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Post by victor on Feb 22, 2013 14:26:51 GMT 8
I'm very much fascinated by war relics and battlefield archeology. I feel relics tell so much history and are such strong connections to the past. An old rusty empty 30.06 cartridge found on a ground means a soldier stoof a few feet away and fired his rifle at that very spot. It's just fascinating stuff to me. They are worthy of a museum section. Bob's recent finds fired up my imagination and made me remember some of the items posted by a retired USAF serviceman named Frank who lived in Limay, Bataan in the 90's. I'm reposting some of his finds here. Frank and grenades. (he would bury them back deep for safety) Quoting Frank's comment on photo below: HEY TROOPS, ITS FOXHOLEFRANK AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A PICTURE OF 3 M1917 BOLOS I EXCAVATED ON BATAAN BACK IN THE MID 90S. 1 WAS IN A SCOUT POSTION AND THE OTHERS IN P.A. POSTIONS. MAKES YOU WONDER IF THESE WERE PLENTIFUL ITS POSSIBLE THEY WERE ISSUED TO THE P.A. ALSO. BEING P.I. AND PANAMA WAS PROBABLY THE MAIN RECIEVERS OF THIS UNIQUE ISSUE WEAPON BARREL,M1917A1 CAL.30 MACHINEGUN M1917 ENFIELD BAYONET SCABBARD THROAT(UPPER PART) '' '' " SLING SWIVEL " " " BUTT PLATE " " " BOLT PICK MATTOX HEAD HOPE YOU ENJOY LOOOKING!!! REMEMBER BATAAN!!!!!!!! Ok troops, heres a Japanese gas mask filter i excavated from the battle of the big pocket on Bataan. its made of a sheet brass material so no rust and look at that paint job,still goin strong. on top you can see a makers mark(perhaps somebody will know the company) . on the bottom was a serial # and other symbols.there was some damage at the back as you can see,but if you look careful you may see the remains of charcoal granuals inside. i found this filter back around 1996 in the big pocket (tuol)area.when the battle was at its last ,what was left of the 20th Imperial infantry made an escape to the north. they had orders to destroy or bury what could not be brought out. this filter i feel was purposely buried as it was at least a foot down in hard dirt. most dropped relics are not that deep. thanks for looking! foxholefrank. Frank who's now stateside sent me these items as a present. I display them at Philippine Scout reunions and historical displays. He dug these up along Trail 29 which was west/southwest of Mt. Samat. The 45th Infantry PS fought along this trail following the Japanese breakthrough at Mt. Samat. I was able to identify and match the hardware with those from my web gear. A = Buckle from canvas legging B = Buckle from M1936 suspenders C = D-ring from M1936 suspenders; or from haversack pack carrier; or mussette bag D = Snap from cartridge belt E = Ammo stripper clip (Japanese) F = Shelter half pup tent grommet G = Haversack inner cinch buckle H = Gas mask bag hook Other angle: The backside of the stripper clip
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Post by Bob Hudson on Feb 22, 2013 15:28:22 GMT 8
Finding artifacts is contagious. On the desk next to my computer mouse is a fully loaded magazine from a BAR. It has its full compliment of 20 30-06 shells in it. I never get tired of picking it up and looking at it. But what am I going to do with all this stuff I'm picking up? Looks like it will go to the Bataan tourism center in Balanga. Bataans Capitol. The oddest thing I have run across is what originally thought to be a bullet. The jacket wall was too thick for a bullet and the base was tapered. I contacted an expert online and with the photos below, he identified it as a primer for an artillery shell. Not likely from WWII, but from the Spanish American War. See photos below. The heaad stamp says..."Wise 1718-98". Attachments:
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Post by victor on Feb 23, 2013 5:50:02 GMT 8
It makes you wonder how on earth that Span-Am war era primer got to the spot where you found it... The few real Bataan relics I have, I put in a shadow box and made them part of my makeshift "museum" at home. I usually bring them as part of a display at veteran reunions and living history events.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Feb 23, 2013 7:32:16 GMT 8
Nice collection of Bataan artifacts. I live in a small two bedroom apartment in Limay and have very little room to display anything so eventually everything will go to the closest museum to me which is in Balanga. I've only spent maybe a total of five hours with a borrowed metal detector. Most of what I have come across in the year I have been here, I have been given. Bataan is a goldmine of artifacts. I wish there were a way to get all the ammunition I have in my possession to the U.S. without destroying it first in order to ship it.
