First Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, 77th Anniversary D

[Karl Welteke]

First Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, 77th Anniversary Detail


This thread with many pictures (to be added in the future) is created from a visit to Corregidor between the 14th and 18th of Feb. 2022 to commemorate the raising of the first US Flag on Corregidor by the Rock Force, the paratroopers in particular after the surrender of the Philippines to the invading Imperial Japanese Military.


This is the first entry about the actual raising of the Flag. An album with 25 pictures was created in my Photobucket account. If you did look at it, I would appreciate your experience using this Photobucket album, is it slow, takes forever for a picture to load, Photobucket is making demands like sign up etc.

This is the URL: app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/37cdcb95-88bc-4dd4-a9ee-9fb74549c043



The dramatic image of the WWII image of Paratroopers raising the first US flag on Corregidor on the 16th Feb. 1945. T/5 Frank Guy Arrigo accompanied by Pfc Clyde I. Bates raised the flag. Photo – courtesy of Corregidor.org




220216a_02(1). The Corregidor Foundation Staff (CFI) and the First Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail proceed to the First Flag Memorial Maker at the west end of the Topside Parade Ground. We find that CFI has cleared the area of invaded shrub and bushes and replaced the rotted wooden flagpole with a metal one.



220216a_03(1). The Corregidor Foundation Staff (CFI) and the First Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail proceed to the First Flag Memorial Maker at the west end of the Topside Parade Ground. We find that CFI has cleared the area of invaded shrub and bushes and replaced the rotted wooden flagpole with a metal one.



220216a_04a(1). CFI Staff personal and the First Flag 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail connected the 48Star Flag and raised it to its peak on this new metal flagpole. CFI had to replace the flagpole recently because the old had rotted to be useless. The 48 Star Flag was donated by the Gen. MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk many years ago.



220216a_07(1). Notice, I have a shirt on with the Army on it. That is to honor all the Rock Force Personnel but particular the Army. I had one particular Paratrooper on my mind, Dick Adams, a hell of a great WWII Soldier, Hooyah! Dick, don’t know whether the Army uses that term but you know what it means.



220216a_10(1). CFI Staff personal and the First Flag 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail connected the 48Star Flag and raised it to its peak on this new metal flagpole. CFI had to replace the flagpole recently because the old had rotted to be useless. The 48 Star Flag was donated by the Gen. MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk many years ago.



220216a_13(1), CFI Staff personal and the First Flag 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail connected the 48Star Flag and raised it to its peak on this new metal flagpole. CFI had to replace the flagpole recently because the old had rotted to be useless. The 48 Star Flag was donated by the Gen. MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk many years ago.



220216a_17(1). CFI Staff personal and the First Flag 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail connected the 48Star Flag and raised it to its peak on this new metal flagpole. CFI had to replace the flagpole recently because the old had rotted to be useless. The 48 Star Flag was donated by the Gen. MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk many years ago.



220216a_18(1). CFI Staff personal and the First Flag 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail connected the 48Star Flag and raised it to its peak on this new metal flagpole. CFI had to replace the flagpole recently because the old had rotted to be useless. The 48 Star Flag was donated by the Gen. MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk many years ago.


220216a_20(1). In this picture are Mr. Fidel Delosa; he is the on-island CFI Officer in Charge and his helper in a red shirt. At right is Rhonie Dela Cruz, the owner of the Bamban Historical Society and Bamban Museum of History. All these gentlemen are students of history and were so helpful, my warm thanks to the whole CFI Staff and organization.



220216a_23(1). In this picture is Mr. Fidel Delosa; he is the on-island CFI Officer in Charge and his helper is in a red shirt. At right is Mr. Gerald Randy Anderson, the creator of the Hell Ships Memorial in Subic Bay. We all made a good team.


We have several forum pages about the original flagpole of the Paratroopers on the 16th Feb 1945:

Flagpole monument? corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1766/flag-pole-monument

The Original Flagpole: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/503/original-flag-pole

Karl’s version as how the flagpole was found: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/771/visit-2010-july-first-flag

[Karl Welteke]

22-02-16a CFI Fixed the Flag Pole Problem

Album description:
The flag pole at the Corregidor First Flag Memorial was becoming unstable in the last year, 2021. For the 77th First Flag Raising Anniversary on the 16th Feb. 2022 something had to be done.

The Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) made a decision and replaced the flag pole with a metal one. CFI accomplished the job on the 18th of Jan. 2022. These pictures were provided by CFI, 2 pictures of the accomplished job were shot on the 13th of Feb. 2022. Knowing that CFI is always working with limited recourses, it was a job well and swiftly done.

This is one of the best sources to learn the history of this Memorial, it has already three pages: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1766/flag-pole-monument



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.


This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.



This is the Parachute Infantry Regiment 503d First Flag on Corregidor 1945 Memorial. This and the other 7 pictures show the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) finding the old flag pole rotten, unusable and replaced it with a new metal one in Jan. 2022. This is a CFI image.

[Karl Welteke]

22-02-16c Wheeler, Museum, Cheney, Banzai Point, mower

This is my diary entry for the time period of this album. Notice I’m starting with the 3rd day of this visit. But raising the flag on the 16th Feb. was the main event for me on this trip.

3rd Day, Wednesday, 16th Feb 2022.

Breakfast at 7 like every day, eggs, sausage, rice with tomatoes and cucumbers; another good meal.

The power stayed on until 5 am this morning, but I slept without the aircon.

8am teamed up with CFI and rode to Topside on Corregidor for the 77th Anniversary of raising the USA 48 Star Flag at the Paratrooper PIR 503d First Flag Memorial Marker.

We raised the flag to its peak on the new replaced flagpole and gave our salute and expressed our admiration to whole Rock Force (Corregidor is referred to as the “Rock”) that liberated Corregidor starting this day in 1945.

The old flagpole, a wooden power pole had rotted and had become unstable. But the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) had it replaced with a metal flagpole. Knowing the limited resources available to CFI, we really appreciated this great effort by the CFI.

CFI specially opened the museum for us and I took some pictures.

Inside the museum is also a souvenir shop and we bought some souvenirs, I got three shirts and other things, like a CD.

Then we walked to Battery Wheeler, entered the Wheeler Tunnel (an impressive structure) and then walked to Battery Cheney. The great news is that the road to Battery Wheeler is cleared of grass and fallen trees.

That is also the case of the road to Battery Cheney. So, elderly people or people not to too fit could be driven to these two batteries. The view point above Wheeler Point is cleared for a great view of Searchlight Point, No-Name Point and Wheeler Point. CFI even placed some seating there.

This spot is very famous because on the night of the 18th/19th Feb 1945 a terrible battle occurred here.

Since then this battle field, next to this steep cliff, has become to be known as the Banzai Point or Suicide Cliff. Read the history in this URL: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/129/battle-wheeler-point


These are pictures of the PIR 503d First Flag 77th Anniversary Detail on the 16th Feb. 2022, after raising the 48 Star Flag at the PIR 503d First Flag Memorial continue their visit to Corregidor. This album covers the visit to the Corregidor Pacific War Memorial Museum, Battery Wheeler, Battery Cheney and the Battery Wheeler Tunnel. We entered the tunnel but I didn’t take any pictures this time, nothing has changed and the Battery Wheeler Tunnel is in good shape.

43 images are uploaded to this Photobucket album, Corregidor at Random, CI 2022 First Flag Anniversary:
app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/b2a64070-86c3-431f-89be-2f93b7ec8942

For this forum presentation I chose these 17 images:



This morning, 16th Feb. 2022, a Philippine Coast Guard ship arrived and some of the crew was taking on a tourist tour with a trolley.



This is one of 5 images of the former Fort Mills Parade Ground, Topside on Corregidor. We noticed the Corregidor Foundation Inc. has a mower in operation and keeps the grass cut on Corregidor.



This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.



This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.




This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.




This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.




This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.




This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.




This is one of 19 images of weapon displays, historic pictures with descriptions in the museum of the Pacific War Memorial on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. Some of these historic pictures are about the suicide boats on Corregidor, 20 Japanese Soldiers surrender on the 1st Jan 1946 on Corregidor, the existence of a former Japanese War Dead cemetery established by the US Army on Corregidor, a replica of Gen. MacArthur’s famous hat.



This is one of 6 images of the road to Battery Wheeler of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages.



This is one of 6 images of the road to Battery Wheeler of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages.



This is one of 6 images of the road to Battery Wheeler of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages.



