February 22-28, 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 22
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps continues preparations for final assault on Intramuros in Manila. In region E of Manila, 6th Div and 1st Cav Div attack across the Mariquina toward line Taytay - Antipolo - Montalban, cavalrymen driving through Taytay. I Corps begins drive toward Balete Pass. 35th Inf, 25th Div, attacks with 2nd Bn along crude trail leading N from Rizal through Pantabangan and with 1st Bn toward Pampanga R valley. 2nd Bn, 161st Inf, is ordered to clear final (Japanese) position, called Bryant Hill, NW of Puncan. 127th Inf of 32nd Div, with arty and air support, renews attack on Villa Verde Trail, taking knoll positions in the bowl. 33rd Div gains question Mark and Bench Mark Hills, concluding four days of limited attacks on these objectives; subsequently probes toward Baguio.
February 23
LUZON - In U.S. sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 37th Div begins assault on Intramuros, final (Japanese) stronghold in Manila, at conclusion of powerful program of arty bombardment. 145th Inf enters by Quezon and Paria Gates; 3rd Bn, 129th, works its way through Mint building after crossing the Pasig in assault boats. Stunned by preliminary bombardment, (Japanese) at first offers light resistance but later ralies. 2nd Cav Brig, 1st Cav Div, drives E and NE from Taytay area, meeting fire from (Japanese)'s Shimbu line. 20th Inf, 6th Div, crosses the Mariquina and takes edge of heights S of San Mateo; gives ground a little under (Japanese) fire after nightfall. Elements of 11th A/B Div, in amphibious, overland, and airborne operation, take (Japanese) internment camp at Los Banos. In I Corps area, Co B of 35th Inf, 25th Div, reaches Pantabangan. 27th Inf prepares to attack strong (Japanese) force located by patrols during the wide movement to E. On Villa Verde Trail, 127th Inf of 32nd Div completes reduction of (Japanese) positions within the bowl. In XI Corps area, Rock Force now holds W part of Corregidor. 40th Div renews attack to clear final (Japanese) positions in Zambales Mtns of Luzon, employing 108th and 185th Regts.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eighth Army area, Americans turn control of Biri over to 1st Filipino Inf and return to Samar. (Japanese) have lost 72 killed and Americans, 3. Verde I. Attack force - reinf rifle co of 1st Bn, 19th Inf - leaves Mindoro for Verde I.
February 24
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 37th Div overcomes organized resistance in Intramuros. Fire is placed on last three strong points in Manila: the Legislative, Finance, and Agriculture buildings. Against increasing resistance, 2nd Cav Brig, 1st Cav Div, drives toward Antipolo, reaching positions less than 2 miles from that objective. 6th Div attacks with 2 regts: 63rd takes Montalban and San Isidro; 20th reaches heights S of Mataba. In I Corps area, while 35th Inf of 25th Div patrols, 1st Bn of 27th Inf continues to clear Highway 5. 2nd Bn of 127th Inf, 32nd Div, passes through 3rd Bn in Vailla Verde Trail Sector. In XI Corps area, Rock Force clears all of Corregidor except 3,000 yards at E end of the island. 40th Div continues action against (Japanese) positions in Zambales Mtns of Luzon, committing 160th Inf in assault on Sacobia Ridge.
S PHILIPPINES - U.S. Eighth Army Area Command, under Maj Gen Frederick A. Irving, relieves X Corps of responsibility for closing phase of mop up on Leyte, Samar, and the Camotes. Americal Div, under control of the new command, continues operations against (Japanese) in Villaba on Leyte and attacks to clear San Bernardino Strait. Verde I., attack force lands without opposition on NE corner of Verde I., shortly after midnight, 24-25.
