Location
Located at Kolonia (Colonia) on Ponape Island.

Construction
Japanese built a large airifeld at this location, with two crossed concrete runways. Also, large dome shaped hanger. Heavily bombed during the war, and runways destroyed. Wartime photo via Robert Rocker.

Today
There is no longer much airfield evidence at Nan Pohn Mal. Squatter housing has run over the area and it is almost impossible to find even parts of the runways today. These people have even settled on the concrete runways! A good reference point is the floor of the original hanger which is still there with the door rails set into the concrete and the buttresses of the arced roof still in place.

Underground Fuel Tanks
There are several massive underground fuel tanks. One is unfinished and can be entered by the main door. I estimate it is 50ft x 50 ft with a 20ft ceiling. All concrete.

Stan Gajda adds:
"Some of the runway is still visible, bunkers and other concrete remains can be seen and also the hangar floor and some of the structure. I will need to go and do an expedition (1/2 mile away from home). Sohkes Mountain has some big artillery on top and had searchlights."

A6M2 Zero Manufacture Number 3785
Shot down after take off and crashed near Nan Pohn Mal, salvaged

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 1, 2009