Journal of Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz

1
December1941
Journal of Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz
2
December 1, 1941

• Today, as diplomatic talks in Washington between
  Japan and USA are going on, British Far East
  Commander Admiral Sir Tom Phillips RN arrived in
  Manila to confer with US High Commissioner
  Francis B Sayre, USAFFE Commander Gen. Douglas
  MacArthur and US Asiatic Fleet Commander Adm
  Thomas C Hart USN, regarding the Defense Plans
  for the Far East which includes the Philippines.
• All naval surface ships in Manila Bay ports
  remain under the alert warning of last Nov 27 --
  anchor before sunset at assigned berths with no
  three ships in line.

3
Gen Douglas MacArthur
4
December 8, 1941

• I will not forget this day as long as I live.
  Although my Q-Boat was on "war footing" condition
  since last Nov. 27, the seriousness of its
  implications did not hit me till early today when
  I first heard the radio announcement of the
  Japanese surprise attack against the US naval and
  military facilities at Pearl Harbor. From my
  calculations, the attack started about 0800 Dec 7
  Hawaii time which was about 0300 Dec 8, Manila
  time. I can not believe Japan will do this as I
  have great faith in the US military strength.
• Before noon, a large number of high flying
  Japanese planes bombed Camp John Hay, Clark Field
  and Iba air facilities. Late in the afternoon, I
  heard a radio news that a state of war with Japan
  was announced by US President Roosevelt.
• From 1800 to 2200H, Q-112 patrolled Paranaque -
  Navotas coastline 2 miles offshore.

5
December 10, 1941

• I heard over the radio the stirring "Day of
  Infamy" speech of Pres Roosevelt before the US
  Congress that ultimately declared war against
  Japan, Germany and Italy. It was a forceful
  speech that unified America with that sneak
  attack on Pearl Harbor. The isolationist
  disappeared. Filipinos have high morale. Pres
  Quezon pledge support and loyalty to the cause of
  freedom and democracy. We have great confidence
  in our military leadership led by Gen. MacArthur.
  

6
December 10, 1941 - continued

• News report today tells the havoc in Pearl Harbor
  - four battleships sunk, three badly damaged --
  backbone of the Pacific Fleet disabled. Other
  ships were sunk or damaged and other naval
  facilities bombed. Military facilities, planes
  and equipment of the USA Hawaiian Department were
  devastated. More than two thousand lives were
  lost. Battleship Arizona capsized virtually
  taking all hands with her. I wonder how this
  happened when we were placed on war footing Nov
  27. Admiral Husband E Kimmel USNA '04 is CinC US
  Fleet while Maj Gen Walter C Short (U Illinois
  '02 not a West Pointer) is Comdr USA Hawaiian
  Department, at Pearl Harbor.

7
December 10, 1941 - continued

• The results of the bombings two days ago of Clark
  and Iba Air Fields were also devastating that
  virtually destroyed all our planes there. The
  remaining planes of Far East Air Command are
  transferring to Mindanao. The big ships led by
  USS Houston, Marblehead and Boise of the Asiatic
  Fleet under Admiral Hart steamed south to avoid
  enemy air power. What remained among the surface
  fighting ships are the nine torpedo boats (3
  Q-Boats and 6 PT-Boats).

8
December 10, 1941 - continued

• Today, the first enemy landings are reported in
  Northern Luzon at Cagayan and Ilocos Sur. Before
  noon, enemy planes bombed Nichols, Nielsen and
  Zambales Airfields, Camp Murphy, Port Area and
  Cavite Navy Yard. Luckily, our OSP facilities
  were missed but I personally witnessed the
  bombings at Cavite Navy Yard from Q-112 in Manila
  Bay. Twenty seven Japanese bombers flying at
  high altitudes beyond the range of our AA guns
  dropped their bombs with great accuracy at
  Cavite. I felt so helpless watching as there
  were no USAFFE planes to challenge them. This is
  a bad day for us. The enemy have air
  superiority. I hope the Northern Luzon Forces
  under Gen Wainwright can handle the enemy
  landings reported.

