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Post by The Phantom on May 2, 2009 19:25:14 GMT 8
I have always been fascinated by the book; "Col. Bunker's War. The World War II Diary of Col. Paul D. Bunker"
If you are unfamiliar with the book, Col. Bunker was in charge of all the Forts artillery in Manila Bay in 1941,1942. He kept a very interesting diary of daily events on Corregidor, from an Officer's perspective, during most of the fighting on Corregidor.
He makes references to many places and things that happened back then that intrigue me, and some confound me as to there locations now after all these years. He uses a lot of abbreviation for locations. He talks of driving to G/91 for his showers all the time for example, or to get his clean clothes from Chong there........
I just reread the book noting locations and other interesting tidbits he talks about that may be interesting to some of us.
Also, he loved a good cup of Maxwell House coffee, used Palmolive soup when he could get it, (and the big rats in his dugout didn't steal them at night........)
Where was his Dugout? I now know were C1 is located having been taken there last trip by the group.
I was hoping maybe some of the great photos taken recently might put a "FACE" so to speak, to the locations from long ago that still exist today. Also that some of the questions the book raises may be answered by the educated panel that inhabits this fine site.
So lets get started........
Where is the G/91 he talks of so often? "WELCH DROVE TO G/1 AND GOT SOME CLOTHS FROM CHONG"
Where was his "dugout" he lived in after his house was destroyed?
Regtl. HQ moved to Harbor Defense bombproof- just vacated by HD CP in favor of Malinta Tunnel.
C1 , Bunkers constant observation area. " LT. MOORE III CAME FROM C1 AND REPORTED AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER............"
To PX post exchange where " WELCH FOUND SOME MOTOR OIL AND TOOK 12 QTS. OF GARGOYLE".
"GOT MY REMINGTON AUTOMATIC AND MY L.C. SMITH DOUBLE FROM A MAN A WHEELER WHO WAS CLEANING THEM........"
JANUARY 9TH "ARRANGED TO HOIST A NEW FLAG OVER CORREGIDOR AND TO SEQUESTRATE THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN FLYING AS A TROPHY FOR THE 59TH C.A."
"AS WE WERE DINING AT CHENEY, THE MEN WERE UNLOADING A TRUCKFUL OF DRIED FRUIT, RAISINS, PRUNES, APRICOTS, ETC, OBTAINED FREE FROM THE BARGE THAT CAME ASHORE NEAR SEARCHLIGHT 1."
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Post by The Phantom on May 2, 2009 19:47:10 GMT 8
SUNDAY, 11 JAN. 1942
" HAVE MOVED HQ. BATTERY MESS TO THE OLD ORDNANCE MACHINE SHOP BOMBPROOF RATHER THAN HAVE THEM IN THE OPEN NEAR BATTERY WHEELER".
" INSPECTED HQ. BTRY. MESS AT ORDNANCE BOMBPROOF.WENT HOME AND SECURED THE LITTLE SILVER TRAY( CHAMPION ATHLETIC TROPHY USMA 1902) THEN TO LIBRARY---TO BATTERY GEARY AND CROCKETT OT LOOK AROUND. THE 7000 GALLON GAS TANK THERE HAS BEEN LEAKING, SO THEY ARE TRYING TO DRAIN IT.
WEDS. 14 JAN. 1942
"EVERY QUARTERS FROM MINE DOWN TO THE GENERAL'S WAS HIT TODAY."
THURS. 15TH JAN. 1942
WENT TO C1 ABOUT SUNDOWN. LEFT SOON FOR OUR "CLUB"AND PLAYED POKER TILL 11:00. WHERE WAS CLUB?
"COL. FOSTER SAYS THE HIGH COMMAND IN MALINTA TUNNEL BURNED INTENTIONALLY $2,500,000 OF U.S. BILLS.PERHAPS TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING INTO THE HANDS OF THE JAPS!!!X?! WHY DAMN THEIR EYES, WHO SAYS THE JAPS ARE GOING TO TAKE CORREGIDOR? WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD A CHANCE AT THEM YET. ALL WE'VE DONE IN SEAWARD DEFENSE IS "TAKE IT". GIVE US A CHANCE TO DISH IT OUT!"
I will continue in this vain ..........
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Post by fots2 on May 2, 2009 20:59:14 GMT 8
I'll take a stab at a few for you Phantom.
(1) If 'Searchlight 1' means 'Searchlight #1' then it was located on the north shore at Battery Point. I am told there is nothing remaining of that searchlight today so I have no photos for you.
