Battle of Luzon - Wikipedia

11/5/2017 Battle of Luzon - Wikipedia Battle of Luzon The Battle of Luzon, fought 9 January – 15 August 1945, was a land battle of the Pacific Theater of Operations of Battle of Luzon World War II by the Allied forces of the U.S., its colony the Philippines, and allies against forces of the Empire of Part of World War II, Pacific Japan. The battle resulted in a U.S. and Filipino victory. Theater The Allies had taken control of all strategically and economically important locations of Luzon by March 1945, although pockets of Japanese resistance held out in the mountains until the unconditional surrender of Japan.[6] While not the highest in U.S. casualties, it is the highest net casualty battle U.S. forces fought in World War II, with 192,000 to 205,000 Japanese combatants dead (mostly from starvation and disease),[7] 10,000 American combatants killed, and between 120,000 to 140,000 Filipino civilians and combatants killed. A squad leader points out a Contents suspected Japanese position at 1 Background edge of Baleta Pass, near Baguio 2 Prelude where troops of the 25th Inf. Div. 2.1 Deception operations 3 Battle are in fierce combat with the 4 Aftermath enemy. 23 March 1945. 5 See also 6 References Date January 9th, 1945 – 7 Further reading August 15th, 1945 8 External links Location Luzon, Philippines Result Decisive Allied Background victory The Philippines were considered to be of great strategic importance because their capture by Japan would pose a Territorial Allies liberate the significant threat to the U.S. As a result, 135,000 troops changes Luzon island group and 227 aircraft were stationed in the Philippines by October 1941. However, Luzon—the largest island in the Belligerents Philippines—was captured by Imperial Japanese forces in 1942 during their campaign to capture the Philippines. United States Japan General Douglas MacArthur—who was in charge of the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Luzon 1/5 11/5/2017 Battle of Luzon - Wikipedia defense of the Philippines at the time—was ordered to Commonwealth Second Australia, and the remaining U.S. forces retreated to the Bataan Peninsula.[8] of the Philippines Philippine Republic A few months after this, MacArthur expressed his belief Australia that an attempt to recapture the Philippines was necessary. Mexico[1] The U.S. Pacific Commander Admiral Chester Nimitz and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest King both Commanders and leaders opposed this idea, arguing that it must wait until victory was certain. MacArthur had to wait two years for his wish; Douglas Tomoyuki it was 1944 before a campaign to recapture the Philippines MacArthur Yamashita was launched. The island of Leyte was the first objective of the campaign, which was captured by the end of December Walter 1944. This was followed by the attack on Mindoro, and Krueger later, Luzon.[8] Sergio Prelude Osmeña Before U.S. forces could launch the attack on Luzon, a base Luis Taruc of operation needed to be established close to the island. Strength Airbases in particular had to be established in order to provide the advancing troops with air support. Troops 280,000[2] 275,000[3] under Brigadier General William C. Dunckel captured the [4] island of Mindoro, with the assistance of the 7th Fleet. By 232 tanks 28 December, two airbases were controlled by the U.S. and Casualties and losses were ready to assist in the attack on Luzon, which was [a] scheduled to be launched on 9 January 1945. With the 47,190 214,585 capture of Mindoro, U.S. forces were positioned south of (10,380 killed, (205,535 dead, Luzon. However, MacArthur intended to land his forces at Lingayen, further north.[9] This would place his troops close 36,550 9,050 captured) to several roads and railways on Luzon, which led to Manila wounded, 260 (Mostly from —the main objective—through the plains in the center of the island.[6] died of diseases and disease)[5] starvation) Deception operations 232 tanks lost U.S. aircraft constantly made reconnaissance and bombing flights over southern Luzon, intending to deceive the Japanese forces into believing that the attack on Luzon would come from the south. In addition, transport aircraft were used to make parachute drops with dummies. Minesweepers were used to clear the bays of Balayan, Batangas, and Tayabas, located to the south of Luzon, and Filipino resistance fighters conducted sabotage operations in southern Luzon. These deception operations failed to convince General Yamashita, the leader of the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines, and he built significant defensive positions in the hills and mountains surrounding the Lingayen Gulf in Northern Luzon.[9] Battle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Luzon 2/5 11/5/2017 Battle of Luzon - Wikipedia The assault on Luzon was launched, as planned, on 9 January 1945, codenamed S-day. The Japanese forces reported more than 70 Allied warships entering the Lingayen Gulf. Pre-assault bombardment of Japanese shore positions from these ships began at 7:00. The landings were commenced an hour later.