9
December 12, 1941 - continued

• Japanese landings in Legaspi and Davao reported.
  Ft Wint and Olongapo also bombed. I am saddened
  when my boss and idol Maj Andrada USNA '30
  turned over his OSP command on orders of Gen
  MacArthur two days ago to his ExO Captain Enrique
  L Jurado USNA '34. I thought Andrada's relief is
  unfortunate. He placed the Q-Boats on war footing
  last Nov 27 on his initiative. His new
  assignment is as Ft Wint Comdr.
• The Q-Boat Squadron is assigned to patrol inside
  Manila Bay waters while PT RON 3, the China Sea
  Approaches to Corregidor and assist the Harbor
  Defense Command of Gen Moore. The approaches to
  Manila Bay west of Corregidor are mined. A
  narrow channel serves as entrance and exit to
  Manila Bay an one of the PT jobs is to guide
  those vessels not familiar with that channel.

10
Col. Jose V Andrada USNA 1930 Chief OSP 1939-41
1945-47, Pioneered OSP
11
Capt Enrique JuradoUSNA 1934Chief, Offshore
Patrol
12
December 12, 1941 - continued

• During the Japanese landings in Northern Luzon,
  Capt Collin Kelly of the FEAF is credited with
  bombing and sinking an enemy battleship. He was
  killed after his plane was shot down. Pres
  Roosevelt promised that Capt Kelly's one year old
  son will be eligible to enter West Point when he
  comes of age, his Dad's alma mater.

13
December 15, 1941

• Our Manila Bay Q-Boat Patrols continue, nothing
  unusual to report - no hits, no runs, no errors,
  so to speak. Our general situation is "lumalaon
  bumubuti, sumasama sa dati" as we say in Bulacan.
  The Japanese forces gained a foothold in Aparri,
  Vigan and are expanding them. For as I see it,
  the enemy now have superiority in the air and at
  sea. Enemy systematic bombings since Dec 8 have
  decimated our planes. Jap planes are virtually
  unchallenged. The big ships of the Asatic Fleet
  are gone, only nine torpedo boats remain to
  support the USAFFE. However, morale of the people
  specially the military remain high due to Pres
  Quezon and Gen MacArthur as our leaders. We have
  faith in them. And in America.

14
December 15, 1941 - continued

• Several Air Force personnel made up for our many
  setacks. Aside from Capt Kelley's bombing a Jap
  battleship during the Northern Luzon landings
  that made him our first war hero, our PAAC pilots
  have their share of accomplishments to be proud
  of. Captain Jesus Villamor PAAC Comdr, 6th
  Pursuit Squadron, is credited with shooting down
  two enemy planes todate and was cited by Gen
  MacArthur. Lt Alberto Aranzaso PAAC, also a
  member of the 6th Pursuit Squadron of Villamor,
  is also credited with shooting down a Jap plane
  and was awarded the Silver Star.

15
Capt Jesus VillamorPAAC Commander, 6th Pursuit
Squadron P-26 Pilot
16
Awarding of Silver Star toCapt Jesus Villamor
and Lt Alberto Aranzazo by General MacArthur
17
December 15, 1941 - continued

• Unfortunately, during the enemy strafings of
  Nichols Field, Lt Cesar Basa who had just landed
  his plane and was running for cover was fatally
  hit in the head. Lt Victor Osias who was nearby
  came to the rescue to no avail. Lt Basa died in
  the arms of Osias. I know Lt Basa personally
  during our Os basketball league rivalry. He was
  the star of the PAAC Team while I played for the
  OSP Team. Another Atenista, Jose Syjuco played
  for the ROTC Team. Lt Cesar Basa was an Ateneo
  basketball star before he became a pilot. He
  died a star, a hero.

18
Lt Cesar Basa 6th Pursuit Squadron PAAC P-26
Pilot
19
December 17, 1941

• The disaster in Pearl Harbor resulted in the
  silent quick relief of its top commanders. Today
  without ceremony in his office, Gen Walter C
  Short, USA Hawaiian Departmental Commander read
  his orders relinquishing command to Maj Gen Delos
  C Emmons, USAAC. Likewise, Adm Husband E Kimmel
  USN CinCPAC relinquished his command quietly to
  VAdm William Pye USN, as temporary Commander .
• In the Philippines, our military commanders knew
  immediately when Pearl Harbor was bombed and yet
  some ten hours later when a hundred Japanese
  bombers escorted by Zero fighters came over Clark
  Field, all of FEAC B-17 bombers except two, and
  90 of its P-40s were destroyed. It was a
  tragedy! The only saving grace is PAAC's 6th
  Pursuit Squadron of P-26 under Capt Jesus
  Villamor whose exploits are becoming legendary.
  The remaining two B-17 were moved to Mindanao.

