|
Post by okla on Jan 29, 2011 9:39:47 GMT 8
Hey Chad....I haven't heard or read the term "SWAG" in years. Do you ever notice that some terms and words from back in one's military days seem to forever linger in our vocabulary??? I am noticing more and more, as I flounder thru the "Golden Years", that I think of those times in a much different way then before. I had an old Master Sergeant, who was kinda my mentor, tell me that the day would come, if I lived long enough, that my USAF days would be viewed as maybe the best time of my life. I won't say that (yet), especially in wife's presence, but they do look pretty good to me here in the 21st Century. Cheers
|
|
|
Post by chadhill on Jan 29, 2011 12:07:16 GMT 8
Well then Okla, I'll bet you haven't heard FIGMO in a while, either... ;D
Yes, I've come to remember most of those days fondly, too. Even Gunny Thixton barking in my face at Pensacola seems funny now, though I was jolted at the time. About 20 years ago my dad and I laughed through the first hour of "Full Metal Jacket". He was in the army during the KW and had never forgotten basic training, either. Sure do miss the old guy.
Ok, back to the thread...
|
|
|
Post by okla on Jan 30, 2011 4:15:19 GMT 8
Hey Chad....I gotta think that your SWAG about "bleed thru" between Ordnance and Monkey Pts is, by no means a SWAG. Even my ancient eyeballs, minus a Sherlock Holmes glass, imagines??? the same thing. I attempt, in my mind, to "flip" the chart and I don't think it can be anything else. If "flipped" could these be Malinta, Engineer, and Artillery Pts?? Methinks, no SWAG (on your part) involved herein. Of course, there is the distinct possibility that my over active imagination is kicking in again, in second gear. Anyhow, I betcha you are on the right track on this. I will be looking forward to the results of Dmether's next quest at the Archives. Cheers......Postscript....Oh yes, I remember FIGMO, but in 1952-53, the guys in my unit had enhanced it to FYJIGMO. Same meaning, just a couple more words, YOU and JACK. GI's have always had diabolical, little minds. Always working to improve on things, even abbreviations, doncha think? Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by chadhill on Feb 8, 2011 13:22:41 GMT 8
Well, I think I can answer my own question about the location of the Stokes 81mm mortars, in reply # 5. According to Hough (page 192) the USMC mortars were placed near Malinta Hill. That explains the "2-81mm" on the map NE of the hill.
Here's a story about the mortars. On 25 January, during the battle for Longoskawayan and Lapiay Points, a USMC machine gun platoon and mortar platoon (two 81mm mortars) were sent from Corregidor as reinforcements. The mortars gave a good account of themselves and returned to Corregidor.
However, during two US counterattacks on Water Tank Hill/Denver Hill, at about 0200 and 0600 on 6 May, the 81mm mortars began dropping stray rounds among US troops and had to cease firing.
In 1958, Hough wrote in his official USMC history (page 198) that the Stokes mortars, without sights, were not accurate enough to support the attacks. In 1967, the Belotes repeated the same thing in "Saga" (page 135). I have researched several such mortar models from the era and they were said to have sights.
In 1997, Miller, in his USMC monograph "From Shanghai to Corregidor" stated that "the marine with the range card which contained the coordinates which targeted the entire end of the island could not be found throughout the night".
|
|
|
Post by chadhill on Feb 9, 2011 10:38:32 GMT 8
Okla, when I was a teen there was a friend of my father's who had driven an LST in the P.I. during MacArthur's return. He always said "Jack" this and "Jack" that and added the FU phrase in front after a few scotches with dad. He told a story about his buddies adopting a young monkey as a mascot during the campaign, and one day it got loose in everybody's gear. What it didn't tear up, it left a bowel movement on. "Jack" was a really good guy and gentleman, it was interesting how he and dad both reverted to their army-speak and army stories from decades before after some refreshments...something to that comradery
|
|
|
Post by okla on Feb 9, 2011 23:59:36 GMT 8
Hey Chad....You couldn't be more correct when saying "something to that comradery". There are/were buddies I served with for maybe only a year or two back during the Korean era that I hold in as much or maybe more esteem as I do lifetime friends,etc. Being in the military yourself, I am sure you know of what I speak. Your buddy who accompanied you when you made your "beachheads" down on the Bataan "points" probably would fill that bill. Cheers. Postscript....Speaking of monkey mascots, I had an old high school buddy who served on a Destroyer Escort operating out of Subic for a short period of time. While in the PI the inevitable monkey mascot came aboard and had the run of the ship, camping out on the bridge whenever he wanted. Chowed down in the galley, with the CO's ok. I always wonder what ever happens to such varmints. Maybe this critter came back to San Diego and resided with one of his masters in civilian life somewhere in Kansas,etc until he went to his reward.
|
|
|
Post by dmether on Feb 17, 2011 8:42:46 GMT 8
|
|
|
Post by chadhill on Dec 18, 2011 14:33:33 GMT 8
Wouldn't it be something if dmether's map was drawn by 1st LT William F. Hogaboom USMC? While a POW at Cabanatuan Camp # 1, he wrote at length about the fighting on May 5-6 near Water Tank Hill, in which he was a participant. He also wrote extensively of the fighting at Longoskawayan Point where he had been a combatant.
Hogaboom survived the bombing of the hellship Oryoku Maru on December 15, 1944 but died on the tennis court at Subic Bay. The remains of this Navy Cross recipient were never accounted for. His written account was found after the war and published in The Marine Corps Gazette in April 1946. Bataan veteran Captain Paul Ashton MD reprinted Hogaboom's text in his fine book "And Somebody Gives a Damn". Hogaboom contributed much to what is known about these actions and has been quoted extensively by historians.
|
|
|
Post by T2 on May 24, 2016 19:25:08 GMT 8
Great post...I will be spending the day at Denver Hill with some great maps, actual accounts and details of the last day on Corregidor May 5-6, many thanks to all of you! To stand in the very place and recall some 1942 history is beyond words. T2
|
|