Corregidor Island: Battery Way

Corregidor Island Battery Way Barracks

More than 2 months stayed already in Freeport Zone Subic Bay Region 3 in Central Luzon Region. Still, a few places that we would love to visit in our list from Region 1 up to the near Regions. One of the places that we already visited in our list is the Corregidor Island also known as tadpole which located in Calabarzon Region 5, this Island is full of history from Spaniards, Americans and even Japanese and became the eyewitness on how our Filipino heroes fought against this conqueror.

Corregidor Island Battery Way 4 12-Inch Guns

Aside from Spanish Light House, Mile Long Barracks, one of the historical spots in the Island of Corregidor that catch my attention also is the Battery Way. This battery way was constructed in 1904 and completed in 1914. They named this after the name of Lieutenant Henry Way of the 4th US Artillery who died in service in the Philippines in 1930. This Battery Way was protected by a depression in Corregidor’s terrain. This well-preserved fortification was relatively well-hidden from enemy bombs and artillery shells.

These 12-inch mortars could fire either 700-pound or 1000-pound shells and had a maximum range of slightly over 8 miles. Guns were fired two at a time by a fourteen-man team to achieve a devastating barrage against the approaching enemies. Battery Way was the last gun emplacement to stop firing. During World War II, Battery Way was part of the group of guns that kept on firing to the northeast, since its mortars were the only artillery on Corregidor capable of firing in any direction (360 degrees).

They said that these 4 12-inch mortars firing non-stop through the morning of May 6th, 1942, it only stopped as the heat finally took its toll on its machinery around 11 am. It was the last of Corregidor’s “concrete artillery” to cease fire before the surrender at 12 noon.

On 1945 Corregidor was fall to the hands of the Japanese and the Battery Way was manned by the Japanese.  The guns were permanently damaged during the retaking of the island by the American and Filipino troops.

Corregidor is now one of the Philippines’ premier national parks. Daytime tours are available from Manila (approximately one-hour ferry ride). The whole island is now maintained by the Corregidor Foundation Inc. Aside from the tours, trekking, hiking, and swimming have become a part of visitors’ activities.

This kind of historical place must-visits to young generations so that they will know the history of our beloved country.