This is one of 13 images of the road to Battery Cheney of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages. The walk started at the entrance of the Battery Wheeler Tunnel, passed the Banzai Point, site of a terrible battle on the 18th/19th Feb. 1945, read this URL: corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/lindgren/fox1.html . The road is cleared now to Battery Cheney, a vehicle could take visitors there if needed and the last picture is the west end of the line of 3 NCO Barracks.



This is one of 13 images of the road to Battery Cheney of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages. The walk started at the entrance of the Battery Wheeler Tunnel, passed the Banzai Point, site of a terrible battle on the 18th/19th Feb. 1945, read this URL: corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/lindgren/fox1.html . The road is cleared now to Battery Cheney, a vehicle could take visitors there if needed and the last picture is the west end of the line of 3 NCO Barracks.



This is one of 13 images of the road to Battery Cheney of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages. The walk started at the entrance of the Battery Wheeler Tunnel, passed the Banzai Point, site of a terrible battle on the 18th/19th Feb. 1945, read this URL: corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/lindgren/fox1.html . The road is cleared now to Battery Cheney, a vehicle could take visitors there if needed and the last picture is the west end of the line of 3 NCO Barracks.



This is one of 13 images of the road to Battery Cheney of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages. The walk started at the entrance of the Battery Wheeler Tunnel, passed the Banzai Point, site of a terrible battle on the 18th/19th Feb. 1945, read this URL: corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/lindgren/fox1.html . The road is cleared now to Battery Cheney, a vehicle could take visitors there if needed and the last picture is the west end of the line of 3 NCO Barracks.



This is one of 13 images of the road to Battery Cheney of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island a battery of two 12 inch guns on disappearing carriages. The walk started at the entrance of the Battery Wheeler Tunnel, passed the Banzai Point, site of a terrible battle on the 18th/19th Feb. 1945, read this URL: corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/lindgren/fox1.html . The road is cleared now to Battery Cheney, a vehicle could take visitors there if needed and the last picture is the west end of the line of 3 NCO Barracks.

[Karl Welteke]

Battery Geary & Battery Crockett, 16th Feb. 2022

On our 3rd day on Corregidor, after we visited Battery Wheeler we walked down to Battery Geary and Battery Crockett. My friends were particular interested in Battery Geary in view of its’ tragic history.

27 pictures have been posted into this Photobucket album:
app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/e2dc1976-45da-401c-b832-5544e30a41c5

For this forum presentation I chose these 12 images:




Battery Geary 16th Feb. 2022, this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor. It was destroyed in May 1942 by Japanese Artillery. These pictures also show one of the 12 Mortars flown in the woods above the battery. This battery is kept in tip top shape by the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) for visitors to enjoy




This is Battery Geary on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor.



This is Battery Geary on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor.



This is Battery Geary on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor.



This is Battery Geary on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor.





This is Battery Geary on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor.




Battery Crockett 16th Feb. 2022, this is one of several pictures of Battery Crockett of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor Island. From this battery we can catch views of the Corregidor Island Tailend and Caballo Island, the former Fort Hughes. This battery is kept in tip top shape by the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) for visitors to enjoy



This is Battery Geary on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Geary of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor.




Battery Crockett 16th Feb. 2022, this is one of several pictures of Battery Crockett of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor Island. From this battery we can catch views of the Corregidor Island Tailend and Caballo Island, the former Fort Hughes. This battery is kept in tip top shape by the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) for visitors to enjoy



This is Battery Crockett on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Crockett of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor Island.



This is Battery Crockett on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Crockett of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor Island.



This is Battery Crockett on the 16th Feb. 2022; this is one of several pictures of Battery Crockett of the former Fort Mills, Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command on Corregidor Island.

[Karl Welteke]

Engineering Ravine, Japanese Gun on Corregidor

In the afternoon, the 16th of Feb. 2022 we had a look at the Engineering Ravine, the Fort Mills power plants, used the North Road and walked to the point above Engineering Wharf/Doc to the pistol Range and up from there to the only remaining Japanese Gun still at its firing position on Corregidor Island.

37 images of this walk have been uploaded into this Photobucket album:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/241412ec-2248-44fb-b707-a3d25f8f3c91

For this forum presentation, I chose these 18 images:



Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills, Bottomside, a walk along the open coal storage area towards the Fort Mills Engineering Ravine on the 16th Feb. 2022. This is one of 4 images about this walk.



