| Inarajan, Talafofo, & Yona The eastern coast |
| Y o n a |
Prounced "Joan-ya", Yona is a village on Guam's eastern coast, just south of the crux where the island seems to bend
in half. Like Talafofo and Inarajan, there are a few features to be found, one of which is of great significance.
in half. Like Talafofo and Inarajan, there are a few features to be found, one of which is of great significance.
This partially destroyed bunker was
built by the Japanese south of Ylig
Bay. Today, you can find it by
parking in the Mt. Carmel cemetery
(be resepctful!). Hike out to the
ocean, which you can see from the
cemetery, and then go north a bit.
The bunker is back in the
encroaching brush.
built by the Japanese south of Ylig
Bay. Today, you can find it by
parking in the Mt. Carmel cemetery
(be resepctful!). Hike out to the
ocean, which you can see from the
cemetery, and then go north a bit.
The bunker is back in the
encroaching brush.
This Japanese fortification was created by modifying an existing natural cave. You
can see the remaining portion of the concrete gun port wall on the right side of the
opening. This emplacement, on the north side of Ylig Bay, has a mate on the
southern side of the bay's mouth, also a natural cave modified into a gun site. These
are off the beaten path; you have to access them by small dirt roads on either side of
the Ylig river bridge, and then be prepared to get your feet wet at a couple of points.
Below is the view south over Ylig Bay from the fortification in the above photo.
can see the remaining portion of the concrete gun port wall on the right side of the
opening. This emplacement, on the north side of Ylig Bay, has a mate on the
southern side of the bay's mouth, also a natural cave modified into a gun site. These
are off the beaten path; you have to access them by small dirt roads on either side of
the Ylig river bridge, and then be prepared to get your feet wet at a couple of points.
Below is the view south over Ylig Bay from the fortification in the above photo.
| T h e T a n k F a r m |
The Tank Farm is located near the grounds of the
posh Leo Palace Resort, the only major resort on
Guam's eastern side. No great battle took place here,
despite what the first glance at these riddled derelicts
might lead you to think.
This "farm" was established in late World War II as a
gunnery range. The vehicles here most likely were all
involved in the Liberation in 1944. However, they
were placed here as targets to train American gunners.
There are two M4A3 Sherman tanks and three LVT
"Amtracks" (troop landing vehicles). One tank (right)
is easily seen atop a knoll; you will have to search the
brush for the rest of the artifacts.
posh Leo Palace Resort, the only major resort on
Guam's eastern side. No great battle took place here,
despite what the first glance at these riddled derelicts
might lead you to think.
This "farm" was established in late World War II as a
gunnery range. The vehicles here most likely were all
involved in the Liberation in 1944. However, they
were placed here as targets to train American gunners.
There are two M4A3 Sherman tanks and three LVT
"Amtracks" (troop landing vehicles). One tank (right)
is easily seen atop a knoll; you will have to search the
brush for the rest of the artifacts.
Above: A shell hole pierces
the side of the Sherman tank
from an old hit. Right: Some
of my good friends explore the
relic.
the side of the Sherman tank
from an old hit. Right: Some
of my good friends explore the
relic.
Left: The thin-sided LVT landing
vehicles did not survive as well as the
armored tanks, and are barely
recognizeable. This one has a radial
aircraft engine (above) hidden under
thick brush. That ID's this LVT as a
1942 LVT-4, one of the earlier models.
vehicles did not survive as well as the
armored tanks, and are barely
recognizeable. This one has a radial
aircraft engine (above) hidden under
thick brush. That ID's this LVT as a
1942 LVT-4, one of the earlier models.
| For a look at an LVT-4 "Water Buffalo" of the same year and model as the one above, link over here to the pages that cover the discovery of an intact LVT-4 on Naval Base Guam in July of 2004. |
For the Chamorro
people, the Manenggon
River Valley will always hold
a significance akin to that of
the massacre sites at Faha,
Tinta, Yigo, and Fena. Over
10,000 Chamorros were
camped here by the
Japanese just before the
American invasion began in
July of 1944.
people, the Manenggon
River Valley will always hold
a significance akin to that of
the massacre sites at Faha,
Tinta, Yigo, and Fena. Over
10,000 Chamorros were
camped here by the
Japanese just before the
American invasion began in
July of 1944.
Even though Guam is not a huge island, the forced march to this site
resulted in many deaths, and the weeks trapped in this valley resulted in
thousands more civilians dying. The Japanese guard finally abandoned the area
on July 27, and the American Liberators stumbled onto yet another scene of
human misery. The march to Manenggon is also commemorated by a statue on
the grounds of Adelup Point, and is reenacted yearly on the anniversary of the
forced dislocation. Photos Oct. 2005.
resulted in many deaths, and the weeks trapped in this valley resulted in
thousands more civilians dying. The Japanese guard finally abandoned the area
on July 27, and the American Liberators stumbled onto yet another scene of
human misery. The march to Manenggon is also commemorated by a statue on
the grounds of Adelup Point, and is reenacted yearly on the anniversary of the
forced dislocation. Photos Oct. 2005.
