DAY 2 - 16 FEB 2021 - The 76th Anniversary of the JumpSecond Day, the 16th Feb. Tuesday,Today is the day to raise the 48 Star Flag on the spot where it was raised 76 years ago. The Corregidor Foundation (CFI) went out of their way to support it. They got permission from higher Authority to open tourist visits to Corregidor. They hired the Camaya ferry craft to bring visitors Tuesday and Wednesday, the two days that the ferry boat was available. Visitors will come to the First Flag Memorial and they asked me to say a few words.
The ferry will arrive about 0915 hours, so I used the morning time to walk around
Bottomside. I learned that the Navy and the Marines had small detachments on the island for security and they have been here about nine months. Naturally as retired service member I talked to them. Both detachments have a NONCOM in charge. They are bunked in two separate, existing structures, south side, Bottomside.
I noticed the tower for the Hotel Zipline (wire to slide down on) is gone. I looked at the
Gen. Wainwright’s and
Nurses Memorial, the
Chapel, and got some Bataan view shots. I also got some shots of people getting ready to receive the first tourist boat this year.
The Camaya ferry craft arrived and met the CFI staff personnel; we got acquainted and made plans for today’s events. A PTV camera crew also came along and interviewed a few people including me.
The CFI On-Island Person in Charge, dropped off his boss at the VIP lodge, and took me topside. He said he meet me 1 pm at the first Flag Memorial and we raised the 48 Star Flag, ready for the tourist visitors. Then, I waited for the tourists to arrive and took some pictures of the
Rock Force Memorial, the
Aggi Muster etc.
Then the tourists arrived, we walked to the First Flag Memorial, I said a few words and the people enjoyed it and continued their visit schedule.
In the afternoon, I walked to the Corregidor
Tailside, had a look at the Coast Guard Station, the
Enlisted Men Beach, the former
President Quezon Memorial venue and the
Malinta Tunnel East Entrance.
The Light & Sound Show was used today and the next few days.
Then I took the
92nd Garage shortcut down to the 92nd Garage, had a good look at the
Club House, the beach and the tunnel at the east end of the area. The shortcut trail changed at the bottom. Some people were staying in one or two of the cottages and even had a truck, I believe. I did not learn who they were or what the plan is. But they have a deal with the CFI.
Next was the
Japanese Garden of Peace, the
Philippine Heroes Memorial, and the
Navy Intercept Tunnel entrances.
The
Mindanao Garden of Peace looked that is being taken care of. The runway of the
Kindley Field is grown over with grass and cannot be used.
Then I called it a day, walked back, cleaned up and joined Mr. Jerry Rollin for supper at the former MacArthur Café. We got more acquainted and talked about the present Corregidor situation. He is an elderly gentleman, did not catch his age. He said, he has 30 years plus experience in the Philippines and was a business man in Mariveles. I heard him mention several times that he is the CFI Operation Consultant. I observed that he very much carries out the same role on the island as Lt. Col. Matibag. Here is one URL I found
459771193278830287.weebly.com/jerry-rollin.htmlIt was great day weather wise; the North Channel was very calm.
Here are a few pictures about the event.
First Flag of Liberation on Corregidor.
76 years ago this happened on Corregidor!
Z058. The Camaya ferry arrives on Corregidor.
Z059. The first passengers step on the Island of Corregidor.
Z060. The CFI Operation Consultant is interviewed by PTV on Corregidor Island.
Z061. CFI personnel and the 503d PRCT Heritage friends raise the 48 Star Flag on the Corregidor Liberation First Flag Memorial/Marker.
Z062. CFI personnel and the 503d PRCT Heritage friends raise the 48 Star Flag on the Corregidor Liberation First Flag Memorial/Marker.
Z063. Some of the Corregidor visitors did make it to the Corregidor Liberation First Flag Memorial/Marker, and I did say some words for the occasion.
Z064. Some of the Corregidor visitors did make it to the Corregidor Liberation First Flag Memorial/Marker, and I did say some words for the occasion.
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Z065. A new reminder about trash discipline was posted but I like the old sign appealing to the people better.
Z066. This is Bottomside, Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills, here the former village of San Jose, the metal stand for the Sun Cruises Zip line is gone.
Z067. This is Bottomside, Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills, here the former village of San Jose, the South West Corner.
Z068. This is Bottomside, Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills, here was the former village of San Jose, now at this spot is the General Wainwright and the Fort Mills Nurses Memorial.
Z069. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; this is the post WWII Chapel. The doors and windows are kept open for proper airing and ventilation.
Z070. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills, this 12 Inch gun barrel has not moved. Mr. Rollin told me there had been something in the works to loan the barrel, to a gun carriage, in the US, I believe; but that project got shot down.
