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 Dick Williams 1971  Mark Haun 1993  Dick Williams 1973 |
Location Lat 6° 57' 50N Long ( 158° 12' 30E Kolonia (Colonia) is located near the northern coast of Pohnpei Island (Ponape) in the Federated States of Micronesia. 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. Also known as "Ponape Town" in some wartime American references. Located one mile to the north is Dakatik Island (Takatik) with Pohnpei Airport (Dakatik, Takatik). Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Caroline Islands. Today located in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). 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." Nan Pohn Mal Airfield Built by the Japanese Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank Displayed in town near the Post Office Eischarts Property / Adams Property The property is at the southern end of Kolonia on the way to Nett. At the turn of 20th Century, the Eischarts family acquired a large amount of land around Kolonia from the German administration. Wartime History During the Pacific War, this area was occupied by the Japanese and the site of their headquarters, 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 training gun, a 13mm twin AA gun mount and a single 13mm pedestal mount (IJN). 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 (Jack Adams and Yvette Eischart) still retain a large poortion of the land. 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 Japanese hospital was located. 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. Tank Dump During the war, the Japanese excavated a number of large revetments into the hillside to park at least fifteen Japanese tanks (No. 1 to No. 15) plus an artillery tractor and a Toyota amphibious truck. Until 1995, these tanks remained in situ. In 1995 the Adams decided to cut the hillside level to extend the batching plant. The tanks were exposed and hauled out and put into a line on the property. Type 97 Te Ke Tankette Abandoned on Adams Property recovered and restored by Stan Gajda over 14 months completed April 2001 Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank (No. 8) Under restoration by Stan Gajda 75mm Field Gun Type 38 (1905) The gun is a Japanese Type 38 (1905) 75mm 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 barrel. Abandoned U.S. Vehicles  Some of the
WWII American vehicles on the Adams property. After the war the
U.S. Navy took over the land. When military operations wound down
the Navy stored a lot of vehicles on the land near the Type 95 Ha Go 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, jeeps, machinery and engines, including one form a PT-Boat.
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