Ked er a Ngchebakl, Ngchesar
Ked er a Ngchelbakl, Kaliol
( Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun )
HIstoric Remnants of World war II
Site Type: Historic Remain WWII
Location: Ked er a Ngchelbakl, Ngchesar
Date Registered: May 24, 2005
Site No: B:NC-9:1
HISTORY
In recognition of its significance, Ked er a Ngchelbakl ( Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun ) has been listed on the Palau Register of Historic Places on May 24, 2005. Through preservation, study, and interpretation, the site can serve to educate future generations concerning the historical and cultural heritage of the Palauan people and the Ngchesar state. During World War II, the Japanese military fortified Ngchesar in anticipation of the American invasion of Babeldaob. The Japanese constructed numerous gun emplacements and dug defensive trenches on the savanna ridge of Ked er a Ngchelbakl. This to show that these historic remains of World War II are in need of preserving and that there is evidence shown that Ngchesar state was included in the World War II battlefield.
According to the survey collected by the Bureau of Arts and Culture in Ngchesar from the year 2001, they identify this historic site as Ked er a Ngchelbakl known as site number B:NC-9:1. Because of its significance, the site contains many Japanese Anti-Aircraft gun dating World War II. The site is located on a savanna area between two rivers that connected to one before flowing into Ngerdorch river near the Shimizu plantation. The guns are inside a trench with an extension that goes to the edge of the forest. The gun is rusty but still intact. The name of the ridge is Ked er a Ngchelbakl but because of the gun, locals referred to the ridge as Ked er a Kaliol.
This historic World War II site also contains a trench from the bunker that connects northeast downward toward the forest. This trench is a path for the Japanese soldiers to travel from the forest to the anti-aircraft gun as a hideout from incoming enemies. The elders of this village called them trench of Babeldaob, that was dug up by the Japanese soldiers. A visual measurement was conducted that the width of the trench is about two to three feet (2-3 feet) and the depth is about three to five feet (3-5 feet) from top to bottom. The trench identified on site is in good condition. These are the military installations used by the Japanese soldiers on the savanna area in which its historic remains are still intact until today.
Map of the Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun (Olsudong et al 2001, 170)
CHELDECHEDUCH
Tia el Ked er a Ngchelbakl (Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun) a siliseb er a omsengelel a klalo er a Ibetel a Cherechar (Palau Register of Historic Places) er se er a May 24, 2005. Tia el olsechall a ta er a mekreos el ibetel a cherechar er a Belau, el kmal klou a ultutelel el olsechall el mo er a rechad Belau me a beluu er a Ngchesar. Tia el olsechall el ngar er ngii a betok el blil a boes me a kliokl el ngara bebul a ked, a ochotii a klungel el mle urrerir a rsoldau er a Siabal el meliuekl er a Belau el mirruul aika el klekedall er a mekemad (Defense Fortification) el ulemtech a lemei a mekemedil a Merikel el nga er a Belau. Me ng klou el belkul tia el olsechall el kirel el mecheluolu me ng diak el metemall. E medechel el olechotel a mla er ngii el rak er a rekishi er a beluulechad (WWII era), me a Ngchesar a dirrek el mlo soiseb er a chelsel er a mekemad.
A chelsel a survey el lurruul er ngii a Bureau of Arts and Culture er a beluu er a Ngchesar er a rak er a 2001, e te mlo dongchii tia el olsechall, el Ked er a Ngchelbakl, e liliang a number er ngii el B:NC-9:1. E mlo mesaod er tia el olsechall el kmo ng blil a boes, el mle bosir a rsoldau er a Siabal, el ikei el boes er a skoki el ngar er a ked er a bebul a teblo el omeuachel. E aika el teblo el omeuachel a merael el mo tmak e omaoch el mo metengel er a Ngerdorch el bita er a Shimizu Plantation. Tia el kaliol el ngar er a chelsel tia el bunker (blil a boes) a mla sabir eng di kmal dirk cherrungel a teletelel el medechel. Tia el survey a kmo a ngklel tia el Ked er a Ngchelbakl, e mlo Ked er a Kaliol er a uriul er a el bo liang tia el kaliol er ngii a rsoldau er a Siabal.
