Corregidor

SIDE NOTE

 

19 February 1945

"Regimental Message Center Log"

 

 

 
19 February 1945

(Extract transcription includes errors)

DATE TO FROM MESSAGE

0001

 

 

It's been a rather quiet nite with only intermittent exchanges of fire.

0120

 

 

Terrific explosions rocked buildings, threw debris , set up smoke. Felt as tho it came from tunnel on MALINTA HILL. Reports came from Navy and our own Bns: beleived to be ammo dump inside one of the tunnels.

0500

 

 

Fire fight started vivnity of draw about 300 yds SW pf CP in D Co sector. Many casualties.

0600

 

 

Nips filtering thru the F Co lines; headed for CP.

0620

 

 

Grenades landing in 2d Bn Cp. Close in fight moderately heavy.

0645

 

 

Daylight and activity still on, but not increasing. Still firing into the CP; lookouts posted for banzai rushes into the building and dispensary.

0745

 

 

Activity ceased.

0800

CG XI Corp

LeVine

Daily strength report: 199 Off 3018 EM assigned; 166 & 2524 EM effectives; 9 KIA 56 WIA 3 MIA. Evacuation facilities poor; Accurate report not ready as yet.

0830

 

 

Results of last nite (early a.m.): About 200 Nips came up draw from the south, outflanking D Co. Several casualties.

0830

G-2 XI Corps

Donovan

Story on a.m. attack; Rock is network of caves and ti 3 CP's under attack.

0830

CG XI Corps

Clark

Very heavy underground explosion 090330. Vicinity (4: 39.75) Beleived suicide demolition of enemy arsenal. Our casualties: 3 KIA 22 WIA . ()  [Note: obviously date is 19.]

0900

 

 

Casualties pouring into the aid station; many very serious. Naval and Air Force doing some striking; not much other audible acrivity. Units are flushing the Nipd from hideouts of all sorts.

0915

CG XI Corps

Donovan

Report of explosion. 2200 enemy on island. Favor nig fighting. Navy and Marines. () [Note: our intelligence is wi in one third of the actual number defending the island, but that is a great improvement considering the initial intelligence was 850.

0930

 

 

Assaults by platoons & companies. I Company at breakwater point. 1000 - Enemy blew up ammo dump by H Co near Battery Point.

1230

CG XI Corps.

 

Gen Hall arrived to check operations.

1530

 

 

2 POW's have been captured. Good condition, well fed, Strong, the barstuds.

1655

 

 

2 truckloads of dead, 2 ambulances and jeep-ambulance turned back due to fire fight.

 

 

Jones   CO, Rock Force  
Britten   XO,Rock Force  
LeVine   Regimental S-1 Personnel
Donovan   Regimental S-2 Intelligence
Clark   Regimental S-3 Operations
Atkins   Regimental S-4 Supply
Rambo   Regimental Communications Officer
Postlethwaite   CO, 34th Inf.  
Woods   CO, 1st Bn  
Fleming   Medical Detachment  
 

 

FOOTNOTE