Bataan - Corregidor scrapbook · Rare Periodicals

Bataan - Corregidor scrapbook

Media

Part of Philippines

Title: Bataan - Corregidor scrapbook
Language: English
Source: Philippines 3 (2) April 9, 1943
Year: 1943
Subject: World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines--Personal narratives.; Bataan, Battle of, Philippines, 1942
Rights
Abstract: Personal anecdotes of some of the heroes and survivors during the Bataan-Corregidor Battle during World War II. How they fought against the Japanese soldiers. How hey suffered during the dark days and win back the liberation of the Philippines with the help of American government.
Fulltext: BATAAN~coRREG A message from General \\7 ainwright at Fort Mills just received at the \'i'ar Department states that the Japanese attack on B~ta.m peninsub succeeded in enveloping che east Jlank of our lines, in the position held by the Second Corps. An attack by the First Corps, ordered to relie\"e the situation, failed due ro complece physical exhaustion of the troops. Full derails are nor :wailable, but this situation indicates the probJbiliry chat the defenses on BatJJn have been over· come. -R".a.r Dept. Communique J.\.rimb~r 183, April 9, 1942. * * * The end for Bataan "·as, of course, inevitable. Knowing rhe men of Bataan as I know them, I am sure many of them died firmlr believing help was on rhe way. Many told me 1he;- had rather die than ro bring nurses and wounded to Corregidor. Ne\"er have I seen such brave men and women as in those last da)'s on Bataan. The)' were beaten, bur it was a light that ought ro make every American bow his head in tribute. At dawn April 9 the warer was still thick wirh boars bound for Corregidor and Japanese planes started bombing and machine-gunning them. Not a boar was lose, thanks to the deadly fire of anti-aircraft guns on Corregidor and machines guns on rhe boars. That morning Lieutenant General Jonathan M. Wainwright ordered the evacuation ro cease, because the whice flag was being taken forward and the truce consequently might be endangered and the hardships of the sick, hungry men on the peninsula increased. The greac fires and explosions thac I saw in the Philippines are still vivid in my be caprured. No"' the survh·ors can only hope for early American victory ro end their ordeal as prisoners. -Clark Lee, AP Correspond· Lest we forgetwhat happened what was said mind, bur I remember even more vividly the little flashes of light I saw on Bataan the night of April 9. after che surrender. ent, Melbourne, April 10, 1942. a year ago today. They came from soldiers hidden on the shore, and were from flashlights. They all repeated patiently, co Corregidor, five miles away: ... - - - ... (SOS) ... - - - ... - - - ... * * * The epic of Bataan Peninsula ended today with rhe Japanese vicrorious through the sheer overwhelming weight of hordes of fresh troops-and with most of the 36,853 American and Filipino soldiers slain or facing captivity. Cur off from reinforcements, outnumbered by .five, six, seven or even eight ro one, tragically deficient in air power and exhausted by short rations, disease and constant barde, a courageous band of . .fighting men was forced to a bitter but inevitable defeat. -AP di•palch, W1uhinglon, April 9, 1942. * * * The exhausted little army surrendered ro impossible odds on April 9. · American and Filipino fighters and the American nurses who srood by them to the end were overwhelmed after 15 days and 15 nights of ceaseless battle that climaxed 98 days in which they suffered the rorrures of helL They were pounded in those 15 days by thousands of fresh Jap shock troops, the pick of the Mikado's armies. They were hammered hour after hour by dive bombers and high-level bombers that blew an American .field hospital sky high, with more than 100 casualties. They were battered by massed ranks and artillery thar churned rhe defenders' foxholes. All these blows they withstood unJlinchingly. Then fever, hunger and fatigue cut away their strength. Even in the .final showdown, with more men killed by disease and malnutrition than by Jap hullers, many of the , remnants swam and rowed across the four-mile water gap 6 -Frank He••lell, UP dispatch.,, April 9, 21, '42. * * * Nurses and soldiers of Bataan, dazed with the shock of battle, sought rest and sleep today within che walls of Corregidor forcress, itself bartered by Japanese bombs. They came last night, brave refugees from the long battle that was gloriously Jose, swimming through shark-infested waters of the channel between Bataan and this Manila Bay fortress, or rowing pitifully small boats through bombs and vicious machine-gun blasts from enemy planes. During the night we looked across the channel coward Bataan and heard booming explosions and saw manycolored .fires as the defenders, in their last defiant action, destroyed munition dumps and fuel, and anything else that might be valuable ro the ever-pressing enemy. We on Corregidor had heard over shore-wave radio from · the United Scares of the fall of Bataan, after the defenders' gallant three-month stand. The soldiers of Corregidor, themselves veterans of scores of pounding Japanese bombing raids, wept unashamed at the announcer's words: "Bataan has fallen." Ir was rhe shore-wave broadcast of "The Voice of Freedom," from San Francisco. "Filipino and American troops of this