War in the Pacific Cultural Resources Inventory

PART 3b

The important views historically were short-range views from the Philippine Sea toward the beaches and vice-versa, long-range views from the sea and beaches toward high ground (hills, ridges and mountains) and vice versa, and the short-range views in between the points (Asan, Adelup, Apaca, Ga'an and Bangi).

Historically, short-range views from the Philippine Sea toward the beaches and vice-versa were critical during the initial invasion of Asan and Agat beaches. Short-range views within the beach units were primarily between the limestone outcrops that hid Japanese defense structures. These views from the pillboxes and caves offered clear fields-of-fire over the surrounding beaches. This Japanese advantage played a critical role in the first 24 hours of the battle. This landscape is still the same today. The locations of the pillboxes are camouflaged in the vegetation as one looks up from the beach. Views looking out over the beaches from within the pillboxes are clear.

During the period of significance, long-range views in between the Philippine Sea and high ground (hills, ridges and mountains) surrounding the beaches were crucial to both Japanese defensive and American offensive forces. The view from the sea and beaches up towards higher ground helped the approaching American forces to make adjustments to strategies based on actual terrain and to identify Japanese artillery positions and strongholds. The view from the high ground to the beaches below was most advantageous, even critical for the Japanese. It offered excellent opportunity for locating Japanese strongholds such as gun emplacements.

Today, short-range views from the Philippine Sea toward the beaches and vice-versa remains very similar to the historic period because the view across the sea toward the beach with the objective of locating pillboxes for example is relatively difficult due to vegetation and strategic placement of the pillboxes to remain relatively hidden from the enemy.

Today, long-range views from the sea and beaches toward high ground (hills, ridges and mountains) are a contributing feature. Although visually present, the scattered modern residences and businesses are built along the coast. However, the density, color, and materials of buildings are heavier and more intrusive than traditional pole and thatch structures. The fact that these communities are free of multistory hotels and high-rise buildings is significant in retaining short and long range views. Overall, the modern buildings intrusion on the viewshed is minimal and does not ruin the overall long range viewshed. Therefore, long-range views from the sea and beaches toward high ground and vice versa are contributing to the historic scene.

Summary

The historically significant viewsheds at the Asan and Agat beach units were short-range views from the Philippine Sea toward the beaches and vice-versa, long-range views from the sea and beaches toward high ground (hills, ridges and mountains) and vice versa, and the short-range views in between the points (Asan, Adelup, Apaca, Ga'an and Bangi). Today these viewsheds still remain intact and are considered a contributing characteristic of the cultural landscape at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.