War in the Pacific Cultural Resources Inventory

PART 3b

The topography within the Asan and Agat beach units range from reef shelf and level beachfront to the elevated rises of Asan, Adelup and Apaca Point and scattered limestone outcrops along the shoreline. The natural topography was used to the advantage of both the American and Japanese troops. The broad expanse of beachfront was leading to the level coastal plain provided an ideal terrain for the initial American assault on the island. The commanding strongholds were initially used by the Japanese to establish their defensive positions. The ridges and limestone outcrops were ideal for developing pillboxes and gun emplacements. The American troops immediately sought out these locations and eventually took them under their control. The steep ridges proved dangerous and deadly for the American troops who were moving to claim the high ground within the Asan and Agat Beach Units (Asan Ridge, Adelup and Apaca points), yet once they ascended the slopes and took possession of these areas, they were able to develop their own defensive strongholds that lead to the establishment of the American Force Beachhead Line (FBL).

Prior to the military manipulation of the landscape, changes to the topography were minimal and primarily involved the excavation of irrigation systems for agricultural fields. Changes to the topography during the period of significance included numerous bomb craters, the excavation associated with defense structures such as pillboxes and gun emplacements, and the building of roads. Today pillboxes and gun emplacements are still present on the landscape and scattered throughout the two beach units. Marine Drive, a six-lane highway, was constructed during the war effort and is still present today as a sixlane highway. The alterations to the topography during the period of significance are mostly still evident and contribute to the historic scene.

Historically, rivers ran perpendicular with the beaches and created natural cuts into the terrain. These cuts were a disadvantage to the American troops because it prevented them from making physical contact with other troops which influenced the initial invasion effort. These rivers are currently present and contribute to the historical scene.

Today, changes to the topography since the period of significance have been minimal. The man-made topographical alterations (i.e. bomb craters) have since been filled with soil or debris; however, other alterations to the topography such as the building of defense structures into ridges and limestone outcrops are still evident today. As a result, topography in the Asan and Agat beach units retains integrity and is contributing to the historic scene.