its rocky landscape and the
fortifications of Fort Mills, Corregidor Island is also known as "The
Rock". Corregidor is 6 kilometers long and about 2.4 kilometers at its
widest point. Its bulbous head, which points toward the South China Sea rises
prominently to a large flat area called the Topside. This was the nerve center
of the island during WWII and here were located the headquarters, barracks for
enlisted personnel, officers' quarters, the traditional parade grounds,
underground ordnance shops and the bulk of batteries that constituted the
military strength of Corregidor. A small plateau that interrupts the upward
slope from Bottomside to Topside is the Middleside and was the location of
barracks for the enlisted men, a hospital, quarters for non-commissioned
officers, a service club, and 2 schoolhouses. The Bottomside is the lower part
of the island and is the neck that connects the head and the tail of the island
and east of it is where the Malinta Tunnel can be found. The Malinta Tunnel,
which is the last stronghold of the joint Philippine and American Military
forces, is now home to a Light & Sound presentation by national artist
Lamberto V. Avellana of the events that took place on the island during WWII. There
were 23 batteries installed in Corregidor, consisting of 56 coastal guns and
mortars. In addition, Corregidor had 13 anti-aircraft artillery batteries, 76
guns (28 3-inch and 48 50-caliber), and 10 60-inch Sperry searchlights. The
longest range coastal pieces were the 2 12-inch (305 mm) guns of Batteries
Hearn & Smith
