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Post by The Phantom on Nov 6, 2010 4:02:26 GMT 8
Wednesday 20 May 1942
" 1.00 haircut
Wind storm last night bothered us a bit--but no rain. However there was better breeze than usual this morning. So I loitered at our shack after breakfast until 9:00 a.m. To latrine twice, second time very successful. Dentist painted my mouth." (?) " To H.Q. and hung around there most of the day. Rode Capt. Strong about condition at the end of camp. Schenck is doing well with his latrines--but couldn't help me out with extra toilet paper this morning.
Through Bonham, put Capt. Gallup in charge of renovating the roofs of the big garage, to make it safe and more water proof.
We sent out work details of about 3,000 men this morning. The new barracks for Japs overlooking our camp is getting siding. They say 8 days rations will be brought into camp today--- which is impossible--- but they may have to do us 8 days.
Corporal Anderson repeated his kindness of yesterday and brought me a bug cup of hot tea. A lifesaver if there ever was one.
They sent out a work party of 2,000 men to rustle rations but half came back by truck and there is said to have been much pilfering. About sundown they started issuing to Groups---2 days ratios each and also put remainder of food undercover. I donated my dinner to others.
We also filled out a questionnaire---officer's---for the Japanese.
Rumors of big Naval battle north of Australia, in which allies badly defeat Japanese.
The flies---the flies---the flies! I have a bad cold and had to don very heavy sweater upon turning in tonight.
Got some cooking utensils for Capt. McCarthy's outfit. Badly needed. Tonight there was lots of lightning but hopes for rain were in vain. I am still trying to get to Topside to see my stuff. No razor blades, no matches. Filipino's at wharf are selling Mangoes and papayas to U.S. people for $1.00 each! Barbers charge $1.00 instead of 40 cents!
I've got a rotten cold, doctoring it with aspirin. After feverish activity for days building our guards barracks on the bluff overlooking our camp, last night the work order was canceled. Which causes us to think we may be moved out soon.
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 8, 2010 3:57:23 GMT 8
Thursday, 21 May 1942
" Another day, coffee and some rice for breakfast. Relieved Col. Teague summarily for ineffective handling of casual officers group and put Col. Foster in charge.
Took up cases of 2 thieves No. 477 with Elmes and No. 7354 with Col. Ward who is down and out in his C.P. Cpl. Anderson repeated his production of hot tea. Fine.
Got another broadside of whimpers from Maj. Pyzick USMC, an interpreter, and I went around and showed it to all group masters and urged them to strain every nerve to preform miracles if necessary to comply with Japanese demands for work details, exemplary behavior, non- stealing of food etc.
In evening was invited by Japanese as guest at Amateur entertainment. Had some tea, milk cake and some doughy Japanese pastries. Tried to get Edison and Julian to come and preform for one of the splendid prizes of food--but they arrived to late.
Returned to sultry camp after dark and loafed naked, ( like all others) until bedtime at 8:30. Much lightning but no rain. Cooper brings in rumors from Japanese sergeant, after 3 nights in camp we will move to Manila!
Am last night on Corregidor."
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 8, 2010 5:08:30 GMT 8
Friday, 22 May 1942
" This morning our shack was surprisingly clear of flies, so I hung around there for a long time.
Only 2 packs of cigarettes left.
This day was more or less like the rest, hot and breathless in this sheltered cove, probably the worst possible place for a concentration camp. Everyone boiling in the sun. Colin ( Bunkers dog) hates walking on the concrete, it is so hot to his feet.
They still have stopped all work on the guard barracks up on the overlooking hill, which strengthens our belief we will be leaving soon.
The highlights every day are still the swims at dawn and dusk despite the floating dung from Filipinos.
As I walk about the camp, inspecting the festering latrines, etc. I stagger with weakness, and yet I can hardly force myself to eat. Our food supplies are rapidly shrinking and the Japanese expect us to live on next to nothing. The 2 day rations issued last night were practically nothing.