This is one of10 images of the former Fort Mills coal fired power plant, the cold storage and ice plant, located on Corregidor Island. We looked right to left into these spaces, the generator Room, the ice plant and the storage room that suffered a direct bomb hit in 1945.



This is one of10 images of the former Fort Mills coal fired power plant, the cold storage and ice plant, located on Corregidor Island. We looked right to left into these spaces, the generator Room, the ice plant and the storage room that suffered a direct bomb hit in 1945.



This is one of10 images of the former Fort Mills coal fired power plant, the cold storage and ice plant, located on Corregidor Island. We looked right to left into these spaces, the generator Room, the ice plant and the storage room that suffered a direct bomb hit in 1945.



This is one of10 images of the former Fort Mills coal fired power plant, the cold storage and ice plant, located on Corregidor Island. We looked right to left into these spaces, the generator Room, the ice plant and the storage room that suffered a direct bomb hit in 1945.



This is one of10 images of the former Fort Mills coal fired power plant, the cold storage and ice plant, located on Corregidor Island. We looked right to left into these spaces, the generator Room, the ice plant and the storage room that suffered a direct bomb hit in 1945.



This is one of 4 images in the Fort Mills Engineering Ravine on the 16th Feb. 2022. We were looking at the newer diesel power plant, the fuel tanks and other areas in the Engineering Ravine of the former Fort Mills.



This is one of 4 images in the Fort Mills Engineering Ravine on the 16th Feb. 2022. We were looking at the newer diesel power plant, the fuel tanks and other areas in the Engineering Ravine of the former Fort Mills.



This is one of 4 images of the biomass gasification power plant in the Eng. Ravine of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island. This biomass gasification power plant was built in about the last 10 years but never was used. So, it seems, it was a waste of money.



This is one of 4 images of the biomass gasification power plant in the Eng. Ravine of the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island. This biomass gasification power plant was built in about the last 10 years but never was used. So, it seems, it was a waste of money.



This is one of 7 images of the Fort Mills, Corregidor Island North Road from the Engineering Ravine to Battery James, but we only walked to the Pistol Range. The big news from the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) is that the North Road is cleared of obstructing vegetation to enjoy a nice and long walk. On our walk, the 16th.Feb. 2022, we had views of the diesel power plant, perhaps a concrete oil storage tank and the Pistol Range Magazine.



This is one of 7 images of the Fort Mills, Corregidor Island North Road from the Engineering Ravine to Battery James, but we only walked to the Pistol Range. The big news from the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) is that the North Road is cleared of obstructing vegetation to enjoy a nice and long walk. On our walk, the 16th.Feb. 2022, we had views of the diesel power plant, perhaps a concrete oil storage tank and the Pistol Range Magazine.



The only Japanese Artillery Gun, still emplaced at its original firing position; it can be reached from Fort Mills Pistol Range which is located at the bend of the Corregidor North Road going west, just above the Engineering Wharf/Doc. This is one of three images of that Japanese Gun.



The only Japanese Artillery Gun, still emplaced at its original firing position; it can be reached from Fort Mills Pistol Range which is located at the bend of the Corregidor North Road going west, just above the Engineering Wharf/Doc. This is one of three images of that Japanese Gun.



This is one of 7 images of the Fort Mills, Corregidor Island North Road from the Engineering Ravine to Battery James, but we only walked to the Pistol Range. The big news from the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) is that the North Road is cleared of obstructing vegetation to enjoy a nice and long walk. On our walk, the 16th.Feb. 2022, we had views of the diesel power plant, perhaps a concrete oil storage tank and the Pistol Range Magazine.


Corregidor views of the north shore, Bottomside on Corregidor Island. This is one of 5 images showing us leaving the Engineering Ravine, pass by the Engineering Wharf/Doc and see the grand-view of the north shore, Bottomside Corregidor Island.



Corregidor views of the north shore, Bottomside on Corregidor Island. This is one of 5 images showing us leaving the Engineering Ravine, pass by the Engineering Wharf/Doc and see the grand-view of the north shore, Bottomside Corregidor Island.



Corregidor views of the north shore, Bottomside on Corregidor Island. This is one of 5 images showing us leaving the Engineering Ravine, pass by the Engineering Wharf/Doc and see the grand-view of the north shore, Bottomside Corregidor Island.

