Japanese occupation of Guam
Encyclopedia
Japanese Occupation of Guam was the period in the history of Guam
between 1941 and 1944 when Japanese forces occupied Guam
during World War II. The island was renamed Omiya Jima (Great Shrine Island).
was an engagement during the Pacific War
in World War II which took place on 8 December 1941 on Guam in the Mariana Islands
between the Japanese
and Allied
forces.
During the battle, the was scuttled after shooting down a Japanese plane. Naval Governor of Guam George McMillin
surrendered to the Japanese forces around 7:00 a.m. on December 10, 1941, ceding control of the island.
were forced to endure hardships of the military occupation in a war not caused by them. For the first four months, the island was controlled by army troops, who were housed in schools and government buildings in Agana. Chamorros were required to learn the Japanese custom of bowing, Japanese yen became the island’s currency, and civilian affairs were handled by a branch of the army called the minseisho. Cars, radios, and cameras were confiscated and food was rationed until supplies became exhausted. Chamorros who were suspected of hiding family members wanted by Japanese, or aiding the few Americans that did not surrender, were harassed, beaten, or tortured, and, in some instances, executed by order of the authorities.
Control of the island came under the Imperial Japanese Navy in March 1942. The keibitai, as it was known, governed the populace for about 19 months. Chamorros were allowed to remain on their farms and trade for products they needed. Social activities including parties, Japanese movies, and sports competitions were allowed. Mass meetings were held in Agana to reinforce the “Nippon Seishen” (spirit of Japan). Schools were reopened and Chamorros were required to learn the Japanese language and customs. English was forbidden. Adults and children were taught reading, writing, math, and Japanese games and songs.
at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade
landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, but by 09:00 tanks were ashore at both beaches. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft.
By nightfall, the Americans had established beachhead
s about 2,000 meters deep. Japanese counter-attacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. Several times they penetrated the American defenses and were driven back with heavy loss of men and equipment. Lieutenant General
Takeshi Takashima was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata
took over the command of the defenders.
Supply was very difficult for the Americans in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred meters from the beach and amphibious vehicles were scarce. However, the two beachheads were joined up on 28 July, and the Orote airfield and Apra harbor were captured by 30 July.
The counterattacks around the American beachheads had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August they were running out of food and ammunition and had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from the south of Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central part of the island. But with resupply and reinforcement impossible because of American control of the sea and air around Guam, he could hope to do no more than delay the inevitable defeat for a few days.
Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement at Mount Barrigada from 2 August to 4 August, the Japanese line collapsed and the rest of the battle was a pursuit to the north. As in other battles of the Pacific War, the Japanese refused to surrender, and almost all were killed.
On 10 August 1944, the American forces defeated the last Japanese troops on Guam, ending the occupation.
History of Guam
The history of Guam involves phases including the early arrival of people known today as the ancient Chamorros, the development of "pre-contact" society, Spanish colonization, and the present American rule of the island...
between 1941 and 1944 when Japanese forces occupied Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
during World War II. The island was renamed Omiya Jima (Great Shrine Island).
Overview of Guam
Guam is located 12 degrees, 75 minutes, north latitude, and 144 degrees, 47 minutes east longditude. Guam is the southern most island in the Marianas Island Chain. It is part of an underwater mountain range and is the largest of over 2,000 islands between Hawaii and the Philippines. Guam native people are known as "Chamorros".Events leading to the occupation
The Battle of Guam in 1941Battle of Guam (1941)
The First Battle of Guam, was an engagement during the Pacific War in World War II, and took place on 8 December 1941 on Guam in the Mariana Islands between the Empire of Japan and the United States...
was an engagement during the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
in World War II which took place on 8 December 1941 on Guam in the Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
between the Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
and Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
forces.
During the battle, the was scuttled after shooting down a Japanese plane. Naval Governor of Guam George McMillin
George McMillin
George Johnson McMillin was a United States Navy Rear Admiral who served as the 38th and final Naval Governor of Guam. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1911 and served as an officer during four separate conflicts: World War I, the occupation of the Dominican Republic, the...
surrendered to the Japanese forces around 7:00 a.m. on December 10, 1941, ceding control of the island.
Life during the occupation
During that period, ChamorrosChamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
were forced to endure hardships of the military occupation in a war not caused by them. For the first four months, the island was controlled by army troops, who were housed in schools and government buildings in Agana. Chamorros were required to learn the Japanese custom of bowing, Japanese yen became the island’s currency, and civilian affairs were handled by a branch of the army called the minseisho. Cars, radios, and cameras were confiscated and food was rationed until supplies became exhausted. Chamorros who were suspected of hiding family members wanted by Japanese, or aiding the few Americans that did not surrender, were harassed, beaten, or tortured, and, in some instances, executed by order of the authorities.
