Post by Bob Hudson on Jan 22, 2013 2:41:59 GMT 8
Karl, Victor and Rick,
Karl,
My trip to Quinawan was limited to visiting the school there which I can see in the photo of you (Karl) hiking into Quinawan. The school is the group of buildings in the upper left of your photo. We were fed at the school. When I asked about any artifacts being found, I was taken to the Barangay Captains home where he presented me with the BAR, magazines and loose ammo. We were fed at his home again and although we not hungry, we had to eat again because of the beautiful spread of food his wife made for us. For the first time, I drank coconut milk through a straw directly out of the coconut.
It was the school principal who told me that I was the first American he recalled seeing since he arrived there. I have no idea how long he had been there. Great map of the area by the way. I plan on returning there next month to deliver a sign for their school, which does not have one, for the their kindness to me and the BAR and effects.
From the descriptions f the battle in January of 42, it was a heavily forested area with dense undergrowth. You and I know it not even close to that now. Since the loggers came in and cut down all the mahogany trees and other species of beautifully grained wood, the area is pretty much open as evidenced by your photos.
Victor,
Loved the link to the detailed description of the battle in that area in January 1942. Thank you. I had wondered if I cleaned the BAR and found a serial number, could it be traced to the unit that used it and buried it there. There would be no way to discover whether it was lost in battle or ditched after the surrender, but because the magazine are all filled with shells and so many loose shells were discovered, I'm guessing all were buried to deny their use to the enemy.
Rick,
The United States Cartridge Co shells were all pretty much 41 or 1941. The FA's or Frankford Arms were 31's and 33's. The Remingtons, I don't recall a date stamp at all although there might be some. Do you live here in the Philippines or stateside?
Karl,
My trip to Quinawan was limited to visiting the school there which I can see in the photo of you (Karl) hiking into Quinawan. The school is the group of buildings in the upper left of your photo. We were fed at the school. When I asked about any artifacts being found, I was taken to the Barangay Captains home where he presented me with the BAR, magazines and loose ammo. We were fed at his home again and although we not hungry, we had to eat again because of the beautiful spread of food his wife made for us. For the first time, I drank coconut milk through a straw directly out of the coconut.
It was the school principal who told me that I was the first American he recalled seeing since he arrived there. I have no idea how long he had been there. Great map of the area by the way. I plan on returning there next month to deliver a sign for their school, which does not have one, for the their kindness to me and the BAR and effects.
From the descriptions f the battle in January of 42, it was a heavily forested area with dense undergrowth. You and I know it not even close to that now. Since the loggers came in and cut down all the mahogany trees and other species of beautifully grained wood, the area is pretty much open as evidenced by your photos.
Victor,
Loved the link to the detailed description of the battle in that area in January 1942. Thank you. I had wondered if I cleaned the BAR and found a serial number, could it be traced to the unit that used it and buried it there. There would be no way to discover whether it was lost in battle or ditched after the surrender, but because the magazine are all filled with shells and so many loose shells were discovered, I'm guessing all were buried to deny their use to the enemy.
Rick,
The United States Cartridge Co shells were all pretty much 41 or 1941. The FA's or Frankford Arms were 31's and 33's. The Remingtons, I don't recall a date stamp at all although there might be some. Do you live here in the Philippines or stateside?