Wartime History
Transported to Ponape Island. One of two dual barrel 127mm anti-aircraft guns lifted atop Sokehs Mountain (Jokej) using native labor.

Emplaced on a concrete base about 500 yards north of the 6" Naval Gun and are located along the center of the flat top of the ridge. 127mm Anti-Aircraft Gun (No. 1) is emplaced about 50 yards away. During the war, this gun was hit by a 75mm howitzer shell fired by a B-25 Mitchell.

Wreckage
Remains in situ. Nearby is a frame that was likely a barrel rest for bore cleaning.

Stan Gajda reports:
"Hit near the top of the turret by a shell. I think its is a hit from one of the B-25 Mitchells shooting the nose-mounted 75mm howitzer. There are also a few .50 cal holes in the mounting."

Dick Williams reports:
"There is a cab to the right of the barrels. This gun reportedly shot down lots of Allied planes, it was said. I was shown where one had crashed on mountain side. Maybe PBJ "Love Bug" 35275 was one of its victims. They tried bombing the length of mountain top-no good, too narrow. So, they then tried bombing from side to side. Still no good, too small. I saw bomb craters from attempts on one side of Sokehs at the base. Rumor has it, they finally got it by having a fighter (Japanese word is "sentoki") drop a small bomb which penetrated the cab and exploded inside. The hole was about 12" diameter if I recall."

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Last Updated
November 6, 2019