Control of the island came under the Imperial Japanese Navy in March 1942. The keibitai, as it was known, governed the populace for about 19 months. Chamorros were allowed to remain on their farms and trade for products they needed. Social activities including parties, Japanese movies, and sports competitions were allowed. Mass meetings were held in Agana to reinforce the “Nippon Seishen” (spirit of Japan). Schools were reopened and Chamorros were required to learn the Japanese language and customs. English was forbidden. Adults and children were taught reading, writing, math, and Japanese games and songs.
Events leading to end of the occupation
In early 1944, the war was going badly for Japan. With an American invasion threatening, the Japanese Army returned to Guam, bringing with it a new stricter form of government- the kaikontai. Social activities were terminated, schools were closed, and Chamorro men, women, and children over the age of 12 were forced to work long hours in the fields, repair or build airstrips and defense installations, and dig hundreds of Japanese cave shelters, many of which are within the boundaries of War in the Pacific NHP on Guam. Chamorros, laboring at bayonet point, were mistreated and, in some cases, executed after completing defense installations. Without warning, 10 000–15 000 Chamorros of all age were forced to march with only the belongings they could carry to concentration camps in Guam’s central and southern jungles. With inadequate shelter, little food, and no sanitary facilities, life in these camps was miserable. Despite hardships, however, incarceration proved to be a blessing in disguise. Had they not been moved, many Chamorros would have been killed by the American misallocation of bombs and Japanese cross fire.End of the occupation
On 21 July, the Americans landed on both sides of the Orote peninsula. On the western side of Guam, the Americans endeavored to cut off the airfield. The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of OroteAsan, Guam
Asan is a village located on the western shore of the U.S. territory of Guam. The municipality of Asan-Maina combines Asan with Maina, a community in the hills to the east. It was a primary landing site for United States Marines during Guam's liberation from the Japanese in World War II. Asan...
at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade
1st Provisional Marine Brigade
The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was a Marine infantry brigade of the United States Marine Corps that existed periodically from 1912 to 1950. It was an ad hoc unit formed for specific operations and therefore not considered a "permanent" USMC unit....
landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, but by 09:00 tanks were ashore at both beaches. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft.
By nightfall, the Americans had established beachhead
Beachhead
Beachhead is a military term used to describe the line created when a unit reaches a beach, and begins to defend that area of beach, while other reinforcements help out, until a unit large enough to begin advancing has arrived. It is sometimes used interchangeably with Bridgehead and Lodgement...
s about 2,000 meters deep. Japanese counter-attacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. Several times they penetrated the American defenses and were driven back with heavy loss of men and equipment. Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Takeshi Takashima was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata
Hideyoshi Obata
was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.-Biography:Obata was a native of Osaka prefecture. He graduated from the 23rd class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in December 1911, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the cavalry...
took over the command of the defenders.
Supply was very difficult for the Americans in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred meters from the beach and amphibious vehicles were scarce. However, the two beachheads were joined up on 28 July, and the Orote airfield and Apra harbor were captured by 30 July.
The counterattacks around the American beachheads had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August they were running out of food and ammunition and had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from the south of Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central part of the island. But with resupply and reinforcement impossible because of American control of the sea and air around Guam, he could hope to do no more than delay the inevitable defeat for a few days.
Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement at Mount Barrigada from 2 August to 4 August, the Japanese line collapsed and the rest of the battle was a pursuit to the north. As in other battles of the Pacific War, the Japanese refused to surrender, and almost all were killed.
On 10 August 1944, the American forces defeated the last Japanese troops on Guam, ending the occupation.
Life today
As a result of the end of the Japanese occupation, Guam celebrates with a yearly Liberation Day on the 21 July. The island also holds a procession on 8 Dec., this also commemorates the day of the Japanese attack. On this day, people gather in Hagatna and watch parades and have carnivals. Many chamorros hold on to their memories of the attack and share them with younger generations.Monuments and historical markers in Guam relating to the occupation
- War in the Pacific National Historical ParkWar in the Pacific National Historical ParkThe War in the Pacific National Historical Park is a protected area that was established in 1978 in honor of those who participated in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Various sites on the island of Guam comprise the Park...
near to Asan, GuamAsan, GuamAsan is a village located on the western shore of the U.S. territory of Guam. The municipality of Asan-Maina combines Asan with Maina, a community in the hills to the east. It was a primary landing site for United States Marines during Guam's liberation from the Japanese in World War II. Asan... - Plaza de Espana Hagatna Guam
- Caves and Jails in Tutuhan Park Hagatna Guam