War in the Pacific NHP: Historic Resource Study (Asan Beach Unit, Asan Inland Unit and Fonte Plateau Unit)

War in the Pacific

War in the Pacific National Historic Park
Historic Resource Study

B. ASAN BEACH UNIT, ASAN INLAND UNIT AND FONTE PLATEAU UNIT

On W-Day, July 21, 1944, the lead elements of the 3d U.S. Marine Division crossed a reef from 200 to 500 yards offshore and landed on Asan Beach, which was defended by the Japanese 320th Independent Infantry Battalion and naval troops manning the coastal defense guns. The 1.3-mile-long landing area was flanked by two rocky points, "the devil's horns," extending into the lagoon. On the east (left) was Adelup Point. West and to the rear of Adelup was steep Chorrito Cliff which extended almost to the water's edge. Farther west, the cliff gave way to low level land covered with rice paddies. Asan River joined the sea in this area and the small village of Asan lay scattered among palm trees on the beach. At the western end, rocky Asan Point bordered the beach. From east to west, two battalions of the 3d U.S. Marines Regiment landed on Beach Red 1; one battalion of the 3d U.S. Marines landed on Beach Red 2; three battalions of the 21st U.S. Marines came ashore on Beach Green, in the middle; and three battalions of the 9th U.S. Marines landed on Beach Blue adjacent to Asan Point. The Japanese held their fire until the landing vehicles were close to shore, the 3d U.S. Marines particularly receiving heavy fire from Adelup Point and Chorrito Cliff on their left flank.

By noon the 3d U.S. Marines had reached the top of steep Chorrito Cliff and in the afternoon overcame the enemy on Adelup Point. Inland from Chorrito Cliff, the terrain becomes a ruggedly hilly area cut by deep ravines and covered with man-high sword grass and other jungle vegetation. The marines named one 400-foot-high rocky outcropping Bundschu Ridge for Capt. Geary R. Bundschu, who was assigned to take this ridge. Here, the Japanese held off the marines throughout the day and inflicted heavy casualties, including the life of Captain Bundschu.

In the center of the landing beach, the 21st U.S. Marines advanced up the Asan River valley against only moderate resistance until they reached a series of ridges from which Japanese fire forced the marines to dig in for the night.

(click on image for an enlargement in a new window)

(click on image for an enlargement in a new window)

To the west, right, the 9th U.S. Marines made the day's greatest advance, but suffered casualties from caves on Asan Point. It crossed the rice paddies swiftly and reached the inland ridge. Part of the regiment swung to the southwest, crossed a bridge near the mouth of Matgue (then called Nidual) River, and moved on to a point 400 yards short of Taguag River near Piti. When these marines crossed the Matgue River, fire from Japanese positions on the west side of Asan Point fell on them. By nightfall, however, all enemy opposition on the point had been silenced. Through the night, Japanese reinforcements plugged gaps in their lines on the ridges above Asan. And through the night, small groups of Japanese counterattacked along the 3d Marine Division's front, the most serious blow being against the 3d U.S. Marines in the Chorrito Cliff area.

On July 22, the 3d U.S. Marines renewed their attack on Bundschu Ridge. Despite repeated attempts against the natural stronghold, the marines gained no ground and continued to suffer heavy casualties. The 21st U.S. Marines to the right attempted to make contact with the 3d, but "the nightmare of twisting ravines, jumbled rocks, and steep cliffs that hid beneath the dense vegetation" precluded the effort. [2] That night, the Japanese counterattacked again, and again suffered severely. Unknown to the marines, the Japanese withdrew from Bundschu Ridge before dawn.

To the right, the 9th U.S. Marines continued their advance on July 22, entering the Piti area and taking the old navy yard and a Japanese three-gun coastal battery.

On July 23, after occupying Bundschu Ridge, the 3d U.S. Marines pushed their attack toward the high ground west of lower Fonte River. The 21st U.S. Marines in the center spent the day improving their positions, establishing outposts, and beating off Japanese patrols. Not until the next day, July 24, was the gap between the 3d and 21st closed.

