Assault at Monkey Point PTO (id:#63687)

(Corregidor: The Rock ID: CtR-1)   [next]   [previous]

Bottomside, Corriegidor 1942-05-05 (2 others)

Overview:

The Japanese amphibious assault on the north shore of Corregidor began before midnight. It was rapidly becoming a major disaster. The landing boats and barges came under heavy fire from American guns on Corregidor and Fort Hughes on nearby Caballo Island. By the time the bulk of 1st Battalion had landed, most of the infantry companies had suffered 50 – 70% casualties. To make matters worse, 2nd Battalion was coming ashore on the wrong flank of 1st Battalion. To prevent the situation from devolving further, Colonel Sato, commander of the 61st Infantry Regiment, ordered all units to proceed to their objectives regardless of where they came ashore. 2nd Battalion would advance towards Kindley Airfield once they had completed unloading from their boats. Meanwhile, 1st Battalion would split into two forces with one heading west towards Malinta Hill and the other south across the “tail” of Corregidor towards Monkey Point. 1" Battalion's advance towards Monkey Point met with strong resistance from Marines stationed just inland from the beaches. When the 2nd Battalion finally moved towards Kindley Airfield, they came under intense fire from previously undisclosed batteries of American 75mm howitzers and 37mm AT guns located near North Point. To one American observer, the entire area lit up by tracers and explosions "looked like a Fourth of July display".

Defender: American (USMC) (Elements of Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment “China Marines”)  

Errata (source)