Pohnpei (formerly known as "Ponape"), is the largest island in the modern-day Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM). Like the rest of the FSM, Caroline Islands, and Northern Marianas Islands, Pohnpei
was mandated to Japanese control following World War I. The Japanese built a large agricultural industry
here. Indeed, Pohnpei was one of the largest suppliers of vegetables to the Japanese military machine.
The United States did not invade Pohnpei. Like Rota in the CNMI, it was bypassed and isolated in
favor of taking the nearly lagoons at Ulithi and Chuuk (formerly "Truk"). Pohnpei was periodically shelled
and bombed, but did not come under American control until later in Sept. 1945, after the Japanese
Imperial Government's formal surrender. Today Pohnpei is home to the capital of the independent FSM.
Micronesia (FSM). Like the rest of the FSM, Caroline Islands, and Northern Marianas Islands, Pohnpei
was mandated to Japanese control following World War I. The Japanese built a large agricultural industry
here. Indeed, Pohnpei was one of the largest suppliers of vegetables to the Japanese military machine.
The United States did not invade Pohnpei. Like Rota in the CNMI, it was bypassed and isolated in
favor of taking the nearly lagoons at Ulithi and Chuuk (formerly "Truk"). Pohnpei was periodically shelled
and bombed, but did not come under American control until later in Sept. 1945, after the Japanese
Imperial Government's formal surrender. Today Pohnpei is home to the capital of the independent FSM.
Pohnpei hosts some interesting artifacts from the
Japanese period, such as this light tank. Belonging to
an employee of Larry Adams, it is believed this is the
only working Japanese light tank left in the world.
Left: My friend Gary (far left), a missionary on
Pohnpei, introduced me to Mr. Adams and obtained
permission to see the tank. Gary's daughter Lisa (far
back, yellow shirt) and her friends and I got a chance
to get up close with this antique.
Below: Today the tank is powered by a modern
Nissan diesel engine.
Japanese period, such as this light tank. Belonging to
an employee of Larry Adams, it is believed this is the
only working Japanese light tank left in the world.
Left: My friend Gary (far left), a missionary on
Pohnpei, introduced me to Mr. Adams and obtained
permission to see the tank. Gary's daughter Lisa (far
back, yellow shirt) and her friends and I got a chance
to get up close with this antique.
Below: Today the tank is powered by a modern
Nissan diesel engine.
The rear (above) and front of the tank
(right). Mr. Adams, whose family has
been on island for nearly a 100 years, said
his employee salvaged the gun from a
sunken Japanese seaplane. That airplane
and this tank carried the same model gun.
(right). Mr. Adams, whose family has
been on island for nearly a 100 years, said
his employee salvaged the gun from a
sunken Japanese seaplane. That airplane
and this tank carried the same model gun.
Above: Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Eckerson of the
U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) examines one
of two Japanese 127 mm anti-aircraft gun on Sokehs Ridge.
Right: Eckedrson and Petty Officers 2nd Class Heath
Poulter, also of the Fitzgerald, check out another Japanese
coastal battery. This large weapon was well-camouflaged with
living brush and still has its two powder magazines in the
casemate.
U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) examines one
of two Japanese 127 mm anti-aircraft gun on Sokehs Ridge.
Right: Eckedrson and Petty Officers 2nd Class Heath
Poulter, also of the Fitzgerald, check out another Japanese
coastal battery. This large weapon was well-camouflaged with
living brush and still has its two powder magazines in the
casemate.
This is the other of the two 127 mm anti-aircraft
weapons positioned on Sokehs Ridge. At right my friend
Lisa sits on the gun, which was operated using electrical
power by two operators in cabs on either side of the
barrels (on this gun one of the cabs has collapsed). I
could not find a definitive answer on what the four short
barrels atop the two gun muzzles were for. My guess is
that they may have been flare launchers.