February 25
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps continues preparations for assault on last three strong points in Manila, 2nd Cav Brig, 1st Cav Div, is checked for some days by stubborn (Japanese) in Antipolo area. 6th Div is also strongly opposed. 63rd Inf mops up and patrols toward Mt. Pacawagan. 20th gets to within about a mile of Mt. Mataba peak. 1st Inf, less 2nd Bn, is committed in center and directed toward Wawa and Wawa Dam; advances through San Mateo. In I Corps area, 2nd Bn of 35th Inf, 25th Div, reaches vicinity of Carranglan with ease; repels counterattack, night 25-26. 1st Bn closes in Pantabangan 27th Inf continues to clear hill commanding Lumboy and Highway 5. 161st Inf completes capture of Bryant Hill NW of Punuan. In XI Corps area, 2d Bn of 151st Inf, 38th Div, replaces 3rd Bn of 34th Inf, 24th Div. On Corregidor; where 1,000 yards are gained along E end of islands. On Luzon, 185th Inf of 40th Div completes its mission with capture of Hill 1700. 160th clears most of its sector.
February 26
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps begins assault on last three strongpoints in Manila. Elements of 63rd Inf, 6th Div, reach crest of Mt Pacawagan but are forced back after nightfall by heavy fire. (Japanese) defeat efforts of 1st Inf to take Mt. Mataba. 20th Inf troops advance up southernmost slopes of the mountain. In I Corps area; 2d Bn of 35th Inf, 25th Div, reaches Carranglan, but (Japanese) cut regimental supply line. In XI Corps area, 40th Div completes its immediate mission in Zambales.
S PHILIPPINES - U.S. Eighth Army is directed to plan for operations against Panay and N Negros. As VICTOR III Attack Group (TG 78.2 under Adm Fechteler) and Close Covering Group (TG 74.2 under Rear Adm R.S. Riggs) sail from Mindoro for Palawan covered by Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces, intensive aerial bombardment of Puerto Princesa area of Palawan begins. Americal Div completes encirclement of (Japanese) forces in NW coastal sector of Leyte. Div's Prov TF finishes clearing S part of San Bernardino Strait from NW Samar through Balicuatro I. And W to Capul and Naranjo Is.
February 27
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 148th Inf of 37th Div clears stubborn (Japanese) from most of Legislative building in Manila. 145th relieves 3rd Bn of 129th. 63rd Inf, 6th Div, holds Mt Pacawagan against heavy opposition. 1st Inf positions in Mt Mataba area are untenable and Cos I and L withdraw; Co C is unable to progress against the mountain and also falls back. In I Corps area, 27th Inf of 25th Div captures (Japanese) plan for defense of Balete Pass. 35th Inf reopens line of communication.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eighth Army area, an 81-mm. Mortar section of 19th Inf is sent to Verde I. Advance party lands on Lubang I. to establish road block.
February 28
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, Gen. Krueger orders XIV Corps to open Balayan and Batangas Bays, SW Luzon. With reduction of opposition in Legislative building, only the Agriculture and finance buildings remain to be cleared in Manila. Co C of 63d Inf, 6th Div, reaches crest of Mt Pacawagan, which is largely clear. 1st Inf suspends attack as regrouping of div is ordered before continuation of offensive. In I Corps area, 2nd Bn of 35th Inf, 25th Div, starts toward Puncan, its supply route protected by 1st Bn. In XI Corps area, 188th Inf (-2d Bn), reinf, of 11th A/B Div gets into position for assault on Ternate region of S coast of Manila Bay, 43rd Div begins relief of 40th Div on Zambales Mtns sector.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eighth Army area, TF VICTOR IV (41st Div, less RCT 186, reinf, under Maj Gen Jens A. Doe) is activated on Mindoro for assault on Zamboanga area of Mindanao I. And parts of Sulu Archipelago. At Palawan, Attack Group VICTOR III (TG 78.2) arrives off Puerto Princesa at dawn; after air and naval bombardment lands assault waves of RCT 186, reinf, 41st Div, without opposition. Town of Puerto Princesa and its airfields are quickly seized and radar installations are established. In shore-to-shore operation, 2nd Bn lands at Iwahig R mouth and moves inland. CG Palawan TF takes command ashore. On Samar, 1st Bn of 182d Inf, Amercial Div, and 1st Filipino Inf begin advance to clear Mauo area. Lubang I. Attack force leaves Mindoro.
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