Post by The Phantom on Oct 23, 2009 6:39:03 GMT 8
The following is from "THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES"
CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Answers to several questions and wonderments of mine are answered below.
" Since the first air attacks at the end of December, the garrisons of the 4 fortified islands had worked steadily to repair the damages and improve their positions."
"On Corregidor a tunnel, begun in 1921 but discontinued because of treaty agreements, was rapidly pushed to completion to serve as a command post for the Seaward Defenses."
"The islands defenses were further strengthened by the addition of an 8 inch gun with a range of 24,000 yards and a 360 degree traverse. This gun was brought over from Bataan and mounted on a prepared concrete base near Malinta.
Though it was tested and ready for use by 4 March, no crew was available and the gun never fired a shot at the enemy."
( Where was this gun located? and is the prepared concrete base still visible somewhere today?)
"At Fort Hughes, one 155-mm gun facing the sea, was dismounted, moved through the tunnel, and em placed on the opposite side of the island, pointing toward Bataan. "
( Any knowledge of this guns action?)
" Vital installations were strengthened in various ways.
Around the large well at the west end of Malinta Tunnel the engineers placed a circular parapet of sandbags, and over the gasoline storage area on Morrison Hill they placed two feet of heavily reinforced concrete, which they then camouflaged."
(The Well, and the gasoline storage concrete cover today?)
"Similar protection was also given to the Harbor Defense telephone exchange at Topside."
"Near the entrance to Malinta Tunnel, and in the port area at Bottomside, the engineers constructed tank obstructions consisting of square concrete posts reinforced with steel rails."
(Anyone have a picture of these tank obstacles? as there are a few of these still near North dock area, love it when an explanation of a present question comes from history! The slots for the rails are visible still).
"About the same time, they placed roofs over the 75mm. guns supporting the beach defense troops to give them protection against dive bombers."
(These roofed 75mm. gun emplacements are clearly visible today in several locations on the island.
One above Engineers Ravine to the north facing North Dock, one on top of the old Spanish Fort, facing South Beach. One on the road to Middleside mostly buried in dirt and debris, also facing North Dock area........just above, and a little east of Battery Martin.
A similar roofed structure is on top of Malinta Hill at its central point.)
Answers to the above questions and supporting photos would be appreciated.
Such fun tying the present to the past...............
CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Answers to several questions and wonderments of mine are answered below.
" Since the first air attacks at the end of December, the garrisons of the 4 fortified islands had worked steadily to repair the damages and improve their positions."
"On Corregidor a tunnel, begun in 1921 but discontinued because of treaty agreements, was rapidly pushed to completion to serve as a command post for the Seaward Defenses."
"The islands defenses were further strengthened by the addition of an 8 inch gun with a range of 24,000 yards and a 360 degree traverse. This gun was brought over from Bataan and mounted on a prepared concrete base near Malinta.
Though it was tested and ready for use by 4 March, no crew was available and the gun never fired a shot at the enemy."
( Where was this gun located? and is the prepared concrete base still visible somewhere today?)
"At Fort Hughes, one 155-mm gun facing the sea, was dismounted, moved through the tunnel, and em placed on the opposite side of the island, pointing toward Bataan. "
( Any knowledge of this guns action?)
" Vital installations were strengthened in various ways.
Around the large well at the west end of Malinta Tunnel the engineers placed a circular parapet of sandbags, and over the gasoline storage area on Morrison Hill they placed two feet of heavily reinforced concrete, which they then camouflaged."
(The Well, and the gasoline storage concrete cover today?)
"Similar protection was also given to the Harbor Defense telephone exchange at Topside."
"Near the entrance to Malinta Tunnel, and in the port area at Bottomside, the engineers constructed tank obstructions consisting of square concrete posts reinforced with steel rails."
(Anyone have a picture of these tank obstacles? as there are a few of these still near North dock area, love it when an explanation of a present question comes from history! The slots for the rails are visible still).
"About the same time, they placed roofs over the 75mm. guns supporting the beach defense troops to give them protection against dive bombers."
(These roofed 75mm. gun emplacements are clearly visible today in several locations on the island.
One above Engineers Ravine to the north facing North Dock, one on top of the old Spanish Fort, facing South Beach. One on the road to Middleside mostly buried in dirt and debris, also facing North Dock area........just above, and a little east of Battery Martin.
A similar roofed structure is on top of Malinta Hill at its central point.)
Answers to the above questions and supporting photos would be appreciated.
Such fun tying the present to the past...............