WAR IN THE PACIFIC National Historical Park

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service

Asan Beach Guide

WALK #2— ASAN RIDGE

A wide, mowed path behind the restrooms will take you to the top of the hill where you will be rewarded with an excellent view of Asan Beach and the hills inland. The undeveloped trail is steep and may be slippery when wet or raining, so watch your step.

A short distance past the restrooms, the trail forks. The right path goes to the top of the smaller hill. Take the left trail to the top of Asan Ridge. You will soon pass the collapsed entrance to a cave. Entry is prohibited. For your own safety and the preservation of the historic scene, do not climb down into the cave. Just after the trail begins to flatten out past a steep, rocky part, there is a small trail off to the right. This area is best explored on the way down.

One of the prominent plants you see is tangantangan (Leucaena), a tree native to South America. Repeated shelling during the invasion denuded the hill sides, and much of the island was subject to severe erosion. To solve the problem, the U.S. Navy seeded the island with tangantangan. However, tangantangan has now become a dominant pest in the ecosystem. Look for the compound leaves with small leaflets and the long "pea" pods.

At the top of Asan Ridge, pause under the ironwood trees and enjoy the cool breeze. Try to imagine the peaceful scene you see today as it was in July 1944: over 20,000 U.S. Marines, tanks, howitzers, naval gunfire—the sounds and sights of war!

As you look back, you see the curve of Asan Beach. The white buildings past the beach are the Governor of Guam's offices on Adelup Point. The beach area from Adelup Point to Asan Point, where you are standing, is one of two beaches on Guam where the U.S. Marines landed in July 1944 to retake the island from the Japanese. (The other is Agat Beach to the south, another unit of War in the Pacific National Historical Park.)

The ridgeline to the right as you look toward Adelup Point is called Asan Ridge (where you stand) or Bundschu Ridge (closer to Adelup Point). The top of Bundschu Ridge, where you now see U.S. Navy buildings, is the Fonte Plateau, also called Nimitz Hill. The crest of this ridge was the beachhead, the high ground from which the surrounding area could be controlled, and was the objective of the U.S. forces that landed on Asan Beach July 21-29, 1944. These hills, now inaccessible and covered with a thick tangle of vegetation, were the site of some of the heaviest fighting as U.S. forces struggled for control of this strategic position. The area was well defended by Japanese, who took shelter in natural caves and crevices primarily at the eastern end above Asan Point and at the western end above Adelup Point. Vegetation is thick and other features—foxholes, trenches, gun emplacements and shell craters—may also exist.

In the opposite direction, beyond the power plant, is the Orote Peninsula and Apra Harbor. The Japanese stronghold on the Orote Peninsula was a prime target for American bombardment for several days prior to the Marine's assault. Apra Harbor was desired by the American forces because of the security it would provide as a fleet supply base.

Importance of Guam

The Marianas island chain was strategically important to the United States war effort. The larger islands of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan were needed by the Americans for airbases from which B-29 aircraft could make roundtrip bombing runs to Japan. Possession of these islands would also cut the Japanese supply route to other Japanese-held islands, effectively neutralizing them. Other significant justifications for the U.S. assault were the recapture of U.S. territory (Guam had been U.S. territory since 1898) and the liberation of native Chamorros from Japanese domination. The recapture of Guam from the Japanese was integral to the end of the war and is representative of World War II on the Pacific islands.

Recapture of Guam

Even before Saipan fell to U.S. troops on July 9, 1944, the U.S. strafed and bombarded Guam from planes, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and carriers, in preparation for the invasion. Primary targets were the Orote Peninsula installations (around Apra Harbor) and beach defenses. The Japanese were ready and willing to defend Guam. Anti-aircraft fire brought down 16 planes before U.S. assault troops hit on W-Day. Under cover of American fire, Navy Underwater Demolition Teams did essential reconnaissance of the invasion beaches at Asan and Agat, removed obstacles, and improved the reef approach for landing.

One interesting aspect of the recapture of Guam was the role played by Navajo Indian servicemen. The Navajo servicemen operated the radios, openly conversing in their native language, which was unknown to the Japanese. This successful tactic completely baffled the Japanese, who expected to hear coded English. The Navajo were justifiably proud of their unique contribution.

U.S. Troop Landing and Advance

At 8:29 on the morning of July 21, 1944, the 3rd Marine Division landed on the beach in Asan (Map A). A simultaneous assault was made on Agat Beach to the south. The push from the north began at Asan Beach east of Asan Point. Troops quickly moved to the west as well, into the Piti area. The Japanese were forced to retreat to the beachhead at Fonte Plateau and near Mt. Chachao and Mt. Alutom as the Americans pushed forward and westward to secure Cabras Island. The forces from Agat Beach also advanced northward (Map B).

Many Japanese survived the pre-landing bombardment by sheltering in a complex cave system in Asan Ridge and on Adelup and Asan Points. The Japanese moved reserves from the Fonte Plateau area to fight the U.S. assault, and despite constant U.S. air strikes and naval bombardment, continued moving men to strategic defensive positions.

The heat, humidity and lack of water, combined with the inactivity of long shipboard confinement also took its toll on the U.S. troops. Many fell from sheer exhaustion. Due to the intense downpours of the rainy season (approximately 30 inches or more in June and July alone) and the heavy bombardment, Asan was literally a sea of mud. The tangled mass of jungle growth, jagged limestone, heaped boulders, and rubble impeded movement and made visual contact difficult.

By July 25-26, the Japanese had called for reinforcements. That night Japanese troops attempted a banzai counter assault on Asan Point. Except for a few penetrations, the American lines held (Map C). It was the last major Japanese assault; 3,200 Japanese soldiers were lost that night. Each side fought fiercely, but on July 29, the beachhead was secured and the Japanese retreated to the north of the island (Map D).

It wasn't until August 10 that the Americans successfully eliminated organized Japanese resistance on the rest of Guam. The last major stand made by the Japanese was near Mount Mataguac in Yigo. The site is marked today by a Japanese shrine.

Of the 55,000 U.S. troops that landed on the island, 1,747 were killed in action or died of wounds. Another 5,250 were wounded. Japanese defenders and Korean labor force numbered about 18,500. Only 1,250 were taken prisoner; the rest were either killed in action, died of wounds, or committed suicide. The exact number of Guamanian casualties is unknown. Just prior to the assault most of the Chamorro people were moved to detention camps on the other side of the island, which (ironically) saved many lives.

Last Updated: 01-Apr-2004