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Coordinates: 13°27′43″N 144°41′40″E / 13.46194°N 144.69444°E / 13.46194; 144.69444
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{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox_nrhp | name =Piti Guns
| name = Piti Coastal Defense Guns
| image = PitiGun1.jpg
| image = PitiGun1.jpg
| caption = One of three Vickers type Model 3 140mm coastal defense guns emplaced at Piti, Guam in 1944 by the Japanese in defense of Guam.
| caption = One of three Vickers type Model 3 140mm coastal defense guns emplaced at Piti, Guam in 1944 by the Japanese in defense of Guam.
| location= [[Piti, Guam]]
| locmapin = Guam
| built =1944
| location = near the intersection of routes 1 and 11
}}
| nearest_city = [[Piti, Guam]]
| coordinates = {{coord|13|27|43|N|144|41|40|E|display=inline,title}}
| built = 1944
| added = June 18, 1975
| refnum = 75001909<ref>{{NRISref|2010a}}</ref>
}}


The Piti Guns unit is the site of three Vickers type Model 3 140mm coastal defense guns. The Japanese manufactured these Model 3 coastal defense guns in 1914. During the Japanese Occupation from 1941-1944, the Japanese built up defensive positions on Guam. The Chamorro population was forced to work in building up these defenses, and did so here at Piti Guns. Imagine if you can the dense vegetation that existed here at the time and how hard it would have been to not only hike up the side of this steep terrain but also carry thousands of pounds of steel.
The '''Piti Guns''' or '''Piti Coastal Defense Guns''' is the site of three Vickers-type [[14 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval gun|Model 3 {{convert|140|mm|adj=on}} coastal defense guns]] in the [[War in the Pacific National Historical Park]] in [[Piti, Guam]]. The Japanese manufactured these Model 3 coastal defense guns in 1914. During the Japanese Occupation of Guam from 1941 to 1944, they built up defensive positions on the island. The [[Chamorro people|Chamorro]] population was forced to work in building up these defenses, and did so here at the Piti Guns.

These guns were strategically placed in what was in 1944 a village consisting mostly of rice paddies. This area was chosen with consideration to the firing range of the guns. These guns have a firing range of close to 10 miles and were intended for use against ships and landing craft. When the United States Armed Forces came to retake the island on July 21, 1944 these guns were not fully operational. Consequently, not one of the three coastal defense guns was ever fired. But, these guns are representative of the type of weapons used by the Japanese on Guam for the fortification efforts.
The Piti guns were strategically placed in a village consisting mostly of rice paddies in 1944. This area was chosen to defend the beach at [[Asan, Guam|Asan]] from a possible invasion. These guns have a firing range of close to {{convert|10|mi}} and were intended for use against ships and landing craft. When the United States Armed Forces came to retake the island on July 21, 1944, these guns were not fully operational. Consequently, not one of the three coastal defense guns was ever fired. However, these guns are representative of the type of weapons used by the Japanese on Guam for fortification efforts.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/wapa/planyourvisit/piti-guns.htm|title=War in the Pacific National Historical Park – Piti Guns Unit| publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
[[Image:PitiGun2.jpg|thumb|left|This gun has been left in its unrestored condition]]

This same area was used as an Experimental Agricultural Station. The station was established in 1909 and funded by the USDA. An area of 30 acres on the main road between the towns of Piti and Agana was selected because of its accessibility. The Chamorros had small ranches located away from the villages. The methods of cultivation were primitive, and accomplished by hand. Many of the coconut palm ranches were leased to Japanese traders and there was a tendency to not farm but work for the Navy Department on various public improvements. This tendency was proving detrimental to economic conditions and the general welfare. The station helped the people by distributing seeds and plants. The extension activities were mainly concerned with adult demonstrations, boys’ and girls’ work, and school gardens. The boys’ and girls’ club work proved to be the most popular and effective. The children were eager to learn and were willing to put into practice the things they were taught. School gardens proved effective not only in teaching boys and girls better methods, but in serving as convincing demonstrations to older people and as an organized means of distributing seeds and plants that had been found to be adapted to local conditions. In 1915 about 5000 cuttings and several hundred seeds of ornamental plants were started. This included hibiscus, which can be seen growing wild in this area. The first mention of the introduction of Mahogany was in 1917. This grove that stands here was started with 208 Mahogany plants in 1928. Sweitenia macrophylla is native to central and South America. In 1929 it was noted that the native hardwoods of Guam were becoming exhausted. The introduction of Teak and Mahogany were introduced to replace native hardwoods. These two tree species seemed to be well suited for Guam conditions. The Guam Agricultural Experiment Station was closed June 30, 1932 and was transferred to the island government, to be used as an agricultural school. The school was open until 1940. <ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/wapa/planyourvisit/piti-guns.htm|title=War in the Pacific National Historical Park – Piti Guns Unit| publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
[[Image:PitiGun2.jpg|thumb|left|One gun was toppled by a falling tree after the war.]]


