Manila, Philippines
March 2, 1945
CPL. Don Griffin
The streets of Manila had been cleared away of much Japanese resistance so far. This once great city had been reduced to rubble and carnage... But we were winning at least... Though... While we had taken most of the city, as we moved further towards where Shima was, we would see the darker and more secret aspects of what was going on in the Japanese held sections of the city.
Since Harrison sent us on our way, Bromley, Joe and I moved cautiously up the streets. However, we suddenly heard some commotion, causing the three of us to rush over to a nearby building.
Once behind a building, we peered around to the direction of the commotion's source... There, we saw something absolutely horrible... We saw many Japanese soldiers brutally massacring countless Filipino civilians, shooting many of them to death with their rifles and machine guns and gunning numerous civilians down in bloody cruelty. Some Japanese also stabbed some civilians to death with their bayonets.
I tried to rush out and attack the Japanese soldiers responsible for this, but Bromley and Joe held me back by my arms and we kept hidden. "You'll only be getting yourself killed, lad," Bromley spoke, "We have to keep moving."
Though sad, we continued onward, forced to leave the dreaded sight and move up the street. However, as we did so, we found more commotion, the sounds of gunfire and explosions.
Moving towards the sounds of the battle, we soon found ourselves entering a large courtyard filled with different lush plants and trees and lined with small buildings... Indeed, this courtyard was the source of the noise.
Here, we saw some American soldiers holding positions at one end of the courtyard, firing hails of intense rifle fire that furiously raked and pinned Japanese soldiers and positions in a series of fierce skirmishes.
Seeing the US soldiers fighting fiercely and hard and firing immense gunfire that shot up numerous Japanese soldiers in the courtyard, Bromley, Joe and I decided to join in on the vicious battle raging here.
"This courtyard's in our way," Joe said, "Clear the Japs out from here!"
Taking position by the American positions, Joe and I held a position by a couple trees while Bromley took his behind a pillar. The US soldiers fired fiery gunshots that nailed multiple enemies, then I fired and shot four Japanese while Joe shot up several soldiers, then I kept firing Thompson shots that nailed four more enemies. Japanese gunfire blazed and rained all around us, but the US soldiers kept firing fierce gunfire that shot up numerous Japanese, and as I gunned two soldiers down, the Americans all kept firing rifle shots that fiercely raked and pinned Japanese soldiers and positions in the courtyard. I then fired and shot four more enemies while Joe gunned a few soldiers down, and as Bromley fired cover shots, I gunned two enemies down as well. While enemy gunshots rained around us, the Americans fired immense rifle fire that shot up more Japanese soldiers while I shot two enemies as well, then as Joe gunned a few soldiers down, I fired Thompson shots and nailed four more Japanese.
While the vicious battle raged heavily, with me shooting four soldiers, the Americans kept firing hails of fiery rifle fire that riddled numerous Japanese in the courtyard, but as I shot up three enemies with my Thompson, enemy gunshots blazed and gunned down several friendlies. In response, I shot two soldiers, then as Bromley fired cover shots, the Americans fired intense shots that riddled Japanese positions to shreds. I blazed rounds that struck three soldiers, then as Joe shot a few enemies, Bromley gunned a couple soldiers down as well. I shot two soldiers at the right, then gunned two more enemies down to the left, and though the Japanese fired shots that gunned a few friendlies down, as I fired and shot four more enemies with my Thompson, the Americans all fired hails of immense gunfire that shot multiple Japanese and riddled several enemy positions to pieces in a vicious battle.
The American soldiers all kept fighting hard and firing rifle shots at Japanese soldiers and positions. Enemy gunfire blazed and rained all around us, but we all held our ground for as long as we could. I shot two soldiers, then aimed and shot three more enemies while Joe gunned a few soldiers down and Bromley shot a couple other enemies. The enemies blazed rounds that struck a few friendlies, but I then gunned two soldiers down as Joe shot a few other Japanese soldiers, then I fired and nailed three enemies as the Americans fired gunshots that raked and pinned Japanese soldiers and positions. I fired and gunned three Japanese down, and while Bromley shot up a few enemies, Joe shot a couple others, then I shot two other soldiers. As Joe and I fired cover shots, the Americans all fired immense gunfire that shot up multiple Japanese in the courtyard, holding them back.
