One of spouse groups I joined since arriving last summer scheduled a visit to the COMDESRON FIFTEEN “Command Caves.” The command is literally inside caves that were used between 1938 and 1945. Here is a picture of the entrances to the command caves still in use.
The tour included going into the area that is used today as office spaces plus, a tour of the underground tunnel/cave network. The tour required hardhats and flashlights! Dina and I before we enter the underground caves!
According to our tour guide, more than 260 caves in more than 20 separate tunnel/cave networks were constructed throughout the Yokosuka Naval Base. These caves were built by the Imperial Japanese Navy. There are approximately 27km (16.77 miles) of known and charted tunnels throughout the Navy base.
During the war, these tunnels were used to conduct secret operations and provide safety from air attacks. At the height of their use, the caves contained a 500-bed hospital, a large electric power facility, and a small submarine factory and warehouse. Also during the war, it is estimated that more than 800 Japanese military members lived in the caves. Can you image living here…
Much of the cave’s history is classified and not shared with the public. During the Korean War, the caves were used as an emergency shelter and storage area for U.S. forces. During the Vietnam War, a portion of the cave was converted into the office spaces used today. The first picture was an altar.
In 1992, U.S. Naval forces surveyed and mapped out the caves. This proved to be a very difficult and time-consuming process. Each department of the Japanese naval base were order to build their own caves. This created chaotic organization of the cave and tunnel system. As a result of this survey, it was determined the caves were unsafe and therefore sealed off with the exception of three main caves that were refurbished and currently in use.
At this point, the caves are unlit, crumbling, and a bit creepy. There were signs, rock falls, rusted equipment and decomposing wooden hospital beds.
And bugs. Big gross disgusting gejigeji. Awful. Just awful. Nightmares for days after seeing these in the dark tunnels. I made sure not to stay longer than required!
Speaking of creepy. Dina and I give our best effort for creepy/scary flashlight face.
I’m happy to report we both made it out and lived to tell about. Yet another item I can cross off my list of “glad I did it and even more glad I never need to do again!”