Corregidor (120.589E 14.390N) was one of the most strategically important fortresses in the Southwest Pacific, commanding the entrance to Manila Bay. It was deeply dug in with powerful coastal artillery, and Fort Drum, built on a nearby islet, was a concrete behemoth boasting 14” guns. These defenses were manned by 59, 60, 91, and 92 Coast Artillery Regiments. However, Corregidor was vulnerable to artillery barrage from the tip of the nearby Bataan Peninsula, so that it could not hold out long if Bataan fell.
During the first Philippine Campaign, the American forces were forced to retreat into the Bataan Peninsula to make a last-ditch stand against the Japanese. MacArthur established his headquarters at Corregidor and placed Wainright in command on Bataan. Corregidor was defended by 4 Marine Regiment, which had been evacuated to the Philippines from China shortly before hostilities broke out. When MacArthur was ordered to escape to Australia, on 11 March 1942, Wainright shifts his headquarters to Corregidor, leaving King in immediate command on Bataan.
King's line collapsed on 6 April 1942 and he felt compelled to surrender his forces two days later. The Japanese immediately began moving heavy artillery to the southern tip of Bataan Peninsula, and began systematically reducing the gun emplacements on Corregidor. The first Japanese battalion landed on 5 May and encountered fierce resistance from the Marines. However, the Japanese managed to bring several light tanks ashore, and the Marines had no antitank weapons to speak of. Wainright surrendered the next day, as the Japanese were closing in on Malinta Tunnel with its underground hospitals.
By February 1945 the Japanese garrison on Corregidor numbered 6,000
men and additional field works had been constructed. The island was
assaulted by 503 Parachute
Infantry Regiment and an amphibious force drawn from 34 Infantry
Regiment. It took several days to reduce the island fortress. Virtually
the entire Japanese garrison was killed, many of them sealed up in
Malinta Tunnel. American causualties were 223 dead and 1,107 wounded,
which was nearly a third of the attacking force.
References
CorregidorIsland.com (accessed 2008-2-14)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia (c) 2007-2008 by Kent G. Budge. Index