The Round Tablette February 2011 2

The Round Tablette Founding Editor: James W. Gerber, MD (1951–2009) February2011 In the Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19-20 24:07 Volume 19 Number 6 June 1944, the “Great Marianas Turkey Published by WW II History Roundtable Shoot,” the Imperial Japanese Navy lost Edited by Dr. Connie Harris the bulk of its aircrews and aircraft and 3 www.mn-ww2roundtable.org of its precious fleet carriers. Effectively Thursday, 9 February 2011 only ground based aircraft defended the Philippines from American invasion. Happy New Year and Welcome to the February session of the Harold C. On 20 October 1944, the Sixth Army Deutsch World War II History began the landings on Leyte instead of Roundtable. Tonight’s speaker is Dr. Mindanao. The IJN attempted the George Eaton, Command History for the destruction of Adm. Halsey’s 3rd and 7th US Army’s Sustainment Command at fleets in the “Battle of Leyte Gulf” on Rock Island Arsenal. We have two 23-26 October. Technically, this was a veterans and a civilian internee joining us. collection of four battles: of the Sibuyan Sea, of the Surigao Strait, off Cape The Japanese attacked the Philippine Engaño, and off Samar. The first Islands on 8 December 1941. Landing at kamikaze attacks were launched in this Lingayen Bay on 22 December, they battle, which was the first in which advanced on Manila from the north. Japan fielded fewer aircraft than the US. MacArthur’s forces retreated onto the After this battle, the IJN was finished as Bataan peninsula and to Fortress a major fighting force. Corregidor. By Christmas, 1944, Luzon was taken, After surrender, American and Filipino and the island of Mindanao fell rapidly soldiers endured the Death March, and since the Japanese did not heavily fortify PW camps (notably O’Donnell, and it. The landings on Lingayen Bay Cabantuan), with some in internment followed on 9 January 1945. The camps at Santo Tomas University and invasion fleet was the largest assembly Bilid prison. A number of soldiers did not of combat vessels to that time. This surrender, and most joined the Filipino landing was much larger that the fabled Guerrillas which controlled up to sixty Normandy landings, and had few percent of the islands, and were the core casualties because the Japanese did not of USFIP, to MacArthur’s initial dismay. seriously contest the beaches.

Filipinos endured forced labor, theft, General Yamashita Tomoyuki was exploitation, and sexual debasement forced to leave substantial areas under Japanese occupation. Their loyalty undefended by the speed and weight of to the United States and their support of the American advance down the center the prisoners and guerrilla warfare testify of the Luzon plain towards Clark Field to the ties of trust forged between the two and Manila. He put significant forces in peoples. the mountains above Clark Field to try and deny use for as long as possible. MacArthur had promised he would return, but Adm. Ernest King wanted to take Despite orders to the contrary, much of the Mindanao, then Formosa, and land on the Manila Naval Defense Force remained in Chinese coast, continuing the island- the city. As the American forces drove the hoping campaign. MacArthur insisted that Japanese forces into the mountains and both strategic and moral reasons dictated back on Manila, the MNDF regrouped to retaking the archipelago, and managed to defend the city. Its mission was to “defend win this debate. its already established positions WWII History Round Table on DVD!!!Programs $10 + tax & shipping Order online at: www.barros.us/online-store.cfmor contact Rob at (763) 639-3399 The Round Tablette February 2011 — 2 and crush the enemy's fighting Air Show - Eden Prairie - www.wotn.org - strength.” 952-746-6100 July 16-17, 2011 Initial Plans, Invasion of PI Despite vicious fighting in the city, the MNDF was forced building by building to retreat, leaving Manila one of the most heavily damaged cities of the war. Yamashita’s main forces moved north into the mountains and dug in, holding out until after Japan’s surrender.

Further Reading: Walter Krueger, From Down Under to Nippon: The 6th Army in World War II (Washington D.C.: Combat Forces Press, 1953)

Kevin Holzimmer, General Walter Krueger: Unsung Hero of the Pacific War (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Press, 2007)

Edward Drea, Japan’s Imperial Army: Its Rise and Fall: 1853-1945 (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Press, 1992)

Richard Connaughton, The Battle for Manila (Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 2002) Lingayen Landings-Battle for Manila Ronald H. Spector, Eagle Against the Sun: The American War with Japan (New York: Random House, 1985)

Robert Ross Smith, Triumph in the Philippines (Honolulu, HI: University Press of the Pacific, 2005)

See Reports of General MacArthur including Japanese reports of their operations, at the US Army Center for Military History Online Bookshelves, http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacAr thur%20Reports/MacArthurR.htm

Announcements: Twin Cities Civil War Round Table - Feb 15, 2011 “Sickles at Gettsburg” Jim Hessler www.tccwrt.com - 612-724-3849 St Croix Valley Civil War Round Table - Feb 28, 2011 “Key West & Florida in the Civil War” Steve Anderson - 715-386-1268 Rochester WWII History Round Table Feb 14, 2011 "Destroyers in the Pacific"www.ww2roundtable-rochester.org - 507-280-9970 Honor Flight - Jerry Kyser - Round Table Schedule 2010-2011 crazyjerry45@hotmail - 651-338-2717 Mar. 10, Coast Guard Role In Naval Ops CAF - Commorative Air Force - www.cafm- Apr. 14, Battle of Cassino n.org or Bill at 952-201-8400 May 12, Bombers Over Germany WWII History Round Table on DVD!!!Programs $10 + tax & shipping Order online at: www.barros.us/online-store.cfmor contact Rob at (763) 639-3399 The Round Tablette February 2011 — 2

WWII History Round Table on DVD!!!Programs $10 + tax & shipping Order online at: www.barros.us/online-store.cfmor contact Rob at (763) 639-3399