[Karl Welteke]

Gen.Wainwright-Nurses Memorial, Hotel, Bottomside

We finished our Topside activity at Battery Geary and walked to Bottomside via to Mason Memorial and the big piece of Battery Geary concrete at Middleside. My two friends caught a ride to Bottomside with Philippine Coast Guard tour group and I walked. At Bottomside I enjoyed views of the Corregidor Southside of Bottomside and had a look at the Gen. Wainwright and Nurses Memorial there. Then I walked to Corregidor Inn via the back way, closed now, and because of the virus killed the tourist business. After another excursion to the Eng. Ravine we enjoyed another great meal from the host of the MacArthur Inn, Miss Jhing.

27 images have been posted into this Photobucket album: app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/fb9c64f8-3f39-4764-a83b-68368d0eed2e

For this forum presentation I chose these 8 images:



#01. This is one of 4 images of the tall trees in Ramsey Ravine; they seem to suffer from the dry season. Ramsey Ravine is located on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills and the ravine starts near Battery Ramsey at Middleside.



#05. A Philippine Coast Guard ship arrived, stayed only a few hours but some of their crewmembers enjoyed a guided tour on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills of the Manila Harbor Defense Command and now the location of the Pacific War Memorial.



#06. This is one of six images of the Southside of Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills of the Manila Harbor Defense Command and now the location of the Pacific War Memorial (Topside). The tractor with the mower was active here today and just cut the grass here at Bottomside.



#14. This is one of three images of the General Wainwright and US Military Nurses Memorial, including the Filipino Nurses, dedicated to their loyal service in the defense of the Philippines. The memorial is located on the Southside of Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills of the Manila Harbor Defense Command and now the location of the Pacific War Memorial (Topside).



#15. This is one of six images of the Southside of Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills of the Manila Harbor Defense Command and now the location of the Pacific War Memorial (Topside). The tractor with the mower was active here today and just cut the grass here at Bottomside.



#19. This is one of 11 images of the Corregidor Inn; it is closed because the proprietor who managed it had to give it up because the virus that originated in Red China (Communist China) killed the tourist business to Corregidor. The Corregidor Inn is located on a low rise in the middle of Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills of the Manila Harbor Defense Command and now the location of the Pacific War Memorial (Topside).



#22. This is one of 11 images of the Corregidor Inn; it is closed because the proprietor who managed it had to give it up because the virus that originated in Red China (Communist China) killed the tourist business to Corregidor. The Corregidor Inn is located on a low rise in the middle of Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills of the Manila Harbor Defense Command and now the location of the Pacific War Memorial (Topside).



#27. At about 5pm we had another excellent meal, prepared by the former entrepreneur and now an employee of CFI. Her name is Miss Jhing and she is great host. The meal today was Chicken adobo with plenty and tasty side dishes to go with it. It was a great meal.

This completes my 6th entry for the 3rd Day of the First Flag on Corregidor 1945, 77th Anniversary.

This is my complete diary entry for the 3rd day on Corregidor

3rd Day, Wednesday, 16th Feb 2022.

Breakfast at 7 like every day, eggs, sausage, rice with tomatoes and cucumbers; another good meal.

The power stayed on until 5 am this morning, but I slept without the aircon.

8am teamed up with CFI and rode to Topside on Corregidor for the 77th Anniversary of raising the USA 48 Star Flag at the Paratrooper PIR 503d First Flag Memorial Marker.

We raised the flag to its peak on the new replaced flagpole and gave our salute and expressed our admiration to whole Rock Force (Corregidor is referred to as the “Rock”) that liberated Corregidor starting this day in 1945. The old flagpole, a wooden power pole had rotted and had become unstable. But the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) had it replaced with a metal flagpole. Knowing the limited resources available to CFI, we really appreciated this great effort by the CFI.

CFI specially opened the museum for us and I took some pictures.

Inside the museum is also a souvenir shop and we bought some souvenirs, I got three shirts and other things, like a CD.

Then we walked to Battery Wheeler, entered the Wheeler Tunnel (an impressive structure) and then walked to Battery Cheney. The great news is that the road to Battery Wheeler is cleared of grass and fallen trees. That is also the case of the road to Battery Cheney. So, elderly people or people not to too fit could be driven to these two batteries. The view point above Wheeler Point is cleared for a great view of Searchlight Point, No-Name Point and Wheeler Point. CFI even placed some chairs there.