However we are better off than the Filipinos who have been deprived of all rations for 3 days, as a punishment for stealing food when their ration detail returned. The white troops escaped because a Capt. Woods at the rear of our column, succeeded in concealing the fact that some of our men had pilfered from the cases.
The hospital continues to kick patients out and send them to "duty" which they are incapable of performing--and they have been sending all these men to my group. I shudder to think what will happen to those men if we have to move. I have protested to Col. Cooper that these men arrive after dusk, to late to find a place to sleep, and oftentimes unfed, but he continues to do it.
At about 9:00 p.m., just as we were turning in, an urgent call for all group masters and vice masters to report to camp H.Q. at once so Edison and I dressed and went.
Then the heavens opened and the rain poured down for hours, flooding the garage and grounds and drenching everyone. Got a good drink of water by holding a canteen cup under one of the cataracts for a few minutes.
Maj. Pyzick, the Med. soon appeared and, by aid of a flashlight on the floor, gave us the dope; all hands are to move out of camp at 9:00 am tomorrow, before which the entire camp must be dismantled and cleaned up, latrines filled!
A total of 130 specialists, wire men etc. to be found and left behind. The group masters went into a huddle to make plans, the last group to leave to be responsible with filling in the latrines.
We sent warning orders to our units because all this necessitated an early chow. So as Edison and I returned to our shack we saw the whole camp was aglow with cooking fires.
When we returned to our shack we saw that our neighbor had drowned our half by dumping his shelter half of water and mud on our side. Most of the mud and water went into my clothing roll, making it 20 lbs heavier.
Donned my heavy army sweater in an attempt to get some sleep before dawn. Edison was chilled to the bone. The blokes on the east side of our shack had avoided the deluge but failed to pull our stuff out of the mud and water.
All of this is another example of Japanese hazing. They could have moved us out the day after tomorrow or moved out the Filipinos first, but no, they had to move us all at the same time at a moments notice.
Superimposed of our requirements was that all groups be equalized in strength-- as if this would increase the capacity of any boat. ( Instead of having 10,000 prisoners in camp, there appears to be about 6,800 Americans plus 700 officers, and some 4,000 Filipinos.)
Departure from 92 Garage Area."
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 9, 2010 6:03:57 GMT 8
Saturday, 23 May 1942
"Dawn in a dismal camp full of mud puddles and everyone is wet. We fed after a fashion and then started dismantling the improvised shelters that comprised the camp. Men going by with poor crumpled sheets of corrigated iron on their heads, to stack them along the pipeline. (?) others with wooden poles etc. Gradually a space was cleared just inside the sentry gate so the first group could form.
In our shack we weeded out our belongings for the japs had told us to make them as light as possible. I discarded my black bag along with most of it's contents, including my diary from 1941( with a wrench). Lt. Simpson said he could manage it and put most of my discards in one of his 2 bags (but later had to discard and abandon them). I thought my blanket roll was not to heavy to take but was to find out otherwise later.
Group 1 pulled out at 9:00 a.m. Group 2 moved out and then though Edison's effect work, we started my group 3 out. Just then Colin disappeared, chasing another dog, and I had to pull out without him. This was for the best as subsequent events proved.
There were many patients in our sick bay there in the Garage, but all the doctors on duty simply packed up and abandoned them!
Ausmus' group improvised litters and evacuated some 6 to Malinta Tunnel, but the Japanese sentry there repulsed them and made them double time to rejoin the column. However at it's far end some Navy doctors got them admitted to our Malinta hospital. But no thanks to the doctors who first abandoned them!
We took the shortcut up the hill, and I was winded at the top. We kept well up behind the tail of the 2nd group with frequent rests so we got along alright until we reached Queens Tunnel ( located where?) when the Japanese sentry's became abusive because we were not tightly closed up, and by threatening clubbing, made us double time under our loads.