On the night of July 25-26, the Japanese launched their last major counterattack against the 3d Marine Division. One of the most bitter struggles involved the 9th U.S. Marines on the forward slopes of the Fonte Plateau, the high ground toward which the marines had been struggling since W-Day. Along the entire front, Japanese infiltrators made their way down to the beach, striking at various targets including the division hospital near Asan Point. The counterattack was in vain, however, for the Japanese lost 3,200 men that night. On July 27, the Third Division launched an all-out attack on the Fonte area. By the 28th all the Fonte area was in American hands except for a depression on the plateau which was silenced on the 29th. General Takashima was dead, having been hit by machine gun fire from an American tank. Japanese forces began a general retreat toward northern Guam.

Following the battle for Guam, great changes occurred in the Asan-Fonte area. The rice paddies on the beach gave way to a motor pool area and a cemetery for American dead. Seabees constructed a four-lane highway, Marine Drive, along the shore, changing the face of the Chorrito Cliff. Still later, the motor pool gave way to a naval hospital. Asan Point was opened as a coral quarry, destroying remaining fortifications and changing the point into low, level ground. The old village of Asan was destroyed during the fighting, and a new town of the same name was erected farther inland to the east. The high land of Fonte was renamed Nimitz Hill and Admiral Nimitz moved his CINCPAC headquarters there from Hawaii. In recent times, a large modern school was constructed on Adelup Point and a flood-control project was completed at the mouth of Asan River.

I. Asan Beach Unit

The Asan Beach Unit consists of 109 land acres and 445 acres of water. It includes all of Asan Point, the landing beaches seaward of Marine Drive, and the western side and tip of Adelup Point. (The identifying numbers used below are those used by the National Park Service up to now. A new numbering system, which will provide more order, presently being developed by the area.)

Adelup Point, 1944.

Asa Point from Adelup Point, Asan Beach, 1984.

Agana from Adelup Point, 1984.

Adelup Point

No. 28. Japanese Pillbox. On the west side of the point. Presently owned by the Government of Guam, it consists of a single concrete wall, 5 feet in length, and containing a small embrasure. It lacks a roof. The field of fire was toward Asan Point. Battle damage is limited, but rock has fallen into the firing position. Japanese lire from the west side of Adelup Point hit the 3d U.S. Marines on Beaches Red 1 and 2 on W-Day. The point was captured by the end of the day.

No 29. Japanese pillbox. On the east side of Adelup Point. It is outside the boundaries of the national park. Built into the limestone cliff, this pillbox has two gun embrasures, one of which is now sealed with concrete. The rear entrance, from the top of the dill, is filled in. Located on the east side of the point, this pillbox played no direct rote in the W-Day landings. One may be assured, however, that its occupants partook in the defense of Adelup Point when U.S. Marines stormed it that afternoon. While the National Park Service has no responsibilities concerning the pillbox it is recommended it be identified in any interpretive literature that may be developed for Adelup Point.

No. 29. Japanese pillbox, Adelup Point, 1984.

No. 30. Japanese pillbox. On the east side of Adelup Point, outside the boundaries of the National Park. This fortification has been described as a "dual" pillbox, having two rooms (one large and one quite small), each with a gun embrasure. The cliff parallel to the westernmost embrasure has been chiseled out to increase the field of fire. A concrete observation port remains on top. As with No. 29, the pillbox played no direct role in the W-Day landings. It is recommended that it, too, be identified on any trail guides for Adelup Point. This is an excellent example of an essentially undamaged and completed Japanese pillbox.

No. 30. Japanese pillbox, Adelup Point, 1984.

No. 30. Japanese pillbox, Adelup Point.

No. 31. Natural cave. On the north tip of Adelup Point, within the park boundaries. This small cave may or may not have been defended. Pieces of concrete have been found within. It measures 6 feet in depth and 5.5 feet in width.

No. 31. Cave, Adelup Point, 1984.

