Battery Way
Encyclopedia
Battery Way, named after Lt. Henry N Way of the 4th U.S. Artillery, is a battery of four 12-inch mortars on the Island of Corregidor
. This was the only single-pit battery built as part of the expansion of the U.S. Coast Artillery, and was constructed during the period 1904-1910. Its four mortars were M1890 tubes on M1896 carriages.
Unlike the mortar batteries in the continental U.S., Btty Way fired against the enemy during World War II. Corregidor Island is located to southeast of Manila
, right on the entrance to Manila Bay. Btty Way's mortars were fired by the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) against Japanese positions on nearby Bataan
and during the invasion of Corregidor Island. During the early months of 1942, 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). The Japanese were aware of the larger coastal guns in the island, but those 16-inch guns could swing only 180 degrees, and facing the west, they was incapable of firing to the northeast. The Japanese knew of Corregidor's powerful 16-inch seacoast guns so they avoided a direct invasion on Manila by passing through Manila Bay. Instead, they landed on parts of Northern Luzon
and slowly made their way south towards Manila.
These mortars were manned by a crew of fourteen. Firing sequence was done to two of the mortars at a time to achieve a salvo effect. The battery was manned by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor in 1942. The guns were permanently damaged during the retaking of Corregidor by the American and Filipino troops in 1945.
Corregidor is now one of the Philippines' premiere national parks. Daytime and overnight tours are available. It is approximately an hour of ferry ride from Manila. The whole island is now maintained by the Cavite Foundation Institute (CFI) of Cavite, Philippines, and the Department of Tourism. Aside from the tours, trekking, hiking, and swimming has become a part of visitors' activities.
Battle of Corregidor
Corregidor Island
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
. This was the only single-pit battery built as part of the expansion of the U.S. Coast Artillery, and was constructed during the period 1904-1910. Its four mortars were M1890 tubes on M1896 carriages.
Unlike the mortar batteries in the continental U.S., Btty Way fired against the enemy during World War II. Corregidor Island is located to southeast of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, right on the entrance to Manila Bay. Btty Way's mortars were fired by the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) against Japanese positions on nearby Bataan
Bataan
Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
and during the invasion of Corregidor Island. During the early months of 1942, 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). The Japanese were aware of the larger coastal guns in the island, but those 16-inch guns could swing only 180 degrees, and facing the west, they was incapable of firing to the northeast. The Japanese knew of Corregidor's powerful 16-inch seacoast guns so they avoided a direct invasion on Manila by passing through Manila Bay. Instead, they landed on parts of Northern Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
and slowly made their way south towards Manila.
These mortars were manned by a crew of fourteen. Firing sequence was done to two of the mortars at a time to achieve a salvo effect. The battery was manned by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor in 1942. The guns were permanently damaged during the retaking of Corregidor by the American and Filipino troops in 1945.
Corregidor is now one of the Philippines' premiere national parks. Daytime and overnight tours are available. It is approximately an hour of ferry ride from Manila. The whole island is now maintained by the Cavite Foundation Institute (CFI) of Cavite, Philippines, and the Department of Tourism. Aside from the tours, trekking, hiking, and swimming has become a part of visitors' activities.
Trivia
- In an Episode of StrangebrewStrangebrewStrangebrew is a reality situational comedy television show in the Philippines which formerly aired by UNTV Channel 37, National Broadcasting Network, and on Studio 23.-History and Concept:...
, Tado and Erning are looking for some battery for Tado's Flashlight when a ghost appeared to them and told them to go to CorregidorCorregidorCorregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
were there are many batteries (Which was actually the Battery Way).
External links
External links
Btty Way during WW2Battle of Corregidor
Battle of Corregidor
The Battle for Corregidor was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines. The fall of Bataan on 9 April 1942 ended all organized opposition by the U.S...
Corregidor Island
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...