[Back][Next] The five soldiers and one Marine had been made prisoners of war following the fall of Bataan and Corregedor in May 1942. They were confined to a prisoner of war camp near Manila and later transferred with a group of 300 to Puerta Princessa, Palawan 1943. Later, 150 of these men were transferred to another prison camp leaving 150 Americans at Puerto Princessa who were employed in building roads and airstrips in that vicinity. Early in December 1944, our bombers began to range over Palawan, bombing the airstrip and installations in the vicinity of Puerto Princessa. The prisoners reported that the Japs had mortal fear of our four engine bombers and following each strike, the prisoners received more abuse than before. The aged Patriarch, Mr. Louden, had been a prisoner of war of the Japs but eventually escaped to the Guerilla Headquarters in the mountains West of Puerto Princessa. On the 14th of December 1944, the Japs called an air alert and herded all prisoners into protecting trenches. During the suppose alert, trucks drove into the enclosure and pumped gasoline onto the prisoners in their trenches and immediately ignited it. The holocaust which ensued was a horrible example of the inhumane and diabolical treatment of prisoners of war. Those who were not immediately killed by the incineration, scattered throughout the prison area but were mowed down by Jap machine guns stationed in and around the prison camp. However, several men managed to elude the murderous fire and escaped into the jungle. The Japs hunted them for days and recaptured all but nine who were eventually picked up by friendly natives and guided to Guerilla Headquarters in the mountains. There they were introduced to Mr. Louden who in spite of his 73 years, led them 75 miles across the mountains of Palawan to Brooks Point where Captain Solander effected their rescue. The three remaining escaped prisoners had not reached the point of contact and not knowing when they would arrive, Captain Solander made arrangements for their rescue at at future date and departed. When they arrived at Morotai and saw the hundreds of bombers and fighters assembled on the vast airbase, they were speechless with wonderment and pride as they quietly compared it with our small but heroic Air Force in the days of Bataan and Corregedor in 1942. When they were told that this base was but one of hundreds established throughout the Pacific, their amazement was profound and they fervently stated, "We knew America would come through." Rescued personnel: Pfc Edwin A. Petry, USA, Cpl Wm J. Balalus, USA, Cpl Rufus W. Smith, USMC, Cpl Ernest J. Koblas, USA, Pfc Eugene Neilson, USA, Cpt Alberto D. Pachea, USA, and Thomas F. Louden, civilian AIRCRAFT: OA-10A 44-33??? CALLSIGN:
"PLAYMATE 42" CREW: (P) CPT Clarence L. Solander |
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07 JANUARY 1945 - Captain 