No. 32. Cave and foxhole. These are on the west side of Adelup Point, within the park boundaries. The Government of Guam is the present owner. The natural cave, measuring about 5.5 feet in width and 10.8 feet in depth, could well have served as a weapon emplacement. On top of the cliff above the cave is a depression in the earth 3 feet in width, 6 in length, and 3 feet in depth, that probably was a machine gun emplacement. Both machine gun and mortar fire from Adelup Point fell on Beaches Red 1 and 2.

No. 42. Cave. It, too, is on the west side of Adelup and within the park boundaries. The Government of Guam is the present owner. This natural cave is faced with a coral rock and concrete wall. The cave measures 6.5 feet in width and 8 feet in depth. Its field of fire covered Beaches Red 1 and 2.

No. 42. Cave, Adelup Point, 1984.

No. 42. Cave, Adelup Point.

No. 41. House foundation. This large, concrete foundation on the highest part of Adelup Point marks the site of the pre-war Kroll home. It is believed that the Japanese dug tunnels into the landward sde of the foundation for storage; there is a definite evidence that this wall was breached and later resealed. Also, a photograph taken on July 23, 1944, shows at least one opening in the wall. A long concrete flight of steps from the house to lower ground from before the war remains. These steps are bordered with small, rock-walled flower terraces of an uncertain date (after the battle an American officers' club was established on the house foundation). It provides an excellent platform for viewing Asan Point to the west and Aqana to the east and is an outstanding location for on-site interpretation,

No. 41. Kroll House, Adelup Point.

No. 41. Kroll house foundation, Adelup Point, 1944.

Asan Landing Beaches

No. 33. Seawall. This rock and concrete seawall is within the park boundaries and is owned by the Government of Guam. It is near the base of a small knoll on the beach, 2,000 feet west of Adelup Point. It is part of a longer seawall that existed in 1944. The rocky Knoll is separated from Chorrito Cliff by Marine Drive. The original seawall protected the federal road from Agana to Piti that ran along the base of Chorrito Cliff in this area. The existing wall is 75 feet in length and 40 inches in height. (The original wall was about 440 feet in length.) The writer suspects that the wall existed before 1941, when the U.S. government funded maintenance of the road. The wall is subject to potential storm damage. It is recommended that the seawall not be interpreted onsite. Parking on MarinebDrive in this area is extremely dangerous.

No. 33. Seawall, Asan Beach, 1984.

No. 33. Seawall, Asan.

No number. Civilian Landing Memorial. It is near the beach in front of the present town of Asan and east of the mouth of the Asan River. It is a simple concrete wall with a flagstaff rising from its center. On the wall in front of the flagstaff an artillery round is mounted upright. Good views of the landing beach and the hills to the south are found here. Guamanians gather there annually to commemorate the liberation of their island.

No number. U.S. Landing Monument. It is near the water's edge on Beach Green where the 21st U.S. Marines landed and where the old village of Asan stood. The white, concrete monument is rectangular in shape; at the top of the spire is a metal reproduction of the U.S. Marine Corps insignia. Four metal plaques, one on each side, have texts that outline the history of the battle, list the several commanders, and dedicate the monument to all American dead. The monument was dedicated by Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1952-1955. In 1944, Brigadier General Shephard commanded the Agat landings on Guam. The area around the monument has been pleasantly landscaped with palm trees. The monument is in excellent condition, requiring only periodic painting. (An identical monument has been erected on Wake island.)

Civilian Landing Monument, Asan Beach, 1984.

U.S. Landing Monument, Asan Beach, 1984.

No. 102. Japanese Pillbox. It is in the water just of the beach approximately on the right flank of Beach Blue. It was severely damaged in the 1944 invasion and is overturned. It is obviously not on its original site and probably was placed there when the Americans cleared the general area for logistical operations. In its ruined state, the pillbox is a dramatic example of the destruction rained on Guam by American firepower. Since it is not in situ, the pillbox could be replaced on dry land to reduce the erosion by the sea. No restoration should be attempted.

No. 102. Japanese pillbox ruins, Asan Beach, 1984.