20
December 17, 1941 - continued

• By night time, the tragedy was compounded by the
  sinking of SS Corregidor in our own defensive
  minefields guarding the entrance to Manila Bay
  west of Corregidor Fortress. SS Corregidor is
  one of the best among our inter-island commercial
  vessels with civilian and military personnel
  aboard bound for Visayas and Mindanao.
• Loaded also are Artillery pieces, equipment and
  supplies of the 101st FA, and other Vis-Min
  Units. From initial scant report I got from my
  Mistah Alano, ExO of Q-111 that participated in
  the rescue, he said the ship hit a mine and sunk
  so fast virtually all passengers went down with
  the ship including her Captain. There were very
  few survivors. The mined area is under the
  responsibility of the Harbor Defense and PT RON
  3. I should know more details about this tragedy
  after I talk with some of my comrades on duty
  then at PT RON 3.

21
The fate of SS Corregidor

• This 17 Dec 1941 entry has special although sad,
  significance to me personally. My late father,
  First LT Carlos G Agustin XC6 221 263 CE aboard
  the SS Corregidor. We moved to Davao in 1940
  when he was appointed Asst City Engineer, but
  shortly he was CAD in the Corps of Engineers, PA.
  He became CO of the Second Davao Cadre training
  recruits for the war, and was in Manila when the
  attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on 7 Dec 1941.
  There were no airlines operating on domestic
  routes so the only way back was via surface.
  After induction, he got booked on the Corregidor,
  sailing out of Manila harbor on 17 Dec 1941.
  When Davao was invaded, we moved out to the
  hills, toward Mt Apo, where we stayed for a few
  months until my mother thought it was safe to
  return to the city. Our newly-built house was
  occupied by the Japanese, so we rented a small
  house near the court and jail, and my mother sold
  stuff in the market to support four children and
  a teen aged brother-in-law, who helped her out.
  We managed also to move back to Manila in 1943
  via inter-island vessel (flying the rising sun).
  We never knew what happened until after the war,
  when his death was duly established.

Commodore Carlos Agustin (PMA/USNA60)
22
December 19, 1941

• Today is a historical day for the OSP. The whole
  OSP command was inducted into the USAFFE this
  morning and two hours after the ceremonies at
  Muelle del Codo, the Japanese bombed Port Area.
  OSP Hq was spared but Engineer Island where eight
  hulls of new Q-Boats are about to be completed
  was a direct hit and our hopes for those
  additional boats are gone with the wind. I feel
  sorry for my former boss, Maj Jose V Andrada
  (USNA 31), who fought vigorously for locally
  made Q-Boats since last March after the
  successful test of locally made Q-113. I suspect
  his relief as C,OSP had to do with his issue
  against Gen MacArthur.

23
December 19, 1941 - continued

• Today is also a historical day for my alma mater
  PMA. Through its officers and cadets, it was
  reborn from an academic institution and activated
  as an instrument of war renamed, First Regular
  Division, with Col. Fidel Segundo (USMA 1917),
  the Superintendent, as Div Comdr at UST Campus.
• The Div was inducted into the USAFFE also today.
  Lt Col Santiago Guevara, Comdt of Cadets, became
  the Div C/S Asst Comdt Capt Alfredo Santos
  became Comdr, 1st Regmt former PMA Instructors
  took most of the senior staff jobs. Among my
  classmates in this Div are Lt Job Mayo as S-1 Lt
  Alfredo Filart as S-2 Lt David Pelayo, Lt Jose
  Javier, Co Comdrs.

24
Brig. Gen. Fidel V SegundoUSMA 1917Commanding
General, 1st Division
25
December 19, 1941 - continued

• It can be recalled that after Baguio was bombed
  on Dec. 8, PMA went down and settled later at UST
  Campus in Manila.
• Five days ago, Classes '42 '43 were graduated
  and '44 '45 were disbanded and sent home
  disappointed because they wanted to fight for
  their country.
• One of the plebes, Eleuterio Adevoso tearfully
  expressed to me his disappointment. Japanese
  forces are poised to attack and land in Hongkong
  which is defended by the British Forces.

