Gun History
Built by Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd in the United Kingdom. Prewar, sold to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN).

Wartime History
During the Pacific War, transported to Ponape Island. One of two 6" guns lifted atop Kupwuriso Mountain using native labor. Emplaced at at Kupwuriso in a concrete emplacement with a steel door as the entrance. Between the two guns was a fire direction / control bunker between the two guns.

Wreckage
Remains in situ.

Stan Gajda adds:
"The guns were dragged up in pieces and assembled on-site. It took the Japanese months to get them up there, a few feet a day I'm told. They used island labor mainly. And so it was for the various other guns. The two 6" guns [including this gun] were emplaced at a really high elevation - Kupwuriso Hill - took them about a year to get the gun tubes up there. The place where the guns are located is very narrow with a vertical drop-off in front of the guns and a very steep drop-off behind the guns. The ridge up there is not even 50 yards wide. The view from there is fantastic out across the lagoon to the channel entrance and behind a great view into the uninhabited bush in the island's center. "

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
April 19, 2021