Death March Markers

[Karl Welteke]

The Bob and Rosalie Team done it again, the Pantingan Massacre Memorial Marker has been cleaned up and is repainted. I looked at the Facebook group -Bataan Battle- and Bud Hudson a link to a before and after picture of his work.
The Bataan Battle group URL or link is this one:
www.facebook.com/groups/bataanbattle/



Z66. This picture is from the above link and shows the cleaned and repainted PANTINGAN MASSACRE which was erected by a Philippine historical organization a long time ago but which must not exist anymore and this and other markers from them have become neglected.



Z67. Where is this PANTINGAN MASSACRE MEMORIAL MARKER? This Google Earth map gives you a ballpark location. It is hard to see because it located between trees on private grounds and coming from the east the road climbs and makes a sharp bend to the left and so it is easy to miss.



Z68. This is how it looked in 2007-Oct. the 11th. It was shot when I walked the 27 km stretch from Bagac to Pilar to look at the Death March Markers.

Note:
On the 8th of July 2013 I also visited Bob and Rosalie. Since I knew that they took on the job of cleaning and painting the Death March Markers below, south of Balanga, I asked him I seen some of the markers north of Balanga and that they are also painted. He said that after talking to some local civic groups that some volunteered to take care of other Death March Markers.

He also told me that the GN Power Company, the new Power Plant at Mariveles, put up stone benches around the Death March Marker #7. It is located at the start of the alternate road to Mariveles via Sisiman Bay. The Zig-Zag Road to Mariveles is undergoing major repair and or improvement work and it is closed right now. So a lot of people waiting for transportation at this road intersection were sitting on the Death March Marker #7 and that problem is now resolved.

[okla]

Hey Karl....Bob and Rosalie are to be commended "big time". This is truly a "labor of love" and any assistance they receive from local organizations, business groups, etc would be, I am sure, greatly appreciated. It is a shame that the original markers, etc had been allowed to deteriorate to the degree that they had. You also deserve much praise for the efforts you have been involved in with regard to the Death March markers. Bringing their condition to the attention of the general public has surely been instrumental restoring many of those that have fallen into disrepair. Thanks to you and B & R for your "good deeds".

[Karl Welteke]

Victor and Friends explore the Bataan Battle Field

When Victor Verano returned to the Philippines he visited Bataan with friends on the 8th and 9th July 2013. He had two main goals in mind, to visit the artillery position of the 88th FA PS at the Layac Defense Position and the Longos Kawayan Point. Between those two locations he had a number of smaller goals and places to visit. They all had something to do with the Death March or the Bataan Battle that let to the Death March. This segment deals with all those Death March related stops he made between his two main goals. As I said before, although I documented Vic’s visit in three different segments in three different existing thread on our bulletin board I put all my 100 pictures in one album and it is this one:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/X%20for%20HR%20Albums/Bataan%20HR%20images/Bataan%20w%20Victor%202013-07-08?sort=9&page=1

Here are some sample pictures:
Remember, these are small and high resolution copies are in the album above!



01-On page 6 of this thread we talked about this Bataan Battle Marker in Mabatang and we were upset that a fine Philippine historical marker was partially buried in the ground. It was not exactly clear where the exact location of this marker was and I had said: “ Wow, I missed this marker when I walked the Death March Route and I will try to find it after I return from Germany and the province and I’ll see what can be done”.



02-Vic is standing next to this Bataan Battle Marker in Mabatang on the 8th July 2013. This picture clearly shows it is buried partially in cement or concrete not just dirt. We had a picture and the first person we asked directed us to the right place.



03-This is what still can be read on the Bataan Battle Marker in Mabatang Town.
Note:
Until the 19th July 2013 the wrong picture was posted here, it is the correct picture now!!!
One of my shortcomings, attention to detail and good old Jon caught my mistake, thank you Jon!!!



04-This is the location of the Bataan Battle Marker in Mabatang Town, it is very close to the Mabatang River bridge.



05-So with the previous map and the markings on this picture anyone should be able to find the marker now. After having looked at the present location and condition of the partial buried battle marker in Mabatang I come to the conclusion that I don’t have enough horse power to do anything to correct the situation.



06-The overall stop plan of our visit to the Bataan Battle Field; ok, lets go!



07-The next stop was the Balanga Church, it was a priority goal of Vic. When you see the next picture you will understand.