"We almost got them," Joe said, "Keep at it!"
We all kept fighting off the Japanese in the courtyard... But just before we started to break through, enemy reinforcements came in at the side and assaulted us with immense gunfire that raked our positions... But these enemies assaulting us were very different... They were German soldiers coming to help the Japanese.
"Hold them back!" Joe said.
The combined enemy force of German and Japanese soldiers kept fighting fierce and hard in their vicious assault on our positions. Nevertheless, with the Japanese and German gunfire raining heavily over us, we Americans all kept fighting hard and firing shots back at the enemy force. Several friendly positions were shot up by enemy fire, but I aimed and shot two soldiers, then as Joe shot a few enemies, I fired and nailed four more enemies as well. While the Americans kept fighting, the German and Japanese soldiers all kept firing immense gunfire that shot up multiple friendlies. I gunned two soldiers down, then as Joe shot a few enemies, I fired and nailed two more soldiers. The Germans and Japanese kept firing intense rifle shots that nailed some friendlies, but as we all kept fighting hard, I fired and shot four enemies, then the Americans fired gunfire that shot up numerous enemies, then I shot four other soldiers. Joe then gunned a couple soldiers down as I fired and nailed two more enemies.
With the vicious battle raging, we Americans kept holding our positions and fighting hard, but the fierce German and Japanese assault was proving itself to be overwhelming, as the Germans were firing gunshots that riddled some American soldiers and positions to shreds. I fired and shot four enemy soldiers, then as Joe gunned a couple enemies down, I shot two other soldiers as well. The Americans kept firing shots to hold off the enemy troops, but the German and Japanese soldiers fired immense gunfire that riddled multiple friendlies in the fierce battle. As the skirmish started to turn against our favor, we continued to hold on, with me firing and shooting four enemies as Joe gunned a few soldiers down as well. However, with the Germans and Japanese firing gunshots that riddled American positions, even as I shot two enemies to the right and gunned two more down to the left, it was dire.
"Joe, Donnie," Bromley called to us, "Get out of here!"
Joe and I fired shots that nailed several enemies, but then the two of us rushed to a hidden position of cover away from much of the carnage... And as we got to a cover piece, we saw that the battle had ceased, with German and Japanese soldiers overwhelming the American positions, leaving the remaining friendlies either captured our wounded... And Bromley was left to be captured as well.
I followed Joe as we made our way out of the area, getting to a safe place in some rubble, taking cover from the patrolling Japanese and German soldiers scouting the courtyard.
"What the Hell are Germans doing here?" Joe spoke quietly.
Peering from over the rubble, we saw some Japanese soldiers cruelly execute wounded and captured friendlies. A couple injured Americans lying on the ground raised their guns and furiously shot up a few Japanese with angry yells in retaliation, though they were gunned down as a result.
We watched Japanese soldiers execute several remaining injured and captive Americans with gunshots, then I looked over and spotted Bromley on his knees, his hands on his head while several German soldiers stood before him, aiming their guns... Then they started taking him away on an Isuzu truck.
"Come on, Donnie," Joe said, "We should follow, and be quiet."
Joe and I began our slow trek in following after Bromley, maneuvering around the streets and buildings of the city and avoiding the number of German and Japanese infantry patrolling the area. We had just narrowly dodged the sight of German and Japanese soldiers, moving through the streets with as much silent care as possible, then we made our way into a building.
Once in the building, Joe and I went up to the upper level and peered out the windows... I looked over to a window and saw a very horrid sight, for in a nearby distant street below, some Japanese soldiers were firing hails of gunshots at large groups of Filipino civilians, killing many of them in a brutal massacre. As I watched the Japanese soldiers cruelly killing the Filipino civilians with fierce gunshots and bayonet stabs, Joe placed a hand on my shoulder to keep me calm.
