.
The 785 men of the reinforced 2d Battalion, 61st Infantry
were not so successful. The Japanese planners had not reckoned with
the strong current in the channel between Bataan and Corregidor and
the battalion landed east of North Point where all defensive
positions were still intact. The craft also hit the Corregidor beach
10 minutes after the 1st Battalion, and the Marines were
ready and alert for the attack. The Japanese came under heavy fire
for the next 35 minutes, losing eight of 10 landing craft on the
shore and one more sinking after pulling off the beach.
Private First Class Roy E.
Hays manned a .30-caliber machine gun nestled in the cliffs
overlooking the beach area at Hooker Point. He could see the barges
approach his position, but was ordered to hold fire until the
landing craft came closer. Hays decided, "We're not waiting any
longer," and opened a devastating fire at point blank range. This
was instantly followed by accompanying fires from all the weapons
positions along the beach.
The
Japanese who did get ashore were crowded in most cases on beaches
that were only 30 feet wide backed by 30-foot-high cliffs. Most of
the officers were killed early in the landing, and the huddled
survivors were hit with hand grenades, and machine gun and rifle
fire.
Photo:
William C. Koch Papers,
Personal Papers Collection, MCHC |