|
Post by joeconnor53 on Jan 5, 2017 22:19:48 GMT 8
I am looking for some help on research I'm doing on the few men who were able to escape from Bataan to Corregidor at the time of the surrender of Bataan, and then from Corregidor back to Bataan after the surrender of Corregidor. Here are my questions:
1. The only two people I've come across who were able to do this were Edgar Whitcomb and Damon "Rocky" Gause? Does anyone know of anyone else? I'm especially interested in any who escaped from Corregidor after the surrender.
2. How long of a trip is it from Mariveles to Corregidor?
3. How long a swim from Corregidor (the area where the prisoners were kept) to the nearest part of Bataan? How are the currents in that area? Any sharks?
Thanks for your help.
|
|
|
Post by JohnEakin on Jan 6, 2017 9:04:16 GMT 8
Good questions. I just finished reading Edgar Whitcomb's book a couple of weeks ago and wondered the same things. I wondered, too, if no one tried the South channel to the islands and eventually the Cavite shore. My impression is that most of the Japaneese forces had moved North to Bataan. Perhaps there were more eyes on the South channel because all the POWs were at the 92nd Garage area.
Its hard to get a handle on how many GI's joined the guerrillas - must have been a fair number. I came across the Xfile on BG Guy Fort the other night (he's an Unknown buried in Manila) and the little bit I've been able to learn it sounds like he commanded a sizeable guerrilla force.
|
|
|
Post by joeconnor53 on Jan 6, 2017 9:08:16 GMT 8
John, have you read the Gause book? It's equally fascinating. Gause Book
|
|
|
Post by JohnEakin on Jan 7, 2017 9:14:07 GMT 8
No, I haven't read it, yet, but I just ordered it off Amazon. I found a used hardcover for $4.24 and have had great luck buying used books from Amazon. They have all been in excellent condition and often autographed by the author. Thanks for the recommendation. The page also recommended another similar book that I'm going to watch for a price drop. Cheapest they had was $11.11 and that was a little more than I was willing to pay. I've copied the description below. I've read a short version of this story somewhere. South From Corregidor: The complete story with new photographs, maps and addendum Added pictures, maps and an Addendum bring closure to this amazing 1942 World War II escape story. Republished by Mike Deal and Tim Deal with support from the last surviving escapee, Lyle Bercier and Lieutenant Commander Morrill’s daughters make this republished version of South from Corregidor a one-of-a-kind read. On the evening of 6 May, 1942, hours after US Army General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered all US and Filipino forces on the island of Corregidor and other fortified islands in Manila Bay to the Imperial Japanese Army, 18 US Navy sailors from USS Quail began their daring escape to freedom. Using a 36 foot Navy motor launch, the 18 sailors, led by Lieutenant Commander John Morrill began their 2,000 mile journey through Japanese infested waters. With only a watch, compass, homemade sextant and a few maps it was an incredible feat of navigation. Their story is one of great audacity, where the generosity and bravery of the Filipino people, along with sheer luck played an integral role in the outcome of events. This World War II escape story was originally published as a series of Saturday Evening Post articles in December, 1942, and then as a book in early 1943. The book was written by Lieutenant Commander Morrill less than a year after the escape. This republished version of South From Corregidor is as the Skipper, as Lieutenant Commander Morrill is called by his crew, wrote it. Thirty-nine maps have been added to help show their journey, as well as six illustrations that were included in the Saturday Evening Post three-part article printed following the escape. In addition to photographs of the escapees, an Addendum is included that tells what happened to the 18 sailors. Did they survive the war? More information on the escapees can be found online at www.sfc1942.yaleaerial.com.
|
|
|
Post by joeconnor53 on Jan 10, 2017 21:19:00 GMT 8
If these guys had known just how bad the conditions would be in Japanese POW camps, how many more do you think would have tried to escape? I think most assumed that the Japanese would honor the Geneva Convention even thought Japan was not a signatory.
|
|
|
Post by victor on Feb 4, 2017 11:32:33 GMT 8
Somewhat related...
A machine gun platoon of 26th Cavalry scouts who were separated from the regiment somehow managed to board a barge to Corregidor when Bataan was about to fall and to fight again during the invasion of Corregidor. This was commanded by Sgt. Felipe Fernandez. It was mentioned in the book: The Doomed Horse Soldiers of Bataan. Having known Felipe before he passed away, he also related it to me in some detail via email.
|
|