Z071. This is a view of Bataan from Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; the power plant in Mariveles has expanded and has 2 stacks now. I believe, further up is also a solar power field.
Z072. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; I shot this image because that boat just got launched to tow a floating tree trunk out of the way of the Camaya ferry about to arrive. I notice a number of tree trunks afloat or stuck at the bottom of this boat landing area.
Z073. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; this Navy 8 Inch gun barrel is not getting any better. It was turned over to the Army and it was mounted at the Road Junction 43.
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Z074. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; the CFI reception party. Today is the first day that officially, tourists are able to arrive on Corregidor. CFI has moved some big rocks to make it happen today, the first day of liberation and thirst time of raising the flag of Freedom since almost 3 years.
Z075. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; the trolley with first Corregidor visitors is loaded and a well known guide is starting his presentation.
Z076. This is Bottomside Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills; the trolley with first Corregidor visitors is loaded and a well known guide is starting his presentation.
Z077. This is Topside on Corregidor Island; this is the path on the Fort Mills Parade Ground to the 503d PIR First Flag Marker.
Z078. This is Topside on Corregidor Island; this is the former Fort Mills Parade Ground, here was one of the Paratrooper’s Landing Fields. I had some time and took some shots of the area. This is the Rock Force Memorial.
Z079. This is Topside on Corregidor Island; this is the Pacific War Memorial area. In back with the dome is the actual Pacific War Memorial. In front is the Philippine, American, Allied Soldiers Friendship Memorial, left is the Fort Mills Cine and next to it is the Pacific War Memorial Museum.
Z080. This is Topside on Corregidor Island; this is the Pacific War Memorial area. This is the main plaque of the Rock Force Memorial; it stands on the east edge of the Fort Mills Topside Parade Ground.
Z081. This is Topside on Corregidor Island at the Pacific War Memorial area. This is the main plaque of the Aggie Memorial; it stands on the east edge of the Fort Mills Topside Parade Ground. This has also been my experience in the service, from the south of the USA many good service people come from.
Z082. This is Topside on Corregidor Island at the Pacific War Memorial area. This is the North-East corner of the Fort Mills Parade Ground and in back is the “Mile Long Barracks” for the Coastal Artillery Enlisted Men.
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U721. I’m now on my way to the Tailend of Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. This is the former Fort Mills Enlisted Men Beach; you see what the problem is in Manila Bay!
U722. This is the North Entrance to the Malinta Hill Tunnel on Corregidor Island. I’m now on my way to the Tailend of Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills.
U723. I’m now on my way to the Tailend of Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Here is a sample view what is happening to many of the trails because of the virus. This is the entrance of the trail to Malinta Hill, it is completely grown over and one has to find another way to get on the Malinta Hill Trail. That trail should be available to most interested visitors.
U725. Today the tourist visits started again, so the gates to the Malinta Hill Tunnel on Corregidor were open.
U726. Today the tourist visits started again, so the gates to the Malinta Hill Tunnel on Corregidor were open. This is a nice view from east to west.
U727. Today the tourist visits started again, so the gates to the Malinta Hill Tunnel on Corregidor were open. While I was here to have look, the trolley with visitors arrived and they will watch the Light and Sound Show in the tunnel. It still costs only 200 peso per person, it is a nice experience that should not be missed.
U728. Then I looked for the shortcut path to the 92nd Garage area, I almost missed it. Once on the trail it is easy to get to this one of 5 concrete trenches we know of in the general area east of Malinta Hill. It was probably manned when the Japanese assaulted Corregidor on the 5th of May 1942.
U729. The handrail on the steps of that cottage is where the shortcut trail to the 92nd Garage ends now, not to my left, next to the 92nd Garage Resort Club House, that is where this picture was shot from.
U730. One of the rooms of the 92nd Garage Resort Club House; in my opinion this large investment, building this resort, with the cottages and this large impressive Club House never paid off. This is historical place. First the Army made it an aviation facility for float planes and balloons (on the other side of the island here). Then the 92nd Coastal Artillery Regiment (PS) took it over and used it for the mobile gun pulling vehicles. When Corregidor surrendered, the Japanese kept the Allied Soldiers and others in this area in deplorable conditions for around 20 days or so.
U731. This is a view of the 92nd Garage area on Corregidor with the cottages of the resort. In my opinion this large investment, building this resort, with the cottages and this large impressive Club House never paid off. This is historical place. First the Army made it an aviation facility for float planes and balloons (on the other side of the island here). Then the 92nd Coastal Artillery Regiment (PS) took it over and used it for the mobile gun pulling vehicles. When Corregidor surrendered, the Japanese kept the Allied Soldiers and others in this area in deplorable conditions for around 20 days or so.
