Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday, May 14, 2007
Photography & Writing Weekend in Corregidor (Matt Jowett)
Corregidor 'the Rock', the 'Fortress of Freedom', shaped like a tadpole and charred from the tropical sun, Pinatubo's ashes and a war with few remaining witnesses. The island played an important role in World War II due to its strategic position in the mouth of Manila Bay. 
Quezon held temporary office here; the Allied forces its headquarters under General McArthur.
First stop Middleside Barracks - history rushes towards you. It's 1942 and the bombs are falling. The island suffered relentless bombardment from Japanese artillery on the Bataan Peninsular, less than three miles away. All that remains is pock-marked concrete walls where the shells fell.
Later, Topside Barracks, the largest barracks in the world holding 8,000 men at its height. The Hospital, bombed to pieces. Lumps of concrete hang from the ceiling. Is it safe in here? This piece has been hanging on a thread for over sixty years, but this could be the moment.......think of the moment the bomb fell. Did someone fall here?
The barracks and the hospital stand as monument to the heroics of men and women.
The air is filled with the laughter of daytrippers, hundreds every day, crawling over gun barrels, the deserted barrack and a redundant lighthouse. Packed into a tranvia as night falls. Fading laughter as the ferry to Manila calls.
Quezon held temporary office here; the Allied forces its headquarters under General McArthur.First stop Middleside Barracks - history rushes towards you. It's 1942 and the bombs are falling. The island suffered relentless bombardment from Japanese artillery on the Bataan Peninsular, less than three miles away. All that remains is pock-marked concrete walls where the shells fell.
Later, Topside Barracks, the largest barracks in the world holding 8,000 men at its height. The Hospital, bombed to pieces. Lumps of concrete hang from the ceiling. Is it safe in here? This piece has been hanging on a thread for over sixty years, but this could be the moment.......think of the moment the bomb fell. Did someone fall here?
The barracks and the hospital stand as monument to the heroics of men and women.
The air is filled with the laughter of daytrippers, hundreds every day, crawling over gun barrels, the deserted barrack and a redundant lighthouse. Packed into a tranvia as night falls. Fading laughter as the ferry to Manila calls.
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