Corregidor Islands - The devastations of WWII

"Mr Peacelover", that was the title I was accorded at my 12th standard farewell a few years back. My recent trip to Corregidor Islands, a few kms west of Manila, Philippines makes me think the title was deserved. I wasn't around in my current incarnation during any of the WorldWars but am sure that If I had been around, such mass destruction would have pained me more.

I like history, forts and monuments of the era bygone, So we (a colleague of mine and I) started out for Corregidor Island from Quezon City around 6:30 am, took a 90 minute ferry to reach the Island. The island is a beautiful piece of land, green and so full of history. It partially blocks the Manila bay and still holds significance for entry into Manila via sea. I did no research before heading for there and thought it had some Spanish/American/Filipino fort etc. I had no inkling of the carnage it would have seen more few decades ago.

The brief on WWII history in Philippines. During WWII the Philippines was under a state of Partial Self-government under U.S. supervision. US of A had a sizable presence on the islands and that was detrimental to the Japanese scheme of things during the WWII. The Japanese launched an offensive on Dec 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbour, Philippines, Malaysia etc to counter the US build-up

As part of this attack, the Imperial Japanese forces bombed the barracks, military installations on the Corregidor Island where the Filippino-American army was holding fort under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The bombed ruin of the barracks, officers mess, a theatre, a 1000 bed Hospital (inside the Manilta Tunnel) are the silent witness from the time of the war. Before leaving for Australia under US presidential orders , MacArthur said to this army "I Shall Return". And that he did, 3 years later launching a surprise attack close to the lighthouse on the island. The Island was reclaimed after a short battle. This marked an important chapter in the freedom of the Filipinos from the Japanese. Philippines was formally declared independent in 1946.

Though the Japanese Army was defeated but they did not surrender, they set-off explosives in the lateral tunnels of the Main one and perished. The tunnel is shaped like a fishbone (see pic). The destruction caused by the innermost lateral tunnels have not been removed till date and thus the Island has a story of being haunted

I was immensely moved by the sheer size of destruction during the WW at a localized point. And then there are current wars against killing of innocents. I couldn't quite see and appreciate any Heroism (save for struggle for independence) on warring sides during the war... could just see devastation.

In honor of every soldier who died and never returned, my head bows in silence.

Some pictures of the trip to the island and more..

Let there be no war
Pl let there be no war
Lets live and let others live in a truly Free world.