Silent Guns

From this high ground, Japanese forces had a clear view of American landing craft approaching Asan Beach, but the Piti guns were never fired. With the war suddenly turning against them, the Japanese had only a few months to strengthen their defenses on Guam. Although the concrete emplacements were ready, the guns were not completed when the American assaults began. Chamorros were forced to haul the guns up the steep slope using tree trunks for rollers, and forced labor was one of the many hardships native islanders endured during the war. When the guns were discovered weeks after the battle, they were camouflaged with palm leaves and brush.