"...We can't do anything for them," Joe said, "We have to focus on Bromley."
I went over to another window with Joe and looked out a window. From there, we saw nearby docks, and we could actually see a ship moored in them. I could actually see the truck carrying Bromley was unloading their captive, and the German guards were proceeding to take him on board the docked ship.
"Well, that ship," Joe said, "That's where we're going... You up for it."
I gave a nod to Joe and we proceeded to exit the building. We hid behind a wall as Japanese and German troops went by, then we dashed over across the street to the next building, just carefully nearing the docks.
Eventually, we came across two German naval infantrymen, both with Stahlhelms with one wearing a blue uniform while the other wore a white one. Joe and I waited behind them.
"That's our ticket onto that ship," Joe said, "Come on."
Joe and I slowly approached the two Germans from behind, then we both struck them hard on the back of their heads, knocking them out, then we dragged them into a building, beginning to put on their uniforms.
I finished donning the white uniform and putting on the Stahlhelm as Joe wore the blue uniform, then loaded the STG 44 rifle he captured off the enemy.
"You ready?" Joe asked, putting on his Stahlhelm.
Once I readied my own captured STG 44 rifle, with us fully dressed and armed with German clothes and weapons, the both of us began making our way towards the ship.
In our Kriegsmarine uniforms, Joe and I walked in plain sight past German and Japanese soldiers, walking past these enemies unknowns of our true identities as we made our way to the docks.
Coming upon a checkpoint, we came to a Japanese soldier and a German soldier standing guard, with Joe saying quietly to me, "Let me do the talking." as we approached the two enemies.
"Papiere, bitte (papers please)." the Japanese soldier asked in German.
"Ja, hier sind sie (Yes, here they are)." Joe said in German, presenting his papers to the Japanese and German soldiers before us, then I took out my papers and showed them off as well.
"Scheint in Ordnung, gehen Sie voran (Seems in order, go ahead)." the German soldier said as he looked over the papers in full.
"Ja Dankeschön (Yes, thank you)." Joe responded, then the two of us walked past the checkpoint.
The two of us walked up to the docks itself, where we could see Japanese and German soldiers and Kriegsmarine sailors hurriedly transporting crates aboard the ship, which I could see was christened, Merker.
"Those crates must be filled with Shima's gold," Joe said, "Let's say we have a closer look."
We were about to step closer towards the ship, but then we saw the alarming sight, for two men had stepped down the boardwalk leading onto the Merker and walked onto the docks. One of the men was Shima, and the other, I recognized to be that same German officer I saw in Rabaul, Colonel Kandler.
"Hold on, wait." Joe said, and the two of us waited behind some crates, watching Shima and Kandler while listening in on their conversation.
"The gold is almost loaded onto the ship," Kandler said, "The ship will be ready to depart shortly."
"Has that British spy told you anything?" Shima asked.
"No," Kandler said, "He's very stubborn."
"...I'd expect him to be," Shima stated, "He's been a thorn in my side ever since we took Malaya."
"What should we do with him?" Kandler asked.
"Process him some more," Shima answered, "If he continues to refuse after you make your departure, then you may do away with him... Just make sure he suffers, should teach him for all the trouble he's caused me in Singapore."
"Gladly, Herr Shima." Kandler spoke.
Joe and I then watched Shima and Kandler walk over to Shima's car, with Shima speaking, "Once that gold is delivered to Japan, I can at least build up defenses not just here in the Philippines, but in the Ryukyu islands as well... I'll make sure to cost the Americans even more dearly."
"Germany is done for," Kandler said, "...But my men and I still wish to fight."
"Well, by all means, stand with us," Shima said, "...I know there's Germans in Manchuria who are more than happy to keep fighting to their last breath... Might as well join up with them."
"I'll consider it," Kandler said, "I'll see you in Japan."
Shima entered his car and rode off in it, and once Shima was gone, Kandler turned back to walked back onto the ship's deck through the boardwalk and made his way towards the bridge.
From that, Joe and I then emerged from hiding and walked over towards the ship, where we found a German guard.