[10] The landing forces faced strong opposition from Japanese kamikaze aircraft. The escort carrier Ommaney Bay was destroyed by a kamikaze attack, while a destroyer and several other warships were also sunk.[9] Aircraft from the 3rd Fleet assisted the landings with close air support, strafing and bombing Japanese gun positions.[11] The battleships Pennsylvania and The landings at the Lingayen Gulf on 9 January were carried out by the 6th Colorado lead three heavy cruisers Army under the command of General Walter Krueger. Approximately into the Lingayen Gulf for the pre- 175,000 troops from the 6th Army landed along the 20-mile (32 km) assault bombardment of Japanese beachhead within a few days, while the I Corps protected their flanks. XIV shore positions Corps under General Oscar Griswold then advanced south toward Manila, despite Krueger's concerns that his eastern flank was unprotected and vulnerable if the Japanese forces attacked. However, no such attack occurred, and the U.S. forces did not meet much resistance until they reached the Clark Air Base on 23 January. The battle there lasted until the end of January, and after capturing the base, XIV Corps advanced toward Manila.[6] A second amphibious landing took place on 15 January, 45 mi (72 km) southwest of Manila. On 31 January, two regiments of the 11th Airborne Division made an airborne assault, capturing a bridge, and later advanced toward Manila. On 3 February, the 1st Cavalry Division captured the bridge across Tullahan River leading to the city. They advanced into the city that evening, Captain Andrade of Escuadrón 201 stands in front and the battle for the capture of Manila began. On 4 February, of his P-47D with his maintenance team after the paratroopers of the 11th Airborne—approaching the city returning from a combat mission over Luzon. from the south—came to the main Japanese defences south of the city of Manila where their advance was halted by heavy resistance. General Yamashita had ordered his troops to destroy all bridges and other vital installations as soon as the U.S. forces entered the city, and Japanese forces entrenched throughout the city continued to resist U.S. forces. General MacArthur announced the imminent recapture of Manila on the same day. On 11 February, the 11th Airborne Division captured the last Japanese outer defences, thus encircling the whole city. U.S. and Filipino forces carried out clearing operations in the city in the following weeks.[6] Military casualties totalled 1,010 Americans, 3,079 Filipinos and 12,000 Japanese. The first wave of troops approaching Aftermath the beaches of Luzon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Luzon 3/5 11/5/2017 Battle of Luzon - Wikipedia Battles continued throughout the island of Luzon in the following weeks, with more U.S. troops having landed on the island. Filipino and American resistance fighters also attacked Japanese positions and secured several locations.[12] The Allies had taken control of all strategically and economically important locations of Luzon by early March. Small groups of the remaining Japanese forces retreated to the mountainous areas in the north and southeast of the island, where they were besieged for months. Pockets of Japanese soldiers held out in the mountains—most ceasing resistance with the unconditional surrender of Japan, but a scattered few holding out for many years afterwards.[6] Casualties were stunningly high for the Japanese. Japanese losses were 205,535 dead, with 9,050 taken prisoners.[13] U.S. losses were far lower, with 10,640 dead and 36,550 wounded. Civilian casualties are estimated at 120,000 to 140,000 dead. See also Battle of Bessang Pass Battle of Balete Pass Battle of Manila (1945) List of American guerrillas in the Philippines Escuadrón 201 Japanese holdout Manila massacre William R. Shockley References 1. Escuadrón 201, a Mexican fighter–bomber squadron that participated during the last phase of the battle. 2. Manchester: American Caesar pg. 406 3. Manchester: American Ceaser pg. 406 4. Taki, THE HISTORY OF BATTLES OF IMPERIAL JAPANESE TANKS (http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/history2.ht m). 5. "Luzon" (http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/luzon/72-28.htm) Retrieved 25 Oct. 2015. 6. "Luzon 1944–1945" (http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/luzon/72-28.htm). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/ 20081215091059/http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/luzon/72-28.htm) from the original on 15 December 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2008. 7. Spector, Eagle Against the Sun pg. 529 8. "The Philippines" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090222190510/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWphilippi nes.htm).

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