WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/Pacific • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
MacArthur's "I shall return" campaign to retake the Philippines, culminating in the devastating urban battle for Manila. (20 October 1944 – 15 August 1945)
Chronological Storyline (23 Milestones)
Oct 20, 1944 CE
MacArthur returns at Leyte
General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte, fulfilling his pledge to return, as the US Sixth Army began the main amphibious assault to liberate the Philippines. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte
Philippines Campaign FULL DOCUMENTARY - Pacific War AnimatedDouglas MacArthur wades ashore during initial landings at Leyte, Philippine Islands. Left to right: Philippine President Sergio Osmena; Lieutenant General George Kenney (obscured); Colonel Courtney Whitney; Brigadier General Carlos Romulo; General Douglas MacArthur; Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland; CBS radio correspondent Bill Dunn; Staff Sergeant Francisco Salveron By U.S. Army Signal Corps officer Gaetano Faillace [1] - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3289265
Oct 23, 1944 CE
Battle of Leyte Gulf begins
The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a decisive counterattack against the Allied invasion fleet, resulting in the largest naval battle in history and crippling Japanese sea power. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Taffy 3 repels Japanese center force
A small American escort carrier task unit, Taffy 3, fought off a vastly superior Japanese battleship force off Samar, preventing the destruction of MacArthur's invasion shipping. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
Taffy 3 repels Japanese center force By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550733
Nov 10, 1944 CE
Japanese reinforce Leyte by sea
Despite Allied naval dominance, the Japanese successfully landed thousands of reinforcements on Leyte's western coast at Ormoc, intensifying the ground campaign. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormoc_Bay
Ormoc Bay facing Merida, Leyte with the Magsanga mountain peak. By Jordz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18449509
Dec 7, 1944 CE
US forces land at Ormoc
The US 77th Infantry Division executed an amphibious landing at Ormoc Bay, cutting the primary Japanese supply and reinforcement route on Leyte. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ormoc_Bay
Battle of Leyte, situation 7 November to 31 December 1944. By Unknown author - http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-Leyte/maps/USA-C-Leyte-5.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2061695
Dec 15, 1944 CE
Invasion of Mindoro
General MacArthur launched an amphibious assault on Mindoro to secure airfields for close air support of the upcoming Luzon campaign, catching Japanese defenders off guard. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mindoro
Original Caption: “Left to right: Pfc. Philip H. Dunbar (Worcester, Massachusetts) and Pvt. Si Gerson (New York City) giving Christmas candy to Filipino children in San Jose, Mindoro Island.” Photographer” Pvt. Ben Gross By Pvt. Ben Grossfor the United States Department of War - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/148727530, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=192575762
Dec 26, 1944 CE
Yamashita assumes Philippine command
General Tomoyuki Yamashita took command of the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army, shifting to a strategy of protracted defense to delay Allied progress rather than contesting beachheads. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoyuki_Yamashita
Portrait of Tomoyuki Yamashita, Japanese general of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Yamashita led Japanese forces during the invasion of Malaya and Battle of Singapore, with his accomplishment of conquering Malaya and Singapore in 70 days earning him the sobriquet The Tiger of Malaya. Pictured here as a full general. By Unknown Japanese Army Photographer - Immediate source: http://news.cntv.cn/military/20110503/109697.shtml (Chinese state media), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=189404952
Jan 9, 1945 CE
Luzon landings at Lingayen Gulf
The US Sixth Army landed at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon, establishing a critical beachhead for the drive toward Manila despite fierce Japanese kamikaze attacks on the supporting fleet. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingayen_Gulf_landings
Jan 31, 1945 CE
Drive on Manila begins
General Walter Krueger ordered the US 1st Cavalry and 37th Infantry Divisions to advance rapidly south toward Manila, aiming to liberate the capital and free internees. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_(1945)
Destruction at the Walled City (Intramuros district) of old Manila in May 1945 — after the Battle of Manila. By Unknown photographer - Illustration 341 in Medical Dept., U.S. Army: Surgery in World War II: Activities of Surgical Consultants, Vol. II, Office of the Surgeon general, Dept. of the Army, Washington, D.C., 1964., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2696583
Feb 3, 1945 CE
1st Cavalry reaches Santo Tomas
The US 1st Cavalry Division reached Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila, initiating the liberation of thousands of Allied civilian prisoners held by the Japanese. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_at_Los_Ba%C3%B1os