"Wo sind deine Papiere (Where are your papers)?" the German asked.
"Mach dir keine Sorgen, sie sind hier genau richtig (Don't worry, they're right here)." Joe said, then he and I showed the man the papers, which were approved of by the guard.
"Weiter machen (Move along)." The German then said.
After that, Joe and I walked onto the boardwalk and proceeded aboard the deck of the ship. From there we walked past the German soldiers and Kriegsmarine sailors as we went into the compartments and levels of the ship, beginning to look for Bromley.
Moving around the ship, we eventually came to a lower level, moving past several compartments and eventually coming to what looked to be the entry to the cargo bay.
I made sure no one was looking, then we quickly opened the door and entered the cargo bay itself... There, we found where all the gold was being kept, in crates or in stacks of gold bars.
"Look at all that." Joe said.
Just quickly admiring the immense shiny wealth, we made our way to the other end of the bay and exited out another door. There, we went down a set of stairs, then walked down a corridor leading to a door.
Coming to the door, we opened it and entered the room, immediately finding ourselves staring down a man armed with a Walther P38... The man turned out to be Bromley himself, apparently already freed.
"Bromley?" Joe spoke.
"Afternoon, lads." Bromley replied as Joe and I walked over to him.
"How, when did you escape?" Joe asked.
"Oh, just after Shima left the ship," Bromley answered, "How about we blow this ship to the bottom."
"Along with all his gold." Joe spoke.
"Exactly, just like the Toshikaze," Bromley stated, "Come on, I'll lead you down below."
Taking heed, the three of us proceeded to follow Bromley as we made our way to the engine room below deck. We just narrowly avoided some Kriegsmarine sailors, and we kept Bromley out of sight as a few enemies passed by, then we continued on towards the engine room.
"Achtung, alle Hände. Die gesamte Fracht ist an Bord. Wir beginnen unsere Abreise (Attention, all hands. All intended cargo is on board. We are beginning our departure)." a man on a loudspeaker said throughout the ship.
"Hurry it up, boys." Bromley said.
Coming to the level containing the engine room, once no one was looking, the three of us entered the engine room, where we found a few enemy sailors working, and once they spotted us, we entered a gunfight.
Dodging some rounds, we took cover and fired rounds back. I took out my captured MP 40 and fired at the sailors, gunning a few of them down. I then dodged some shots, and as my comrades blazed cover, I shot the remaining couple enemies as well.
"All right," Bromley said, "I got some explosives after I escaped. I'll work on setting them up, you two keep watch."
Bromley got to work setting charges on the engines, and as he did, Joe and I watched the entry. Eventually, as Bromley finished up placing the first charge, a couple enemy sailors came in and shot at us. Dodging their rounds, I fired my MP 40 back and gunned them down. Bromley then got to work on the second charge, just as a couple enemies came in, only for Joe and I to shoot them as well.
While Bromley finished up the last charge, a couple more German sailors came in and attacked, however, with Joe providing cover, I shot them as well. That was followed by Bromley finishing up the charge and coming to us.
"Charges are set," Bromley said, "Kandler's men will be all over us now... Let's buzz off."
"Aufmerksam. Der Gefangene ist entkommen. Suche und finde ihn (Alert. The prisoner has escaped. Search out and find him)." the man on the loudspeaker broadcasted throughout the ship.
"That's our cue." Joe said.
With that, the three of us began making our way out of the ship, racing down the corridors. However, some Kriegsmarine sailors appeared with Walther P38 pistols and MP 40 guns and attacked, leading to a firefight.
"Fight our way out!" Joe demanded.
Dodging the enemy fire, the three of us fired back, with me firing MP 40 shots that raked the enemy positions. Just dodging some gunshots, with Joe firing cover, I fired and gunned three enemies down, then shot two other Germans in another compartment, then we moved up. We moved up several corridors and compartments, dodging gunshots and firing shots back at enemies. I shot two Germans in a room, then gunned another enemy down to the left, and while Joe and Bromley fired cover, I blazed rounds that struck three more enemies down in a hallway. Moving up, I dodged some enemy MP 40 rounds, then I fired and shot two enemies in return. After that, Joe and Bromley kept firing cover as I gunned a sailor down to the left, then shot two others in a room.
