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Post by cbuehler on Dec 22, 2019 10:58:47 GMT 8
I have known and visited the Ordonez Gun now at the Presidio of San Francisco since I moved here in 1984. It is located on the east side of the parade grounds, which have now been entirely grassed over, eliminating parking lot that used to encompass the grounds. My wife works as the accountant for the California Society of Pioneers, which now occupies one the former brick barracks buildings seen on the side of the photos. The vague white building seen on the other side (east side) of the photo was the Headquarters of the US Sixth Army. The old brick buildings used to be the barracks of the 30th US Infantry Regiment (San Francisco's own), historically part of the 3rd Infantry Division, and now belong to the Presidio Trust and US Parks Department, which took over and now rents the refurbished buildings in the vast and beautiful Presidio when the Army relinquished it in 1994.
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 20, 2019 0:42:47 GMT 8
With regard to this whole matter, I have often made inquiries regarding Japanese casualties remaining on the island and have never had any substantive response. I recall many accounts of tunnels etc. being blown and sealed shut with men still inside them. I would presume that some of these tunnels or whatever they were are now buried and lost. I even recall that some of the laterals in Malinta tunnel now buried may also have remains. However, there were of course several major cleanup operations after the war and human remains must have been found during the course of this action. Does anyone have any further information about this?
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 16, 2019 5:37:06 GMT 8
I had always thought that there must have been casualties that were never recovered. Can anyone decipher those map coordinates? They might give a clue as to the general area. I also suspect there are substantially more Japanese remaining on the island however. Buried forever in now unknown locations.
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 16, 2019 5:27:59 GMT 8
Superb as always. A place I will never see. I note that the entire area is loaded with historical markers and such. I fabulous place to visit for the historically minded traveler.
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 15, 2019 23:38:24 GMT 8
Chad, I just saw this and I can only offer my deepest condolences. I can only imagine you and your family's pain at this time. But it is that very time that will heal the wounds and leave only love. All the best to you! Conrad
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 15, 2019 23:27:39 GMT 8
As Fireball mentioned, a trip to actually see the fort would be a must. Also, I think everyone would agree that a statue would be very inappropriate and the fort would be best left as is.
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Nov 11, 2019 11:07:45 GMT 8
Wonderful to hear from you Fireball! He is the one who made a fantastic photo record of our visit to Ft. Drum, bringing along his small inflatable raft for exploring the flooded lower level. I can excuse him for being more optimistic with regard to admitting visitors, as an inveterate explorer, however I really don't think it possible to any degree at all with safety. If this fort were to be somewhere else in our often overly reactive world, it would have been condemned long ago, and likely demolished entirely. The Only the Philippines lack of financial resources (and interest) has saved it thus far from ultimate destruction. I must reiterate that there are still live 14 inch projectiles still within on the bottom level. I cant recall how many remain that were partially accessible or visible (at least a half dozen) and perhaps there more now completely buried beneath rubble. Problem is that some of these are fuzed, which makes them potentially much more dangerous than the ones that are not. Even though some are partially submerged, none appeared corroded enough to render them inert. I honestly believe that the best for the fort would be to seal it off, thus possibly prolonging its future.
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Nov 8, 2019 1:45:38 GMT 8
The best I think to hope for would perhaps have it designated an historical monument to be protected. Have its approaches sealed off somehow to prevent scavengers and fisherman etc., from getting in and on it would certainly help. Sealing off the two sally ports alone would achieve this. Some kind of water barrier around it? Perhaps have it illuminated at night as a monument in Manila bay to seen for miles around.
CB
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Post by cbuehler on Nov 6, 2019 7:59:05 GMT 8
Jayveemdr, Having been one of the last of our members (perhaps THE last) to explore and report on Ft. Drum in 2012, I can confirm the perilous state of condition. Unless this has been changed, it has also been off limits to visitors since about that time, which is just as well. We never considered the possibility of Asbestos contamination, but unfortunately it most likely is contaminated to some degree, although this is a mute point now in my opinion. The interior was absolutely not safe to rummage about in, Asbestos or not, but of course our enthusiasm to explore overruled this! Large sections of the flooring on the different levels had collapsed, including stairways. The bottom level is flooded and it also contains live ammunition for the guns strewn about on the lower level mostly buried by collapsed structure.I can only surmise that it has become even worse during the past 7 years, both from scavengers and inevitable decay. I cannot envisage any way to salvage it to a degree that would make it safe to visit.
CB PS If I might add this; even though the exterior walls and top appear to be still strong, the internal and external explosions Ft. Drum endured during the war have undoubtedly caused fractures throughout the structure that are not immediately visible. This alone would condemn it for restoration, not to mention the degradation and damage over time. I have to admire your interest in this wonderful piece of history and wish that it could be saved!
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Post by cbuehler on Aug 15, 2019 0:05:20 GMT 8
Amazing then and now photo. One would never guess that a small town existed on this site. Some of the pathways visible today seem to follow the roads in the old photo.
CB
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