war-ravaged, blood stained peninsula have laid down their arms," rhe announcer said. PHILIPPINES IDOR SCRAPBOOI( "With heads bloody but unbowed, they have yielded to the superior force and numbers of the enemy," the radio continued. "The world will long remember the epic struggle the Filipinos and Americans put up in the jungle fastness and along the rugged Bataan coast line. They have stood up without complaint under the constant and gruelling fire of the enemy for more than three months. "Besieged on land and blockaded from the sea, cut off from all sources of help, these intrepid fighters have borne all that human endurance could bear." We remained silent, listening, bur we also could hear the firing which we now knew as the end of the valiant fight on Bataan. "But what sustained them through all these months of incessant battle was a force more than physical," the voice said. · "It was the thought of their native land and all it holds most dear to them, the thought of freedom and dignity, and pride in these most priceless of all human prerogatives." -Dean Schedler, AP Correspondeul, Corregidor Fortress, April 9. * * * We have nothing but praise and admiration for the commanders and the men who have conducted the epic chapter in American history. This is only a temporary loss. We shall not stop until we drive the invaders from the islands. -Secretary of War Stimsot1, April 9, 1942. * * * The fall of Bataan is no easier to bear because we have known that it was only a question of how long the Filipino and American forces could hold our. . . . So they fought knowing that they themselves had no hope. This is the very heart of courage, transcending all other acts of which men are capable and the surest proof that man is more than his flesh, his blood, his bones, and his appe. ti res. On this proof as on a rock, that there is in all men a capacity to Jive and a willingness to die for things which they themselves can never hope to enjoy, there rests the whole of man's dignity, and the title to all his rights. Were man not the kind of creature who can pursue more than his own happiness, he would never have imagined his freedom, much less have sought it. -Walter Lippman, "Toda'Y and Tomorrow", April 9, 1942. * * * The Japanese, appraising the results of their efforts, must realize that if 9,000 Americans and 29,000 Filipinos, the greater part of the latter almost untrained, can hold up six times their number of Japanese troops, with complete air superiority, for ninety days, then Japan's prospects are not very bright for the day when Americans shall face them in far greater numbers with better equipment by land, sea and air. -Major George Fie/d;,,g Eliot, April 9, 1942. APRIL 9, 1943 The only surv1V1ng reputation for sincerity, reliability, or potential capacity to conquer is that of America. And that reputation is based not on Pearl Harbor, where we fought heroically-bur on the sustained success of our defense of the Philippines and the honesty of our pledge of independence to the Filipinos. It is obvious to all that the Filipinos believe in us and chat we have had in mind co justify their faith by fulfilling our promises and exemplifying our principles of freedom. We have nor abandoned the Philippines with the empty and meaningless assertion that we would return later and recapture them. We have stood our ground, fought a courageous fight, and maintained the only Occidental reputation in the Orient which is today worth a tinker's dam .... Wherefore we cannot afford under any circumstances co lose our fight in the Philippines, and with char our standing in the Orient. -Times-Herald, April 9, 1942. * * * The whole world of free men will join in paying tribute to the magnificent stand made by the .American and Filipino troops in the Philippine Islands. They have written a chapter of srubborn heroism which will never be forgotten. -London Mail, April 9, 1942. * * * The Bataan campaign was a defense that astonished the world. The Jong-drawn our resistance will rank with the defense of Malta, Tobruk and Sevastopol among the outstanding episodes of the war. -London News Chronicle, April 9, 1942. * * * One aspect of the fight on Bataan has nor received much attention, bur it may prove, in the long run, the most important phase of the struggle. It has made the business of throwing the Japanese our of the Philippines well worth while in the eyes of the common soldier. After all, the dead on that peninsula are presumably · more Filipinos than Americans. It was a great fight, one that will shine in military history; but the glory is not all ours. A large part of it belongs to the Lierle Brown Brothers, who acquitted himself so manfully that the American .inusr take off his hat co the Filipino. -Gerald W. Johnson, "Salt>age from Bataan", Baltimore Et>e· ning Sun, April IO, 1942. * * * The Bataan force went out as it would have wishedfighting to the end of its flickering, forlorn hope. No army has ever done so much with so little. Nothing became it more than its last hour of trial and agony. To the weeping mothers of its dead I only say that the sacrifice halo of Jesus of Nazareth has descended upon their sons and that God has taken them unto Himself. -General Douglas MacArthur, April 10, 1942. 