Nos. 45 and 52. Two Mabini Monuments. They are on the water's edge approximately on the right flank of Beach Blue. The monuments are not associated with World War II. They commemorate the place of exile of a group of Filipino insurgents, including Apolinario Mabini, "the Brains of the Revolution," who had refused to take an oath of allegiance and criticized the American military government. They arrived at Asan in 1901. Most returned to the Philippines in 1902. Mabini himself returned home in 1903, just before his death. The west monument, No. 45, is a crushed coral pyramid having a legend inscribed in marble. It is surrounded by the concrete benches. A chain (some sections missing) encircles the whole. The monument was erected in 1961 by the Philippine-American Council of Guam. The east monument, No. 52, is a simple concrete slab with a metal plaque attached. Some corrosion has occurred to the metal. This marker was erected in 1964 by the Philippines Historical Committee.

Nos. 45 and 52. Two Mabini monuments, Asan Beach, 1984.

No. 45. Legend on Mabini monument, 1984.

Asan Point

Asan Point as the other "devil's horn" flanking the American landing beaches. After the battle, American forces opened a quarry on the tip of the point and on the ridge behind, forever destroying any Japanese fortifications located at these sites. On the east side of the ridge, i.e., facing the American landings, only a Japanese tunnel remains. On the ridge's west side, a complex of pillboxes remains. Some of these played an important role when the 9th U.S. Marines crossed Matgue River and pushed southwest toward Piti. Once the Marines passed Asan Point, the Japanese here opened fire, forcing the Marines to turn around to counter the attack. Asan Point was neutralized by the end of W-Day. The fortifications on the west side are reached via a road/trail (that needs a sign identifying it) beginning on the east side of the ridge and descending the west side via recently installed steps. The trail on top of the ridge continues south to the highest point directly overlooking Marine Drive. This overlook provides an excellent view of the landing beaches all the way east to Adelup Point and offers good possibilities for on-site interpretation. The trail along the base of the west side of Asan Point, from feature 54 to feature 69, has recently been partly disrupted by rockfall caused by an earthquake. Plans are to redirect the trail around the boulders and add earthquake history to the interpretation of the area.

Asan Point and Asan village, July 31, 1944.

Asan Point, June 1943.

Asan Beach area from Asan Point, 1984.

No. 61. Japanese pillbox. Constructed of reinforced concrete, it is on the west base of Asan Point. It has a gun embrasure and two rifle firing ports. It was extensively damaged by a direct hit above the embrasure and by a satchel charge on its roof. The pillbox cannot be entered in its present condition. Although the damage should not be repaired, the entranceway to the pillbox could be cleared.

No. 61. Japanese pillbox, Asan Point, 1984.

No. 61. Japanese pillbox, Asan Point.

No. 62. Japanese pillbox (large caliber gun emplacement). Also located on the west base of Asan Point. Here, the Japanese took advantage of a large, winding crevice in the limestone cliff. A reinforced-concrete was built against the cliff. A low reinforced-concrete wall was added to the front of the opening. To the rear, the crevice was used for ammunition storage. In areas where the rock walls of the crevice were low, the Japanese built them up with rock and concrete. A steel gun base remains. (Marines recorded finding three 20 cm. (8-inch), short barrel naval guns in this area.) The horiztonal I-beams supporting the roof have rusted considerably and other iron work is heavily corroded. Some spalling of the concrete ceiling has occurred. Park maintenance has installed stout wooden planks as a temporary support to the ceiling. This pillbox should receive early attention from historical architects, addressing the issues of preservation and visitor safety.

Asan Point, October 1944.

No. 62. Japanese gun emplacement, Asan Point, 1984.

No. 62. Japanese gun emplacement, Asan Point.

No. 63. Japanese wall. At the base of the west side of Asan Point, two natural crevices, side by side, lead into the limestone cliff. In front of these, the Japanese erected a coral rock and concrete wall for the protection of the crevices which they used for storage or shelter. Only a part of the wall remains which ranges in height from 20 inches to 3.5 feet. Vegetation tends to grow profusely on the wall, resulting in the never-ending chore of removing it. Historic preservationists may wish to examine this structure to determine a permanent cure for the vegetation problem.