U732. This is a view from the 92nd Garage Resort Club House on Corregidor Island in the direction of San Jose and Breakwater Points.
U733. This is one of two images of a tunnel, with a good size, at the 92nd Garage area. It is located at ground level, at the east end of the garage area and it is fairly close to the beach. This is the 2nd entrance, which is harder to enter.
U734. This is one of two images of a tunnel, with a good size, at the 92nd Garage area. It is located at ground level, at the east end of the garage area and it is fairly close to the beach. It is fairly large, one walks in it upright, this is the cross tunnel to the two entrances.
U735. This is a view from the 92nd Garage Resort, looking west. The tunnel entrance is not to far, straight behind me.
U736. The 92nd Garage is leased out now and some of the entity’s men are using this picnic shade as a dining facility. They also have what I would describe 1 ½ ton truck. But I don’t know nothing, who they are and what they are planning to do.
U737. This is the view of the west beach end of the 92nd Garage area.
U738. After I walked out of the 92nd Garage area, I shot my first picture of the Japanese Memorial Garden. The establishment of this garden is another interesting story of Corregidor, but some else tell that story.
U739. One of 4 images of the Japanese Memorial Garden at the Tailend on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. It looks kind of empty without the souvenir vendors. The Buddha or other religious Stature is still there and is in good shape
U740. One of 4 images of the Japanese Memorial Garden at the Tailend on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. This walkway leads north and I tried to shortcut to the Philippine Heroes Memorial, the scrub up there was too thick, so I turned around and went via the road.
U741. One of 4 images of the Japanese Memorial Garden at the Tailend on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. This is the same walkway as in the last picture; we are just looking the other way now.
U742. The entrance to the Philippine Heroes Memorial; it is still in good shape. I walked thru it.
U743. Nothing changed at the walkway to the entrance to the Navy Intercept Tunnel. Here was an organization that helped defeat the Japanese Navy at the Battle of Midway.
U744. Nothing changed at the walkway to the entrance to the Navy Intercept Tunnel. This was one of the doorways to enter the Navy Intercept Tunnel; we tunnel rats have used this entrance to enter the Tunnel. The Navy Intercept Tunnel Vent was not accessible from the roads anymore and I hooked around the woods to get there. Also the depression on the road near the massive explosion does not seem to sag down much anymore because of reasphalting the road.
U745. Nothing changed at the walkway to the entrance to the Navy Intercept Tunnel. This was one of the doorways to enter the Navy Intercept Tunnel; we tunnel rats have used this entrance to enter the Tunnel. The Navy Intercept Tunnel Vent was not accessible from the roads anymore and I hooked around the woods to get there. Also the depression on the road near the massive explosion does not seem to sag down much anymore because of reasphalting the road. The slid to enter is even narrower now.
U746. This is view of us approaching the entrance to Kindley Field and the Mindanao Memorial Garden on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills.
U747. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. In this shot we see East Point and Hooker Point; Manila in the distance.
U748. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. This is the Mindanao Garden of Peace to commemorate the alleged Jabidah Massacre. Immediately at right is the entrance to the underground I-M-1 magazine.
U749. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. The top of the I-F-1 magazine has been rigged as a view deck and indeed one can get real nice views of the Corregidor Island Tailend. Inside the magazine are displays of image views, people commemorating the Jabidah Incident.
U750. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. This is one of those nice views from the Mindanao Garden of Peace and or from the top of the magazine of Defense Position I-F-1.
U751. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. This is a view of the west end of the runway of former Fort Mills Kindley Field. The grass is not cut and I believe the airfield is closed. But it is now harder to go further north and east of Corregidor Tailend from here.
U752. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. This is the view of Monkey Point; inland from it is the location of the famous Navy Intercept Tunnel but also of the terrible explosion when the paratroopers cleared this area.
U753. This is one of 7 images shot of or shot from the entrance to Fort Mills Kindley Field and the Defense Positions I-F-1 and I-M-1 on Corregidor Island, the 16th of Feb. 2021. This is a drainage that runs under the Kindley Field runway and apparently it needed some attention. It is now harder to walk further east and to the north side of the airfield!
U754. This is last picture of this 2nd Day presentation. These are Camaya Resort drivers who got indoctrination with the former Sun Cruises trolleys and the trolley guided tour route. They are departing today via this boat to the Camaya Point or MAAP Pier. Camaya Resort is located at Battle of the Points location at West Bataan.
Note from Karl: All intended pictures of the 2nd Day have been posted, there no other images to follow.