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Post by legionnaire on Apr 16, 2007 19:11:48 GMT -5
"They shall not land"
2nd. Battalion, 22nd. Infantry Regiment, 21st. Infantry Divison
Commanded by Silver Star, Philippine Gold Cross, Captain Antonio Ortega
whose Battalion retook and held the partially overun positions of the 57th Infantry, PS at the Abucay Line, Bataan 1942
Company Bugler Teddy Ortega"Orders to retake the Abucay Line and hold it." "Guinit" pith Helmets standard issue of the 1930's Philippine Army with the infantry blue band. The guinit (coconut fiber) pith helmet, although locally made, was no good in modern warfare, and some of them warped under the sun or cracked when they fell on the ground. the 21st holding the line with their P-17 rilfes . The U.S. Army, was hesitant to sell modern weapons, fearing the possibility of a revolt or changing the power balance in Asia and antagonizing Japan. Thus, the Philippine Army was handicapped by its inability to obtain affordable, modern weapons. Because of price considerations, the standard infantry weapon was the M1917 Enfield rifle, of which large stocks remained from World War I. Although not very suited to the Filipino soldier they were quite long and heavy, and suffered from breaking extractors and ejectors - they were available, and since they were not as reliable as other contemporary weapons, were allowed to be sold to the Philippine Army. "souvenirs" left behind at the Abucay Line ;D Teddy Ortega, Ray Ortega and Philip Garcia The trainees were issued standard equipment - as much as possible locally made, too support local industries. This included khaki shorts and shirt; guinit (coconut fiber) helmet; leather & rubber shoes; blanket and mosquito net. During the whole training period, the men were paid five centavos a day and were thus known as "Sundalong Sinco" or "Five-centavo soldiers." Are you ready to sign up with the 21st. "Lightning" Division, Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Buhay na Kasaysayan Historical society ?
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Post by VeeVee on Apr 16, 2007 19:35:20 GMT -5
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Post by legionnaire on Apr 16, 2007 19:52:48 GMT -5
Thanks Vic for the correction. Really glad you liked the introduction of our NEW PA uniforms. ;D
We set the cam on auto and Teddy had to run and position himself. ;D We originally wanted to do the photo shoot at Fort Mac. Which we will do again with the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop as the Bataan peninsula.
These are the first time we are showing our Uniforms, Guinit helmets, Unit Commonwealth flag, and early war EE 8 Field radio.
I custom built to military specs the army table and custom assembled our flag poles with the assitance of Teddy Ortega and put together ground flag holders. Including rersearch of the commonwealth flag design.
"Guinit" Officer and enlistman's pith helmet, custom made by "Ortega & Sons Co, Manila 1930" ;D , Flag Tassles, shirt collars and shoulder straps alteration instructed by Ray Ortega,
21st ID Patches, Flags and Flag pole spear tips all made in the Philippines, through the incredible help and support of our chapter fellow reemactor Ka Pedro Javier !
Philip
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Post by milspec on Apr 17, 2007 21:57:00 GMT -5
Greetings Philip, Ray, and Teddy,
Congratulations gentlemen! Excellent photo shoot! I have to say that I'm very impressed with your dedication and attention to historic accuracy. I hope to see more. You're on your way to coming up with your coffee table book.
milspec
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Post by legionnaire on Apr 17, 2007 23:54:13 GMT -5
Thank you milspec!
I'm glad you really appreciated the effort we made to represent a period when we were a commonwealth that has been forgotten by Philippine Historians and our kababayans.
My goal is to somehow pay tribute to the greatest generations our Filipino veterans and remind the public of their sacrifice not be forgatten.
This is my passion and hobby and I also want to use it to remind and educate the Filipinos here abroad specially the newer generations about how rich our history and traditions of the Philippines are. Thank you again for appreciaiting our impressions.
Philip
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Post by Battlemaster on Apr 25, 2007 3:22:17 GMT -5
Pare, galing ng mga photos niyo. Nanlalaway ako sa mga rifles niyo, may Katana souvenir pa! I'm curious about the P-17 "American Enfield" rifles, I'm only familiar with the Springfields and Garands as the US rifleman's weapon in the Philippines. Seems they are also found in bulk in the Philippines. No wonder the guerrillas I once talked to keep on switching terms as they recount their experiences that they were firing their Enfields and Springfields on the enemy respectively. Perry sends his regards, great pics
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Post by VeeVee on Apr 25, 2007 6:07:59 GMT -5
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kalbs
History Buff
Hair is over rated
Posts: 100
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Post by kalbs on Apr 25, 2007 7:50:32 GMT -5
Nicely done guys!