Me tia el World War II Historic Sites a ngar er ngii a kliokl (trench) el ngar er tia blil a boes (bunker) e merael e mo soiseb er a chereomel er iou er a mobedul a diluches-sungos er tia el boes. E tia e kliokl a rolir e omertelir a rsoldau er a Siabal el mei er a boes e mo er a chereomel me ng diak el meues er ar teki (cheraro). A remeklou el chad a omekedong aika el kliis el chutem (trench) er a Babeldaob, el lulengiis a rsoldau er a Siabal, el kmo ng sinchi (dango). Ng dirkak a mengai el telkelel aika el kliokl el ulecholt er a survey, e ng di osenged er ngii a bekord ngar er a cherung el mo er a edei el feet (2-3 feet) a tengel. E a delechel a bekord ngar er a edei el mo er a eim el feet (3-5 feet) er a bebul chutem el mo er iou. E kliokl el kmal ungil el melemalt a tkul el mo e riou. (Aikang aike el di daitai el telkelel er a di osenged er ngii). E aika el mle klekedellir a rsoldau er a Siabal er tia el ked a kmal dirk cherrungel a teletelel el medechel.
FY’20 Site Rehabilitation and Conservation Project
The site rehabilitation and conservation project of Ked er a Ngchelbakl, Kaliol ( Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun ) located in Ngchelbakl region commence on June 07, 2022 and completed on July 15, 2022. The project involved clearing overgrowth trees, vines, and bushes around the site. Thet accomplish by removing moss, dirt and rusts from the anti-aircraft guns and apply a stop rust clear paint in order to prevent the WWII remains from corroding. Other modification such as digging the trench are supervised by village elders and monitored by the Bureau. They also built a 3ft. x 4ft interpretive signboard using traditional materials at the site.
The main purpose of this project is to educate and motivate the public, especially the affected villagers to realize the importance of the site and its potential economic benefits. Through the project, the concerned executives, traditional leaders and individuals could be reminded once again that these precious resources are theirs and should be maintained for many reasons: for present and future generations to learn and enjoy; for continuous education; for heritage tourism; and for economic development.
Governor Duane Hideo and the community of Ngchesar State feel fortunate to have one of their precious sites rehabilitated and have access for visitors. They believe that this is one way for others to learn about their state’s history and thanked the Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation under the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development for their on-going efforts in helping small communities little by little with their financial assistance.
REFERENCE:
Olsudong, Rita. Calvin T. Emesiochel. Errolflynn T. Kloulechad. 2001. Inventory of Cultural and historical Sites and Collection of Oral History in Ngiwal and Ngchesar States. Vol. I: Inventory of Cultural Sites. pg. 170-171.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Given the importance of this site to Palauans in terms of their history and culture and the concerns that exist in regard to its future, those visiting the site should not engage in any type of behavior or activity that disturbs the integrity of this site or diminishes the respect that should be accorded to it.
PALAU HISTORIC PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
Because of the importance and sensitivity surrounding this and all historical registered sites, the Palau Historic Preservation Office would like to emphasize proper conduct for visiting a site through the following guidelines.
1) Remember that many sites include culturally sensitive areas and therefore behavior should be always be respectful.
2) Remember to take everything you bring to the site with you when you leave.
3) Do not remove anything from the site. Although you may not think something is significant to the site, all pieces make up the whole.
Location of Ked er a Ngchelbakl (Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun)
For additional information on this or any other Registered site, Please contact:
The Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation
Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism, and Development
P.O Box 100, Koror, Palau 96940
Tel: (680) 767-1126/ (680) 767-2452
Email: [email protected]
Please contact the state prior to travel and obtain visitation permission:
Ngchesar State Office at
(680) 622-2967 or (680) 488-2636