26
December 22, 1941

• I had lunch at USAFFE Hq today with my friend,
  Sid Huff, and was surprised about his conversion
  from Lt (SG) USN to Major US Army now Aide to Gen
  MacArthur. The latest info he gave me is about
  an armada of Japanese invasion ships heading for
  Lingayen Gulf. Another enemy group is heading
  towards eastern Luzon. Apparently, the earlier
  reported enemy landings in Aparri, Vigan, Legaspi
  and Davao were diversionary recon in force.
• I also talked with Ens George Cox, CO PT 41 on
  duty when SS Corregidor sunk five days ago. He
  said PT 41 was leading the ill fated ship at the
  channel but suddenly, all at once, the SS
  Corregidor veered course towards the minefields
  and his efforts to stop her were to no avail.
  There was a loud explosion after hitting a mine,
  the ship sank so fast virtually all aboard went
  with her including the ship captain. There were
  very few survivors.

27
December 22, 1941 - continued

• The newly activated 1st Regular Div reported to
  South Luzon Force under Gen. Parker two days ago.
  Also, effective Dec. 20, all Div Commanders who
  are not generals were promoted to Brig Generals
  which included Fidel Segundo, Mateo Capinpin, Guy
  O Fort and Luther Stevens -- all PA Officers.
• Camp Murphy is crowded with hundreds of civilian
  volunteers - drivers, students, laborers, etc -
  for the USAFFE. I am told the same is happening
  in all mobilization centers, a commendable
  manifestation of willingness to fight against the
  invaders. Seeing many so eager and enthusiastic
  makes me proud of our people.
• Late in the afternoon, the 1st Q-Boat Squadron
  got an "Alert Order" for a possible mission whose
  details are being spelled out. With our training
  and preparations, I personally feel we are ready
  to perform whatever it will be.

28
Brig. Gen. Mateo M Capinpin, Inf.Commanding
General, 31st Div USAFFEPhilippine Scouts 1917
rose from the ranksPioneered the Philippine
Infantry
29
Col. Guy O Fort USACommanding General, 81st
DivisionAttended Command Gen Staff School
(CGSS)
30
Col. Luther R Stevens USACommanding General,
91st DivisionAttended Command Gen Staff School
(CGSS)
31
December 24, 1941

• News and what happened today are devastating. I
  learned that the simulteneous Japanese landings
  two days ago in Lingayen Gulf and Lamon Bay were
  not difficult considering the enemy have
  superiority in the ar and at sea. They are
  expanding their beach gains and my thoughts are
  with my classmates Lt Ed Navarro wth the 71st Div
  in Lingayen Gulf area and Lts Job Mayo, Fred
  Filart, David Pelayo and Joe Javier with the 1st
  Reg Div in Lamon Bay area.
• The Alert Order given for the Q-Boats two days
  ago was rescinded and the new order is to escort
  the SS Mayon to evacuate ranking officials of the
  Phil govt led by Pres Quezon and US High
  Commisioner Francis B Sayre from Manila to
  Corregidor as the new seat of govt. Gen
  MacArthur declared Manila an Open City and
  USAFFE Hq is also transferring. SS Mayon docked
  at Corregidor north wharf safely at 2000 H today
  under the protective eyes of the three Q-Boats.
  The US Navy 16th Naval District Hq had moved to
  Corregidor three days ago.

32
December 24, 1941 - continued

• USAFFE Hq also ordered that War Plans Orange 3
  (WPO-3) be enforced. This old plan was opposed
  by MacArthur and I am surprised the order came
  out. It is a defense plan of the Philippines in
  case of invasion, the country generally believed
  to be indefensible. The plan calls for the
  withdrawal of troops to Bataan, defend Luzon by
  delaying tactics for six months with support from
  the Asiatic Fleet and USAAC until needed relief
  from USA reaches the Philippines.
• At present, we have no Asiatic Fleet nor USAAC.
  Only nine Torpedo Boats are available. What now?

