American Defenses of Corregidor and Manila Bay 1898-1945 by Mark Berhow

Author:Mark Berhow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: American Defenses of Corregidor and Manila Bay 1898–1945
ISBN: 9781782004356
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

The American assault on Corregidor

The American assault on Corregidor was by an airdrop by the 503d Parachute Regiment supported by an amphibious assault by a reinforced battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment from Mariveles. Since January 22, the islands had been routinely bombarded by Allied air forces. The air bombardment was stepped up in February, augmented by naval bombardment from the cruisers and destroyers of Task Group 77.3. The 503d were on Mindoro Island the morning of February 16. The only area large enough and level enough to act as a target for the drop was the parade ground area of Topside. It was hoped that the Japanese garrison (underestimated by the Americans at only about 800 men) would not expect the airborne attack and they would be caught by surprise. The first paratroopers were on the ground by 0830, and met only sporadic rifle and machine-gun fire, as only a few Japanese were in position to resist the landing. They were quickly driven off, and the landing area was consolidated by 1000. Their mission was to secure Topside in preparation for the second lift of paratroopers and provide fire support for the amphibious landing. The first wave was able to accomplish this, but they also sustained numerous injuries and a number of paratroopers did not land on the Topside landing zone.

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