We were all herded like ants onto the stone piles that lined south beach in the broiling heat. Meanwhile I draped my towel over my "takes", (private parts) and kept as quiet as possible.
The wharf was well filled with 50 pound bags of floor( gift of Red Cross) and other foods---a part of the stream being shipped out by the Japanese.
At last the order came for all "casual officers" to move out onto the wharf where they boarded launches, and were transported out onto the waiting transports.
Listening to a Japanese guard I went below aft of the ship not realizing officers were to remain on deck. I went to the back and couldn't stand the heat and stench and worked my way on deck where 2 solders made room for me by the after winches, giving me a musette bag for a backrest and tried hard and unselfishly to make me comfortable.
The loading of our ship was soon completed but the prisoners continued to come around Malinta Hill all day long and into the night. It was unbearable below and soon the deck became a solid mass of men. When it rained, I stripped rather than try to keep dry by going below. Finally a soldier lent me a sopping blanket. I stretched it out over some prickly steel cables and got a little sleep. A wonder I didn't catch Pneumonia.
All night long there was a long line of men with dysentery waiting their turn at the "heads".
We had a medical detachment of 20 doctors who were in line all day, near the pier to accompany our troops, but when it came their turn to board, the Japs chased them away and back to Malinta Hospital! On board our ship the order was issued, "take off all Red Cross brashards, no medical personnel is to be aboard." Why? Just another case of punishment?"
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 10, 2010 7:24:59 GMT 8
Sunday, 24 May 1942
" To Parinaqua, Bilibid and Pasay.
Along towards dawn the ship got under way and headed towards Manila. I gazed on Corregidor with mixed feelings. Our crowded deck crawled with life. There was hot drinking water available, and Pvt. Robinson made me some hot tea and another soldier gave me some Vienna sausage.
The ship was slow, another ship with twin AA guns forward passed up by and headed for Pier 7. We turned right and headed for Parinagua and anchored. On nearing shore we were all forced overboard into water chest deep, and waded ashore with our stuff on our backs.
We formed on the beach.... in columns of 4 regardless of group. As we landed we could see our predecessors moving south along the beach to the main road. The whole bunch unfortunately, was guarded by Calvary not Infantry.
After a short time 1,000 of us were counted off and moved out to the highway, the extension of Dewey Blvd., and sat down there til the group ahead of us moved out in the boiling heat, it was 12:00 noon by now.
I shouldered my clothing roll and started, and my burden did not seem excessive at the time. The tar on the pavement stuck to our shoes which were, of course wet and caused blisters.
General Moore luckily was landed on dry land with all his baggage and was transported with said baggage to our destination.
As we marched we could see Filipino curiosity seekers being held back by Japanese sentry's. Many grinned at us, but whether in derision or otherwise we could not tell. Downtown many people lined the streets but were quiet.
My load, water soaked as it was kept getting heavier and heavier, and then Pvt.della Marva and Julian relieved me of it and carried it for me for some hundreds of yards. Three soldiers also took turns at it--- and I offered one of them, a husky looking man, P20 if he would carry it the rest of the way. He refused the offer but spoke cheerily about getting the bundle to our destination. I shouldered the load again and carried it to our first stop, which was probably near the Admiral Hotel. ( Still there?)
Here some of us got drinks of water. I interviewed the Japanese officer in charge of our group and pointing to my beard asked if I could ride in the Red Cross truck that was patrolling our column, he shouted, "sit down".
Our stop was only for a few minutes and we started again. I knew now I could never carry that clothing roll much further, so I just left it where I dropped it and had no time to remove anything from it. So I stepped off bereft of every single article of worldly goods except what I had on my person.
Even so lightened I found the going tougher and tougher. We marched to the Elks Club. ( now a children's Museum north of US Embassy on Roxas Blvd.) Turned right in front of the Bayview Hotel, ( now the Park Bayview Hotel- specializing in Korean tourists) then slanted left past City Hall to the Post Office , ( both still in use today) over the bridge and onto either Rizal or Quezon Blvd., all this without a rest.