Among the many internment camps for civilians set up by the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II was one near the little town of Los Banos, forty-two miles southeast of Manila. Here, several miles behind enemy lines and approximately two miles from the southwest shore of Laguna de Bay, on Luzon Island, was the second largest concentration of allied men, women, and children in the Philippines. Represented were ten nationalities whose citizens ranged in age from six months to seventy years. While many were missionaries, nuns, and priests of various orders, a few were U.S. Navy nurses who had been incarcerated since their capture on Corregidor in 1942. In February 1945, the 11th U.S. Airborne Division and six Philippine guerrilla units operating on Luzon devised a plan to liberate the camp and for that purpose formed the Los Banos Task Force under Col. Robert H. Soule. The group consisted of approximately two thousand paratroopers, amphibious tractor battalion units, and ground forces as well as some three hundred guerrillas. The key to the rescue was an assault force consisting of a reinforced airborne company who were to jump on the camp while a reconnaissance force of approximately ninety selected guerrillas, thirty-two U. S. Army enlisted men, and one officer pinned the guards down. The remainder of the force was to launch a diversionary attack, send in amphibious reinforcements, and be prepared to evacuate the internees either overland or across the lake. The bulk of the Philippine guerrillas were to assist by providing guides and marking both the drop zone and beach landing site. This plan was based on intelligence provided by guerrilla observations of the camp guard locations and routines, supplemented by a detailed map of the Los Banos Camp which had been drawn by a civilian internee who had managed to escape. The group learned that eighty guards and a well-armed garrison maintained the camp and were backed by eight to fifteen thousand troops who were several hours' march away. Using this information, the reconnaissance force was directed to approach the area by way of Manila and Muntinlupa under cover of darkness on 21-22 February, in preparation for an attack on 23 February. At dawn, just before the planes were within sight bearing the paratroopers whose chutes would signal the attack, an alert Japanese sentry spotted a guerrilla moving into position and fired a shot to alert the garrison. The attack was forced into motion as a guerrilla wielding a bolo knife quickly silenced the guard, while others in the reconnaissance force killed most of the sentries who remained. By the time the airborne company could join the assault, most of the guards had been either killed or driven from their posts. When the remainder of the parent airborne battalion and pack howitzers arrived by amphibious tractors, the remaining pillboxes were taken and the force turned its attention to the sole reason for the entire mission: the liberation of the 2,147 internees from almost certain death. By 1:30 P.M. that day, the last of the internees, paratroopers, and guerrillas had been evacuated from Los Banos. Casualties consisted of three guerrillas killed and six wounded and two U.S. paratroopers killed and four wounded. Apparently, the entire Japanese garrison was killed. Clearly shown in the painting is a guerrilla armed with a bolo knife divesting a Japanese sentry of his rifle. Crouched behind the foliage and clutching U.S. issued .30 caliber M1903 series rifles, are other members of the force who wait to assist the 11th Airborne force landing in front of the camp. By United States army - http://www.history.army.mil/html/artphoto/pripos/amsoldier5.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20321912
Feb 4, 1945 CE
Japanese begin Manila's destruction
Rear Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi's Japanese naval troops, defying Yamashita's orders to withdraw, began systematically destroying Manila and massacring Filipino civilians as American forces closed in. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_massacre
Scope and content: Filipino children killed by Japanese. By Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17161080
Feb 16, 1945 CE
Corregidor recaptured
The US 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment and 34th Infantry Division assaulted the island fortress of Corregidor, securing it after a brief but intense battle against the Japanese garrison. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Corregidor_(1945)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Claxton (DD-571) shelling Corregidor, in February 1945. By USN; The original uploader was Celebrity historian at English Wikipedia., 4 September 2006 (original upload date) - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Trần Nguyễn Minh Huy. http://www.corregidor.org/archive/army_pictorial_service/html/na_083.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9804599
Feb 23, 1945 CE
Intramuros assaulted
The US 37th Infantry Division launched a massive artillery barrage and assault on the walled city of Intramuros, the last major Japanese stronghold in Manila. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_(1945)
Destruction at the Walled City (Intramuros district) of old Manila in May 1945 — after the Battle of Manila. By Unknown photographer - Illustration 341 in Medical Dept., U.S. Army: Surgery in World War II: Activities of Surgical Consultants, Vol. II, Office of the Surgeon general, Dept. of the Army, Washington, D.C., 1964., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2696583