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Post by victor on Feb 24, 2013 11:59:14 GMT 8
Hi Bob, I'm planning to hike Longoskawayan in July. Maybe walk all the way to the point and inspect the cliff and the beach. Take pictures, videos, commune with nature, contemplate the battle that took place there, etc. I'm thinking of bringing a small basic metal detector from the states. Nothing fancy, just something that can detect cartridges or buckles a few inches under. Karl is usually my walking partner. Would you like to come along? Longoskawayan should be littered with items. The 57th Infantry pretty much swept in and cleared it off all the way to the end with heavy fighting along the length. It would be interesting which spots would have Japanese cartridges vs. 30.06 ones. The jungle is gone and pretty much the whole place is pasture land.
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Post by victor on Feb 25, 2013 3:20:39 GMT 8
Karl and CBuehler are in the midst of a Battle of the Pockets, and Points hike right now. I can't wait for the trip report and photos. Karl was able to email me an update and a teaser photo of some relics they found: (click for bigger)
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Post by fortune40 on Feb 25, 2013 13:23:46 GMT 8
That ammo in the clip must be the 5 shooter 7.7 caliber for Japanese Arisaka rifle...i picked one like that years ago with only 2ammo attached when we beached in Corregidor somewhere in the tail side during fishing trip but i gave this to my Indian friend i didn't realized then how valuable it is nowadays... Also when i am new in Mariveles near between the middle of the Seaside restaurant and Rouvia port i saw a group of people picked up pieces of .50cal with one piece having around 8 pieces attached in belting and few 2's...All complete piece, rounds still in good condition when cleaned...I just warned them for the primer and the powder inside the ammo may still explode when dried.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Feb 25, 2013 16:45:58 GMT 8
Buff, would love to take a trip of that sort to Longoskawayan but if there is much climbing, I won't make it due to multiple knee surgeries and a missing ACL in my left knee. On top of that I am going to the U.S. in July for 45 days to visit family.
I am developing a plan to buy a 12-14 foot inflatable boat and attach a 10-12 horse engine. Hope to put out in Mariveles and do some shore hugging along the west coast of Bataan and put into any area that looks interesting, especially where entry from above is difficult. I'm not in the greatest shape but not decrepit either. What you suggest is very attractive and if I were younger would jump on the idea but I have to be practical with my limitations.
Five weeks ago I went to Quinawan Village from Bagac. The Banca there and back was 1,200 pesos. Very cheap and they wait the whole day for you as long as they can get back before dark. We left at 6AM and were at Quinawan by 7AM. With my knees in bad shape, I'm more tempted in exploring the coastal areas without an extensive hike in. With an inflatable, we could carry in a week or more supply of food and water, not to mention what other gear is needed. The boat could be deflated and camouflaged near the shore, then re-inflated for the journey home.
As far as I know, the west coast of Bataan being sparsely populated, is ripe with relics and lightly if at all explored with detection equipment. A relic hunters paradise. When in Quinawan,, I merely asked the Baranguy Captain if he had ever found any relics from WWII and I walked away with a B.A.R., 15 magazines full of 30-06 ammo and 80-90 rounds of loose ammo. Sometimes, one merely has to ask locals if they have anything of the sort.
I'm returning to Quinawan in a couple of weeks to erect a 4x6' sign for their elementary school which they are very proud of and for which they had no sign for their school. A 5,000 peso investment will purchase a lot of goodwill, not that one needs to with the natural warmth of the populace.
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Post by fortune40 on Feb 25, 2013 17:49:30 GMT 8
At Longoskawayan i read somewhere in the thread that big guns of Corregidor and Caballo fired salvos to this general direction during the fight i'm just curious if all those rounds exploded on impact if not somewhere maybe would discover a big ordnance...also how big would be the crater those guns creates specially the 12"caliber mortars.
I hope i can meet with you Bob I would tag along Sherwino before you leave for the States.In this forum it happens that me and Sherwino are townmates in Mariveles.I would also want to look for that Japanese gun in a private yard in Cabcaben still complete with wheel..i hope that piece doesn't end up in scrapped yard.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Feb 25, 2013 18:35:19 GMT 8
Fortune, Right now, Sherwin and I are trying to plan a trip with Tony Santos who owns property above Mariveles where we found Brass buttons from a Marine uniform and misc bullets. We need to dig up a grenade that was buried but I have no idea what to do with it as it could still be a live one but considering that more than half the grenades we used on Bataan in 42 were duds, there is probably little to worry about but I'm not willing to bet my life on it. Tony needs a mid week trip and Sherwin needs a Monday or Friday. Me....I'm retired, I can go any day. If you have some interest in going, let Sherwin know. I only have the metal detector until mid March.
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