Japanese Coastal Defense Gun, World War II military site in Songsong, Northern Mariana Islands
The Japanese Coastal Defense Gun is a concrete bunker housing a 140-millimeter artillery piece positioned on a cliff above East Harbor on the island of Rota. The structure measures approximately 25 feet wide and 22 feet deep, built from reinforced concrete designed to withstand attacks.
Japanese military forces built this installation in 1941 to protect against naval threats in the Pacific. It became part of a network of defensive positions across the islands during the war.
The site reflects the strategic importance these islands held during the Pacific War for occupying forces. Visitors can observe how defensive infrastructure was integrated into the local landscape.
The site is accessible by walking paths from marked starting points and involves a moderate walk across the terrain to reach the bunker. Be mindful of the cliff edge and uneven ground while exploring the area.
The gun had a firing range of roughly 25 kilometers, which was considered modest even for the time. Its strategic placement on the cliff meant it could cover the harbor and surrounding waters effectively.
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