08-These two pictures came from this Facebook page: -The Battle of Bataan-
www.facebook.com/groups/bataanbattle/
Vic Verano and Bob Hudson are regular contributors to this Facebook page. Vic had this picture with the Japanese trooper standing near the Balanga Church and Vic wanted to see whether he could find the spot. A house and traffic was in the way and a street light looks like an arrow in Vic’s head.



09-Before we visited Edna Binkowski and Bob Hudson in Limay we made a little side trip to Mt. Samat. Vic’s Dr. friend hadn’t been there yet and Vic loved to go there again. This is in the north arm of the huge cross on Mt. Samat Shrine which commemorates the Battle of Bataan. How many people died here in the Defense of the Philippines?



10-Then it was to the final stop for the 1st day, the 8th July 2013. In Limay, Bataan, reside two well known historians Edna Binkowski and Bob Hudson. They are neighbors and Bob’s fiancé is the sister of Edna. They treated us royally with a famous Philippine dishes pancit and San Miguel beer. Bob Hudson contributed these two pictures and the comment to the Facebook page -The Battle of Bataan- www.facebook.com/groups/bataanbattle/



11-The next day we continued south and stopped at this fork where the Bataan Expressway splits away from the old National Road to the right. The road to the left runs into Cabcaben Village. At this very spot, it says, was the house where General Wainwright surrendered Corregidor and the whole Philippines Commonwealth. A historical marker plaque commemorates this very sad fact at this road fork and it is written in Tagalog or Pilipino.



12-On the way to Longos Kawayan Point one has to drive thru Mariveles and passed the Death March Marker # Zero. It is in a small park, next to the Mariveles Bay and is near the Mariveles City Hall. This is the Death March Marker # Zero it is sponsored by FAME. We met our 4th team member here, Sherwino, a resident of Mariveles and active member on our Corregidor Heritage Bulletin Board.



13-My three friends pose by the Fallen Soldiers Symbol at the Death March Marker # Zero Park.



14-I think this is a great picture and the two plaques tell the story of the Death March in Pilipino and English. We fought together and we died together!



15-The Mariveles harbor was busy this day, at very left is Caracol Point where the USS Canopus backed out of and scuttled itself. At right is the Cochinos Point Ridge where also the Longos Kawayan Point is located on the ocean side. Somewhere near that harbor shore the Navy dry-dock George Dewey was also scuttled. And more Navy vessels rest on the bottom of Mariveles harbor. Sherwino said over the decades local divers have salvage much of those sunken ships with primitive diving methods.



16-After we finished our walk to the Longos Kawayan Point we started our return trip and I had another goal in mind. Again, when I walked the Death March route there was another Bataan Battle Marker I missed (the Alangan River Last Line of Defense) and I wanted to mark the exact spot so I remember! . There are actually two markers and they commemorate the Last Defense Line in the Battle of Bataan. This map is reposted and shows the approximate position of the two markers.



17-This is the old marker and it is on the west side of the old National road and south of the Alangan River bridge. , it is at a bend and when driving by car it is easily missed.



18-Close-up of the writing on the old Alangan River Last Line of Defense Marker.



19-This picture shows clearly where the old Alangan River Last Line of Defense Marker is in relation to the Alangan River bridge on the here combined old National Road and Bataan Expressway.



20-This is the newer Alangan River Last Line of Defense of the Bataan Battle Marker. It was built by the SK Org. (a Philippine Political Youth Organization). These dates suggest it was built perhaps between 2002 and 2005. It is located east of the highway and just north of the Alangan River Bridge. It is near the Barangay Hall and one has to drive or walk down a little. Vic is getting his shot of the marker.



21-The writings on this new Alangan River Last Line of Defense Marker have been retraced or repainted and look perfect now compared to the older picture of this marker on page 6 of this thread.

[cbuehler]

Those old '86 photos are haunting. Most of those areas pictured have changed substantially today and I recognize little of it. Even the old post markers are gone, having been replaced by the road monuments we see today. Ah,the NPA (formerly Hukbalahap) is thankfully mostly gone now except in very remote areas.

