Hong Kong bound vehicles diverted to ?

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that upon reaching Manila, these 212 vehicles were marshalled at Fort McKinley on the outskirts of Manila.

Mark, where did you get your information about the vehicles stored at Fort McKinley? Was it in a book or from a website and would you mind passing that info on to me? Reason I ask is I've found more info on the freighter Don Jose from a Lloyd's of London report. Which I've copied here:


DON JOSE

D: 12-29-41
YB: 1920
T: unknown
Tn: 10,893
Pos: 14.35 N / 120.55 E
Dr: unknown
Ow: Madrigal & Co.
C: flour, general deck cargo of
Op: Madrigal & Co. lumber
M: unknown
P: motor
A: unarmed
S: at anchor

As you can see from the report the Don Jose was carrying flour and general deck cargo when it was sunk Dec 29, 1941, four days after the defence of Hong Kong collapsed. Did the Don Jose actually anchor or dock in Honolulu and if so did it unload any cargo? It's strange, at least to me that it would take on a cargo of flour (I didn't know they grew wheat there) from the Phillipines. You'd think that the U.S. Army would commandeer all foodstuffs as they planned to hold out as long as they could, remember, Corregidor didn't fall until May 6th. In any event, it's an interesting story and one not without irony. After the fall of the Phillipines, the Japs refloated the Don Jose and towed her to Hong Kong, her original destination. Derek.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by sapper740

Mark, where did you get your information about the vehicles stored at Fort McKinley? Was it in a book or from a website and would you mind passing that info on to me?

Gee Derek, I can't even remember where I put something yesterday , and you want me to find the reference for something I posted here back in December 2005 ...

... I guess this old fart should start writing things down ...

I'll have a look and see what I can find.

Cheers

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

I'll have a look and see what I can find.

Thanks Mark, any help greatly appreciated. My curiosity was recently piqued when I found a picture of a US Navy 15cwt in an obviously tropical clime. I would ask anyone who has any info regarding this picture, especially where it was taken to please post what they know. I smell an interesting story here and I'm considering an article for ARMY MOTORS may be in the offing. I have a contact in the Phillipines I'm emailing for any info he can dig up regarding the Canadian vehicles. He's a Phillipino Coast Guard officer I met at the 60th anniversary of Iwo Jima held in Fredericksburg, Texas and kept his business card. Derek.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by sapper740

My curiosity was recently piqued when I found a picture of a US Navy 15cwt in an obviously tropical clime. I would ask anyone who has any info regarding this picture, especially where it was taken to please post what they know.

Derek, see the thread CMP in US Navy Service. According to the source the picture was taken in Japanese occupied China, 1945. Plus the Cab 13 was built much later than 1941.

Regards,
Hanno