South from Corregidor

By: John Morrill

Narrated by: John Wray

Republished by Mike Deal and Tim Deal with support from the last surviving escapee, Lyle Bercier, and Lieutenant Commander Morrill's daughters make this republished version of South from Corregidor a one-of-a-kind listen. On the evening of May 6, 1942, hours after US Army General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered all US and Filipino forces on the island of Corregidor and other fortified islands in Manila Bay to the Imperial Japanese Army, 18 US Navy sailors from USS Quail began their daring escape to freedom. Using a 36-foot Navy motor launch, the 18 sailors, led by Lieutenant Commander John Morrill began their 2,000-mile journey through Japanese-infested waters. With only a watch, compass, homemade sextant and a few maps, it was an incredible feat of navigation.

Their story is one of great audacity, where the generosity and bravery of the Filipino people, along with sheer luck, played an integral role in the outcome of events. This World War II escape story was originally published as a series of Saturday Evening Post articles in December, 1942, and then as a book in early 1943. The book was written by Lieutenant Commander Morrill less than a year after the escape. This republished version of South from Corregidor is as the Skipper, as Lieutenant Commander Morrill is called by his crew, wrote it.

©2013 Mike Deal and Tim Deal (P)2016 Mike Deal and Tim Deal

My favorite book.

Would you consider the audio edition of South from Corregidor to be better than the print version?

Yes. Wray's voice is a perfect match for John Morrill. The print version is an excellent read that will really make you think and imagine what these brave men accomplished. It's a hard book to put down.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My Great Uncle, Philip Binkley. He played a major role in helping what was accomplished in this book. Our family lost him shortly after the crew arrived safely in Australia to the war. This book is pretty much all we have to remember him by.
All of these brave men bring a piece of character and personality you want to learn about.
This was a true team that worked together and accomplished the impossible. They had no doubts they would be successful.

What does John Wray bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was lucky enough to have a vote with Tim Deal and his family on whom we would pick to do this audio book. It was a unanimous decision that John Wray was the perfect fit. I think we all agree he has the voice of naval veteran that sounds like a leader who is sharing a story with you.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

I want to say thank you to Tim Deal for his ongoing efforts to promote this book. Thanks to him I've gained a great friendship and got the opportunity to meet him and Lyle Bercier in DC a couple of years ago. Lyle shared many great memories of Philip. That was a special day I will never forget. Our family is truly grateful to have this book. This story will never be forgotten.

A really exciting listen!

Great to find this wonderful wartime account on audible. I read it many years ago, and it makes for a really exciting listen!

Join the boat crew!

This was a great story that I had to listen to all the way through. Author John Morrill tells the story of his escape from Corregidor with 17 of his men during 1942. He gives an incredibly detailed picture of what it was like in the Philippines during WWII and pulls you right into the boat with him and his men as they make their daring escape.

There's so much to learn from this story from the history surrounding Corregidor and WWII to the incredible qualities of courage, loyalty, leadership, and faith of the boat crew throughout their journey. John Wray does a great job narrating and it feels like Lt. Cdr. Morrill is sitting right next you telling this story as you travel from Corregidor all the way to Australia!

I also really enjoyed listening to Mr. Lyle Bercier, the last surviving member of the boat crew today, and also the incredible letters and pieces of history included in the addendum at the end of the story. This is such a well put together audio book and one of my favorite stories to listen to!

A fantastic Memoir

This is a super memoir. I not only enjoyed the story but I learned so much about the fall of the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, and Australia during the beginning of the WWII. This memoir was first published in 1943 and was republished in 2013 by Mike and Tim Deal with the support of the last surviving escapee Lyle Bercier and Morrill’s daughter. The book has maps and photographs.

Seventeen sailors and Lt. Commander Morrill from the USS Quail launched a 36 foot Navy motor launch from Corregidor on 6 May 1942 as General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered to the Japanese. The book tells how they fled 2000 miles through Japanese controlled water to reach safety in Australia. Morrill tells how he used a watch, compass and homemade sextant to navigate. Morrell tells how the Filipino people helped them along the way with food and fuel but other countries’ natives were not as helpful. In the Dutch East Indies they had to trade valuable belongings for food and fuel as the natives would not accept American or Philippine money. The book is loaded with exciting information and encounters with both people and nature.

Morrell tells a fascinating story of survival. He went on to become a Rear Admiral. If you are interested in World War II, survival stories or human interest this book would be of interest to you. John Wray does an excellent job narrating the book.

I listened to the story over & over again!

I feel a personal attachment to this crew. I'm always sad when the book is finished and the men go their separate ways. Loved the story and wished I could have met the men. It was written during WWII ('43) so some of the vernacular is dated. At the end is an interview with the last remaining survivor. It is a challenge to understand him but so interesting to hear the old man speak. Also, we are updated as to every man's life after the ordeal.