(2) The 'OLD' Ordinance Machine Shop: I doubt he is referring to the Ordinance Machine Shop (building #63 on the 1932 map) that we are familiar with located between Batteries Way and Hearn. I think that was the current shop at the time he wrote that. Also, I doubt he would move the Battery mess that far away from the C1 area.
I had a look at the older 1921 map and guess what? Beside the rail line going to Battery Wheeler and inland from C1 is a building labeled 'Ordinance Repair Shop' (building #33). On the 1932 and 1935 maps, this building is not shown. I think that does not necessarily mean that the building is gone, it may be just that it was not used when the newer maps were created (mapmaster can comment on this much better than I can).
If the building was there in 1941/42, then it certainly would qualify as being an 'old' Ordinance Machine Shop. This building is very close to the Battery may be the one the Colonel was referring to.
(3) When a Colonel talks about the 'Club', I would assume he means the nearby 'Officer's Club' (building #551) which is located adjacent to the Topside swimming pool and golf course.
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Post by batteryboy on May 2, 2009 21:32:46 GMT 8
I have always been fascinated by the book; "Col. Bunker's War. The World War II Diary of Col. Paul D. Bunker" Where was his Dugout? So lets get started........ Where is the G/91 he talks of so often? "WELCH DROVE TO G/1 AND GOT SOME CLOTHS FROM CHONG" Bunker's dugout at C1 Tunnel, just near his C1 post. G1 Station was located between Hearn and Smith. Cheers,
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Post by batteryboy on May 2, 2009 21:40:26 GMT 8
I'll take a stab at a few for you Phantom. (1) If 'Searchlight 1' means 'Searchlight #1' then it was located on the north shore at Battery Point. I am told there is nothing remaining of that searchlight today so I have no photos for you. If you visit the area at Battery Point, Sl # 1 is not that hard to find although its really busted up. You can still make out the shelter. Interesting to note that Sl#1 is a little unique as it used a "reflector mirror" when illuminating seaborne targets. Cheers,
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Post by fots2 on May 2, 2009 22:01:04 GMT 8
wow, first I heard of that. Salamat batteryboy. Now it is worth a visit for sure.
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Post by mapmaster on May 2, 2009 22:34:34 GMT 8
Hi Phantom, batteryboy and fot2
Yes, G1 is between Hearn and Smith. C1 and G2 combined above Searchlight Point. I can't find G91. Could it be another Gun Group Command Post, perhaps manned by the 91st CA (PS)? Other Gun Group Posts are near or close to building #74 (Med. & Art. Engr. Sh.) - GII/3; building #63 (Ord. Mach. Shop) - GI/3; and on Malinta Hill. Building - GIV/3. I hope I got all of those off the map - I can search the map electronically, but may have still missed one.
Building #12B (Officers Qrs) is near GII/3. Perhaps it had a working shower.
Building #63 (O.M.S.) is over 1 kilometre by road from CI. The second O.M.S. building #33 may have still existed, but been empty. However, was it bombproof? Similarly, there were buildings number #43A & 43B (Ord. Arm. Repair Shops) east of Wheeler, but again were these bombproof?
Could one of the bombproof magazines have been empty and used for the mess instead? There is the Ordnance Magazine building #30 alongside the railway to Cheney. There is also the 3" AA magazine near CI.
One PX is in the middle of Mile Long Barracks. Another is on the northern edge of San Jose near the Church and Railway Bridge.
Harbor Defense bombproof is south of the eastern end of Mile Long Barracks. It includes the Post Telephone Exchange.
Sorry, several more questions added to your list.
Regards
mapmaster
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Post by batteryboy on May 3, 2009 12:57:50 GMT 8
Guys, Here are some photos of G1. The area was on the path of the sticks of bombs dropped by USAF bomebrs during the retaking. In the area, you will find big craters created by 1000 and 2000 lbs bombs. Since G1 was dug underneath, the top concrete roof was damged. Other that that (and the present day scrappers), the installation can still be visited. Damaged concrete roofing of G1 Stairs leading down G1 room Phone booths inside G1 Cheers,
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Post by batteryboy on May 3, 2009 13:16:25 GMT 8
Hi Phantom, batteryboy and fot2 Could one of the bombproof magazines have been empty and used for the mess instead? There is the Ordnance Magazine building #30 alongside the railway to Cheney. There is also the 3" AA magazine near CI. Regards mapmaster The 3-inch AA magazine for site one can still be seen while walking in the old trail towards C1 and C1 Tunnel and was used to store ammo for Battery Boston. The concrete ordnance magazine along the railway leading to Cheney (No. 41) may have been the mess that bunker was refering to but am not that certain.
