| Beach Road (Cont'd) A drive north through much history |
Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Cathedral stands
on land that, in July of 1944, was the site of
Camp Susupe. Susupe village ended up
being the spot where the victorious U.S.
military set up one of the 'refugee' camps for
the displaced civilians on Saipan they were
now responsible for.
Unfortunately the three shanty towns that
littered this area, and the 18,000 civilians in
them, completely overwhelmed the woefully
under-prepared American forces. For two
years the Chamorros and Carolinians lived in
the camps. This was the first massive
civilian population the U.S. military ever had
to care for in a war. Preinvasion planning did
not even come close to being ready to
provide food and shelter for them.
on land that, in July of 1944, was the site of
Camp Susupe. Susupe village ended up
being the spot where the victorious U.S.
military set up one of the 'refugee' camps for
the displaced civilians on Saipan they were
now responsible for.
Unfortunately the three shanty towns that
littered this area, and the 18,000 civilians in
them, completely overwhelmed the woefully
under-prepared American forces. For two
years the Chamorros and Carolinians lived in
the camps. This was the first massive
civilian population the U.S. military ever had
to care for in a war. Preinvasion planning did
not even come close to being ready to
provide food and shelter for them.
Fortunately, the Navy and Marine Corps learned fast, and conditions here on Saipan steadily improved. The lessons
learned here made a significant impact on the planning for caring for the civilian population on Guam, which was liberated
two months after Saipan, and in the subsequent islands the U.S. took. March 2005.
learned here made a significant impact on the planning for caring for the civilian population on Guam, which was liberated
two months after Saipan, and in the subsequent islands the U.S. took. March 2005.
Behind the Mt. Carmel Cathedral is a cemetery named, appropriately
enough, the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Some large, pre-war Japanese
concrete lanterns (upper and lower left) still stand on the grounds,
cement survivors of the war. Others are broken; only their bases
remain.
These lamps, located in an old Roman Catholic cemetery, show the
long intertwining of cultures the Marianas have experienced.
Catholicism was brought by the Spanish and kept by the Germans. For
the most part, the Shinto and Buddhist Japanese were quite tolerant of
their Roman Catholic charges' faith during their rule.
Off to one side of the cemetery is this sealed bunker (above). The
tunnel leading from the sealed doorway to the bunker's main chamber is
covered with brush and used as a dumping area by the cemetery
caretakers for clippings and extra concrete blocks. March 2005.
Click the lantern image at left for a larger view of this artifact.
enough, the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Some large, pre-war Japanese
concrete lanterns (upper and lower left) still stand on the grounds,
cement survivors of the war. Others are broken; only their bases
remain.
These lamps, located in an old Roman Catholic cemetery, show the
long intertwining of cultures the Marianas have experienced.
Catholicism was brought by the Spanish and kept by the Germans. For
the most part, the Shinto and Buddhist Japanese were quite tolerant of
their Roman Catholic charges' faith during their rule.
Off to one side of the cemetery is this sealed bunker (above). The
tunnel leading from the sealed doorway to the bunker's main chamber is
covered with brush and used as a dumping area by the cemetery
caretakers for clippings and extra concrete blocks. March 2005.
Click the lantern image at left for a larger view of this artifact.
In San Jose is this double
monument: The U.S.
Armed Forces Mon- ument,
and the Saipanese Memorial
to the 419 Saipan residents
who died during the battle.
Displayed with the two
markers are two slightly
beat up Japanese 47mm
anti-tank guns. June '05.
monument: The U.S.
Armed Forces Mon- ument,
and the Saipanese Memorial
to the 419 Saipan residents
who died during the battle.
Displayed with the two
markers are two slightly
beat up Japanese 47mm
anti-tank guns. June '05.
There are several Japanese bunkers along Beach Road as
you drive north. Like many other relics, the CNMI and
Saipan has kept them generally maintained so as to attract
the WWII explorer, yet not become objects of vandalism.
Just in the village of Chalan Laulau (north of San Jose) is
this bunker with a wrecked Japanese light tank mounted on
its roof. March 2005.
you drive north. Like many other relics, the CNMI and
Saipan has kept them generally maintained so as to attract
the WWII explorer, yet not become objects of vandalism.
Just in the village of Chalan Laulau (north of San Jose) is
this bunker with a wrecked Japanese light tank mounted on
its roof. March 2005.
This is another bunker along Beach
Road, a little bit north of the one with the
tank on its roof. The Japanese built
scores of these, many of which survive.
March '05.
Road, a little bit north of the one with the
tank on its roof. The Japanese built
scores of these, many of which survive.
March '05.