CB

[Deleted]

Hello Karl,

I like to point out that the close-up picture for the partly buried Abucay-Mabatang Line marker is being represented by the Alangan River marker. It seems sample picture number 18 is misplaced to number 02 during the postings. Your previous post (563) last march 25, 2013 showed the actual markings and I assume you have a better shot than that one. I am glad you and Vic found it and a bit sad on the circumstance of rectifying or mitigating the situation is not at hand yet...

The picture (number 15)with Mariveles harbor and Caracol Point looks inviting for a dive trip...visit Canopus perhaps? I thought about the great ship's condition underwater. If local divers are picking parts of it with crude implements then why not with a SCUBA? Not doing the same physical salvage part but salvaging through pictures if the depth and visibility allows and oh well its legal permission as well. I am a 40ish year old marine biologist and a PADI divemaster way back in 1997 and thought that I might be able to contribute something by doing a simple underwater survey and portrait of this ship. I reckoned that your experience is more appropriate for this kind of work and will be glad to be of your assistant as a field diver. If my recollection is right, I read it somewhere here that there was a thought like it before but it did not happen. I understand that this kind of endeavor is expensive but if only that funds and equipment are around. Just my wild thought.

Jon

[Registrar]

Jon,

On more that one occasion, I've stated that we are more likely to find Karl on top of a mountain than underwater, because the top of a mountain is about as far away as he can get from being underwater. Stay that way, Karl, we love ya!

exo

[Karl Welteke]

Jon
Re diving on the wrecks in Mariveles , you are not the only one who has been asking. Everett Perry the USS Canopus AS-9 Historian has asked me a couple of times. I have asked around but there don’t seem to be any sports divers in the Mariveles area. I have asked diving operators in Olongapo but the expense to them is just to big. I’m still hoping to find Manila sports divers and get them interested. Mr. Lito Rouvia has a large yacht yard in Mariveles. His place is used also as a ferry port to Manila and Corregidor by Sun Cruises. He has divers but I haven’t got him interested yet. I been out of the water too long and won’t dive anymore less I retrain with the new gear. But diving operation is gear, a crew, a boat and permission, not easy to get it all together and don‘t forget the weather.. I asked the Philippine Coast Guard Chief on Corregidor one time and he gave a long lecture who I would have get permission from.

Another option might be, is finding and hiring the local divers who only dive with a oxygen hose and a fridge compressor and give them an underwater camera which I don't have either.

Re the wrong picture, it's corrected now. Thanks for letting me know.

[Deleted]

Your welcome Karl, just helping out.

I might be off-topic here and maybe moderators can move or link this to the USS Canopus thread.
The ship's current picture (underwater that is)or disposition is wanting as I see it.

Registrar, I can sense that Karl's salty blood is still running strong through his veins and his soul is still listening the ocean's
calling...hehehe, am I wrong Karl? Well, I don't know how to make that thought a reality but if the opportunity presents itself with favorable winds I like to be in it.

I also felt sad that there's just not much care being afforded here in my country to see the worth of this wreck. I salute the gallant crew who manned her. I'm dreaming the time that our own navy will come to have her own submarine force and somehow touch the pages of history and know how ships and men are closely intertwined in times of terrible conflicts..I'm so glad we have this good forum for the next generations to look at and perhaps entice them to see,learn a thing or two, and contribute more in shaping an understanding and a caring humanity...

Karl, may i pay you a visit? I'm also living in Olongapo at the moment. Mine is at Fendler's Street and maybe I can go to yours sometime and say hello.

[Karl Welteke]

DEATH MARCH MARKER No. 101 in SAN FERNANDO

The Death March ended first at the San Fernando, Pampanga Rail Road Station and recently I updated the thread “WWII historic points in San Fernando, Pampanga”. In it I noticed I took a few images of Death March Marker (DMM) No. 101.

Here are my pictures of this 2nd last DMM, the marker No. 102 is at the rail road station and there are more in Capas:



Y285- 2006-08-23 On my walk I seen this Death March Km # 101 Marker. It is located across the street from the sugar mill. (All these images were shot on the 23 Aug 2006 not what is imprinted on the images, cant operate the menu on my camera anymore). Notice the waiting shelter is half buried by Mt. Pinatubo Lahars.



Y285a- Map of San Fernando



Y286- 2006-08-23 Death March Marker Km # 101, one of two plaques on this marker.



Y287- 2006-08-23 Death March Marker Km # 101, second of two plaques on this marker. All these images were shot on the 23 Aug 2006 not what is imprinted on the images, cant operate the menu on my camera anymore.