The three of us moved up through several more compartments and corridors, firing shots that took out several enemies. After that, the three of us, moved up to a hallway and encountered a couple Germans who fired MP 40 shots at us. Dodging the rounds, I fired and gunned these two enemies down, then I aimed and shot another sailor to the right. With Joe and Bromley firing cover at enemy sailors, I dodged some rounds and then shot two enemies in a compartment, then aimed to shoot a sailor to the right and gun another down to the left. We then moved up the ship, encountering a couple sailors who fired shots at us, but as Joe and I fired shots that nailed a few enemies, we moved up, then I shot two sailors who blazed rounds at us.
After gunning down a few more enemies in the way, we just reached the deck of the Merker... And that was when the charges went off, blasting the hull apart and causing the ship to start sinking.
"We need to get off the boat!" Bromley said.
"Hold up," Joe interjected, "Let's find Kandler, I saw him go up to the bridge."
Taking heed on this, the three of us headed up towards the bridge. Eventually, after moving up some stairs and corridors, we came upon the bridge itself... There, we found Kandler, as well as two Nazi Stormtroopers, both armed with MG 34 guns, while Kandler himself had an STG 44.
"You," Kandler shouted as he pointed to us, "I should have killed you in Singapore! You won't get away this time!"
Kandler and his two guards fired flurries of heavy shots at us, driving us to cover. However, Kandler then aimed and shot Bromley, wounding him and leaving just Joe and I to confront Kandler.
While dodging the gunfire of Kandler and his guards, Joe and I fired shots back at the three enemies. The two Stormtroopers were rather unfazed by our gunshots and kept firing at us, driving us to cover, proving these stormtroopers to be very tough opponents. Nonetheless, Joe and I kept fighting them, firing shots back at Kandler and his guards while they fired shots back. With all of us firing at each other, I fired gunshots, then dodged some rounds, just before I managed to eventually shoot one of the guards down, though the other fired on me, then I fired back. As we exchanged gunfire, with Joe firing cover, I dodged some fire, then aimed and kept firing until the last guard was gunned down.
"You'll never take me!" Kandler shouted, firing his STG 44 wildly at us.
I dodged some gunshots, then Joe and I fired MP 40 fire back at Kandler, driving him to cover, then he fired back. We all kept on exchanging gunfire, and once I dodged some shots, I fired and drove him back... But eventually, after braving and dodging his shots, I finally returned fire and gunned Kandler down, ending him.
With Kandler now dead, Joe and I went over to the injured Bromley and helped him back to his feet, and though he started to walk with a limp, he insisted on continuing to move as fast as possible.
"Well, lads, Kandler's going down with his ship," Bromley stated, "Let's get after Shima."
"I saw him leave in a car," Joe spoke, "I don't know where he went."
"I do," Bromley replied, "Couldn't help but overhear him and Kandler. He's heading to an airfield outside of the city, just South East of here."
"Then let's hurry up." Joe said, rather excitedly.
Joe, Bromley and I raced out of the bridge and down to the deck, just making it to the boardwalk of the sinking ship. Though Bromley was still limping, he managed to keep up, then we made our way to to the docks, just escaping the ship as it began to sink even further.
While we watched the ship quickly sink to the bottom of the seas, we saw that the Japanese soldiers at the docks were in disarray, which allowed the three of us to try and bypass these enemies... But as we just neared the exit of the dock, some enemies spotted us.
Japanese soldiers at the docks fired on us, driving us to cover. Joe and I fired hails of immense MP 40 fire back at the Japanese soldiers, raking their positions and gunning some of them down, but the Japanese gunshots kept raining heavily on them.
...That was when Bromley decided to make his move, emerging from his cover and saying, "You boys go, I'll hold them off." Bromley took my MP 40 and proceeded to fire it at the approaching Japanese, with his saying, "What are you waiting for?! Get moving, lads!"
