Corregidor’s Battery Hearn

Artillery batteries are scattered in every part of Corregidor Island. Among the major batteries such as Battery Way, Battery Geary and many others, Battery Hearn is the longest artillery battery in the island.

Battery Hearn is famous to Japanese tourists who remembered the banzai victory photos of their countrymen/troops when they conquered Corregidor. But the truth is, this particular battery along with Battery Crockett never played a vital role during the belligerency due to their position, which is facing towards South China Sea. During that time, they were expecting a naval assault that would come from the said direction but it never came. The Americans were able to use this gun to fire Japanese forces in Bataan.

Armed with a 12 inch mortars on a 360-degree rotating platform, Battery Hearn can fire a 454.5 kilogram shell to a range of 27 kilometers. Due to its flat trajectory because of its 35-degree firing elevation, Battery Hearn had a hard time inflicting serious damage to Japanese forces in the nearby island of Bataan.

Batter Hearn

The battery was formerly known as Smith No. 2 and was renamed in honor of the late Brigadier General Clint C. Hearn. Battery Hearn along with its twin, Battery Smith was built before the Washington Naval Treaty was signed in 1922. This treaty prohibits further expansion or fortification of naval bases in small island territories. It has been said that they spent $148,105.00 in assembling both batteries.

The battery was captured intact by the Japanese during the siege of Corregidor. As a war relic, the giant gun still looks amazing even up to this date.

6-months pregnant Lisa at Batter Hearn

Jim Ray, RC, Bouying, Lisa taking a rest

Angle adjustment

Battery Hearn from the Bus

Battery Hearn Marker

Below the big gun

Bullet

Front of Replacement Gun

Hideout and Storage Area

Inside the Hideout

Lisa (with my baby Sam) at the Bullet

More information about Battery Hearn

Spare Gun

Mark near the cannon

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.