During the Battle of Corregidor, Malinta Tunnel served as the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur and was also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government under President Manuel Quezon (you've seen him before here) and Vice President Sergio Osmeña. Today, the main tunnel is the venue of an audio-visual show about the siege of Corregidor. With a script written by National Artist for Theater and Film Lamberto Avellana and sculptures made by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, the show is a must-see for WWII history buffs and for anyone who would like to understand what so many men and women had to endure for our freedom. (Please pardon the fuzzy picture. It was the best I could do in the darkness without using a flash.)
The main tunnel had 24 side tunnels branching from it. Much narrower and lower than the main tunnel, it was actually these laterals that served as storage areas and headquarters. Some of them led to other entrances, and two of the tunnels led to their own tunnel complexes. One of these was the underground hospital which had 1,000 beds. The main tunnel was restored for the lights-and-sounds show, but many of the smaller tunnels collapsed during WWII and remain that way.
Back outside, the island is also riddled with tiny tunnels and caves. I forgot to ask the guide if these were connected to the Malinta Tunnel complex, but he said that they were used by both American and Japanese snipers.
CORREGIDOR ISLAND SERIES #3 OF 7
29 comments:
Interesting stories about this historical place. Thanks for doing the series.
Great post for today...
I remember scenes shot in these tunnels, but they were obviously staged in Hollywood. It is impressive how well are kept these historical places.
Said without any malice, do Japanese tourists visit the places as well?
This is very interesting. I can't imagine what it must of been like in those days. Thanks for the information and photos.
This is so interesting Hilda! The picture of the inside of the tunnel looks so eerie!
la photo dans le tunnel est superbe, avec cette lumiere et puis magnifique paysage sur le dernière photo
the picture in the tunnel is superb, with light and then this beautiful landscape on the last photo
I've been here in your blog before. :) I enjoyed your photos about our country. :) You're a good photographer, really good.
Great post Hilda!
Your picture inside the tunel is perfect!
Léia
This is an interesting series! Thanks for showing it.
I've always been meaning to go to Corregidor Island.. maybe someday :-)
excellent history
That last photo is spectacular, Hilda.
Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come back tomorrow!
joy
A Pinay In EnglandYour Love CoachI, Woman
A fascinating read and very interesting photos. And a big hospital!
Thanks for sharing photos and history.
The history is really fascinating. Underground life is strangely interesting to me. I've visited the (tourist section) catacombs in Paris and part of the sewers. I'd love to take a look around these tunnels.
Nice pictures too!
Looks a bit dark and scary to me!
Thanks again for sharing information on those tunnels that had such a great part in the fall of Corregidor during WWII. Wish that I could see them for myself, but that's not possible. I'll just bet that if those walls could talk, they would have so much to say. These and other places in your Country I would have liked to see while I was there. However, the US Navy and Vietnam had other plans. My stay in Subic Bay was just too short. It's something that I will never see again, but still exist in my memory.
My husband and son are military science and history buffs. DH loved seeing these pics and so did I. I've heard of Corregidor all my life, to see it in photos is something, to see it in person must be indescribable. Thanks, Hilda, another great essay.
I've seen photos of the tunnel in movies and in WWII books, but yours are the best and I think show something of the difficulties these people faced awaiting their fate.
By the way, is there a general consensus re: Gen. MacArthur in the Philippines?
I visited Corregidor many times as a child (in the 70's), and what I remember the most is how creepy it was down in the tunnels! I was sure they were haunted!
"Louis" is delighted to read your Corregidor posts!
Please send "Louis" your current e-mail - the one he has for you isn't working...
Je ne connaissais pas du tout cette histoire de l'île Corregidor ! Très intéressant ! Et comme tu dis, beaucoup d'hommes ont souffert pour notre liberté!
Merci de tes visites régulières sur mon blog !
What an interesting part of history. You are bringing so much about your country to the rest of the world!!!
Hi Hilda, your post is so informative and interesting. Your photos are great too. I don't know where you find the time to do it all but I sure do enjoy your blog! Thanks for your visit:D
Great series on Corregidor.
What a fascinating piece of historical facts and great shots to go with it.
WWII certainly has left its mark in many places.
Thanks for sharing this historical post.
having with you a historical book will definitely make this place very interesting. good and bad memories will still make us appreciate our heritage.
never been there.
One of the places I have always wanted to visit. Thanks for the pictures!
The tunnel is one of the sites I want to visit. this had a historical moment before.Cagayan de Oro philippines
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