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Map 80
Recapture
of Corregidor
16 - 28
February 1945
The invasion fleet heads
towards Corregidor...
and enters into San Jose Bay. Government
Ravine is bathed in smoke.
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Setting The Stage
That obscure piece of information which came to CT-34 on
February 1st � "Japs observed withdrawing from Bataan to
Corregidor via small boats" � had smouldered like the fuze of a
time bomb for a dozen days. On February 13th, it burst into
flaming significance.
The bombs had been dropped in hundreds. Air Reconnaissance had
flown mission after mission. Water-borne reconnaissance had
sailed to within yards of the shore. Informants had reported �
the enemy had been constantly observed. The moment had arrived
for the final plans, and the mission had been assigned.
On February 16th, at 1030 hours, BLT#3 � THIRD battalion, 34th
Infantry (Reinf) � would land on BLACK BEACH, at SAN JOSE,
CORREGIDOR ISLAND.
Field Order #1, issued from Headquarters BLT #3, APO 21, 13
February � is herewith quoted in part.
"BLT #3
3d Bn, 34th Inf w/Bn Med Sect.
Attchd: Co A. 34th Inf
3d Plat, Cn Co., 34th Inf
3d Plat, AT Co., 34th Inf
1/2 Mine Plat, AT Cc., 34th Inf
Det Serv Co., 34th Inf
Det Co C, 24th Med Bn.
3d Plat Co. B, 3d Engr
Det 503d Tk Co.
Det 174th Bomb Disposal Sqd
Det JASCO
Det XI Corps Sig Co.
Det 592d EB & SR (Comm)
18th PSH
552d ES & SR (Shore Party)(ASP)
a. Will: on D-plus-1"
�
(16 Feb)
�
"land on BLACK BEACH at H-plus-120," � (1030 hours) -
"(1) Secure IBH
(2) Seize and secure MALINTA HILL."
The
garrison on CORREGIDOR was reported by Guerrillas to be between
250 and 350 on December 17th, after that date, it was known that
the 3rd battalion, 22nd Field Artillery Regiment, less 1
battery, armed with 159mm guns and totalling approximately 500
men, had come to the Rock. This placed the minimum estimate of
enemy troops to oppose landings at 850. Prewar armament repaired
and put in fighting condition was reported to include two
12-inch guns, two 10-inch disappearing guns, two 3-inch mobile
anti-aircraft guns, and two 37mm split trail guns. So far as was
known, the only additional enemy-installed artillery on the
island were six 75mm guns. Guerrillas reported the Rock well
supplied with food and ammunition.
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