Location
Battery Hearn is located on Corregidor Island to defend the approaches to Manila from the Manila Bay and the South China Sea.

Construction
Built by the U.S. Army to emplaced a 12" M1895A2 gun on a M1917 barbette carriage with a 26 mile flat trajectory range. This gun could traverse 360 degrees. Named Battery Hearn. A spare barrel was placed near the gun. The other exposed battery was Battery Smith. This battery was originally known as Battery Smith No. 2. until renamed Battery Hearn.

Wartime History
During the defense of Corregidor by the Americans, this gun was used to fire at Japanese forces on the Bataan Peninsula, but only armor piercing (AP) shells were available making it difficult to inflict serious damage.  The spare barrel was used during the siege in 1942. Prior to the Japanese capture of Corregidor, the gun was disabled by the US Army. 

After Japanese capture, American prisoners of war (POW were asked by the Japanese to put the gun back in to action by replacing the barrel and by salvaging parts from Battery Smith. But, sabotage to its recoil springs mean that it could only be used in a limited capacity.

Today
This gun battery remains intact and is part of the Corregidor Island tour, accessible to visitors.

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Last Updated
April 19, 2021