This spot is very famous because on the night of the 18th/19th Feb 1945 a terrible battle occurred here.

Since then this battle field, next to this steep cliff, has become to be known as the Banzai Point or Suicide Cliff. Read the history in this URL: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/129/battle-wheeler-point

Then we walked to Battery Geary and Battery Crocket. We looked at the 12 Inch Mortar in the woods above the road to Battery Crockett. My partners were intensely interested for Battery Geary and documented the effect of that terrible explosion that happened here in 1942 after the battery was hit by Japanese Artillery.

We continued down to Battery Ramsey via passing the Mason Memorial and had a look at the huge piece of Battery Geary concrete block that flew here and killed one soldier.

Then we continued our walk to Bottomside. My two friends caught a ride with the tourist trolley which took around a visitor group of the Philippine Coast Guard which arrived this morning with a vessel.

I inspected the Gen. Wainwright and Nurses Memorial and the closed Corregidor Inn.

At 1430 all three of us went to the Engineering Ravine had a look at the big coal fired power and cold storage plant. Had a close look at the 1945 bomb damage to this structure. We looked at some of the other items in the engineering Ravine.

Using the Corregidor Northroad we proceeded from the Engineering Ravine to the point above the Engineering Wharf at the Fort Mills Pistol Range there. The Northroad was in excellent condition, cleared of weeds and fallen tree branches, most of the whole width. CFI personnel reported the whole road to Battery James is cleared now; that is a long stretch of road.

Then we climbed up the defense position # VII-F-2 and the only Japanese gun at its original firing position. This is straight up from the before mentioned point above Engineering Ravine.

We called it a day, returned to base and cleaned up.

At about 5pm we had another excellent meal, prepared by the former entrepreneur and now an employee of CFI. Her name is Miss Jhing and she is great host. The meal today was Chicken adobo with plenty and tasty side dishes to go with it. It was a great meal.

We made it a nice social evening and I enjoyed three SM Light Beers, 270 peso though. I showed my two friends 2005 pictures when Mr. Gerald Randy Anderson Sr. and our photographer friend Kevin Hamdorf visited to write a Corregidor travel story then in 2005.

[EXO]

Thanks Karl, that's been a great series for us bound to our office chairs here in foreign climes. I am impressed in the maintenance of the island, it is looking good, even the fallen leaves give a restful ambience, and all in all, it still impresses. I figure it will still take a long while to get things back to what will pass for the 'new normal'.

[Karl Welteke]

Fourth Day of the First Flag 77th Anniversary on Corregidor.

Thursday, 17th Feb. 2022.

To learn about the purpose of this Anniversary Visit to Corregidor, scroll back up to the beginning of this thread.

114 images have been uploaded to this Photobucket album, if you like to see all images. This is the URL: app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/f5e25a6e-7ebb-4162-ac50-dc50266071b2

Fourth Day 1st of 3 segments:
For this Forum Presentation I chose 63 images and I will post them now in three segments, each time about 21 images or so, subject to the items shown!

But here is my Diary entry for that day:

Diary entry, 4th Day, Thursday, 17th Feb. 2022.

We had our breakfast as usual and then got a ride to Kindley Field. The plan for today was mainly for Rhonie Dela Cruz to get a thorough look at the Japanese Garden of Peace. Rhonie developed a special relationship with the Japanese about the WWII History in the Philippines and this was important to him. The idea was to walk back along the road and look at the points of interest.

We started at the airfield terminal, the airfield looks like it cannot be used, the weeds are out of control, and also no windsock was flying.

Then we had a look at the Mindanao Garden of Peace, another dark chapter in the Corregidor History. Look for the Jabidah Massacre in the www about that history.

We had a look at the Panama Mounts for the 155mm GPF artillery pieces; these Panama Mounts are located just east of the Navy Intercept Tunnel.

As we passed and went over the Navy Intercept Tunnel we only had a close look at the concrete and exposed vent (through the explosion) of the tunnel.

My friends spent a little more time at the Filipino Heroes Memorial. I had a closer look at a possible other pass to reach the North Channel from there, because at this general area of the Water Tower Hill it is very hard to descend to the north beach.

