Fort Frank on Carabao Island under construction
Nov 26, 2016 17:05:12 GMT 8
chadhill and beirutvet like this
Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 26, 2016 17:05:12 GMT 8
Fort Frank on Carabao Island under construction
Last segment: 10 pictures uploaded to Flickr. This segment should be the last one, it has just 2 images from Karl Schmidt, 3 images are from the Case Report and the more recent pictures are from me, Karl Welteke. The pictures are numbered 04, 05 and f1 to f8. Karl Schmidt is from the Coastal Defense Study Group (CDSG.org) who got the images from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The pictures from the Case Report are also from Karl Schmidt. Thank you Karl and all members of the CDSG.
The pictures were uploaded at a high resolution into this Flickr album.
www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157673964028162
Here, in the forum, are the same 10 pictures but are much smaller.
V416. (04) is an aerial view of Fort Frank on Carabao Island, it is dated before 1932. This image was given to me by Karl Schmidt from the Coastal Defense Study Group (CDSG.org) who got the images from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This copy is marked with the main landmarks.
V417. (05) is an aerial view of Fort Frank on Carabao Island, it is dated before 1932. This image was given to me by Karl Schmidt from the Coastal Defense Study Group (CDSG.org) who got the images from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
These next three images and texts are from what we Coastal Artillery Friends call: “The Case Report”. But here is the official description of the report and I got my copy also from Karl Schmidt from the Coastal Defense Study Group (CDSG.org):
HEADQUARTERS 14TH ANTIAIRCRAFT COMMAND; APO 75; 6 October 1945
PROCEEDINGS OF A BOARD OF OFFICERS APPOINTED TO EVALUATE WAR DAMAGE TO THE HARBOR DEFENSES OF MANILA AND SUBIC BAYS
Pursuant to the instructions contained in letter orders, Headquarters 14th Antiaircraft Command, 7 September 1945, attached as Appendix A, the board met at Fort Mills, P.I., at 1800 12 September 1945. All members were present. Major John H. Abbott was appointed recorder. In the absence of the final directive, later received in letter Headquarters 14th Antiaircraft Command, 12 September 1945, subject, Evaluation of War Damage to the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bay, attached as Appendix B, the purpose of the investigation was explained by the president. The outposts of Fort Hughes, Fort Frank and Fort Drum were visited by all members on 13 September 1945. The board departed from Fort Mills at 1400 14 September 1945. A portion of the board visited Fort Wint, Subic Bay on 17 September 1945. A final meeting was held on 6 October 1945 to examine all evidence, approve the draft report and to arrive at final conclusions.
V418. (F1). 71. Battery Greer. – One14-inch gun on disappearing carriage located on the northern end of the island. This battery was not manned and was never fired due to its field of fire.
V419. (F2). 72. Battery Crofton. - One 14-inch gun on a disappearing carriage manned as an alternate assignment by Btry F, 91st CA (PS). Located on the south western side of the island. This is the only 14-inch gun, except those at Fort Hughes able to fire at Bataan and was used for counter battery until the very end. (Braly) Although there were some artillery hits within the emplacement, the gun was in operation to the last, some parts being taken from Btry Greer for use.
V420. (F3). 73. Battery Koehler. - Eight 12-inch mortars, M1908, in two pits. The battery was initially manned by Btry F, 91st CA (PS), but about 15 April the manning of pit B was taken over by a part of Btry F, 92nd CA (PS), from Btry Frank North, This battery was not bombed. When the battery was first fired In January a premature burst just outside the pit killed one and wounded 6 men. This battery suffered from time to time from artillery fire from Cavite and guns were put out of action temporarily, However, at the surrender all were in operation.
74. Battery Frank North. - a. Four 155mm guns on Panama mounts located on the spur north of Btry Greer manned by Btry F, 92nd CA (PS). There is no picture for this battery.
V421. (F4). This is how the gun pit or well of Battery Crofton looks like today, this is a 2008 image. Every bit of steel is gone; the fort Frank has been scrapped bare by scrappers.
V422. (F5). This is how the gun pit or well of Battery Greer looks like today, this is a 2012 image. Every bit of steel is gone; the fort Frank has been scrapped bare by scrappers. This one piece of steel is the only piece I have seen during my 6 visits to this fort since 2004.
V423. (F6). I believe this is gun pit A of Battery Koehler, all the guns and steel is gun and the pits have become a tropical jungle.
V425. (F7). This is the view of the wharf in the former Fort Frank on Carabao Island; it is located on the east side of the island. One can clearly see the former rail track incline going up to the right in the direction of Battery Greer.
F8. To the right is the spur which was the location of Battery Frank North; the spur is almost completely gone. We found only one of the 4 concrete Panama gun mounts for one of the four 155mm guns. Battery Greer is dead ahead under that green rise.