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Post by fots2 on Mar 20, 2022 22:01:25 GMT 8
Scrappers may have taken some of the guns years ago. Easy access there to do that. If you remember the remaining gun above Engineer Ravine, half the barrel has been cut-off.
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Post by fots2 on Mar 20, 2022 10:46:21 GMT 8
Thank-you for hosting the photos Karl. No comments needed.
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Post by fots2 on Mar 18, 2022 19:58:02 GMT 8
Good day Oozlefinch. Long time no chat!
In 1996 I was in the Philippines scuba diving on WWII shipwrecks in Palawan. When I returned to Manila I had one day remaining before my flight back to Canada. I took what turned out to the first of about 60 trips so far to Corregidor.
One place the tour bus stopped that day was on a little side road between Bottomside and Middleside just above the Stockade. The road was a short paved loop where I could see a row of Japanese AA guns. These are the guns which were moved to Tailside’s Japanese Memorial Garden.
A few years later I was returning to Bottomside after a day of exploring and passed through this area. The short paved road was still visible under the grass and bushes but the guns were gone and this was no longer part of the tour. There was nothing remaining that would let people know that the guns had once been there.
That night I asked the Island manager, Ron Benedero, what had happened to the guns. He said he was part of the work group that was tasked with moving them to Tailside. I told him I did not even see any remains of the mounts and he said everything was moved. The mounts/bases were very difficult to recover but they succeeded. He seemed to indicate that he thought this was the wartime position of the guns however I don’t think he had any evidence of that.
I may have some evidence for you that above the Stockade actually was the wartime position of the Japanese guns. Have a look at a crop of a pre-invasion aerial surveillance photo taken on February 6th, 1945 (Dan McRaid collection). It is a bit fuzzy but seems to show a row of items in the exact positions where the guns were located near the Stockade. I cannot post photos anymore so I’ll send them to Karl who can add them to this post for you to decide. I will add some labels for clarity.
Regarding the building you mention, I have heard of it being of Japanese origin and possibly a magazine for a nearby AA gun, I have never seen any real evidence of that. It is located adjacent to the old Spanish fort and not really near the row of AA guns we are talking about (building to guns 525ft or 160m). Seems far away for those guns to have had anything to do with that building but I may be wrong. Even though the building has outer blast walls, I wonder if a magazine would have so many windows and doors as that building does. Another Corregidor mystery I guess.
Have a good day.
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Post by fots2 on Jun 3, 2021 11:04:17 GMT 8
EXO,
I have read before (and on Page 6 of this document) that LT. Lawrence who was stationed on the tail west of Kindley Field was ordered not to return fire prior to the actual invasion. This was to keep his location concealed from the Japanese and intact. Remember the Japanese intelligence maps posted recently? They already knew his men and guns were there.
By the way, one of his machine gun positions, an underground magazine and a 75mm artillery position still exists. Even today, with the exception of a little landslide, they are totally undamaged.
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Post by fots2 on Apr 2, 2021 23:34:52 GMT 8
Hi Beirutvet,
The fishing line was put there by one of the guides as the vegetation was so thick that some people had trouble to find the battery even though it is not far from the road.
Yes the barrels have been cut shorter by scrappers but that was many years ago.
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Post by fots2 on Apr 1, 2021 17:55:13 GMT 8
Great report there Karl!
I have been the only visitor exploring on Corregidor Island a few times in the past but I always knew that when I got back to Bottomside that cold drinks, food and friendly faces would be there. It sure looks lonely now.
Since my first trip in 1996, I have been on the Inn patio almost every year (except this one). They were always good times with you, EXO, Phantom and others. We’ll do that again someday.
Thanks for the recent photos.
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Post by fots2 on Jan 27, 2021 11:00:57 GMT 8
Good day fortman,
You are correct about searchlights at Fort Wint. In a quick search I found mention of four searchlights although Karl's 1921 map does not show them. Check the 1935 map and you will see two 60" searchlights in the vicinity of Battery Warwick.
The 60" searchlights were turned over to troops on October 23rd, 1911. One was on the south side and the other on the west side of the island. The west side searchlight was later moved to the south-east side of the island in 1938. Originally, both SL Controllers were in the Fort Commander's Station, C', however after one was moved it's controller was now in the F-B' Fire Control Station. Power came from an Auxiliary Power Station behind Battery Warwick. Both searchlights were mounted on trucks which ran on rails. The searchlights were named 1 & 2, and 4 & 5 and then 1 & 2 but I can't really follow the dates.
The two 36" searchlights were located at (1) south of Battery Jewell and (2) south corner of the island. They were both portable searchlights and later transferred to Fort Mills.
Perhaps Karl can upload the 1935 map for you if you do not have it. I can no longer post photos.
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Post by fots2 on Dec 31, 2020 14:46:45 GMT 8
I agree EXO.
With Metro Manila still in GCQ (quarantine level), government restrictions being in place where many people choose whether to follow the rules or not plus being many months away from any effective vaccine, I think it is far too early to reopen Corregidor. CFI may need money but it is just too early.
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Post by fots2 on Dec 29, 2020 22:40:32 GMT 8
Here is information for anyone wishing to take a day tour to Corregidor Island from Manila. Reservations can be made now. There are restrictions so note the details.
The ferry is operated by Prestige Cruises and they run on weekends only. Ferry passenger capacity is 50. Island tours are run by CFI (Corregidor Foundation Incorporated).
The Manila ferry terminal is in the same building where the former Sun Cruises operated. The address is Esplanade Seaside Terminal, Seaside Boulevard MOA Complex, Pasay City.
Contact numbers: 09776434819/ 832-3281.
Email address: info@corregidorisland.com.ph ITINERARY6:30am Check- in at the Terminal 6:45am Boarding 7:00am Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) 8:45am Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) 9:00am Guided Tram Tour 12:00nn LUNCH *Optional Activities -Malinta Lights and Sounds Show (Php200.00) -Swimming at the South Beach (FREE) 3:00pm ETD Corregidor 4:45pm ETA Manila Promo cost is P2,500. If you wish to stay on the island for a few days and return at a later date, you will pay the full fare TWICE. No more cheaper “ferry only” fees even if you do not want the tour.
Payment can be made via the following info: “For new normal, we encourage cashless transactions. PAYMENT can be made thru Landbank of the Philippines: Account Name: CORREGIDOR FOUNDATION, INC. Account No.: 3752100119” Snacks and drinks are available on the island but they encourage visitors to bring their own food for the day tour. The Corregidor Inn is not open and there will not be any lunch buffet. No date for the Inn reopening.
For anyone wanting an overnight visit, CFI has a few basic rooms at MacArthur’s Lodge available @ P1,000/night. Limited food choices are available.
The other food venue, Baywalk, is closed.
Following the government’s protocol on mitigation of the virus, the following safety measures are to be observed;- Negative rapid test result or medical certificate to be presented upon check-in at the terminal - Wearing of face mask AND face shield (No Mask, No Entry) - Use of alcohol/sanitizer at all times - Temperature Check - Filling out of Health Declaration and Contact Tracing Form - Age restriction: 15 years to 60 years old only. That is all I have for you. If anyone is feeling rich then traveling to Bataan and hiring a boat to Corregidor is an option. I do not know any details about doing this. Anyone having any questions for CFI or Prestige Cruises can use the contact information shown above.
Happy New Year folks!
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Post by fots2 on Dec 11, 2020 16:04:44 GMT 8
No problem Oozlefinch, anytime. Its good chatting with you again.
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