Feb 23, 1945 CE
Los Baños camp liberated
The US 11th Airborne Division, aided by Filipino guerrillas, executed a daring raid behind Japanese lines to rescue over 2,000 internees at the Los Baños prison camp. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_at_Los_Ba%C3%B1os
Among the many internment camps for civilians set up by the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II was one near the little town of Los Banos, forty-two miles southeast of Manila. Here, several miles behind enemy lines and approximately two miles from the southwest shore of Laguna de Bay, on Luzon Island, was the second largest concentration of allied men, women, and children in the Philippines. Represented were ten nationalities whose citizens ranged in age from six months to seventy years. While many were missionaries, nuns, and priests of various orders, a few were U.S. Navy nurses who had been incarcerated since their capture on Corregidor in 1942. In February 1945, the 11th U.S. Airborne Division and six Philippine guerrilla units operating on Luzon devised a plan to liberate the camp and for that purpose formed the Los Banos Task Force under Col. Robert H. Soule. The group consisted of approximately two thousand paratroopers, amphibious tractor battalion units, and ground forces as well as some three hundred guerrillas. The key to the rescue was an assault force consisting of a reinforced airborne company who were to jump on the camp while a reconnaissance force of approximately ninety selected guerrillas, thirty-two U. S. Army enlisted men, and one officer pinned the guards down. The remainder of the force was to launch a diversionary attack, send in amphibious reinforcements, and be prepared to evacuate the internees either overland or across the lake. The bulk of the Philippine guerrillas were to assist by providing guides and marking both the drop zone and beach landing site. This plan was based on intelligence provided by guerrilla observations of the camp guard locations and routines, supplemented by a detailed map of the Los Banos Camp which had been drawn by a civilian internee who had managed to escape. The group learned that eighty guards and a well-armed garrison maintained the camp and were backed by eight to fifteen thousand troops who were several hours' march away. Using this information, the reconnaissance force was directed to approach the area by way of Manila and Muntinlupa under cover of darkness on 21-22 February, in preparation for an attack on 23 February. At dawn, just before the planes were within sight bearing the paratroopers whose chutes would signal the attack, an alert Japanese sentry spotted a guerrilla moving into position and fired a shot to alert the garrison. The attack was forced into motion as a guerrilla wielding a bolo knife quickly silenced the guard, while others in the reconnaissance force killed most of the sentries who remained. By the time the airborne company could join the assault, most of the guards had been either killed or driven from their posts. When the remainder of the parent airborne battalion and pack howitzers arrived by amphibious tractors, the remaining pillboxes were taken and the force turned its attention to the sole reason for the entire mission: the liberation of the 2,147 internees from almost certain death. By 1:30 P.M. that day, the last of the internees, paratroopers, and guerrillas had been evacuated from Los Banos. Casualties consisted of three guerrillas killed and six wounded and two U.S. paratroopers killed and four wounded. Apparently, the entire Japanese garrison was killed. Clearly shown in the painting is a guerrilla armed with a bolo knife divesting a Japanese sentry of his rifle. Crouched behind the foliage and clutching U.S. issued .30 caliber M1903 series rifles, are other members of the force who wait to assist the 11th Airborne force landing in front of the camp. By United States army - http://www.history.army.mil/html/artphoto/pripos/amsoldier5.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20321912
Mar 3, 1945 CE
Manila officially liberated
After a month of devastating urban combat, Manila was declared secured, but the city lay in ruins with over 100,000 Filipino civilians dead and most infrastructure destroyed. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_(1945)
Destruction at the Walled City (Intramuros district) of old Manila in May 1945 — after the Battle of Manila. By Unknown photographer - Illustration 341 in Medical Dept., U.S. Army: Surgery in World War II: Activities of Surgical Consultants, Vol. II, Office of the Surgeon general, Dept. of the Army, Washington, D.C., 1964., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2696583
Mar 10, 1945 CE
Baguio targeted by US forces
The US 33rd Infantry Division began its advance toward Baguio, the summer capital and a key Japanese stronghold in the mountains of northern Luzon. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baguio_(1945)
Photo #: NH 97276 Surrender of Japanese Forces in the Philippines, 1945 Surrender ceremonies at Baguio, Luzon, on 3 September 1945. The Japanese commander, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, is seated in the middle on the near side of the table. Seated on the opposite side, second from left, is Lieutenant General Jonathan M. Wainwright, U.S. Army. Toward the right end of the table, immediately to the left of Gen. Yamashita's head, is Commodore Norman C. Gillette, USN, Deputy Commander, Philippine Sea Frontier. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. By Jossi at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45950583