Where did you get those scaboards for the Bayonets? They look brand new
-kalbs-
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Post by legionnaire on Apr 25, 2007 10:30:33 GMT -5
Maraming Salamat Battlemaster and Kalbs for your compliments.
Battlemaster,
Most of the rifles and gear sold by the US to the Philippine Govt and could only afford were obsolete WWI equipment.
The Philippine scouts under the US Army the best trained and equiped were only issued Garands after the Pearl Harbor attack.
Kalbs'
The bayonet scabbards we bought from a Militaria shop dealer here and are used and just repainted. The one of Ray's is for a Springfield a very well made reproduction.
Philip
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Post by VeeVee on Apr 25, 2007 11:43:47 GMT -5
Kalbs, I got a scabbard for my 16" m1905 bayonet from here: whatpriceglory.com/uswpn.htmThere's always ebay too. Philip, The PS did get Garands before Pearl Harbor... but already in 1941 when the US started to prepare and re-arm for a possible war. I can't remember which book I read it from but I think the Garands were issued to the combat units in March 1941. Maybe they issued more to those who didn't have them especially after Pearl Harbor.
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Post by Battlemaster on Apr 26, 2007 18:24:38 GMT -5
Apparently Springfields (1903)were also given, we have a family heirloom that was issued during that period. Not certain if it was distributed in bulk but it was certainly available in the Southern Philippines during WW2. I wonder if the PS were also given the same when things started falling apart in Corregidor? Or perhaps it were a latter issue when the Filipinos started going guerilla?
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Post by legionnaire on Apr 26, 2007 22:58:56 GMT -5
" Yes the P17 was what was issued to the Philippine army during the commonwealth days" True
The photos you posted are Philippine Constabulary troops with P-17 rifles. Philippine Army were the only ones who wore short sleeves and pants photographed by Carl Mydans.
Philip
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gi
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by gi on Apr 29, 2007 4:18:47 GMT -5
Wow great pics
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Post by RayAdillO on May 13, 2007 7:46:58 GMT -5
A study of the Philippine Army issued blue denim dungarees: Kitchen detail, peeling potatoes with rusty bayonet. Head gear is a Philippine version of the American "daisymae" hat. Note that unlike those of the U.S. Army, the design is similar to any ordinary shirt and pants; nor are there any white thread stitches on the seams as those which can be seen on U.S. Army blue dungarees. The buttons are made out of coconut shell. The color of fabric is of also of a lighter shade of blue than those of the U.S. Army. Typical Philippine Army infantryman of 1941-May of 1942 wearing blue denims and "guinit" coconut fiber sun helmet on a combat mission. The "guinit" hat was issued in the late 1930's to Commonwealth Army soldiers as a standard headgear instead of the U.S. Army felt campaign hat called the "montana peak" for use in training and garrison duties; and for this it was quite comfortable and functional. It was never meant nor designed to fulfill the role of a traditional steel helmet for combat. Most Philippine Army soldiers, however, had to fight the Bataan campaign wearing these coconut fiber helmets as well as blue denims. Note the pants are bloused just above the ankle-length boots. Once again, my thanks to Perry Javier for his help in acquiring these uniforms made in the Philippines.
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Post by VeeVee on May 13, 2007 18:52:34 GMT -5
Nice new PA impression! When are the three of you suiting up for part 2 of your 21st division photo shoot?
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Post by RayAdillO on May 13, 2007 23:14:44 GMT -5
Coming very soon VeeVee. Philip had to make a few adjustments with his dungarees.
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Post by milspec on May 28, 2007 12:14:43 GMT -5
Greetings Gentlemen,
Can't wait to see what you guys will come up with next. Eveything has been superb and I know I'm not going to be disappointed. Keep up the good work!
milspec
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Post by RayAdillO on Jun 18, 2007 1:07:51 GMT -5
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Post by VeeVee on Jun 18, 2007 6:50:28 GMT -5
Give me a clear version of this shot and we'll make it the picture of the week! Nice job guys, looking good. img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-6/1263429/OverTop.jpgPhilip, looking good with your new 1903 rifle. I think the caption in the first picture should be Camp Murphy (aka Camp Aguinaldo). Wasn't that their home base/camp during that time?
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Post by legionnaire on Jun 18, 2007 10:13:24 GMT -5
Sorry I was using my P-14, I should have taken a photo theri of my "new" Springfield. Some of the images remind of the scenes from the German fortifications in the film "Longest Day". Kulang nalang a german Shepherd running around the coast line. Philip
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