EVENTS DURING 18 FEBRUARY

On the morning of 18 February the 1st Battalion, which had gone into  a perimeter defense just north of San Jose Beach, started along the road loading to "Topside". Resistance was met and destroyed and  by 1200 hours had reached "Topside". With the three battalions now on "Topside", Colonel George M. Jones, Rock Force Commander, divided areas of responsibility as follows: 1st Battalion was given the south and southwest; 2d Battalion given the area west and north; 3d Battalion given area northeast and southeast. (See Map E)

The first of numerous explosions, to be experienced on the island, happened at 0130 19 February, while I Company was in perimeter defense and the explosion went off while the Company was over an underground arsenal. Casualties were inflicted upon both sides. I Company had three killed and nine wounded; evidently all the Japanese, who were in the cave like tunnel, were killed, as there was not any attack following the explosion. Later, I Company confirmed the fact that 23 Japanese had been killed.

EVENTS DURING 19 FEBRUARY

On 19 February, H Company was given the mission of knocking out a Japanese strong point, which was located in a deep ravine just south of North Dock. (See Map E) The Japanese had converted an old power and refrigerator plant into a formidable fortress. From this fortress, the enemy was able to command a view of the road leading from the beach to "Topside", deliver fire upon troops of 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry on top of MALINTA HILL and also deliver fire upon G Company troops. This point was reduced, by laying fire upon the gun ports, thus keeping the enemy occupied, while another force maneuvered around the flank and rear of the building. In this position, they managed to climb up on top of the objective and pour captured gasoline and oil down the ventilating shafts. With the destruction of this strong point, the road from the beach to "Topside" was now opened, which meant that our dead and wounded could be evacuated by the navy; and water could be brought up to the troops. (58) With the capture of this point, 2d Platoon of H Company received fire from a large cave. In the process of forming a maneuver, to reduce this position, the Japanese knowing all was lost, get off a powder magazine which killed one officer and three men and wounded five others. The bodies of the four men killed were never found.

G Company still maintained contact with 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry by having one platoon straddling the boundary between the two units.

EVENTS DURING 20 FEBRUARY

3d Platoon, Company I, was given the mission, on 20 February, of cleaning up a hazardous sector below where the explosion had taken place in the company's area the previous morning. This sector had been under heavy destroyer fire, but still the Japanese were lined along the steep cliffs, bringing fire upon the platoon as it advanced. A section, from the demolition platoon at regiment, had accompanied the rifle platoon. Under cover of the automatic fire from the 3d Platoon, the demolition crew advanced upon the caves. In destroying these caves, the following method was used: Two or three WP's (white phosphorus grenades), a three second burst from the flame thrower and a twenty pound dynamite satchel put the finishing touches on each cave by closing the entrance. In two days, the demolition platoon working with I Company, sealed as many as 49 caves! (59)

It was at this time, that one of I Company's patrols-discovered five large caves along-the waters edge, southeast of South Dock. Each cave possessed Japanese "Q", boats (suicide boats). There were a total of 19, and some of them were in excellent condition. (60) Within each cave were tracks, which when laid down to the water, would easily launch the boats. These boats were made of plywood and would have the space between the hull and the engine, rigged up for charges of dynamite. The object was to launch these boats from CORREGIDOR or surrounding shores, and have them ram into any naval ships which would present a point target. (61)

EVENTS DURING 21, 22, 23 FEBRUARY

The following three days were used by the battalion as a "mopping-up" phase. Patrols from all three line companies were working all day -- clearing out small pockets of enemy in the ever present caves.

The Rock Force Commander decided the resistance on the western end of the island had been sufficiently reduced, to permit the eastern portion of the island to be cleared of all enemy. The plan was to let the 2d Battalion remain on "Topside" and continue "mopping-up" and to have the 1st and 3d Battalions attack the eastern end of the island. Because of the narrowness of this portion of the island, it was decided to have the battalions attack in column.

EVENTS DURING 24 FEBRUARY

Early on the morning of 24th February, the two battalions, with the 1st leading, passed through the lines of 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry. Artillery began supporting the drive from their positions on the parade ground. If point targets presented themselves, is such a manner, that it was impossible for the artillery to fire upon -- the ever present navy, off shore 800 to 1000 yards, would support the ground attack.

By 1600 hours, 24 February, 1st Battalion had established  their line, generally running from Infantry Point to Camp Point. The 3d Battalion, who had been "mopping-up" behind the 1st Battalion, was to their rear about 500 yards. H, I and G Companies were, in that order, across the western part of the "Tail" and all tying in, to form a perimeter defense for the night. During the day, numerous enemy were killed in their caves, which were on the waters edge, between Malinta Hill and Camp Point on the south side and between Malinta Hill and Infantry Point on the north side. (See Map F) Only enemy action in the 3d Battalion area were a few Japanese trying to infiltrate the perimeter; also, below the cliffs in the north sector, one could hear the enemy 'jabbering' away. They were endeavoring to build rafts, in order to escape from the island and over to Bataan; however, the navy were patrolling the waters and the following morning, the navy and the air corps killed many in the water who would not surrender. It is not known whether any enemy ever escaped the island. (62)

EVENTS BETWEEN 25, 26, 27 FEBRUARY

By 25 February, 1st Battalion had advanced approximately 800 yards and established their line generally from Cavalry Point to Monkey Point. (See Map F) Just north of Monkey Point was an underground network of tunnels, and it was here that they had met strong resistance on 26 February -- mainly from automatic fire. 1st Battalion pushed forward and drove the enemy underground. Immediately, a perimeter was thrown around the entire Monkey Hill knoll covering all entrances. The Japanese, knowing they couldn't escape, set off an underground arsenal � which was right under the entire 1st Battalion. In the explosion, 1st Battalion suffered 196 casualties � of these 54 were killed. (63)

The 3d Battalion, which had been following closely the 1st immediately, pushed through the 1st lines, and pressed the attack against the enemy in vicinity of KINDLEY airfield, which was cleared of mines before the day ended. On 27 February*, G Company was given the mission of clearing the area north of the airfield, down to the waters edge and back towards Cavalry Point; H Company had the mission to clear area south of the airfield, down to the waters edge and back towards Monkey Point; I Company's mission was to continue east and clear the enemy from the "Tail" of the island. (See Map F) I Company followed the high ridge line, which ran the length of the "Tail". In doing this, they had to follow the only trail, consequently, a few casualties were received; however, driving the enemy from the high ground to their caves along the waters edge on both sides of the island; It was decided to split a platoon and send half down the south shore and half down the north shore. As the platoon proceeded east, Japanese soldiers were killed in caves, which bordered the waters edge. Out from East Point is a little island known as Hooker Point. A group of the enemy had gone over to this island at low tide. (See Map F) The 1st Platoon, upon reaching the tip of the island, awaited for low tide, crossed to Hooker Point and destroyed the last of the enemy resistance on east part of CORREGIDOR!

EVENTS DURING 28 FEBRUARY � 2 MARCH

During the period 28 February to 2 March -- "mopping-up" operations continued over the entire island. 2 March, Colonel George M. Jones met General MacArthur and party, at South Dock, and escorted  them to "Topside". Outside of  the necessary precautions being taken for security, majority of the troopers were present in formation when the General ordered the flag to be raised. This was a fitting climax, to a well coordinated assault by all arms, which began 16 February and ended 2 March.