American Invasion Beach San Jose Point Corregidor ("Black Beach")

The 34th Infantry Regiment landed here on 16 February 1945. The invasion force consisted of 3rd Battalion (plus "A" Company), Cannon Company, and a Company of light tanks.

They had left Olongapo and Subic Bay on three LST's and sailed to Mariveles the day before. At 8 a.m. on the 16th, the invasion force loaded troops and equipment on LCM's. Each landing craft had a vehicle on board.

Prior to the seaborne invasion, the island of Corregidor was bombed by B-24's with 500 lb. bombs, after which the airborne force was dropped from C-47s at 8:30 AM.

The first wave, consisting of "K" and "L" Company commenced at 10.28 AM. They were tasked in pressing forward and taking the Malinta Hill. The second wave ("I" Company) followed and was tasked with securing the North Dock area. The third wave ("A" Company) was tasked with securing the landing beach.

The Japanese defenders responded by firing machine guns from caves on both flanks. Several gun boats and a destroyer were able to suppress the Japanese fire for a while. Most of the Japanese defence positions around the beach were silenced roughly 60 minutes after the initial landing. The presence of land mines resulted in a delay of operation. The invasion force also sustained losses in men and equipment due to these landmines during that day.

During the night, two Japanese suicide bombers slipped through the lines and attacked a water treatment plant (used to convert seawater to drinking water) and a vehicle loaded with demolitions. The first was successfully destroyer, while the latter was only damaged.

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Source

• Text: Kaj Metz
• Photos: IJVelas (1), U.S. Army (2), Wikimedia Commons (3)
• 34th Infantry Regiment on Corregidor