No. 63. Japanese rock and concrete wall, Asan Point, above crevices in cliff behind wall, below.

No. 63. Japanese rock and concrete wall, Asan Point.

No. 64. Japanese pillbox (large caliber gun emplacement). This structure is also built into the base of the limestone cliff on the west side of Asan Point. An entrance was constructed on the north side of the structure and is concealed from view as one faces the large embrasure. A low concrete wall forms the face and it does not meet the south side of the emplacement, thus providing a second entrance. A steel gun base remains installed in the floor, suggesting this structure housed another of the 20cm coastal guns. To the rear are two caves, one of which extends upward to the top of Asan Point. Near the tunnel's exit on top are the remains of the foundation of a small rectangular structure whose function is unknown. Like No. 62, the iron I-beams supporting the ceiling of the emplacement have greatly rusted. Also, one or the caves is filled with rock rubble. Historical architects should study this site for its preservation and safety needs.

No. 67. Cave. This natural cave is just north of feature No. 64, at the base of the west side of Asan Point It is a small cave measuring 4 feet in depth and 6.7 feet in width. The Japanese protected its entrance with a concrete wall, a portion of which remains on either side of the entrance. The cave is sufficiently large for a machine gun emplacement.

No. 64. Japanese gun emplacement, Asan Point, October 1944.

No. 64. Japanese gun emplacement, Asan Point, 1984.

No. 64. Japanese gun emplacement, Asan Point.

No. 106. Japanese tunnel. This Chamorro-built (forced labor) tunnel is the sole surviving Japanese defense structure on the east side of Asan Point. The large cave is easily accessible to visitors. Like all tunnels, rock rubble gathers on the floor and as a matter of visitor safety must be regularly checked. Interpretation, on- or off-site, should be developed for this tunnel and all of Asan Point.

No. 106. Japanese cave, Asan Point, 1944.

No. 106. Japanese tunnel, Asan Point, 1984.

No. 106. Japanese tunnel, Asan Point.

II. Asan Inland Unit (593 acres)

Chorrito Cliff and Bundschu Ridge (Sabanan Adelup). As it was in 1944, this area is extremely difficult to explore. It remains in a natural state, with little evidence of the fierce fighting of 1944. Tall, thick, sharp sword grass, vines, tangantangan thickets, steep ravines, and rocky outcroppings, combined with heat and humidity, make travel exceedingly difficult and exhausting.

Chorrito Cliff from Adelup Point, Asan, October 1944.

Stalemate on Bundschu Ridge, Asan, July 22, 1944.

Japanese 150mm gun on Chorrito Cliff, Asan Point in distance, October 1944.

Asan Point from Bundschu Ridge, 1984.

Looking over Chorrito Cliff area to the sea, 1984.

No. 57. Natural caves and crevices. Presently privately owned but within the park boundaries. These are on a ridge above Bundschu Ridge in an area where heavy fighting occurred. Several small caves and crevices provided protection to Japanese soldiers. Unexploded shells and Japanese gas masks and mess kits were found here. Access to the area is difficult.

No. 59. Japanese observation post. This concrete post or artillery fire control station was not completed. Its roof is missing. Most of the structure is underground, which is typical of such posts. This structure may have been a fire control center for three 150mm guns emplaced lower down, on Chorrito Cliff.

No. 85. Japanese pillbox. This reinforced-concrete pillbox on Chorrito Cliff is the only substantial structure in the Asan Inland area. It has one embrasure and most likely served as an automatic weapons emplacement, wreaking havoc on U.S. Marines attempting to scale the cliff. Some slight shell damage occurred to the exterior of the pillbox. A great view of the Asan landing beaches is to be had from this site. It is recommended that if an interpretive trail is developed on Sabanan Adelup, it take in this pillbox, which is not easy of access. It is also recommended that an archeological examination be made of the area, with the view to making the interior of the pillbox accessible.

No. 85. Japanese pillbox. Asan Island, 1984.

No. 85. Japanese pillbox. Asan Island.

