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Post by fots2 on Dec 23, 2010 1:27:08 GMT 8
Hi Gents, The east side entrance survived reasonably well judging from its condition when MacArthur visited it in 1945 on flag raising day. Malinta’s western entrance was another story as you saw in chadhill’s photo. After the Japanese surrender, POWs already on the island and more POWs brought in later provided the manpower to clean up the tunnel. Here are a few photos. Malinta Tunnel east entrance in quite good shape. Malinta Tunnel west entrance. Malinta Tunnel west entrance. Japanese POWs clearing the tunnel. The clean-up is well underway. Both the Malinta Tunnel west entrance and the smaller Gasoline Tunnel entrance (to the left) can be seen here. No buildings yet, only army tents. Sorry Chad, I do not know the exact date of that air raid photo. Okla's ideas sound good.
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Post by The Phantom on Dec 23, 2010 7:11:46 GMT 8
First time to see these photos fots. A few comments.
Note the soldier 'standing guard?' above the tunnel entrance MacArthur is entering. The soldier is on the road that goes south around Malinta Hill.
Pictures 2, 3, 4 show how much of the cliff face of Malinta Hill was blasted off. (Not the top of the hill) The pictures show the Japanese were clearing the rock debris from the WEST entrance and it was being pushed down the hillside by the tunnel entrance road, which is east of today's church, (and 2 of the previous churches.)
The "roadway" down to the row of tents is still there, but grass covered today. The thick concrete revetment wall behind the row of tents is still prominent today.
Are the missing Navy Tunnels just south of the last tent, to the right in the last picture?
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Post by fots2 on Dec 23, 2010 9:25:29 GMT 8
Good comments Phantom. Correct, the three missing (buried) Navy tunnels are a short distance to the right.
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Post by chadhill on Jan 3, 2011 15:19:36 GMT 8
Can someone point out where on the ridgeline "Goal Post Ridge" and the "Little Knob" are, from the 1945 battle? The Belotes (page 226) only say they are between the crest on Malinta Hill, and Malinta Point. Goal Post Ridge was said to have had a cable hoist on it resembling a football goal post. Could these be parts of the "Goal Post Ridge" cable hoist? (photos courtesy fots2)
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Post by fots2 on Jan 7, 2011 0:24:37 GMT 8
Hi chadhill,
I have been exploring around the Mariveles area on Bataan lately so just saw your message.
"between the crest on Malinta Hill, and Malinta Point" is exactly where I was that day. I had heard of Goal Post Ridge but did not know exactly where it was. You may have discovered what the items in my photos were used for. Thanks for that.
Sorry, I don't know Little Knob.
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Post by chadhill on Jan 7, 2011 7:04:26 GMT 8
Thanks, Fots. Did you find Mariveles Field? Any sign of the M-1 and M-2 tunnels?
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Post by fots2 on Jan 7, 2011 8:50:25 GMT 8
Unfortunately no Mariveles airfield tunnels were seen. The area where the airfield was is covered with densely packed houses now. Karl says there is nothing to see there today so we spent our two days in other areas. I’ll post photos when I get around to it.
We did see five Navy tunnel entrances and got into two of them. Those entrances are on private property but the owners were very nice about visitors. Other than the Cochinos Fire Control Station and the Death March Marker KM 0, there is not much obvious from the war. Great scenery around there though. On the way back one day, we stopped at the Cabcaben airfield. Traces of the runway are still there.
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Post by chadhill on Jan 7, 2011 9:33:02 GMT 8
That sounds neat. Can't wait to see your pics and narrative, but kick back and have a San Miguel. We don't want you to burn out! ;D
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Post by fots2 on Jan 18, 2011 17:46:52 GMT 8
I am way behind on getting some trip reports completed and posted so here is a quick update. This past trip to Corregidor (January 11th to 16th) was quite unusual but very interesting for me. Along with others, I went there to meet a 503rd Paratrooper (Richard Adams) who jumped on Topside in 1945. This was his first trip back to Corregidor since the war. He was an amazing guy and at the age of 88, had no problems getting anywhere he wanted. This included the top of Malinta Hill. A film crew also accompanied us for a couple days. They are creating a documentary about Corregidor Island. I am sure Karl will provide a detailed report so I’ll just post a few photos. On arrival they decided to take the ‘regular’ day tour to get a feel for the island today. An exception was at the 503rd PRCT Memorial at the Topside Parade Ground where there was a wreath laying ceremony. Paratrooper Richard Adams. His daughter, active duty USAF, is in the background. Father and daughter viewing plaques on the memorial. Film crew at the Pacific War Memorial In the museum, Richard got a little surprise. There was a photo of him along with other troopers watching MacArthur the day he came back to raise the flag. Holding the photo. Close-up of the photo. Arrow points to Richard Adams. Walking to the water tanks east of the Topside lighthouse. He spent the first two nights on Corregidor sleeping on the ground between them. A tribute to Richard Adams. Mr. Adams, his wife and daughter are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Hopefully we will meet them again on Corregidor.
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Post by okla on Jan 19, 2011 1:57:07 GMT 8
Hey Fots...Super good stuff, as per usual. Methinks it is great that this old "War Horse" was able to return to the scene of some of his youthful "exploits". Betcha it was quite emotional for him and his family. Also very glad you pointed out that his attractive daughter is a USAF gal. Cheers.
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