33
December 27, 1941

• C,OSP conscripted a 40 ft boat, armed her with
  two 30 Cal MGs christened "Danday", Mrs Jurado's
  namesake, for use by the OSP Lamao Beach
  Defenders of Bataan. Today my ExO, Lt Abraham
  Abe Campo (USNA 40) was reld to be CO,
  "Danday" and to replace Lt Campo, I selected Lt
  Manuel Gomez '41, my former classmate at MIT
  before we entered PMA. The bulk of OSP shore
  personnel transferred to Lamao, Bataan after
  Manila was declared Open City three days ago and
  so the beach defense of Lamao eastern Bataan
  becomes an OSP responsibility.
• 
  
• The 1st Q-Boat Squadron found a suitable place
  called Sisiman Cove east of Mariveles Bay that
  conceals our boats from the air. One mile up
  Sisiman River is our Support Gp - Engineering
  under Lt Jose Zulueta Torpedoes, Depth Charges,
  Ordnance under Chief William Mooney, USNR Adm,
  under Lt Carlos J Albert (USNA 39). Since
  Christmas, our mission is primarily ferrying VIPs
  from Manila to Corregidor, the seat of government.

34
December 27, 1941 - continued

• Today, all PAAC planes are gone. The planeless
  PAAC is organized as PAAC Provincial Regiment
  that is proceeding to Bataan. My province mates
  Capts Pelagio Cruz and Eustacio Onrobia as well
  as my classmate Lt Vic Osias are among with this
  Regiment. Also, the 700 PAAC Cadets were
  organized as an Infantry Battalion under Maj Jose
  Francisco (USNA 31) and proceeding to
  Corregidor. My classmates Lts Bartolome
  Cabangbang and Alberto Aranzaso are among in this
  Battalion
• The Jap invasion forces from Lingayen Gulf and
  Lamon Bay are slowly advancing towards Manila.
  They have to fight every inch of ground despite
  their air superiority. And if you think our
  situation is bad, Hongkong is worst. It was a sad
  christmas for the British in Hongkong. The
  British garrison retreated to Kowloon but after
  intense bombings for three days Gov Sir Mark
  Young of Hongkong gave up easily and surrendered
  to Japanese Gen Sakai on Christmas Day.

35
Brig. Gen. Fidel V SegundoUSMA 1917
36
December 30, 1941

• I was privileged today, Rizal Day, to witness the
  oath-taking ceremony, for their 2nd term of Pres
  Quezon and VP Osmena before Chief Justice Jose
  Abad Santos outside the Corregidor Tunnel
  entrance. It was a solemn but brave ceremony for
  only yesterday, Corregidor was bombed by 54 enemy
  planes for an hour before noon and some of the
  craters are visible from where we sat. Quezon's
  Yatch "Casiana" anchored off North Wharf was a
  direct hit and sunk but the Philippine flag still
  flies from her mast above water. I was caught
  halfway on my way to the Tunnel, jumped to a
  ditch, endured an hour of bombings with those
  scary hissing sounds. I was badly shaken by the
  experience with many killed or wounded in the
  area where I was.
• Quezon made a stirring speech exhorting our
  people to fight the invaders.

37
December 30, 1941 - continued

• Aside from the Quezon family, the MacArthurs and
  the Sayres, among those I saw in the ceremony
  were Lt Col Andres Soriano, Majors Carlos
  Romulo Sid Huff Capts Jess Villamor, S P Lopez
  J B Magluyan Lts F Isidoro, L M Guerrero, N
  Reyes, B Cabangbang, A Aranzaso.
• After the ceremony, I ordered my crew to retrive
  the Phil flag still flying on the mast of the
  sunken "Casiana" because Pres Quezon expressed a
  desire to have it. While near the "Casiana" I
  noticed her auxiliary boat "Baler" under water.
  I decided to salvage the boat, towed it to Lamao
  and suggested to Capt Magluyan who was with me to
  have it fixed to augment the "Danday." Magluyan
  is one of the Lamao Beach Defenders in Bataan
  under Capt Jurado, C,OSP.
• Late in the afternoon, I got a copy of directive
  saying "effective Jan. 1,1942,the Q-Boats will
  be under operational control of G-3, USAFFE HQ,
  Ft Mills."

38
Pres Manuel Quezon and Gen Douglas MacArthur