Click the top right image to see a larger version of
these wild orchids brining living color to this rusting
engine of war.
weapons positioned on Sokehs Ridge. At right my friend
Lisa sits on the gun, which was operated using electrical
power by two operators in cabs on either side of the
barrels (on this gun one of the cabs has collapsed). I
could not find a definitive answer on what the four short
barrels atop the two gun muzzles were for. My guess is
that they may have been flare launchers.
Click the top right image to see a larger version of
these wild orchids brining living color to this rusting
engine of war.
The Japanese had a sizeable base
up on Sokehs Ridge to support the
gun positions. Today cisterns (top
left), building foundations (above) and
stone walls (right) are left. Keep in
mind--these were built mostly using
forced labor. The jungle foliage and
grand vistas from Sokehs Ridge also
make it a must-see scenic stop.
up on Sokehs Ridge to support the
gun positions. Today cisterns (top
left), building foundations (above) and
stone walls (right) are left. Keep in
mind--these were built mostly using
forced labor. The jungle foliage and
grand vistas from Sokehs Ridge also
make it a must-see scenic stop.
My friend Gary next to the Japanese retaining wall. The small
thatch hut atop it is a modern rest point for hikers.
thatch hut atop it is a modern rest point for hikers.
Right: Looking east from Sokehs Ridge
across Pohnpei's airport to Lenger Island
(see inset above). Lenger was home to a
large Japanese sea plane base. The base
was largely destroyed by the periodic
American bombing and shelling, but the
ruins of the hangar, defensive guns, and the
old sea plane ramp itself are still in place (the
ramp is on the far side of Lenger Island
from this vantage point).
across Pohnpei's airport to Lenger Island
(see inset above). Lenger was home to a
large Japanese sea plane base. The base
was largely destroyed by the periodic
American bombing and shelling, but the
ruins of the hangar, defensive guns, and the
old sea plane ramp itself are still in place (the
ramp is on the far side of Lenger Island
from this vantage point).
Neat trivia note--Lenger's facilities were rebuilt into the Pohnpei
airport and served as such until the newer facility in the foreground
was completed in 1970.
airport and served as such until the newer facility in the foreground
was completed in 1970.
Generally the Japanese
were grudgingly
accomodating of the native
beliefs of the people under
their control. Usually they
worked to indoctrinate the
local population with the
"Spirit of Japan". Pohnpei
were grudgingly
accomodating of the native
beliefs of the people under
their control. Usually they
worked to indoctrinate the
local population with the
"Spirit of Japan". Pohnpei
actually marks one of the more notable
exceptions. This large, stone church was built
by the Japanese in the 1930's for the Protestant
Christian congregation on island. Unmarked by
the war, this church is still an active house of
worship today.
exceptions. This large, stone church was built
by the Japanese in the 1930's for the Protestant
Christian congregation on island. Unmarked by
the war, this church is still an active house of
worship today.
During a reception at
the U.S. Ambassador
Suzanne Hale's
Residence, Mrs.
Yvette Adams
presented a hand-made
American flag her
family hid during
World War II from the
the U.S. Ambassador
Suzanne Hale's
Residence, Mrs.
Yvette Adams
presented a hand-made
American flag her
family hid during
World War II from the
Japanese forces occupying Pohnpei. Seen
here with her son Larry, Mrs. Adams related
her experiences as a child during the war.
here with her son Larry, Mrs. Adams related
her experiences as a child during the war.
Above: Myself in one of the cabs of a Japanese 127
mm anti-aircraft gun on Sokehs Ridge.
There is a lot more to Pohnpei's history and beauty
than what is shown here. It is one of the wettest places
on earth (gets more than 400 inches of rain a year
according to the FSM government), and therefore has
incredibly lush rain forests.
mm anti-aircraft gun on Sokehs Ridge.
There is a lot more to Pohnpei's history and beauty
than what is shown here. It is one of the wettest places
on earth (gets more than 400 inches of rain a year
according to the FSM government), and therefore has
incredibly lush rain forests.
