The Unexpected Discovery
As Allied forces advanced down the Central Plains of the Philippines during the Luzon Campaign in 1945, they encountered an unexpected and shocking discovery – a massive minefield filled with over 1,300 buried bombs at the Clark Field airbase. This minefield, left behind by the retreating Japanese forces, posed a significant threat to the progress of the American troops.
Uncovering the Deadly Trap
The document states that a total of 1,349 aerial bombs were removed from the field, primarily by the engineer combat battalion of the 37th Division. These bombs were not standard anti-tank mines, but rather a deadly trap of armed Japanese Army and Navy aerial bombs, ranging from 30-pound fragmentation bombs to 150-kilogram bombs. The bombs were planted point-up, with the nose fuses flush with the ground, ready to detonate at the slightest disturbance.
Locating the minefields was relatively straightforward, as the shipping boxes used to transport the bombs were scattered around the areas where they had been planted. This allowed the engineers to quickly identify the mined locations. The removal process was also facilitated by the fact that the bomb plugs were left nearby, providing the necessary tools for disarming the explosives.
The Challenges of Clearing the Minefield
Clearing the Clark Field minefield was a delicate and dangerous task, requiring the utmost care and precision from the engineer troops. The sheer number of buried bombs, coupled with the unpredictable nature of the improvised explosive devices, made the operation a significant challenge.
Meticulous Removal Efforts
The document describes the methodical approach taken by the engineers to remove the deadly ordnance safely. Each bomb was carefully extracted, with the engineers using the readily available bomb plugs to disarm the explosives. The process was further complicated by the fact that not all the holes were filled with bombs, as the Japanese had left a large number of prepared holes with boxed bombs nearby, ready to be planted.
The Importance of Clearing the Minefield
The successful removal of the 1,349 buried bombs from the Clark Field area was a critical accomplishment that allowed the Allied forces to continue their advance without the threat of these deadly traps. The document highlights the importance of this operation, as it enabled the unimpeded movement of troops and equipment through the region, a vital component of the overall Luzon Campaign.
Conclusion
The discovery and subsequent clearing of the massive minefield at Clark Field was a testament to the skill and dedication of the engineer troops supporting the Allied forces during the Luzon Campaign. This unexpected and dangerous obstacle threatened to slow the progress of the American advance, but the meticulous efforts of the engineers ensured that the threat was neutralized, paving the way for the continued push towards Manila. The successful removal of over 1,300 buried bombs stands as a remarkable achievement in the annals of military engineering during World War II.