Next was the main goal for today, the Japanese Garden of Peace, and Rhonie got all the picture material he was looking for. The history how this garden was established is really interesting too.

Then we proceeded down to the 92nd Garage area. There is lots of history here also. It had started out as an aviation place, float planes, but then the area was given to the 92nd Coastal Artillery Regiment (PS) and they took care of the mobile artillery and needed a place to park their guns and tractors hence 92nd Garage. When Corregidor fell, all the Allied POWs were herded here for about 2 weeks under pretty bad conditions.

From the 92nd Garage we short-cut up, and had a look at two of the 5 concrete Infantry trenches in this general area, plus we stopped at the road Junction #43 and I explained all the important things one can and should visit, such as the RJ43 Tunnel, go up to Malinta Hill etc.

Then we marched back to our quarters at the MacArthur Café and Lodge. We passed the North Entrance to the Malinta Hill Tunnel and two small tunnels for small size artillery pieces. Then we split up, my friends rested and worked on their pictures.

I proceed to San Jose Point to check how easy it is to visit the two Navy Tunnel entrances on the way there. I found the way to the tunnels is blocked now by dumped old road concrete pieces from a previous road project, a few years ago, but the tunnels can be reached. Also nearby there is a fenced solar power panel set-up. I speculate it has something to do with either the ocean level measuring device and or a tsunami warning system. CFI seems to keep the grass in this solar place in check. I continued as far as the first of several MG bunkers above San Jose Point.
Next, I went to the Stockade Level. I wanted to see whether I still can find two concrete shelter structures. One I call a Halfmoon Shelter, the other structure is a solid concrete structure which I had heard about a long time ago but only recently have found it.

I found both and discovered a pleasant surprise. Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) has extended the short-cut path from Middleside to the Stockade level along another old Fort Mills concrete walking pass thru the Stockade level, passed the post WWII school houses and the Spanish Fort down to the Pacific War Memorial Zone Entrance. I enjoyed that new walking path.

We called it a day, had an excellent evening meal, pork steak, veggies and rice; very good again. We had our 4th social evening, for me 3 SM Light Beer again and some Piato bags, 40 pesos a bag. We settled our eating and drinking bills; I confirmed a boat for tomorrow morning to pick us up at 7am.

I have used the Villa Carmen boats now, maybe 50 times. They never have been late, no, always have been earlier rather. In my opinion those guys know their stuff and this opinion comes from a Navy Boatswains Mate! All went well, we drove home with my car, all three of us were happy about this successful visit to the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island. We stopped at the Bataan Visitor Center in Balanga along the Bataan Roman Highway, which is also an interesting place.

The first 21 images: The number of pictures referenced refer to the Photobucket album!

These first 4 pictures have this description: This is one of 10 images of our walking track, walking data, Google Earth and Garmin maps as to where we walked and the maps have the points of interest where we stopped and looked on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills.









This is a view from Corregidor Island towards the Mariveles Power Plant on Bataan 2022-02-17.



This is a view on Corregidor Island of the sponsored trees at Bottomside 2022-02-17.



The next 2 pictures have this description: This is one of 2 images at the Kindley Field, the air field of the former Fort Mills, on Corregidor Island. I believe the runway cannot be used now, the weeds, grass have grown to an uncontrollable height and mess.





The next 6 pictures have this description: This is one of 9 images of the Mindanao Garden of Piece. It was established about 20 years ago on the Tailend of Corregidor Islands at the present entrance to airfield. President Aquino, the son, was here once for an anniversary. It remembers a dark chapter in the Corregidor History, look up the word/event Jabidah Massacre in the www. Two 1917 Defense Positions were used to display pictures and information inside those structures. Enjoy the nice views one can catch here of the Corregidor Tailend, the famous/infamous Monkey Point, Caballo Island, the Manila Bay South Channel and the Kindley Air Field.














The next 6 pictures have this description. This is one of 16 images of the Filipino Heroes Memorial, in the former Fort Mills on Corregidor Island. It has great wall displays of many Philippine Historical Events, such as the WWII, the Philippine American War; the uprisings against their colonial master etc. 4 historical statures are displayed. I was interested in another way to reach the north beach and shot 4 pictures for that purpose of the bushes I would have to penetrate. This area is also known as Water Tank Hill or Denver Hill.