It was difficult, yes, but ultimately, Joe and I decided to head up the street while Bromley kept firing the MP 40 at the enemies by the docks, fending off the Japanese attackers... But Joe and I managed to reach the end of the street before turning back to see Bromley continue to stubbornly hold his ground... Just before an enemy shell was fired and landed right in front of Bromley, blasting him away and tragically killing him.
...But as I took out my captured STG 44 rifle, we just kept moving...
Coming onto a street, we found ourselves facing off against both Japanese and German soldiers who fired their guns at us. In response, Joe and I got to cover and fired shots back at the enemies on the street.
In a series of fierce firefights, Joe and I dodged some gunfire and fired shots back at enemies, with me shooting tow soldiers as Joe gunned a couple others down, then I fired and shot four more enemies. Moving up the street, some more German and Japanese soldiers appeared and fired gunshots at us, but Joe and I dodged the enemy fire and fired shots back, with me shooting two soldiers as Joe fired and shot a few other enemies. After dodging some shots, Joe and I got to cover, and as the Germans and Japanese fired on us, I fired shots back that nailed two soldiers, then as Joe blazed rounds that struck a few soldiers, I gunned three more enemies down as well.
After some fighting, Joe and I moved up onto another street. As we rushed up the street, some enemies appeared and fired on us, so Joe and I took cover by a building, then I fired my STG 44 and shot up four of the enemies. The Japanese and German soldiers still fired heavy shots at us, but with Joe blazing cover rounds, I gunned two soldiers down in return, then as I dodged bullets, I fired and gunned three more enemies down as well. Joe shot up a couple more soldiers, but enemy return fire blazed and drove us to cover, then I aimed and shot two other soldiers. Joe then fired and nailed a few more enemies as I shot two other soldiers, then we moved up the streets.
Coming onto another street, some German and Japanese soldiers appeared and fired gunshots our way, but Joe and I fired gunfire back and shot up several enemies. However, a German with an MG 42 gun in the window of a building opened up and blazed at us, driving us to cover. As the machine gun kept firing at us, Joe then fired cover at the gun, allowing me to aim and shoot the gunner. After this, a German with a Panzerschreck launcher came in from a top a building and blazed a rocket our way, bu I just dodged the rocket and then aimed and shot him in return. After that some more enemies came at us, firing shots our way, and as Joe and I fired back, we got to cover. As the both of us fired, we dodged enemy shots, then we concentrated and shot several enemies.
Moving up the street, some more German and Japanese soldiers appeared and fired on us, but I shot two soldiers as Joe gunned a few enemies down, then I fired and nailed three other enemies. Moving up onto another street, some more enemy soldiers appeared and fired on us, so I took cover and fired shots that nailed four more enemies. While Joe gunned a couple soldiers down, I dodged enemy bullets, then shot two other soldiers. Remaining enemies kept firing at us, but as Joe then fired cover shots, I fired and gunned three other soldiers down.
Eventually, we began moving onto another street, where we found just a handful of enemy defenses. Some Japanese and Germans appeared and fired on us, but I fired STG 44 fire back and gunned four of them down. However, this was followed by an MG 42 machine gun opening up in the window of a building, firing shots our way. Joe and I got to cover as the gun rained bullets over us, but as Joe and I fired at the gun, it just kept shooting up our cover. Luckily however, as Joe fired cover at it, I aimed and shot the German gunner. This was followed by a couple Germans appearing on a building and firing Panzerschreck rockets, but luckily I got out of the way of the rockets and then aimed and shot two two operators down, clearing our way.
"Look, that car," Joe said, pointing to a nearby Type 95 Kurogane, "Get to it!"
With resistance cleared out of the way, the two of us proceeded to run over to and enter the car, intending to drive on towards the airfield that Bromley had directed us to. Once in the car, Joe started the vehicle up by the driver's seat as I rode in the passenger's, then we started driving down the rode to the airfield.
"Shima should still be at the airfield," Joe said, "...He's not getting away this time!"