No. 85A. U.S. dump. Here, high on the Sabana Adelup is a dump established by the American forces. Among the artifacts are the rusting scraps of American jeeps, coke bottles, and navy china. The site is heavily overgrown with tangantangan.

No. 98. Foxholes and shell craters. An unknown number of shell craters and foxholes are scattered along the ridge. Vegetation is thick in this area and other features may exist.

No. 100. Trench, gun emplacements, and caves. There is a well-defined trench running along the forward slope of the ridge. American and Japanese grenades were found here.

No. 100. Trench, Asan inland, 1984.

No. 100. Cave, Asan inland, 1984.

No. 100. Cave, Asan inland.

Matgue (Nidual) River Area

No. 86. Bridge. Concrete bridge over the Matgue River, near its mouth. The bridge now serves a short, dirt road that runs up the west side of the river. In 1944 a bridge existed in this area, serving the Agana-Piti road. On W-Day, elements of the 9th U.S. Marines crossed the bridge and came under fire from Japanese dug into the west side of the Asan Point. Following the battle for Guam, U.S. forces established four large petroleum storage tanks in the river valley. A service road joined this storage area to the newly constructed Marine Drive, crossing the river where the bridge now stands. The consensus appears to be that today's bridge was built in this period. The writer disagrees, believing the bridge to be a part of the pre-war route from Agana to the Piti Navy Yard. A document, uncovered by Historian Charles Snell, that was prepared by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence prior to the American invasion of Guam discussed the pre-war bridges and roads on Guam. In part, this report states, "On the AGANA-PITI-SUMAY road, which is maintained by the [U.S.] Federal Government, all bridges are two-way, and of heavy reinforced concrete construction until the ATANTANAO River is crossed." [3] The deck of the bridge measures 32.5 feet in length and 19 feet in width. An iron pipe rail is affixed to the north side. Thick vegetation prohibits a clear photo.

Cut in Asan Ridge near Matgue River, Agana-Piti road, July 21, 1944.

Matgue River bridge, Asan, 1984.

Nos. 88 and 89. Caves. Two man-made caves tunneled into the side of the cliff along the west side of Matgue River. No. 88 is 10 feet in depth and 4.3 feet in width, and No. 89 is 10 feet deep and 7 feet wide. Both were suited as personnel shelters or for storage.

No. 88. Japanese cave, Matgue Valley, Asan, 1984.

No. 89. Japanese cave, Matgue Valley, 1984.

Nos. 90, 94, and 97. Caves. Man-made. No. 90 has two entrances and is 13.5 feet in depth. Ore of these entrances is blocked with rock rubble. No. 94 consists of three small caves that have collapsed. No. 97 is a large cave, 27 feet deep, suited as a personnel shelter.

No. 106(?). Gun emplacement. It is on the ridge west of Matgue River and south of Asan Point. The principal feature is a gun emplacement, cup-shaped, 8 feet in diameter and 2.5 feet in depth. A raised lip surrounds it. Possibly an emplacement for a Japanese antiaircraft gun. In the vicinity are several foxholes or shell craters. (No. 106 seems to have been assigned to two sites.)

III. Fonte Unit (approximately 38 acres)

The Fonte area was that area captured by U.S. Marines July 27-29, 1944, including the Fonte Plateau as shown on the official maps. In analyzing the combat narratives and reports, it is clear that the term was used to include all the high land above Asan from the Plateau in the east to Mt. Mangan, 1,500 yards to the west, i.e., the high, fairly level area known as Nimitz Hill. At the rear of the plateau proper is a concrete bunker having two concrete-arch entrances. This feature has traditionally been called the command post of General Takeshima. The plateau itself was captured by a battalion of the 9th U.S. Marines. The 21st U.S. Marines captured the high ground west of the plateau. This report identifies the bunker as a major Japanese naval communications center, not a command post. [4] Similar to the communications center at Agana it was still under construction when U.S. forces landed on Guam. Three radio towers were at the head of Fonte River on the rear slope of Mt. Manqan.