7 't'he Spring advances. greet\ °"er tears and blood. The enemy r.11lies for his supreme, world-wide attack. The giant, democracy, like some force from the awakening e•mh, stirs and listens to Corregidor's guns. Once on his feet he will not sleep. he "·ill not rest, till he wins vicrorv. Bur there is not much time. ' On Bai.un the dead sleep quietly. Their monument will be "·Jut the living :ichie\'e bdore rhe yc.1r is our. The "·hole free e:mh. in the m1ble words of the old Greek, will be their sepulcher. -,\·, .•. l' ork Tim.:5 Editorial, April 10, 1942. Last Days of Corregidor Our flag still flies on the beleigue.red island fortress of Corregidor .... Bataan h.'IS fallen, bur Corregidor will carry on. On this mighty fortress-a pearl of great price on which the enemy has set his co,·etous eyes-the spirir of Bataan will continue to live. -Lt. G~. Jonotlrarr 1Yairrw·rigl11, April 11, 1942. * * * The enemy opened an intense artillery bombardment of our island forts from new positions in Ca\•ite and Bataan. Corregidor was severely shelled, while Fores Hughes and Drum also drew considerable fire. Our guns returned the fire, silencing at least rbree enem}' batteries and breaking up three truck and troop concentrations in Bataan. Five dive-bombing raids were made on Corregidor. In addition, enemy light bombers, operating at high altirudes, made several attacks on Corregidor and Fon Hughes. One Japanese bomber was hit by ou.r anti· aircraft anillery. -Army Communique, April 19, 1942. * * * People of Malta send their warm greetings 10 1he gallant defenders of Corregidor. They have watched with pro· found admiration the magnilicem lighr you have pur up which has been a great inspiration to us all. You are giving untold assistance ro the Allied cause. God grant you mar SOOD reap che f.ruiu of vicro.ry. -Gen. Sir William George Sh1llen Dobble, Gon>"nor of Malta, War Dept. Communique No. 206, April 26, 1942. * * * The officers and enlisted men on Corregidor deeply ap· predate the sentiments expressed in your message. In our efforts t0 contribute to the coromon cause of freedom for which the Philippine and Aroerican troops are now fight· ing, we are inspired and encouraged by the historic stand which has been made by the gallant defenders of Maira. With God's help, both our peoples shall soon join hands across the seas in celebraring the rerurn of freedom to the democratic nations of the world. -Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright, War Dept. Communique No. 206, April 26, 1942. * * * During rhe recent weeks, we have been following with growing admiration the day-by-day accounts of your heroic stand against the mounting inrensiry of bombardment by enemy planes and heavy siege guns. Io spire of all the handicaps of complete isolation, lack of food and ammunition, you have given the world a shin· 8 ing example of p•ltriotic fortitude and seli-s:1crifice. The American people ask no finer example of tcnaclC}', resourcefulness and steadfast courage. The calm determination of your personal leadership in a dcsperace situation sets a standard of duty for our soldiers throughout the world. In every camp and on e\•ery naval vessel, soldiers, sailors, :1nd marines are inspired by che gallant scruggle of cheir comrndes in the Philippines. The workmen in our shipyards and munitions plams redouble their efforts because of your example. You and your devoted followers have become 1hc living symbols of our war aims and the guar:tntee of viccory. -Frankli11 D. Roo5cvel1, M<1)1 5, 1942. * * * Philippine theater: ThC' War Department has received a message from Corccgidor advising that resistance of our troops has been overcome. Fighting has ceased, and terms are being arranged covering the capitulation of the island fores in Manila Bay. -SVar Dcp•rttmml Communique, 1HtJy 6, 1942. * * * The big guns of Corregidor now s~:ik no more. -Nn· York Hrrald "frib1mc, May 7, 1942. * * * Corregidor joins Bataan in the heart of America. -Daily Worker, May 7, 1942. * * * There will be no dismay ac the news of the fall of Cor· regidor; rather will there be a feeling of pride and admi· ration. The fact is, that a very small force of brave men hQs held the world's attention by an amazing stand ag•1ins1 the armed might of a foe greatly superior in manpower and machines. . . . The stand chere upset Japan's war strategy and gained precious time. Corregidor takes its place in world hiscory. We had our Tobruk. America. has its Corregidor. Standing to chat spirit of dauntless gallantry we cannot lose. Our heads are high; our hearts are noc heavy. We shall go on. -Australian Prime Mini•t<r Jolrn C11rtin, May 7, 1942. * * * The tributes all of us are paying the heroes of Corregidor make us feel better. But the words are not enough. It was their acts thac counced. Only our aas counc now--on che home fronc, on the production line, and in batde"Rernember Corregidor!" -Editorial, WttJliington Daily New•, May 7, 1942. * * * Corregidor needs no comment from me. It has sounded its own story at the mouth of its guns. It has scrolled its own epitaph on enemy tablets. But through the bloody haze of its last reverberating shot, I shall always seem to see a vision of grim, gaunc, ghastly men, still unafraid. --Generttl Doug/a• Maclfrtf1ar, May 7, 1942. Corregidor and Bmaan stand for reverse• that are but prel1ules lo vi.elory. -Coriell Hull, Mtty 7, 1942. PHILlPPINJIS
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