Discovery War Tunnels of Bamban Hills – Field Recon No. 2/2025
EXPLORING THE JAPANESE WWII TUNNELS OF ROCK MOUNTAIN -SOUTH SLOPE
バンバン山の大東亜戦争トンネルを探索。
BAMBAN HILLS – バンバン山
Bamban boasts significant nature’s beauty of hills, ridges and valleys. Located north of Clark International AirPort, it is a strategic location that offers tourism development potentials. Historically, Bamban has her role in our Nation’s history in its struggle for freedom; from Philippine Revolution (second phase – Philippine American War 1899) to WWII.
THE PEAK VILLAS RESORT – AN HISTORICAL WWII BATTLEFIELD
リゾートと大東亜戦争の旧戦場跡。
An emerging tourism highlights on the high ground of the Bamban overlooking the town, the highway to Clark and the plains is the PEAK VILLAS; a fully developed 3-hectares with several luxury housing for families with swimming pool overlooking the grandeur of panoramic Bamban views, the iconic Bamban Bridge and the Grotto.
THE JAPANESE WWII TUNNEL COMPLEX
日本のトンネル群。
Nestled on the base and upper slope of the Rotary Hill behind the Peak Villas are numerous Japanese WWII tunnels curved on the volcanic rocks and used as defensive positions against General MacArthur’s army. The battle that ensued between the Japanese defenders from the Takayama Detachment Center Force and the soldiers from the American 160th Infantry 40th Division became a classic example of the tunnel warfare battles in the Bamban Hills.
FIELD RECON & INVESTIGATION
日本のトンネルを研究しています。
Our WWII Battlefield Recon Team investigating unit, with the permission of the owner, conducted survey on each tunnel; all of them signifying a depth between 40 to 60 feet overlooking the highway, with 140-meter elevation. Some tunnels are open, the diameter range is 8-10 feet wide and 10-12 feet height, on a straight cut for the depth 40-60 feet. All of them bear the evidence of burnt petrol and flame throwers of dark, oily residue still visible on the tunnel walls, ceilings and entrances. Bullet heads can be found still pierced on the tunnel walls and entrances.
WAR MEMORY 戦争と記憶。
A visit to these WWII tunnels as part of the Peak Villas resort area provides historical tours for the guests and visitors. On another perspective, it provides a clear understanding of the war of our grandfathers and uncles, along with the American soldiers and the fate of the Japanese soldiers in Bamban Hills in 1945. Many soldiers died in fighting on these battlefields. Another example of Bamban’s unique topographical and historical sites with tourism destination potentials.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the owner and staff of The Peak Villas for their assistance and cooperation.
