Parachute Regiment Retakes 'the Rock'

摘要

The island of Corregidor, referred to as "the Rock" by Americans, is located at the entrance of Manila Bay and has historically played an important role in the defense of the Philippines. This oddly shaped island stands almost 600 feet above the water at its highest point and stretches slightly more than 4 miles long. On Dec. 7,1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, it was an American fortress officially named Fort Mills. Ten hours after the bombing in Hawaii, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the Philippines, marching south with their sights set on Australia. Standing in their way were the American and Filipino soldiers defending Fort Mills. Two-and-a-half months into the battle, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered Gen. Douglas MacArthur to leave Corregidor.