Apr 1, 1945 CE
Yamashita retreats to Ifugao
General Yamashita relocated his headquarters deep into the Cordillera Central mountains, consolidating his remaining forces for a protracted guerrilla defense in northern Luzon. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoyuki_Yamashita
Portrait of Tomoyuki Yamashita, Japanese general of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Yamashita led Japanese forces during the invasion of Malaya and Battle of Singapore, with his accomplishment of conquering Malaya and Singapore in 70 days earning him the sobriquet The Tiger of Malaya. Pictured here as a full general. By Unknown Japanese Army Photographer - Immediate source: http://news.cntv.cn/military/20110503/109697.shtml (Chinese state media), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=189404952
Apr 17, 1945 CE
Panay and Guimaras liberated
The US 40th Infantry Division landed on Panay and Guimaras, rapidly securing the islands with the support of local Filipino guerrilla forces. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Visayas
First wave U.S. troops from the Americal Division's 3rd Battalion, 132nd Infantry during the landing on Talisay beach, Cebu. Alligator LVTs are visible rolling up in the background. View facing south, Signal Corps photograph SC 204236. By Signal Corps photographer - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Trần Nguyễn Minh Huy. image http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-PR-Japan/USA-PR-Japan-4.html image 182ndinfantry.org via NARA NARA original Signal Corps caption image 143, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10200770
Apr 26, 1945 CE
Cebu City liberated
The US Americal Division secured Cebu City after fierce fighting, though Japanese forces retreated into the island's interior and continued resisting until the war's end. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Visayas
First wave U.S. troops from the Americal Division's 3rd Battalion, 132nd Infantry during the landing on Talisay beach, Cebu. Alligator LVTs are visible rolling up in the background. View facing south, Signal Corps photograph SC 204236. By Signal Corps photographer - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Trần Nguyễn Minh Huy. image http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-PR-Japan/USA-PR-Japan-4.html image 182ndinfantry.org via NARA NARA original Signal Corps caption image 143, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10200770
May 10, 1945 CE
Mindanao assault begins
The US 31st and 24th Infantry Divisions landed at Mindanao near Malabang, initiating the final major campaign to liberate the southern Philippine islands. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mindanao
U.S. landing craft mechanized carries troops of Company I, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division up the Mindanao river for the assault on Fort Pikit. By Signal Corps photographer - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19567498
Jun 15, 1945 CE
Baguio falls to Allies
Filipino guerrillas and the US 33rd Infantry Division captured Baguio, forcing Yamashita's remaining forces deeper into the mountains of northern Luzon. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baguio_(1945)
Photo #: NH 97276 Surrender of Japanese Forces in the Philippines, 1945 Surrender ceremonies at Baguio, Luzon, on 3 September 1945. The Japanese commander, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, is seated in the middle on the near side of the table. Seated on the opposite side, second from left, is Lieutenant General Jonathan M. Wainwright, U.S. Army. Toward the right end of the table, immediately to the left of Gen. Yamashita's head, is Commodore Norman C. Gillette, USN, Deputy Commander, Philippine Sea Frontier. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. By Jossi at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45950583
Jul 4, 1945 CE
Mindanao campaign concludes
Organized Japanese resistance on Mindanao ended as US and Filipino forces secured the island, though isolated Japanese units continued to hold out in the interior. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mindanao
U.S. landing craft mechanized carries troops of Company I, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division up the Mindanao river for the assault on Fort Pikit. By Signal Corps photographer - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19567498
Aug 15, 1945 CE
Japan surrenders, ending campaign
Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender, effectively ending the Philippines campaign; Yamashita subsequently surrendered his forces on September 2, 1945. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_of_Japan
Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signs the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Japanese Government, on board USS Missouri (BB-63), 2 September 1945. Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland, U.S. Army, watches from the opposite side of the table. Foreign Ministry representative Toshikazu Kase is assisting Mr. Shigemitsu. By Army Signal Corps photographer LT. Stephen E. Korpanty; restored by Adam Cuerden - Naval Historical Center Photo # SC 213700, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93758525
