February 15-21, 1945
Source: Compilation done by Mary H. Williams of the Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, Washington D.C. in 1960
February 15
LUZON - In U.S. sixth Army's XIV Corps area, bitter fighting continues within Manila. 40th Div, to right rear, continues to clear (Japanese) from hills in its zone. 185th Inf gains its final objective - Hill 1500. 108th is attempting to regain Hill 7 and 160th to clear objectives in div center. I Corps assumes responsibility for portion of XIV Corps zone lying generally N of E-W line through Tarlac. RCT 158 assembles in vicinity of Tarlac, passing to army reserve. 126th Inf, 32nd Div. Occupies San Manuel-Asingan-San Nicolas triangle, releasing entire 127th Inf for drive up Villa Verde Trail. In XI Corps area, 38th Div completes mop-up of (Japanese) Zigzag position. After preparatory bombardment, South Force lands on Mariveles coast at 1000. Gen Chase takes command ashore, releiving Adm Struble, CTG 78.3. No opposition is met, but (Japanese) counterattack, night 15-16 - the last organized (Japanese) effort on E coast - is repulsed.
February 16
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps, area 108th Inf of 40th Div regains Hill 7 and continues W, turning right flank of (Japanese) line. I Corps patrols aggressively to determine routes of advance on Baguio and Balete Pass. 1st Bn, 161st Inf, establishes observation posts in hills commanding Highway 5. In XI Corps area, after intensive preparatory bombardment by aircraft and naval vessels, Rock Force (503rd Para RCT and reinf 3rd Bn of 34th Inf, 24th Div) starts landing on Corregidor about 0830: fifth Air Force begins dropping 503rd Para RCT; 3rd Bn of 34th Inf arrives by sea from Mariveles and starts ashore about 1030. Beachhead is established and contact made between paratroopers and 34th Inf troops without serious difficulty since (Japanese) is shaken by preparatory bombardment and is taken completely by surprise.
February 17
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV corps begins intensive fire against Intramuros in Manila in preparation for assault. 6th Div. Less RCT 1, is transferred to XIV Corps from I Corps in order to participate in offensive to clear region E of Manila and this insure safety of that city. In I Corps area, 43rd Div (less RCT 169) is placed in army reserve; RCT 169 is given mission of holding W part of Central Plain N of line Tarlac-Palauig and W of the Agno. In XI corps area, East Force, now backed up by units released from the Zigzag (149th Inf, 38th Rcn Tr, and supporting units), starts W on Bataan along Pilar-Bagac Road without opposition. From Mariveles, South Force is working northward. Rock Force is methodically clearing Corregidor. 1st Bn, 503rd Para RCT, arrives there by landing craft.
MINDORO - U.S. Eighth Army activates Palawan Task Force (composed of 41st Div's 186th Inf, reinf, and under command of Brig Gen Harold Haney) to make amphibious assault - Operation Victor III - on Palawan on 28 February. 41st Div is also to clear Zamboanga Peninsula (Mindanao) beginning 10 March.
February 18
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps continues pre assault fire on Intramuros in Manila and is cleaning out approaches to it. In I Corps area, RCT 169 of 43rd Div relieves elements of 40th Div in NW part of revised I Corps zone. Patrol of 35th Inf, 25th Div, finds Pantabangan clear. In XI Corps area, South Force contacts East Force at Limay on Bataan. Rock Force continues clearing Corregidor.
U.S. Eighth Army conducts offshore rcn of Capul, Dalupiri, and Biri Islands, N of Luzon.
February 19
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, intensive bombardment of Intramuros continues. With capture of Object Hill by 160th Inf, 40th Div's current mission on right flank ends. RCT 1 rejoins 6th Div. In I Corps area, 33rd Div begging limited attacks to clear Bench Mark and Question Mark Hills, NE of sison. 1st Bn of 161st Inf, 25th Div, assisted by aircraft and arty and mortar fire, begins operations against (Japanese) positions NW of Lumboy, clearing the first of a series of four. In XI Corps area, East Force suspends drive across Bataan Peninsula while 149th Inf searches for (Japanese) positions. Rock Force repels (Japanese) counterattack on Corregidor Probing of Ternate area on S coast of Manila Bay is begun.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eight Army area, X Corps begins series of amphibious operations to clear shipping route through San Bernardino Strait to port of Manila. Prov Trask Force of Americal Div lands elements at Allen, on NW tip of Samar, and 1st Bn of 182nd Inf on Capul I., at W entrance to San Bernardino Strait. The landing parties begin search for (Japanese).
LEYTE - Americal div units are eliminating (Japanese) pocket in Villaba area.
February 20
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps continues preparations for assault on Intramuros in Manila. 6th Div completes relief of 2nd Cav Brig, 1st Cav Div, in Novaliches-Balara area. 7th Cav, 2nd Cav Brig, seizes crossings of Mariquina R in Ugong- Rosario area. In I Corps area, 1st Bn of 161st Inf, 25th Div, gains control of three of the four (Japanese) positions under attack NW of Lumboy. In XI Corps area, 1st Inf, renewing westward drive on Bataan Peninsula, reaches W coast at Bagac.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area, Americal Div's Prov Tf sends land and amphibous patrols from Allen, on Samar, along NW coast to Lavezares. Elements make uncontested landing on Macarite I. and cross channel to established beachhead on Biri I., at E entrance to San Bernardino Strait.
February 21
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XI Corps successfully concludes operations on Bataan Peninsula with junction of East Force and South Force S of Bagac. Casualties: about 50 killed or missing. (Japanese) dead total about 200. Small (Japanese) force remains in Mt Natib area but it is eventually destroyed. Corps takes command of 40th Div in current positions in Zambales Mtns. 40th Div rests while (Japanese) positions are being neutralized by air.
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