Fort Frank

Fort Frank, named in honor of Brigadier General Royal T. Frank, was completed in 1913. Its original armament consisted of two 14-inch (356 mm) M1910 guns on a disappearing carriage, eight 12-inch (305 mm) mortars, two 3-inch (76 mm) seacoast guns on pedestal mount. Fort Frank was re-armed with four Panama mounts for 155 mm (6.1 in) mobile guns ca. 1940. By 1941, four extra 3-inch (76 mm) AA guns and three 75 mm (2.95 in) field guns were also added to the fort's armament.

It garrisoned men of the 91st Coast Artillery, 92nd Coast Artillery and 60th Coast Artillery (AA).

Fort Frank heavily engaged Japanese forces during the Second World War. The Japanese began bombarding Fort Drum and Fort Frank on 6 February 1942. On 20 March 1942, thirty-four soldiers were killed by Japanese artillery when a round ricocheted into a tunnel at Battery Crofton.

Fort Frank, along with all other US forces in the Philippines, surrendered on 6 May 1942.

It was bombed with 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs and napalm in preparation for its recapture in April 1945. On 16 April 1945 the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment and Co. C, 113th Engineer Battalion landed on Fort Frank to find that the Japanese had successfully evacuated the island.

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Source

• Text: Kaj Metz
• Photos: Wikimedia Commons