The RCT is alerted for a possible jump at Alicante Airfield, Negros Island in order to seize and secure the town of Saravia and link up with the 185th Infantry RCT.

There was little briefing in comparison to the Corregidor mission. From some of the staff and company commanders who had flown on aerial reconnaissance over northern Negros, we learned that Negros was much more modern and developed than the islands we had been on. It was in the very center of what was known as the "breadbasket" of the Philippine islands. The world's largest hardwood sawmill was located at Fabrica which was owned by the Insular  Family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, would be out intended target.

We begin preparation. We are to jump from C-46's. These planes have a door on each side and a capacity of thirty-six loaded paratroopers. Two sticks of eighteen men jump simultaneously, one stick out the right door and another stick out the left door.

We are not enthused about the right door. This is backwards to our training. The jump-masters drew for doors, and I drew the backwards door. We practice using a crude mock-up and a practice jump is intended

We drew chutes and got ready.

We did not know it but the Curtis C-46's had been nick-named "flying coffins" in Europe. They were used there for some parachute drops, and they tended to burst into flames when hit by ack-ack fire.

 , but the planes will not be available to us.  

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At 1730 hr, 28 March 45, 2d Bn officially alerted for mission

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1000 hr Bn C.O. held meeting of Bn Staff & Co CO, Sub. administrative instructiond for coming operation

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0800 hr - Training jumps made from C-46's using both doors for jumping. Very successful

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