==Visiting==
==Visiting==
The Piti Guns are located in the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in [[Piti, Guam]], and are freely accessible by the general public. The trailhead is located at [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=13.4621N,+144.6942E&sll=13.462095,144.692999&sspn=0.00913,0.006866&ie=UTF8&ll=13.462095,144.694201&spn=0.00913,0.006866&t=h&z=17 13.4621N, 144.6942E] in a residential neighborhood behind a church social hall on Father Mel Street in [[Piti, Guam]]. The guns are located a short walk up a staircase from the trailhead.
[[Image:PitiGun3.jpg|thumb|right|Trailhead information board]]
The Piti Guns are located in the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in [[Piti]], [[Guam]], and are freely accessible by the general public. The trailhead is located at [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=13.4621N,+144.6942E&sll=13.462095,144.692999&sspn=0.00913,0.006866&ie=UTF8&ll=13.462095,144.694201&spn=0.00913,0.006866&t=h&z=17 13.4621N, 144.6942E] in a residential neighborhood behind a church social hall on Father Mel Street in [[Piti]], [[Guam]]. The guns are located a short walk up a staircase from the trailhead.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
[[Category: World War II]]
{{commonscat-inline}}
[[Category: National Register of Historic Places in Guam]]

{{National Register of Historic Places in Piti, Guam}}

[[Category:World War II weapons of Japan]]
[[Category:World War II on the National Register of Historic Places in Guam]]
[[Category:History of Guam]]
[[Category:History of Guam]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Guam]]
[[Category:1944 establishments in Guam]]


{{Guam-NRHP-stub}}
{{Guam-struct-stub}}

Latest revision as of 05:03, 23 January 2023

Piti Coastal Defense Guns
One of three Vickers type Model 3 140mm coastal defense guns emplaced at Piti, Guam in 1944 by the Japanese in defense of Guam.
Piti Guns is located in Guam
Piti Guns
Locationnear the intersection of routes 1 and 11
Nearest cityPiti, Guam
Coordinates13°27′43″N 144°41′40″E / 13.46194°N 144.69444°E / 13.46194; 144.69444
Built1944
NRHP reference No.75001909[1]
Added to NRHPJune 18, 1975

The Piti Guns or Piti Coastal Defense Guns is the site of three Vickers-type Model 3 140-millimetre (5.5 in) coastal defense guns in the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Piti, Guam. The Japanese manufactured these Model 3 coastal defense guns in 1914. During the Japanese Occupation of Guam from 1941 to 1944, they built up defensive positions on the island. The Chamorro population was forced to work in building up these defenses, and did so here at the Piti Guns.

The Piti guns were strategically placed in a village consisting mostly of rice paddies in 1944. This area was chosen to defend the beach at Asan from a possible invasion. These guns have a firing range of close to 10 miles (16 km) and were intended for use against ships and landing craft. When the United States Armed Forces came to retake the island on July 21, 1944, these guns were not fully operational. Consequently, not one of the three coastal defense guns was ever fired. However, these guns are representative of the type of weapons used by the Japanese on Guam for fortification efforts.[2]

One gun was toppled by a falling tree after the war.

Visiting[edit]

The Piti Guns are located in the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Piti, Guam, and are freely accessible by the general public. The trailhead is located at 13.4621N, 144.6942E in a residential neighborhood behind a church social hall on Father Mel Street in Piti, Guam. The guns are located a short walk up a staircase from the trailhead.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "War in the Pacific National Historical Park – Piti Guns Unit". National Park Service.

External links[edit]

Media related to Piti Guns at Wikimedia Commons