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Post by EXO on Mar 18, 2008 9:22:44 GMT 8
We gathered together to raise the flag on the Old Spanish Flagpole, to commemorate a morning sixty-three years before...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2009 13:52:26 GMT 8
How this does not get much attention as like the Fall of Bataan in April 9 or the fall of Corregidor in May 6. There is seldom or almost none at all in most of the chronological events of the Pacific war? Is it because this is just a small battle?
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Post by EXO on Jun 15, 2009 18:10:14 GMT 8
It was a a particularly nasty battle, though not a large one - but an important one, perhaps like a rung in a ladder. The retaking of Manila did not depend on it. But Manila Bay could not be used, and Manila could not be utilised as a major port in the ongoing progress towards Japan, until the forts at its entrance were neutralized. The Japanese forces, which had been a plague upon the Philippines could not be fully engaged in Luzon without bringing supplies directly into and through Manila.
As a battle, though the retaking of Corregidor may have had consequences for the war in the Philippines, it was not a battle in which Filipinos took part. So it is understandable that it is not on any calendar here.
One of the most dramatic aspects of Corregidor is that it completed a full cycle in which the two belligerents reversed their roles of defense and assault. Each garrisoned the fortress against overwhelming odds, and each attacked it with overpowering forces. These events offer an interesting study in contrasts, from which the tremendous superiority of American tactics, methods, and characteristics is clearly demonstrated.
In 1942 the American garrison made its epic defense of the island, outnumbered, outgunned, unsupported, and deprived of any hope of relief, our men held the post for four bitter weeks after Bataan's fall. Ultimately, after being surrendered in a forlorn hope of humanitarian treatment, they were surrendered. In the three years that followed, many became heroes, and a few, a precious few, became survivors.
In 1945, on the date we commemorate each 16 February, when the Americans returned as an attacking force, the positions were amazingly reversed. The Island was taken in less than two weeks of moving and killing, killing and moving, some 5,000 or more of the Japanese defenders were annihilated, at a loss to the ROCK FORCE of less than 200 killed.
If war is meant to try men's souls, there are few incidents in history which have applied such a searching test to the American character as is being commemorated . The complete depths of defeat were vindicated, at last, by an equally spectacular victory. In both extremes citizens in uniform demonstrated their capacity to meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters both the same. In 1942, under the darkening shadows of defeat, men fought on here with unfaltering devotion. In 1942, long after they knew that victory had been denied them, they hung on out of pure loyalty to the ideals of their birth.
In 1945, soldiers fought to bring back with them something more glorious than triumph. Without the desire for conquest, they brought back the hope of an American peace, "Pax Americana."
Perhaps it is best that the realities of Corregidor should merge into a legend of supreme self-sacrifice and invincible accomplishment.
There are some things to which the expression of loyalty can accrue that are beyond politics, and beyond borders.
Bless 'em All.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 13:24:26 GMT 8
Well its a small battle alright, being outshadowed by a bigger battle in Manila at the same time. Well the Japanese suffered more losses in the invasion of the island that the American in the 1945 retaking. I think the earlier battle was nastier in terms of assaulting the island.
The Corregidor retaking may be symbolic as the US was dealings blows to the Japanese elsewhere in the Philippines. I think the Japanese were already licked even before the Corregidor invasion in 1945 ever happened.
Just my opinion. Salamat Po
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Post by EXO on Jun 17, 2009 18:24:30 GMT 8
Firing guns at an invasion fleet, and essentially wiping out the second wave, is what defenders do, it's unpleasant by today's views, but it's not nasty. Cutting the throats of a room full of concussed Japanese with your trench knife is nasty. By 1945, neither the Japanese nor the Americans asked for, or expected any quarter. By the logic of " The Corregidor retaking may be symbolic as the US was dealings blows to the Japanese elsewhere in the Philippines," one could equally that " In 1942 the Japanese had dealt blows to the Americans elsewhere in the Philippines, so their taking of Corregidor was symbolic." And if you did, it would be wrong. WWII was a war of logistics. In 1945, Manila Bay was denied to the Americans whilst the Japanese held Corregidor. The extinguishment of that impediment was many things, but symbolic was not one of them. What we might do sixty years later, that may be symbolic, but what was done in 1945 most certainly was not.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Aug 22, 2017 9:00:20 GMT 8
Question and Answers So that we remember! Za070. Corregidor 2nd March 1945, Rock Force returns Corregidor to Gen.MacArtur Question: Any info on this pic? This question and picture was asked, shown in this Facebook page “Corregidor Historic Society”. www.facebook.com/groups/1594353690875491/permalink/1610062249304635/Za071. Corregidor2nd March 1945, Rock Force returns Corregidor to Gen. MacArthur. Answer: This picture and the following paragraph came from this web page. I counted 8 great pictures and the day report of this day by the 503d PIR: corregidor.org/bea503/Calendar/Day%20By%20Day/450302.htm"Colonel Jones, the capture of Corregidor is one of the most brilliant operations in military history. Outnumbered two to one, your command by its unfaltering courage, its invincible determination, and its professional skill overcame all obstacles and annihilated the enemy. I have cited to the order of the day all units involved, and I take great pride in awarding you as their commander the Distinguished Service Cross as a symbol of the fortitude, the devotion, and the bravery with which you have fought. I see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down." Gen. Douglas MacArthur There are many answers in this fantastic website about an important chapter of WWII and the Philippine-American history: corregidor.org/
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Post by Karl Welteke on Aug 25, 2017 19:26:15 GMT 8
Four rare pictures raising the Flag on Corregidor, the 2nd March 1945. Karl Schmidt sent me these pictures and encouraged me to post them. He said this: Hi Karl The photo you posted is a well known PR photo of Gen Mac. I'm not sure why there would be any questions about it. Attached are 4 photos from my private collection that may be interesting. They are small format, poor quality obviously taken by a GI, and not "official" Notice the one of his majesty's jeep arriving has a parachute in the tree at left. Feel free to post my photos if you wish. Best regards, Karl Schmidt Karl is a long time member and leader of the Coastal Defense Study Group (CDSG) (cdsg.org). Thank you Karl. Za086. Gen. MacArthur arrives at the Corregidor Flagstaff. On the 2nd March 1945 Gen. MacArthur visited Corregidor, some fighting and dying was still going on. He ordered the Rock Force Commander Col. Jones to raise the colors on the Old Flag Staff. This picture is from Karl Schmidt, Coastal Defense Study Group. Za087. Gen. MacArthur orders the flag raised on Corregidor. Gen. MacArthur orders the flag raised on Corregidor on the 2nd March 1945. Left are the officers and VIPs; the troops are standing in back. The left photographer seem to were a sailor’s white hat. . This picture is from Karl Schmidt, Coastal Defense Study Group. Za088.On Corregidor the flag is going up. Hand salute, the colors are being raised on Corregidor, the 2nd March 1945. The Rock Force, after 2 weeks of hard fighting, just presented The Rock back to Gen. MacArthur in liberty from almost 3 years of occupation by the Japanese aggressors. . This picture is from Karl Schmidt, Coastal Defense Study Group. Za089. Gen. MacArthur on the road to Battery Wheeler. This must be the road to Battery Wheeler. We know Gen. MacArthur visited it in 1945 and had a long look at the battery. He and his party are just returning and are between The Old Flagstaff and one of the Senior Officer Quarters. This picture is from Karl Schmidt, Coastal Defense Study Group.
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