"Rock Force: The American Paratroopers Who Took Back" Topic

…Corregidor and Exacted MacArthur's Revenge on Japan

"In late December 1941, General Douglas MacArthur, caught off guard by the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, is forced to retreat to Corregidor, a jagged, rocky island fortress at the mouth of Manila Bay. Months later, under orders from the president, the general is whisked away in the dark of night, leaving his troops to their fate. It is a bitter pill for a fiercely proud warrior who has always protected his men. He famously declares "I shall return," but the humiliation of Corregidor haunts him, even earning him the derisive nickname "Dugout Doug."

In early 1945, MacArthur returns to the Philippines, his eyes firmly fixed on Corregidor. To take back the island, he calls on the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, a highly trained veteran airborne unit. Their mission is to jump onto the island—hemmed in by sheer cliffs, pockmarked by bomb craters, bristling with deadly spiky broken tree trunks—and wrest it from some 6,700 Japanese defenders who await, fully armed and ready to fight to the death…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Yep a very interesting lesser known operation. The 1/503 & 2/503 were part of 3d Bde when I was in the 101. I was with 3/187. All these units were not part of the 101 in WWII. And operated in the PTO. The 187 did drops during the Korean War as well …

Read any account of the assault and wait to show some respect. It is years since I last read about this attack, but it struck me as very careless of young men's lives. Many landed short or beyond Corregidor, laden down with masses of kit and ammo. The result is death by drowning.

This was an isolated tiny island, totally cut off from any hope of resupply. Madness. Let it wither on the proverbial vine and the US soldiers sacrificed instead get home to live three scores years and ten.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

+ 1 deadhead

MacArthur was up for it as it was part of his story, damn that anyone died that did not have to. Re Battle of Manila for example, among other battles he screwed up for personal glory.

Glup!….

Amicalement
Armand