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Battle-Seared CorregidorfTourist Attraction TodayBy TOM ESCODACORREGIDOR ISLAND. Philip-(Apt — Sunday visitorssplash in the surf, sun themselves on the beach or fish from theshcll-scarred docks on this tadpole-shaped island guarding Manila Bay.Elsewhere on Corregidor all isquiet. The jungle has grown back over tunnels and gun emplacements in the hills. Often the only sign of life is an occasional snake slithering through the tall grass. A newly built tourist lodge sitsOn the hill called “Topside,” Scrawled in charcoal on one wall MacArthur’s old command post is this message from an unknown still stands, an empty shell gutted soldier; by Japanese artillery fire. “Never say die.”★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★kon a rise a half mile from the spot where Japanese troops swept ashore in May, 1942, to stamp out the last spark of Allied resistance 111 Southeast Asia.Before that, Corregidor and Bataan Peninsula, aero.-* the bay to the north, were the only allied out-posts left in the wake of the Japanese juggernaut.The ragtag army of 12.000 Americans and Filipinos on Cor* regidor had already beaten back one major onslaught and were fighting on despite the rain of bombs and shells that spattered the island daily.For a time the Free Philippine government ruled from gloomy Malinta tunnel and its network of laterals dug out of Corrcgidor’s bedrock, and from here a lonely “Voice of Freedom’' broadcast each day.But by April, Bataan — with Corregidor, the key o Gen. Doug*la** MacArthur's defense of the Philippines — had fallen. Ammunition for Corrcgidor’s big guns had run out. So had food and medicine.The hospital wards inside Malinta were crammed with sick and wlt; unded, many of whom were todie later during the Death March to concentration camps on Luzon.The Philippine government, with Gen. MacArthur and his staff, escaped to AustraliaTlx- big Japanese push finally came, and this time there was little to stop it.It ended on May 6 when Gen.Jonathan Wainwrighl surrendered. The Voice of Freedom ’ wont off the air and the big Rock fed si-itti-1I 11 H |l (H JJ .. . I I |A SHOW PLACE TODAY: Tourists inspect IMitph American mortars rusted in their last firing position—toward Bataan.mm,toVitrviiparrwcs-GThe silence today is more humdrum. punctuated by the laughterof tourists who cofne over on the Sunday excursion boats They are shown around by the only soldiers left on Corregidor — a handful of Philippine marines on routine security duty.The island is technically a memorial ground, but only a few tablets and markers have been erected. Few’ are needed.The site of the Japanese landing is clearly marked by trees and shrubbery, team fcgr !,hrgpoel*which haven't bloomed since.The 23 batteries still Its vs their 22-Inch coastal guns and mortars* with rusted barrels in tha sameposition as when they were lastfired. ,A third of Malinta tunnel’s 825-foot length has caved in, butthere’s room enough for sightseers and a sign that reads, “Head* quarters. United flutes Forces m the Philippines.**tirntiapd»s1)VdValt;Ct1I«fiiv. JU - * .
Newspaper Details
Dover Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio, US
Thu, Dec 03, 1959
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
University O.
NM, USA 07 Aug 2018
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