War in the Pacific War in the Pacific National Historic Park An Administrative History

The following is a list of historic sites and historic features existing in 1967 that related to World War II: [1]

Agana vicinity:

(1) Ruins of old Spanish Fort Santa Agueda overlooking Agana was the site of a Japanese gun emplacement.

(2) Japanese community bomb shelter on Esperanza Road consisting of an extensive system of interconnected rock tunnels.

(3) A series of individual and multiple caves and concrete shelters along O'Brien Drive.

(4) Site of the first command post of Major General Turnage, 3^rd Marine Division, USMC.

(5) Concrete Japanese pill box on Paseo de Susanna Drive adjacent to Agana Harbor.

Asan Invasion Beach:

(1) The intersection of Marine Drive and Halsey Road was once a heavily fortified Japanese defensive position; a pill box was extant in 1967.

(2) Steep hillside between Adelup Point and the Asan River were called Chonito Cliff and Bundschu Ridge by American Marines. Two Japanese concrete bunkers were extant in 1967.

(3) The beach itself.

(4) Asan Point. This was the lower end of the northern invasion sector. Japanese fortifications, including gun emplacements are situated on the south shore of the peninsula.

Asan-Piti Battle Zone:

(1) Many American amphibious vehicles were destroyed during later waves of the invasion force on Piti Beach. Piti Beach was also the site of General Geiger's command post.

(2) There was reportedly a great deal of hand-to-hand fighting as well as tank battles near the Nidual River Bridge.

(3) The Nidual River Valley was considered a key topological feature by the Americans. A major Japanese counterattack was launched down this valley. It contained numerous Japanese caves in 1967.

(4) Asan Ridge was the site of heavy fighting just prior to the Americans reaching the "Force Beachhead Line."

(5) The road connecting Nidual River and Tepungan (a village immediately below Piti) was the site of extensive Japanese shelters and defenses. It was the scene of heavy fighting.

(6) Three large Japanese coastal guns are situated on the west-facing hillside immediately above Tepungan.

Fonte Plateau Battle Zone: The seaward edge of Nimitz Hill was the location of the battle that resulted in the Americans gaining control of the Northern Invasion Sector.

(1) A crater-like depression was the scene of General Takashino's last stand.

(2) A large concrete underground structure with two tunnel entrances is believed to have been the main Japanese command post. It is situated adjacent to Halsey Road.

(3) There are numerous other caves on and near Nimitz Hill.

(4) The Force Beachhead Line is an arbitrary line defined by the Marine Corps commanders that stretched between Mt. Alutom, Mt. Chachao, and Mt. Tenjo. The American invasion force was to move forward until it reached the force beachhead line where it was to stop advancing to await additional logistical support and further orders.

Agat Invasion Beach:

(1) Apaca Point was the upper end of the southern invasion sector. Japanese caves are situated in an around the point.

(2) The invasion beach.

(3) Gaan Point is near the center of the invasion sector and was a crucial Japanese strong point. It inflicted heavy losses on the invading forces. Caves and a heavy concrete fortification as well as a gun emplacement were extant in 1967.

(4) Bangi Point marked the lower end of this invasion beach. In 1967, the point still had a machine gun nest, a heavily sheltered big gun emplacement, and a concrete pill box.

(5) Hill 40 was the name given this topographical feature by the invasion force. It is situated immediately inland from Bangi Point.

Mount Alifan Battle Zone:

(1) A Japanese gun emplacement and an extensive system of tunnels existed on a low hill between Agat and Santa Rita in 1967.

(2) Mt. Alifan was a pivotal point in the invasion strategy. Intensive fighting occurred here before the Americans were able to capture this high ground.

¹A Master Plan for War in the Pacific National Historical Park, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, July 1967.