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Post by The Phantom on May 7, 2009 1:47:23 GMT 8
Great info and pictures shared. Sheds light on a lot of Bunker's world on 1942 Corregidor. Anyone have any shots of Bunkers C1? Or "HIS" C1 Tunnel he is always visiting for progress throughout his war on Corregidor?
His book makes so much more sense when you know where he is visiting as he visits places in his rounds on Corregidor
More entry's to ponder........
MON. Jan. 19, 1942
"LOTHRUP, (ENGINEER DOING TUNNELING WORK ON C1 TUNNEL) HAS CHANGED HIS MIND AGAIN, AND WILL ACTUALLY DIG US 2 MAYBE 3 SHORT LATERALS IN OUR TUNNEL, TO HOUSE C1 AND G1 ACTIVITIES". Are they there today?
TUES. JAN. 20
"THE PERIL OF GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE LEFT OF BATTERY GEARY HAVING SUBSIDES THROUGH DRAINAGE OF TANKS, THEY FINALLY CONNECTED THE POST POWER MAINSINTO BATTERY CROCKETT AND GEARY TODAY, THUS GIVING GRATEFUL RELIEF TO OUR OVERWORKED 25-KILOWATT SETS IN THESE BATTERIES".
WEDS. JAN. 21
"AFTER BREAKFAST I SAT WITH SIMMONDS AN WHEELER "PARADE" AND ENJOYED THE WEATHER UNTIL THE MEN STARTED SWEEPING".
Wheeler "parade"?
"DROVE TO C1, KICKED A NAVY GANG OUT OF PX, STEALING CHAIRS FOR THEIR TUNNEL. INSPECTED BEER KEGS AT "SPIFF BAR" WITH FOSTER BUT AGREED THEY WERE NO GOOD FOR WATER".
Spiff bar?
"IT WAS QUIET AND PEACEFUL OUTSIDE MY DUGOUT. THE SWISH OF WAVES DOWN ON SOUTH SHORE, THE RUSTLE OF LEAVES ABOVE......."
THURS. JAN. 22
"THE MEN RIGGED CAMOUFLAGE NET OVER THE ENTRANCE TO MY DUGOUT, MY PORCH PLATFORM IS NOW FITTED WITH A TABLE AND 4 CHAIRS'
"SPENT SOME TIME AROUND OUR REGTL. R.S.O. STOREROOM , AND ALSO RAN DOWN TO BTRY. CHENEY AND OUR TUNNEL. THEY HAVE 28 BENTS (?) INSTALLED NOW AND ARE GATHERING LAGGINGS (?) AT TAPROOM AND GRANDSTAND, SO NO WORK IS BEING DONE ON OUR EMERGENCY EXIT".
By "GRANDSTAND" is he talking about the baseball grandstands on topside near the Cine and rail station?
"GOT OUR USUAL SHOWERS AND COLIN, (BUNKER'S DOG), GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH 2 BIGGER DOGS AT G/91".
"STOLE A SECTION OF STEEL FILING CASE OUT OF OUR OLD RADIO H.Q. AND HID IT IN OUR R.S.O. STOREROOM". SPENT PM UNTIL 3:50 AT HEARN. THEN HAD CHOW AT BATTERY WHEELER AND WAITED IN MT TENT FOR COL. SIMMONDS.
WELCH (HIS DRIVER APPARENTLY) DROVE US TO G/91 FOR OUR SHOWERS AND THEN TO HEARN FOR DOUGHNUTS AND COCOA . UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE THE CAKE TYPE OF DOUGHNUT".
SUNDAY 25 JAN.
FIRST SHOTS FIRED BY BUNKER ARE AT LANGOSKAWAYAN PT. 12 SHOTS. "THEN WE EMBARKED ON OUR FIRST REAL SHOT OF THE WAR, GEARY 12" MORTARS AND WE USED 700 LB. LAND ATTACK PROJECTILES WITH SUPER QUICK FUSES WHICH WORKED BEAUTIFULLY". This was the first use of Coast Artillery by the U.S. since the civil war.
FRIDAY 6 FEB.
"AT ABOUT THIS TIME GENERAL MOORE PHONED US FROM G/25 ON MALINTA HILL, WHERE HE WAS OBSERVING DEVELOPMENTS".
G/25?
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