Island
at the entrance to Manila Bay. Also
know as Fort Mills, and later as "The Rock". Caballo
(Fort Hughes) and El Fraile (Fort Drum) are nearby.
Fort Mills
Built prior to the war to defend the entrance of Manila Harbor. The island became
the HQ for US Naval Defense forces on December 21, 1941. General
Macarthur was evacuated from the island by PT-34
the night
of March 11, 1942 and taken to Mindanao. Then flown by B-17 to Australia.
Japanese Missions Against Corregidor
January 4 - May 6, 1942
Japanese Assault
On
May 5, 1942 a force of 2.000 Japanese under the command of Homma
launched an amphibious assault on the island with the support
of heavy bombardment. Despite determined American resistance,
the
island
surrendered on May 6, 1942 to the Japanese, the
largest surrender of American forces, ever.
Japanese Occupation
After the battled, only one Japanese reinforced company remained
on the island (300 men), with approximately 500 POW, mostly
Americans to repair the island's installations, and cleanup
the island
and collect scrap for shipment to Japan. The POWs remained
on the island until shortly before the liberation. As American
forces approached, approximately 6,000 troops occupied the
island, mostly Navy.
American Liberation
After
the American liberation of Luzon and most of Manila, followed by
extensive aerial bombardment (3,128 tons), naval bombardment and
mine clearing operations, Americans assaulted the island on February
15, 1945. The 11th Airborne Division's
503rd
Paratroopers dropped on the Topside area of the island from C-47s.
American Missions Against Corregidor
January 23 - March 1, 1945
An amphibious landing by the 34th Infantry
Division between Cavalry Point and Infantry Point on the north
coast, and another landing west of San Jose on the south, to
take Malinta Hill. The Japanese
fought from caves, and launched banzai charges and set off demolition
charges, blowing up Malinta Hill on the 21st. On
the 25th the 151st Infantry replaced the 34th. The battle for
the island lasted 12 days, and resulted in 225 KIA
and MIAs, 645 WIA on the American side. Nearly
all the Japanese defenders were killed, 4,500 in battle, 20 captured,
500 buried alive in caves, 200 killed trying to swim away.
Today
Corregidor is a protected national park,
with a small population whose job it is to maintain the grounds
and look after the tourists. Most people choose the short day trip
by fast catamaran from Manila, which includes a guided bus tour
around some of the more significant sites. For the more serious
visitor, there is a nice hotel, and our stays have been up to ten
days, much to the amazement of the locals.
Battery
Way
A battery of four mortars, capable of firing in
any direction. The last of the four mortars was still firing
when the Japanese landed, and Allied forces removed its breech
block prior to capture. Today, it is one of
the main tourist attractions on Corregidor Island tour.
Battery Geary
A mortar battery built into a hollow on the southern coast of Corregidor. Hit by a a 240mm round penetrated the center magazine, detonating a massive explosion of 40 tons of explosives that utterly destroyed the battery, leaving a large crater where the magazine formerly was.
Battery
Crockett
A battery of four mortars, capable of firing in any direction. The last of the
four mortars was still firing when the Japanese landed, and Allied forces removed
its breech block prior to capture.
Battery
Smith
The original stenciled labels
are still visible on the walls. Battery Smith was
a long
range (26 miles) flat trajectory 12" gun. There
were two of these weapons curiously exposed like
this,
the other being Battery Hearn. Perhaps they didn't
build a parapet so as to allow depression of the
guns,
which faced out to the South China Sea. Each could
traverse a full 360 degrees.
Battery
Hearn
Battery Hearn was a long
range (26 miles) flat trajectory 12" gun, facing out to the South China Sea. During the defense
of Corregidor by the Americans, this gun was used
to fire at Japanese forces on Bataan, but only
AP shells were available making it difficult to
do damage.
Battery
Ramsay
Located near the
the old YMCA building. This battery of three six-inches
received a hit on its magazine during allied air bombardments
and there is an enormous crater and one of the huge
gun mounts lies on its side at the rim.
Battery
Wheeler
The battery faces towards the southwest, but could easily lay fire upon Mariveles to the north west. Battery Wheeler was constructed between 1904 and 1919.
Japanese
Tunnel
Carved by the Japanese, along the tracks at Battery
Rock Point and Middle side.
Mile Long Barracks
Nicknamed
'Mile Long Barracks' it was said to be the longest barracks in
the world (although not actually a mile long). Heavily damaged during the capture and liberation of
the island, the ruins are still standing today.
Flagpole
The original flagpole. After liberator, on March 2 1945. General Douglas Macarthur awarded Colonel George M. Jones,
the
paratrooper commander a DSC and made the famous quote: "I
see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist
the colors to
its peak,
and let
no enemy
ever
haul them down."
Topside
Barracks building.
Malinta Tunnel
Located roughly in the center
of the island. This massive underground headquarters and supplies
storage area for the Army HQ and USAFFE. Inside
the hill is the Malinta Tunnel complex. In
1942 when the American defenders found that their ammunition, stored
in the damp darkness of Malinta, was 30% defective.
Kindley Field
(Landing Strip)
Runway on the eastern end of Corregidor.
Battery Kysor
Located on the north side of the island, to the west of Kindley Field
Filipino
Women Statue
To the SW of Battery Kysor.
Medical Marker / General Wainwright Memorial
Located on the south coast of the island, near the south
dock.
South Dock
Landing point on the south side of the island, roughly in
the center.
Battery Maxwell Keyes
Located to the SW of Kindley Field, on the south side of the
island.
Naval Radio Intercept Tunnel
Located to the east of Battery Maxwell Keyes.
Filipino Heroes Memorial / President
Osmena Statue
Located to the SE of Battery Kysor.