Y288- 2006-08-23 Death March Marker Km # 101, is located in front of sugar mill. This road leads from west to east into the center of San Fernando. The Pampanga Capitol Building is ahead and on the right. The Mt. Pinatubo Lahars have even reached this area and the road had to be built up and many old buildings sitting now in a higher level of ground water because of the Lahars and had to be abandoned.



Y289- 2006-08-23 Looking at the San Fernando Sugar Mill across the street from Death March Marker Km # 101. Notice the grounds of the sugar mill are low compared to the newly built-up road.



Y390- 2006-08-23 Looking back at the San Fernando Sugar Mill after having advanced a few meters.

Here is the URL for the thread: “WWII historic points in San Fernando, Pampanga”:
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/7/wwii-historic-points-fernando-pampanga?page=1&scrollTo=13544

The pictures of Death March Marker No. 101 came from this album “Killing Time in San Fernando“:
tinyurl.com/p9rfkxk

[Karl Welteke]

CAPAS RAILROAD STATION, DEATH MARCH LANDMARK.

Several times have I been able to visit this place and I established this album:
tinyurl.com/lxxwmr6

At one time US Veteran Organization put out money to preserve the station. I was told this by a Battling Bastard of Bataan member (BBB). I never been inside but some displays are offered and one can see them thru the windows. When a Marine friend and I visited the station in Dec. 2013 a man approached us and asked whether we would like to go inside because he had the key. We were on our way home and we declined. But should you visit it ask for a key keeper and you may find the person and can get inside. In this album are pictures from 2008 and Dec.2013; two older ones from others!

Here are some sample images:



Y401- This image came from this URL and the description said this:
www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Capas-Train-Station-Bataan-Prisoners-of-War

When the heavily loaded railcars arrived at Capas station, near the end of April 1942, surviving Filipino and American prisoners of war were forced to walk the rest of the way to Camp O'Donnell.
Not everyone had survived the rail journey from San Fernando to Capas because so many men had been jammed into each railcar. Some of the soldiers died in route.



Y402- 1970 This first image came from this URL:
www.navy-transmitter-facility-capas.com/Leroy%20Jones.htm
It is 1970 image when the NRTF helped a Boy Scout troop retrace parts of the Death March



Y403- A section of a 1:50000 map from the Capas and Camp O'Donnell area.



Y404- 2008-07-14 The Barangay Hall Sto. Domingo, Capas Town, in the distance next to Death March Marker #106 is the Capas Train Station.



Y405- 2008-07-14 Now standing next to the Death March Marker #106 and the Capas Train Station, we are looking back at the Barangay Hall Sto. Domingo, Capas Town, this is the street side of the station.



Y406- 2008-07-14 Death March Marker #106 next to the Capas Train Station.



Y407- 2008-07-14 Death March Marker #106 next to the Capas Train Station. It is sponsored by the Battling Bastards of Bataan.



Y408- Close-up. 2008-07-14 Death March Marker #106 next to the Capas Train Station. It is sponsored by the Battling Bastards of Bataan.



Y409- 2008-07-14. The Capas Train Station. The east side, the track side of the station, looking south.



Y410- 2013-12-17. The Capas Train Station. The east side, the track side of the station, looking south. % years later from the previous image and the false ceiling is falling.
When we looked at the station on this date, a man came and asked whether we would like to look inside. We declined because we were on our way home from visiting Camp O’Donnell. He said he was available for that and he had the key. So, anyone visiting should inquire for the attendant with the key if one desires to look inside.



Y411- 2013-12-17 The Capas Rail Road Station. Looking at it from the front or the street side.



Y412- 2013-12-17 The Capas Rail Road Station. West side, looking north.



Y413- 2013-12-17. Looking inside the locked up rail station from the track side. It has displays in it; I could see a machine gun and a mortar.
When we looked at the station on this date, a man came and asked whether we would like to look inside. We declined because we were on our way home from visiting Camp O’Donnell. He said he was available for that and he had the key. So, anyone visiting should inquire for the attendant with the key if one desires to look inside.



Y414- 2008-07-14. The Capas Rail Road Station. On the south end of the rail station building is this Memorial place.



Y415- 2008-07-14. The Death March Plaque at the Memorial place south of the Capas Railroad Station structure.