War in the Pacific Cultural Resources Inventory

PART 3b

The spatial organization of Asan and Agat battlefields centered on offensive and defensive strategies using the natural features of the terrain. The spatial relationship between coral reefs and beaches, coastal flats and the beach, and the cluster of Japanese defense structures in the rocky outcroppings influenced American invasion plans and Japanese military strategies.

Organization of American Offense and Japanese Defense Strategies The beaches of Asan and Agat were chosen as the best place for American troops to land and bring equipment and supplies ashore. Once U.S. troops had secured both beaches, they begin pushing towards higher ground through the coastal flats. Because securing high ground was an essential part of the invasion strategy, the primary objective for the American forces was to first establish a foothold on the beaches then advance inland. Strategic planning spatially divided Asan Beach into four sections, Beach Red 1, Beach Red 2, Beach Green, and Beach Blue (see military planning map and graphic division map at end of this section). Agat Beach was divided into four sections between Apaca Point and Bangi Point: Yellow 1, Yellow 2, White 1, and White 2.

Both Asan and Agat beaches are crescent-shaped with coral limestone peninsulas that clearly define their north and south boundaries. These points have sometimes been referred to as "devil's horns". On Asan Beach, the eastern horn is named Adelup Point, but has also been known as Devil's Point (U.S. Dept. of the Interior 1944). The western point is Asan Point. On Agat Beach, the southern point is Bangi Point, the Northern Point is Apaca Point, and one in the center is Ga'an Point. These coral outcroppings provided excellent places for defensive positions and structures. These structures were most often caves, natural and blasted into the rock. They were also effective because once the American troops were ashore, the Japanese moved back into these positions. These rock outcroppings that overlooked the landing beaches guided American invasion plans and offensive military strategies and were an ally to the Japanese defense. These rock outcroppings were not destroyed during the U.S. Military pre-invasion bombardment and were not destroyed during the U.S. Military effort to recapture Guam.

Battle

Coral formations Asan Beach guided the landing path of troops and amphibious equipment. On invasion day (W-Day), reef formations provided a surface to mount the cranes that were used to unload LVT's, troops, and supplies from ships. Foreseeing this situation, the Japanese designed and built offshore defensive structures from wooden poles and barbed wire. U.S. Navy Underwater Demolitions Teams (UDT's) worked for four nights, prior to the invasion, to clear these obstacles. Ironically, the uneven reef at Agat created more of a landing obstacle and provided another opportunity for the Japanese. Brutal mortar and artillery fire bombarded U.S. troops as they crept across the reef towards the shore.

Once ashore, many soldiers were totally exposed to enemy fire. Much of the beachhead was coral rock in which not even the shallowest foxhole could be dug. After the first day, beaches were secure and troops advanced toward higher ground while shore parties worked around the clock to clear the debris from the beaches. The Seabees had set up five large cranes along the reef line to begin transferring complete cargo from supply ships to the shore. Once on shore, U.S. troops began to immediately move up the beaches toward higher ground bringing with them artillery and supplies to the front lines and retrieve the wounded that were transferred out to medical ships.

Summary

The spatial organization of the battlefield was most influenced by the natural terrain. Both the offensive and defensive military strategies were planned around the existing landscape and the five limestone outcroppings on Asan and Agat beaches. The spatial relationship between the coral reefs, beaches and coastal plains and the organization of the U.S. and Japanese military strategies that influenced the outcome of the recapture of Guam is still intact and contributing to the historic scene. The spatial relationship of the cluster of Japanese defense structures in the five coral outcrops (Adelup, Asan, Apaca, Ga'an and Bangi points) is also still intact and contributing to the historic scene. Therefore, spatial organization is a contributing characteristic of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.

Military map planning invasion strategies on Asan and Agat beaches (Lodge 1998:48).

Graphic division of Asan and Agat beaches for landing strategies (Lodge 1998:34-53).