of the dry Rogers Lake because the site mimicked the appearance of the ocean – the sand dunes were even sculpted to create the illusion of waves surrounding the cruiser!

The ship got its name by combining its location, the Muroc military base, and the final part of Japanese ship names, “Maru.”

Training American Pilots for Bombing Raids

The decision to build the “Muroc Maru” was made after the Pacific Theater training program was moved from Ohio and Hawaii to Muroc Air Base to minimize the movement of naval supplies.

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The mock ship played a significant role in training Air Force personnel on bombing techniques, gunnery, and warship identification. One of these techniques was the “skip bombing,” a method involving dropping munitions from low altitudes so they would skip over the water and strike Japanese ships.

Legacy of the “Muroc Maru” Ship

The “Muroc Maru” remained in use until 1950 when it was deemed a hazard to air navigation due to unexploded ordnance and was later dismantled. Despite its unconventional design and location, the ship contributed significantly to preparing pilots for air combat, making it an invaluable part of American history.

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Although the ship was dismantled, remnants of its existence remain in the Rogers Lake bed in the form of sand barriers and scattered nails. The place may seem ordinary to some, but those who are familiar with its history understand its crucial role during World War II.