The climax of the fighting for the Fonte area occurred on the morning of July 29 when the 9th U.S. Marines wiped out the Japanese defenders in a bowl-shaped depression on Fonte Plateau proper, "the Fonte Bowl," which was honeycombed with caves. The marines took the bowl without a single casualty while killing from 35 to 50 Japanese. This action completed the capture of the Fonte area. Although some writers have concluded that the depression was General Takeshima's command post, this report regards it only as the site of the last Japanese resistance in the Fonte area.

Where was the general's command post? It appears he had more than one. up to July 26, he had established a command post in a natural cave about 300 meters to the "west of Fonte." When his major counterattack against U.S. forces on the night of July 25-26 ended in failure, Takeshima moved from the cave "to the Fonte command post." [5] U. S. Marines commenced their attack on Fonte on July 27. On July 28, the 21st U.S. Marinas captured all of the high ground west of the plateau, including Mt. Mangan and the head of Fonte River to the rear (south). That same day, the commanding general of the III Amphibian Corps recorded that marines had captured a large command in Target Area 561, which area is just west of the Fonte Plateau (TA 562). He added that marines had not been able to search the area because of snipers and booby traps. [6] Also on July 28, the Third Marine Division's Intelligence Section reported that this was the Japanese Twenty-ninth Division's command post and that it covered from three to five acres. Finally, the U.S. Marine Corps official history records that the 21st U.S. Marines, on July 28, overran the 29th Division's headquarters caves, "located near the head of the Fonte River valley close to the wrecked radio towers, and wiped out the last defenses of Mt. Mangan as well." [7] The conclusion is that the command post of General Takeshima's, the 29th Division's, and General Obata's as well, is outside the boundaries of the Fonte Unit.

General Takeshima ordered the main defense force in the Fonte area to withdraw during the night of July 27-28 and the morning of the 28th. We oversaw this retreat until about noon on the 28th. Then, he too withdrew and about two hours later was killed near the north foot of Mt. Macagna. [8]

Today, there is a large, abandoned quarry on the south edge of the Fonte Plateau, adjacent to the concrete Japanese communications center. It has not been determined when this quarry was first opened, but it was in operation soon after the liberation of Guam when haste was made to construct Admiral Nimitz's CINCPAC headquarters on Fonte. At the time the marines captured the Fonte area another quarry existed at Mt. Mangan. [9]

Maj. General Kiyoski Shigematsu, commander of the 48th Independent Mixed Brigade, had his command post in this quarry and was killed there on July 26 by US. Marines. [10]

It is not known if the U.S quarry on the Fonte Plateau destroyed the bowl-shaped depression that held out to the last until captured by the 9th U.S. Marines. Today, east of the main quarry and south of the main transmission line is a small depression on the plateau. The area is excessively overgrown with lush vegetation, prohibiting a close examination. Another depression is identified on USGS map, Sheet "Agana, Guam" immediately north of the "Borrow Pit." Whether or not the depression can be positively identified, the Fonte Unit is a significant part of the national park. A 3d Marine Division battle report for July 27, 1944, when the marines had reached the nose of the plateau, said, "the nose of FONTE RIDGE was brought under our control revealing that FONTE is the center of the main enemy defenses of the island." [11] A marine historian described the Fonte hill mass as the strategic high ground along the entire Final Beachhead Line. It had been organized and defended by a battalion of Japanese. During the fighting, another battalion and a half had been rushed into it. Its importance may be judged by the eleven Japanese counterattacks launched to retain it and the 800 dead left on the battlefield. [12]

In the Fonte Unit today, the prime feature is the Japanese communications center, No. 65. Park staff has determined that the concrete walls and ceiling of this large bunker were installed after the battle for Guam. Other modifications have been made, including electric lights, iron gates at the two entrances, and a plastered, wooden wall in the northeastern corner of the main room. Within the east entrance is a concrete platform that may well have been used by the Japanese as a generator platform.

Besides this feature, the Fonte Unit marks a significant phase of the battle for Guam. As a result of this action, the Japanese were in full retreat and American forces had achieved a commanding position from which to commence the final phase of the battle.

Today, Fonte Plateau provides a magnificent view of the entire Agana area and inland, looking over north-central Guam.