Post by Deleted on May 16, 2008 5:40:39 GMT 8
Information from:
"EYE DEEP IN HELL"
"A MEMOIR OF THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES 1944-45"
BY WILLIAM OWENS
( A small interesting passage concerning Corregidor ).
But first........briefly.....
There were Filipino forces in the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces In The Far East) in 1945.
Also a regiment was formed from the Hukbalahap in Pampanga.
This Filipino Regiment was organized, armed and supported by the U.S. Army in Pampanga in 1945 to help fight the Japanese.
They were led by newly promoted Col. Banal (and his son) who also helped train the new recruits.
The regiment trained in Pampanga, past inspection and were sent into action.
After mopping up the Japanese in the Cabanatuan area, the regiment received a 6th Army commendation.
Their next task was to go to Corregidor to dislodge the Japanese in tunnels there. This occurred in June of 1945.
An American officer, the author, Lieutenant Owen who had helped organize the regiment visited the island and was met on North Dock by the current island commander Col. Banal.
They proceeded to Malinta tunnel to start a tour of the island.
The main tunnel was considered safe but not the laterals.
"We went into the laterals anyway, with body guards leading us, moving cautiously in the darkness, guiding ourselves with our hands on the wall.
Far in, where there was the stink of gun powder and death, we saw the flash and heard the sound of an American carbine. Farther on a Japanese Mortar shell exploded. Harsh echoes reverberated around us".
Colonel Banal took my arm and said, " It is not safe we will go"
They toured the island, and at one point sat on an old cannon barrel. They saw the bones, the clumps straight black hair, and uniform pieces of the dead Japanese around them.
That's about all that is mentioned about Corregidor in his book.
Did we not have Grave Registration people on Corregidor for some time also?
Owens went back to Manila to help plan for the invasion of Japan, but the bomb was dropped and he was set to go home.
Just before leaving a despondent Colonel Banal and son came to seek his help in Manila. His regiment had been disbanded on Corregidor and and all weapons and vestiges of the army were stripped away, no more pay, no more rank, no more job. Just a hostile environment to return to in Pampanga with little chance of their survival.
Owens could do nothing but leave them to their fate.
Owens had been with the C.I.C. section of the army, looking for collaborators, spy's, and Japanese hiding in the population.
An interesting book, a quick read.
MacArthur being MacArthur from a C.I.C. point of view, amusing.
"EYE DEEP IN HELL"
"A MEMOIR OF THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES 1944-45"
BY WILLIAM OWENS
( A small interesting passage concerning Corregidor ).
But first........briefly.....
There were Filipino forces in the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces In The Far East) in 1945.
Also a regiment was formed from the Hukbalahap in Pampanga.
This Filipino Regiment was organized, armed and supported by the U.S. Army in Pampanga in 1945 to help fight the Japanese.
They were led by newly promoted Col. Banal (and his son) who also helped train the new recruits.
The regiment trained in Pampanga, past inspection and were sent into action.
After mopping up the Japanese in the Cabanatuan area, the regiment received a 6th Army commendation.
Their next task was to go to Corregidor to dislodge the Japanese in tunnels there. This occurred in June of 1945.
An American officer, the author, Lieutenant Owen who had helped organize the regiment visited the island and was met on North Dock by the current island commander Col. Banal.
They proceeded to Malinta tunnel to start a tour of the island.
The main tunnel was considered safe but not the laterals.
"We went into the laterals anyway, with body guards leading us, moving cautiously in the darkness, guiding ourselves with our hands on the wall.
Far in, where there was the stink of gun powder and death, we saw the flash and heard the sound of an American carbine. Farther on a Japanese Mortar shell exploded. Harsh echoes reverberated around us".
Colonel Banal took my arm and said, " It is not safe we will go"
They toured the island, and at one point sat on an old cannon barrel. They saw the bones, the clumps straight black hair, and uniform pieces of the dead Japanese around them.
That's about all that is mentioned about Corregidor in his book.
Did we not have Grave Registration people on Corregidor for some time also?
Owens went back to Manila to help plan for the invasion of Japan, but the bomb was dropped and he was set to go home.
Just before leaving a despondent Colonel Banal and son came to seek his help in Manila. His regiment had been disbanded on Corregidor and and all weapons and vestiges of the army were stripped away, no more pay, no more rank, no more job. Just a hostile environment to return to in Pampanga with little chance of their survival.
Owens could do nothing but leave them to their fate.
Owens had been with the C.I.C. section of the army, looking for collaborators, spy's, and Japanese hiding in the population.
An interesting book, a quick read.
MacArthur being MacArthur from a C.I.C. point of view, amusing.