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Post by one50 on Oct 26, 2008 8:47:35 GMT 8
I'm trying to figure out exactly what Japanese units were fighting the 503rd on Corregidor in operation topside.
I know the commander's name, and that they were navy units. Were there army units too? If so, which units.
I'm not having any luck finding information about this. Hope you can help me out.
Thanks
Dan
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2009 12:39:50 GMT 8
Any info on this? I am also interested to know.
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Post by batteryboy on Mar 7, 2012 22:03:05 GMT 8
I was suppose to start a new thread but since I saw this topic and no one has given any info and coincidentally, I am finishing a research for someone so here is a glimpse from the Japanese side taken from various documented Japanese sources and debriefings from the de-mobilization bureau after the war.
The information that I post below were taken from various Japanese operation reports (mostly translated) sources and Monograph 114, which is centered on the naval operations in the Philippines (land and defense) that covers Manila, Luzon and the islands of Manila Bay
CORREGIDOR AND THE ADJACENT ISLANDS: (Defensive Preparation)
- by late September 1944, the 31st Special Base Force (HQ at Manila) was transferred to the Corregidor. Its main objective was for "lookout duty" on the bay entrance, anti submarine patrols and liason with passing convoys.
- at the same timeframe, about seventy (70) Shinyo suicide boats were sent to the island and preparations for launching rails were commenced.
- By October, several Naval personnel from sunken and damaged IJN ships were sent to Corregidor and the outlying islands coming.
- From November 44 to January 45, an approximate ten (10) air defense units (unit -- may denote a company strength but not more than a battalion), with a mix combination of light to medium-heavy AA armaments.
- Additional reinforcement from various Marines and Navy land fighting units were also dispatched for land defenses.
- An Ordnance and construction unit was also dispatched from Manila to restore any of the Corregidor guns back into action.
- Captain Akira Itakagi of the 31st Special Base force (IJN) will be in command of the land and fortification defenses while Lt. Commander Shoichi Koyamoda will be in charge of the surface attack vessels (Shinyo Suicide)
- A week before the actual parachute assault in Corregidor, the tabulation of personnel dispersed in all the islands in Manila Bay are as follows:
Corregidor Island - 4,500
Caballo Island - 400
Carabao - 373
Mariveles base - 160
El Fraile - 65 to 70 (mostly from Navy ships) - the bulk arriving in November - December from the Battleship Musashi.
more later....
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Post by batteryboy on Mar 7, 2012 22:34:36 GMT 8
.. continued
BATTLE OF CORREGIDOR
- On January 23, 1945 US heavy and medium bombers bombed Corregidor. Prior to these dates is was noted that US planes flew high and medium recon missions by late 44. Damage to the defensive (AA and land defense) was considerable. Additional guns from ships were deplyed to replace those damaged by bombs.
By February 10, US ships appeared at the entrance of the bay areas but kept their distance. Ships were identified as battleships and heavy cruisers. They opened fire on Corregidor island (-- probably more of a probe and testing if the Japanese did put the seacoast guns back in action)
On 15th of February, after continous aerial bombing on previous days, naval ships also bombarded the island. An attack by suicide speed crafts (Shinyo) took place and approx 50 were dispatched inflicting damage to a US cruiser, a destroyer and two transports -- however results were unconfirmed. (Japanese may have been expecting a US landing team just off the horrizon)
16th of Feb - Corregidor again subject to naval bombardment. Heavy guns and a considerable number of heavy machineguns and AA guns were knocked out. By 11:00 hrs, paratroopers have landed. A strong American landing unit landed at the south pier and proceeded to take Malinta Hill and are trying to take SAKURA TUNNEL (Japanese name for Malinta Tunnel -- they renamed it). Japanese forces were split due to the American action.
- Japanese troops made a counter attack using small arms and explosive charges used as part of suicide missions. Since communication was cut, most of attacks were not coordinated. (By this time, the Japanese were expecting the Americans to counter attack and they be routed).
- On the night of the 17th, Captain Itakagi was killed by an enemy hand grenade. (It does not specifically mentioned where but this is almost 24 hours after the initial paratroop landing and is contrary to the common notion that Capt. Itakagi was killed by a machine gun burst while observing US forces at a point on the first day). One report also mentions Itakagi rallying his men on meet the paratroopers and to "box them" in on topside and surround them.
By the 18th of 19th, the Japanese sufferred more casualties (the word "loss" was used in the translation and may have been referred to as KIA). About 300 Japanese tried to excape to Mariveles but it is not known if any made it to the mainland.
In the Sakura Tunnel (Malinta) there were approx. 800 Japanese and of the 24th made an attack but was repulsded with heavy losses. Those who made it out of Sakura went to the eastern tip of the island and by the 27th most were annihilated and killed. All officers above Lt. committed suicide and 150 petty officers and men surrended to the Americans.
About 300 Japanese troops on the western side of the island escaped in three groups to Mariveles on the 18th and 19th and the last groups as late as March 1945. (this means that even when the island is secured, a number of Japanese still were able to make its way out of Corregidor and to the Bataan peninsula. Thus ending officially the battle of Corregidor.
Most of the Japanese were decimated but suprisingly, another 18 soldiers appeared several months after (this may well be the "New Years Day 20" that surrendered in 1946).
Next.. the other islands...
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Post by batteryboy on Mar 7, 2012 22:49:24 GMT 8
...continued.
CABALLO ISLAND
- manned by 400 Navy and Army personnel and manned gun batteries. On the 27th of March, around 600 US troops landed and by 3rd of April, Japanese suffered many casualties. Last known resistance was on the 9th - 10th of April when a huges explosion occured in one of the batteries (This may well be the Battery Craighill explosion).
EL FRAILE ISLAND
- excat conditions were unknown but of the 65-70 personnel, 35 of them came from the battleship Musashi. They may have been eliminated from continous bombardment or may have committed suicide by blowing themselves. (The Japanese observing from the other islands may have mistaken the explosion as a "sucide" but it was actually a result by US troops pumping oil and fuel and detonating it with TNT that caused a huge explosion that killed all the inhabitants of the fort).
CARABAO ISLAND
- The 373 men were commanded by a Navy Lieutenant and manned about 5 coastal guns (these were the five 120mm Mark 10 dual pupose guns) that they Japanese deployed there). and a number of 25mm AA guns.
On the 16th of Feb. US destroyers and minesweepers enganged the Japanese at Carabao Island and the garrison suffered damage. Witnessing the invasion of Corregidor happening plus without proper fresh water supply, the garrison was abandoned on the midnight of the 17th and troops moved Pico De Loro to join the Army forces.
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Post by okla on Mar 8, 2012 6:28:17 GMT 8
Hey Battery....Thanks for posting this summation dealing with the recapture of the Harbor Forts by US Forces. I must confess to the reality that I am woefully ignorant of details concerning these 1945 operations. All I really know on this subject is that the Airborne dropped on Topside and Regular Infantry landed at Black Beach and by early March the island was "secured". I must delve into these 1945 operations in more detail. I have been too long (naw, not too long, not long enough) in the 1941-42 campaign. I will rectify this omission, but the earlier fight will always have most of my attention. Thanks again for posting the recapture information.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Mar 8, 2012 20:20:57 GMT 8
At the Japanese Peace Garden are two wall displays that are of interest to this thread. One list the fallen of the suicide units. I added the fallen from the Corregidor units and they add up to 614. Plus a picture of the suicide boat is displayed. Japanese Peace Garden wall display, list of the fallen from the suicide units  Japanese Peace Garden wall display, a picture of the suicide boat  |
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