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The "Tigers of Corregidor" is the name given to the 2 Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks led by commander Tsuchida and Takahisa who were instrumental in the capture of the island. They were part of the 7th tank regiment which was tasked with supporting the invasion of Corregidor while the 4th tank regiment remained at Luzon and Manila. Once the landings began the 7th sent a platoon comprising of the 2 Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks (commanded by Tsuchida and Takahisa) and a captured Stuart. They were able to successfully assault the beaches and their presence served as a morale boost to their infantry comrades.
The 7th sent another platoon with the second wave however they were not so fortunate as the weather blew the transports off course and they were sunk by AT guns after being caught by US spotlights. The tank crews survived and were able to swim ashore with the remainder of the landing troops. Thus the Japanese would only have 3 tanks for the remainder of this battle.
The exit from the beach was blocked by a large hill near Denver Battery which was covered with rough terrain. The 2 Chi-Has were unable to climb the 50 meter hill on their own and had to be towed up by the Stuart. Later that day a couterattack by American infantry from Denver Point halted the Japanese advance. A pillbox along the way kept the Japanese infantry pinned however once Tsuchida received word, he brought forward his tank and knocked it out.
The next stage for the Japanese advance was for Malinta Hill. Tsuchida spearheaded the assault with the 2 Chi-Has and they were able to knock out the American defenses at Water-Tower Hill consisting of AT guns and a handful of Stuarts. Here the Japanese suffered no losses since the tanks destroyed or forced the surrender of all resistance on the way to the US facilities.
After the engagement the Japanese dug in while awaiting further orders. Intimidated by the IJA's new tank of which they knew nothing about, a US staff officer approached Tsuchida with a white flag to negotiate a compromise and he was taken to the IJA regimental HQ. However the talks proved fruitless and command resumed the advance on Malinta Hill with the Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks firing on US troops scattered throughout the island tunnels along the way.
After reaching Malinta Hill, the Japanese tanks had a commanding view of the remaining US facilities and barracks. Upon sight of these tanks, General Wainright realized the hopelessness of his position and to avoid total slaughter he surrendered the Island and its defenders. From here on the Japanese public became aware of commander Tsuchida and Takahisa and their Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks. At home they were celebrated as heroes and earned the rightful title of "The Tigers of Corregidor".
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