I was staggering by this time and soon fell down in a daze. The Japanese guards came along and prodded me up and on a bit, but I couldn't make it. They gave me a gallon bottle , empty, and a gas mask case and urged me on.
After standing their persecution all I could, I turned on them, opened my shirt and, with a melancholy gesture, urged them to go ahead and shoot and be damned with them.
Then they put me through some sort of a test ( I was dazed and forgot what it was) to see if I meant what I said, and then they did a queer thing. they made me kneel and raise my hands over my head and lean backwards. Then they made me lie down in the middle of the Blvd. and brought ice and put it on my head and chest. How I enjoyed biting off hunks of the ice an gnawing on them!
Later they led me across to the sidewalk and I lay there for a long time until the sentry stopped a light pickup truck and they loaded me into the back.
As I lay there before starting off, a rock rattled into the truck and hit me on the rebound! I wondered if this was a sample of the feelings the Filipinos have for us now.
The truck took me to old Bilibid Prison, and here they helped me into building 13 where I found General Moore and his aid, Brown. Everybody was most kind. They laid me on Brown's immaculate bed and took off my dripping clothes and I rested a space and told my story to General Moore who held my hand!"
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 10, 2010 7:32:52 GMT 8
Admiral Hotel in 1996
110 rooms 2138 Roxas Blvd. Malate Manila Tel 521-0905 One of Manila's older Hotels $120.00 to $150.00 for a single $210.00 to $550.00 Suites
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Post by The Phantom on May 26, 2012 0:46:43 GMT 8
The story of 'BUNKER"S WAR" continues with "Rediscovering C1 Tunnel" by fots under "Trip Reports".
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Post by chadhill on Mar 9, 2017 10:17:44 GMT 8
I came across this document while browsing through the Chunn Diaries at the Philippine Archives Collection online. I thought that The Phantom would have liked it included in this thread.
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Post by chadhill on Mar 12, 2017 10:51:37 GMT 8
When I posted the above letter, found in the Chunn Diaries and attributed to Colonel Bunker, I assumed it was written under duress in response to the execution of Army Captain Burton C. Thomson O-369026. Thomson had been involved in a confrontation with Army Sergeant John Provoo, a known traitor who was cooperating with the Japanese. When Provoo approached Thomson, the Malinta hospital mess officer, and requested late night snacks for several Japanese sentries, Thomson dressed him down in no uncertain terms. The incensed Provoo went to the Japanese and told them that the captain was "un-cooperative" and "anti-Japanese". Thomson was taken away by sentries, driven to a spot near Kindley Field, and shot.
I have since checked the date of Thomson's death and found that it was May 15th, six days before the Bunker letter. This leads me to believe that the letter was not written in response to Thomson's execution. In the past I have read accounts that one or two other POWs may have also been executed, but have been unable to verify the names of the men and their dates of death.
Bunker's diary has a gap from April 29th to May 17th; between these dates there are no entries. But on May 21st, the date of the letter, his diary contains this entry:
"...Got another broadside of whimpers from Maj. Pyzick USMC, an interpreter and I went around and showed it to all group masters and urged them to strain every nerve to perform miracles if necessary to comply with Japanese demands for work details, exemplary behavior, non- stealing of food etc..."
Keith Barlow, editor of "Bunker's War", insinuates in the chapter notes that Major Pyzick may have had some sort of liaison relationship between the Japanese and the POWs. Bunker's diary quote from the 21st, "...Got another broadside of whimpers from Maj. Pyzick USMC, an interpreter and I went around and showed it to all group masters...", suggests that the letter was written by Bunker at Pyzick's request, or that the major may have already had the letter typed and handed it to Bunker. Note that it is unsigned, lacks Bunker's rank, and contains several misspellings.
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Post by Richard King on Aug 7, 2017 8:57:16 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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