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The Siege of Corregidor – Episode 618

Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast

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This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall Take a look at the Siege of Corregidor. One of the main linchpins and the American planned defense of Manila, Corregidor was built to be an impregnable fortress that guarded the coast of Luzon from all attackers. While that plan may have been effective in the early part of the twentieth century, by 1942, Corregidor surrounded by Japanese captured territory and lacking in modern weapons, was obsolete. Beginning in December 1941 and stretching all the way until the beginning of May 1942, the “Rock” as it was called, was under almost constant aerial bombardment and harassment from Japanese artillery on Luzon. Life for the Americans on the island was anything but rosy as the inhabitants and defenders faced an almost constant attack from the Japanese. The guys take a look at the island's defenses, its infrastructure, its planned defense, and of course the siege of the island that began in 1941. This week's episode covers everything until the very first Japanese boots hit the shore.

ATTN!! Make sure and preorder Seth and Bill's book, The Killing Sea: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal that Turned the Tide of the Pacific War. It publishes in May 2027, and you can preorder your copy now:

https://static.macmillan.com/static/s...

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20 Comments

@susanedge9392 2 days ago

It is difficult to put a thumbs up after such accounts, BUT I salute and commend you both for so diligently discussing this history. Thanks for allowing others to hear your conversation!

@robert506007 2 days ago

And Happy Belated Birthday Seth!!!

@devfaulk 2 days ago

Thank you guys; tough subject matter.

@m.r.donovan8743 2 days ago

You laughed about this story being "uplifting", but to me it is. This episode in the history of the United States military may not have ended in victory, but it is a fact that it was a triumph of the human spirit and extremely admirable that those people endured for as long as they did. Thanks for keeping history alive Gentlemen!

@KeithMoore-y9r 2 days ago

Excellent as always. Great detail! THANKS guys!!

@benjaminrogoff4195 2 days ago

I'm totally down for episodes covering the entire history of the Philippines during the war. The most I ever got about the Philippines growing up was the Japanese invaded and some time later MacArthur swam from Australia and waded ashore while pulling landing craft onto the beach by hand.

@joshh8245 2 days ago

I like watching these episodes that Seth does from home. It's entertaining watching his cat walk back and forth making cameo appearances in the background.

@gustaloni3107 2 days ago

I learn new information every episode. Thanks heaps guys. Cheers from Aussie

@raulravelo-j2m 2 days ago

Just finished the 1942 book. It was really good. I pre-ordered Seth's book on Audible yesterday. Can't wait to get it. I was a bit surprised when they have me a May 27 date thu. I was expecting it a bit sooner.

@peabody2884 2 days ago

I'm taking a shot of Buffalo Trace every time your cat walks by.

@elliemcfadden5511 2 days ago

Excellent narration of early WWII two history.

@montescott59 2 days ago

I toured Corregidor in December 1990 when my ship was on its way to Desert Storm. At that time the island was still mostly undeveloped. Inside the Malinta tunnels everything appeared to be largely left as it was when the war ended. The tour guide pointed out a wooden desk which he claimed had been used by MacArthur. It appeared that most of the space had been occupied by the hospital. The guide called the offshoot tunnels "obliques" and there were several of them which were collapsed and off limits because they were thought to still contain the remains of dead Japanese, killed when US forces retook the island.

@danbuckley4126 2 days ago

The one I was waiting for.

@terrylawrence7498 2 days ago

Great stuff. Thank u both, info fest, go big E

@SgtHack802 2 days ago

Another Great Show!!!!

@charlescabbage2957 2 days ago

The trolley ran all across the island from tip to tail. For municipal purposes and it was also how the big gun batteries were built and how ammo was moved up there. Basically, everything had its own aux generator from searchlights up. Most electrical service was underground, but it did suffer. Malinta had its own large generator for the hospital. The 'Navy' tunnel from Malinta led to a sizable subcomplex with at least 2 exits to the south. The powerplant was also located where it was because the coaling beds were right there at the base of the north dock originally. It was pretty well protected. 10 feet or so of reinforced concrete and another 15-30 of soil. When the heavy fire from Bataan got started up it was characterized as 'drumfire' at the end. It wasn't 'one of those rounds came in' at Battery Geary. That center magazine was obvious and the Japanese pounded it down. Cracks were visible on the exposed faces and they were removing ammo when not under fire. Thanks Guys!

@anthonycorona9435 2 days ago

I’ve been doing some reading about Ulysses Grant and I have to say, the worst kind of warfare might be a siege. Absolutely brutal

@7scientist 1 day ago

Just finished Jon's 1942 and I have to comment that it is a great complement and context for the podcast. Combines the big picture with a tight narrative on which the detailed pod account of the pacific theater somehow becomes even more lively. The operational emphasis makes sense of the big strategic issues, but there's no shortage of crackling action. A brisk read despite the length. Get this book!

@johnjackson4322 2 days ago

Even under the very worst of conditions it never fails to astound that people continue to write and share with us their personal horrors and, occasional, triumphs. Furthur the sheer quality of composition, pacing and vocabulary is worthy of the finest prose composed on a peaceful, sunny beach.