Talk:North Keeling

Use as soldiers' "hideout"
I have removed the following statement:
 * "During World War II, it is believed that allied troops used North Keeling as a secret hideout. It is believed that no fewer than 8300 allied soldiers were present on the tiny atoll at the beginning of 1945."

Given that access to the island is so difficult - no boat landings, so visitors have to swim over the reef - it seems quite ludicrous that thousands of soldiers could have ever been stationed on the island, especially in view of its small size and complete lack of facilities. Such a statement requires a very credible source. Maias (talk) 03:55, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

Oke I guess you've got a point there, I didn't really consider that. The book I read it from refers to many sources of information, and the writer has visited the islands personally. It doesn't give the source of this particular statement however so I'll just leave it out. I was planning on expanding this article some more also, thanks for helping. Also, maybe the Pulu Keeling National Park article should be redirected to this one? Since the park is nothing but the island and the waters around it, it doesn't have much to add. Inks002 (talk) 16:02, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

By the way, North Keeling was probably not discovered by William Keeling since he only visited the south islands, and he does not mention a northern island. Source from the same book, Eilanden, Boudewijn Büch. This information however is referenced, Historische Beschrijving der Reizen (translated version to Dutch), Antoine-Francois Prévost, p117-118. This island interests me quite a bit Inks002 (talk) 16:09, 26 March 2008 (UTC)