[Karl Welteke]

Second of Three Segments with about 20 Images

Fourth Day of the First Flag 77th Anniversary on Corregidor.

Thursday, 17th Feb. 2022.

To learn about the purpose of this Anniversary Visit to Corregidor, scroll back up to the beginning of this thread. To learn what we did on the 4th Day go the previous entry, dated 2022-03-30.

114 images have been uploaded to this Photobucket album, if you like to see all images. This is the URL: app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/f5e25a6e-7ebb-4162-ac50-dc50266071b2

20 images of the 2nd segment: The number of pictures referenced refers to the Photobucket album!

These first 5 images have this description: This is one of 7 images of the Japanese Garden, in the former Fort Mills on Corregidor. In 1945 the US Army established a Japanese Cemetery for all their fallen, it got forgotten, then was recovered and now it became this Garden of Peace. The plan for today was mainly for Rhonie Dela Cruz to get a thorough look at the Japanese Garden of Peace. Rhonie developed a special relationship with the Japanese about the WWII History in the Philippines and this was important to him.











These next 7 images have this description: Then we proceeded down to the 92nd Garage area in Fort Mills on Corregidor Island. This is one of 14 images of the 92nd Garage area. There is lots of history here also. It had started out as an aviation place, float planes, but then the area was given to the 92nd Coastal Artillery Regiment (PS) and they took care of the mobile artillery and needed a place to park their guns and tractors hence 92nd Garage. When Corregidor fell, all the Allied POWs were herded here for about 2 weeks under pretty bad conditions. These picture show the resort sleeping places had it, they are goners. A security guard is maintained here and he has dogs, we see the entrance to a tunnel and have views of the Manila Bay South Entrance.

















The next 2 images have this description: Then we short cut up from the 92nd Garage and have a look at the one of the 5 concrete infantry trenches, here, in this Corregidor Island area. We pass by the North Entrance of the Malinta Hill Tunnel and the small artillery tunnel just west of it. Then we see the other small artillery tunnel just west of the Malinta Hill Point. We return to the MacArthur Lodge, we split up, my friends work on pictures, and I explore more.






The next 6 images have this description. This is one of 11 images as I walk from the MacArthur Café/lodge to San Jose Point at Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. I walk thru the Corregidor Chapel, then to the South Road, around the Malinta Hill, blocked now just passed San Jose Point by rock slides, I see the new small solar power plant, the first Fort Mills MG bunker at San Jose Point and don’t go any further. I see that it is harder now to reach the two remaining Navy Tunnel Entrances due to a lot of broken road concrete pieces are dumped there. The maps, remember, are in the previous entry, at the beginning of this thread!

[Karl Welteke]

Third of Three Segments with about 23 Images

Fourth Day of the First Flag 77th Anniversary on Corregidor.

Thursday, 17th Feb. 2022.

To learn about the purpose of this Anniversary Visit to Corregidor, scroll back up to the beginning of this thread. To learn what we did on the 4th Day go the entry, dated 2022-03-30.

The next 12 images have this description: This is one of 19 images of the South Bottomside, in the former Fort Mills, on Corregidor Island; I did walk onto the South Dock and took some pictures there. The old, old Navy building is occupied by a Navy security team, the welcome structures near the South Dock and San Jose Point are occupied by the Philippine Marines the rest are views of Bottomside, south side including our old watering hole and the many trees have grown.


114 images have been uploaded to this Photobucket album, if you like to see all images. This is the URL: app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/f5e25a6e-7ebb-4162-ac50-dc50266071b2


























The next 7 images have this description: This is one of 11 images of my next project to see how easy it is to find the two concrete shelters on the Stockade level. They are located more in the former Philippine Scout Village Concepcion. One, I call a Halfmoon Shelter, the other structure is a solid concrete structure which I had heard about a long time ago but only recently have found it.
I found both and discovered a pleasant surprise. Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) has extended the short-cut path from Middleside to the Stockade level along another old Fort Mills concrete walking path thru the Stockade level, passed the post WWII school houses and the Spanish Fort (we see the walls of the Spanish Fort) down to the Pacific War Memorial Zone Entrance.

















These 4 images have this description: This is one of 11 images of Bottomside after I had returned from the Stockade level. We see the tractor mower in action and there are some images of the North Dock area. I notice now that all the pictures of this Bottomside round of pics are smudged, well it is too late now to correct it.