Corregidor Island: Battery Way

Corregidor Island in the Philippines is packed with artillery batteries used during World War II. One of the artillery batteries is Battery Way, named after Lt. Henry N Way of the 4th U.S. Artillery who died in service in the Philippines. It was constructed in 1904 and was completed 1914 at an estimated cost of $112,969.

Battery Way is a battery of 4 12-inch mortars of M1890 type and are mounted on M1896 Mortar Carriages. It could lob a 1,000 lb deck piercing shell or a 700 lb high explosive shell 8.3 miles (13.35 km) in any direction. The vertical plunging trajectory of these mortars was originally intended to be used for deck piercing purposes, but it was soon realized that the nature of the vertical trajectory made them ideal against enemy entrenchments on the higher ground in Bataan. This is because Corregidor is located southeast of Manila right on the entrance to Manila Bay.

Battery Way’s tactic was to load and lay two mortars at a time, and then to fire them as a salvo, giving them a ‘shotgun’ effect. These mortars were manned by a crew of fourteen and during World War II, Battery Way was part of the group of guns that kept on firing to the northeast, since its mortars were the only artillery on Corregidor capable of firing in any direction (360 degrees).

Battery Way Mortar

Battery Way continued firing all morning of May 6 1942, the day Corregidor surrender to the Japanese. It stopped firing only when the breech block of its last gun and froze at 11 a.m. warped by the heat due to constant firing. It was the last of Corregidor’s “concrete artillery” to cease fire before the surrender at 12 noon.

After the fall of Corregidor, Battery Way was manned by the Japanese and the guns were permanently damaged during the retaking of the island by the American and Filipino troops in 1945.

Ammunition Storage

Armand (Tour Guide) Showing an Old Coca Cola Bottle

At the bus

Batteries in Battery Way

Jim2x, Bouying, RC, Lisa in Battery Way

Showing some old coins

Close up of American Coins

Close-up of Philippine Coins

Lisa

Bouying

Ammo Loader

Major William Wild Bell Massello Jr

Mark and Lisa in Battery Way

Mark in Battery Way

Surroundings

In Battery Way

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.