Location
Located on Pohnpei (Ponape) Island. The main town of Kolonia is relatively large by island standards, yet it retains a small-town character. Most of the island's hotels and restaurants are in Kolonia.

Nan Pohn Mal Airfield
Built by the Japanese

Spanish / German Church
This Spanish / German church was used by the Japanese as a hospital during the war. It was bombed by Allied aircraft but still remains to this day. Photo by Dick Williams, 1971.

Japanese Peace Memorial
Memorial in Colonia. The plaque reads:
"The Memorial statue is nearby erected to pray for the bliss of those who passed away in this island while rendering service to the development and culture of Ponape Island during the Japanese Mandatory Territorial Era and also those who lost their lives during World War II. Hoping that such fighting will never be repeated and supplicating for eternal peace, it as been set up as the proposal of the Japan Ponape Society, and with the joint efforts of those who have had relations with the island, as well as the cooperation of the Ponape Island and Colonia Town."

Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank
Displayed in town near the Post Office

Eischarts / Adams Property
The property is at the south end of Kolonia on the way to Nett. At the turn of 20th century, the Eischarts acquired a large amount of land around Kolonia during the German administration. 

Wartime History
During the war, it was occupied by the Japanese, and the site of their HQ, base area and hospital. There was a concrete supply jetty out in the lagoon and a small dock. The steps to the dock still have numerous underground tunnels bored into the hillside for bomb shelters. Stan Gajda salvaged a Japanese training artillery piece, a 13mm AA twin gun mount and a naval single 13mm pedestal mount. Also a spare 75mm AA barrel. Also on the property are bunkers and water tanks. There was a concrete supply jetty out in the lagoon and a small dock. The steps to the dock still have numerous underground tunnels bored into the hillside for bomb shelters. There are many big bomb craters all throughout the property.

Post War
After the war, the area was occupied by the US Navy. They abandoned many trucks, dodge weapons carriers, Jeeps, machinery and engines in the area, including a PT Boat engine. When their occupation wound down, everything was put up for auction, They were purchased but never moved. The property has been split up, but the Adams family still retain quite a bit of land (Jack Adams and Yvette Eischart).

Today
Larry Adams is an engineer and he owns Adams Brothers Corporation (ABC) which operate a concrete batching plant, concrete block plant and heavy equipment hire and haulage company. In 1995 the Adams decided to cut the hillside level and the tanks were exposed and hauled out and put in a line. Four were still where the Japanese left them.

Also on the property are bunkers, water tanks, many US navy trucks, Dodge weapons carriers, remains of Jeeps, machinery and engines. I salvaged an engine out of a PT boat. I have also salvaged a Japanese training artillery piece, a 13mm AA twin gun mount and a naval single 13mm pedestal mount. Also a spare 75mm AA barrel.

Japanese Naval HQ
Located on the Adams land (and ABC office is in the center of it). During the war had a large Japanese naval headquarters and hospital on it.

Japanese Hospital
The Eischarts family house is where the hospital was. There is still a stone dragon in the yard and a little stone marker with Japanese writing on it. All around are the concrete foundation blocks that the Japanese used to put their houses on (off the ground). There are many sets of stairs now going to nowhere. There are many big bomb craters all throughout the property. There is still a stone dragon in the yard and a little stone marker with Japanese writing on it. All around are the concrete foundation blocks that the Japanese used to put the house on (off the ground). There are many sets of stairs now going to nowhere.

Type 94 Te Ke Tankette
Restored by Stan Gajda over 14 months, completed April 2001

Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank Number 8
Currently under restoration by Stan Gajda

Japanese Type 95 Light Tanks

Stan Gajda 1995

In the hillside there were a number of large trenches cut like revetments and into these were parked the Japanese tanks. In 1995 the Adams decided to cut the hillside level to extend the batching plant and the tanks were exposed and hauled out and put in a line. Stan Gajda standing in front of one of the 15 Type 95 light tanks on the Adams property, numbered 1-15. He has also located a tracked artillery tractor and a Toyota amphibious truck.

Abandoned US Vehicles

Stan Gajda 2001

Some of the WWII American vehicles on the Adams property. After the war the US Navy took over the land. When military operations wound down the Navy stored a lot of vehicles on the land near the tanks. When everything was put up for auction, Carlos bought the lot but never did anything with it and so it rotted into the ground and the jungle took over it. Also on the property are bunkers, water tanks, many US navy trucks, Dodge weapons carriers, remains of Jeeps, machinery and engines. Even the engine out of a PT boat.

Japanese Type 39 (1905) 75mm Field Gun

Stan Gajda 2001

The gun is a Japanese Type 38 (1905) 75 mm field gun. Thanks to Richard Vangampler for the identification. Stan Gajda is pictured with the gun, in the yard of the Adams family home. He has also located a Japanese training artillery piece, a 13mm AA twin gun mount and a naval single 13mm pedestal mount. Also a spare 75mm AA barrel.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009