January 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
January 22
SWPA-Gen MacArthur orders U.S. Eighth Army to land one RCT of 11th A/B Div on Luzon at Nasugbu for reconnaissance in force. If Tagaytay Ridge can be taken with ease, the entire div will then concentrate there and patrol to N and E. The landing will be made on 31 January.
LUZON-Allied planes begin preinvasion bombardment of Corregidor. Airstrip at Mangaldan becomes operational.
In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corp's area, forward elements of 40th Div reach Capas, N of Bamban. 37th Div extends its right flank to San Miguel to maintain contact with 40th Div and with left flank elements takes La Paz. Scattered contacts have been made recently with (Japanese) in Moncada and La Paz area. In I Corps area, 27th Inf of 25th Div continues toward Asingan against little opposition. 161st, driving on San Miguel, takes hill NW of objective. 2nd Bn of 169th Inf, 43rd Div, with tank and arty support, renews attack on Hill 355 but is unable to take it.
Mindoro-3d Bn, 21st Inf, moves by sea to N coast at Estrella.
January 23
Luzon-In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 160th Inf of 40th Div runs into opposition at Bamban but secures the town, airfield, and crossing site over Bamban R. Moving to left of 160th, 108th seizes Concepcion. Rcn elements S of Concepcion drive off (Japanese) force at Magalang. In I Corps area, 2nd bn of 169th Inf, 43rd Div, continues to meet strong resistance on Hill 355. From Hill 600, 3rd Bn of 103rd Inf moves back to Pozorrubio; 2nd Bn advances to Bobonan, 172nd Inf gains ridge at W edge of Pugo Valley.
Camotes Is.-7th Div TF clearing Poro I. runs into opposition on Hill 854
January 24
Luzon-In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 160th Inf of 40th Div comes up against (Japanese) OPLR on hills generally W of Bamban; takes one hill. 145th Inf of 37th Div gains line from Concepcion SW to Bamban R. In I Corps area, 161 Inf of 25th Div begins assault on San Manuel and against firm opposition gains toehold within the barrio.
43rd Div regroups for coordinated effort on 25th to clear heights dominating roads in Pozorrubio-Sison-Rosario-Camp One area. Stark Force consists of 103rd and 169th Regts and 3rd Bn of 63rd. Yon Force is formed of 63rd, less 3rd Bn. RCT 158 and 172nd Inf are designated MacNider Force. 2nd Bn, 169th Inf, reaches crest of Hill 355. Elements of 158th Inf begin assault on ridge NW of Cataguintingan; (Japanese) is firmly entrenched on the ridge.
Mindoro-2nd Bn, 21st Inf, move into Calapan.
January 25
Luzon-In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, while 160th Inf of 40th Div is working on (Japanese) positions on hills W of Bamban, 108th moves forward to assist with local attacks on scattered pockets. 37th Div, while protecting E flank of corps, begins pushing its right flank southward: 145th Inf takes Mabalacat East Airfield and reconnoiters S to Mabalacat. In I Corps area, 103rd Inf of 43rd Div takes Hills 600 and 800, bypassing Hill 700. 169th clears Hill 1500, and 3rd Bn of 63rd Inf takes Bench Mark Hill to N. 158th continues efforts to gain ridge NW of Cataguintingan. 172nd takes Hill 900, overlooking Highway 11, which leads to Baguio.
January 26
Luzon-In U.S. Sixth Army area, Gen Krueger orders rapid drive on Manila. XIV Corps, in addition to securing Clark Field area, is to cross the Pampanga at Calumpit; reconnoiter S and SE to line Hagonoy-Malolos-Plaridel. I Corps is to continue attack on left and advance right flank S and SE; reconnoiter to Cabanatuan. In XIV Corps area, 40th Div Develops (Japanese) OPLR on hills W and SW of Bamban; 160th Inf clears Hills 636 and 600; 108th presses toward Hill 5. 37th Div's 145th and 148 Regts advance to general line Culayo-Magalang, taking Magalang and Clark Field Runaway No. 1, 1½ miles NW of Culayo. In I Corps area, 158th Inf of 43rd Div finishes clearing ridge NW of Cataguintingan. Some elements of 172nd secure Rosario; other elements are moving toward Udaio road junction.
Mindoro-Camina Drome is ready for use by heavy bombers. (Japanese) resistance in Bulalacao area comes to an end.
January 27
Luzon-U.S. Sixth Army receives major reinforcements as 1st Cav Div, 32nd Div, and 112th Cav RCT arrive at Lingayen Gulf. In XIV Corps area, continuing operations W of Bamban, 40th Div has secured Manila RR and Route 3 from Bamban S to Mantitang. 37th Div quickly takes Culayo and Dau and pushes onto Angeles, which is undefended. In I Corps area, as 27th Inf of 25th Div reaches Asingan without difficulty, 161st continues costly fighting at San Manuel. Damortis-Rosario road is opened with junction of 172nd and 158th Regts at Cataguintingan, in 43rd Div zone.
Leyte - 11th A/B Div (-RCT 511), U.S. Eighth Army, conducts limited rehearsal for invasion of Nasugbu, Luzon. The naval force, TG 78.2 (Adm Fechteler) then sails for target.
January 28
LUZON-In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 129th Inf of 37th Div attacks W from Culayo area toward Clark Field and Ft. Stotsenburg; although (Japanese)'s OPLR is soon encountered, takes 2 Clark Field runways and reaches SE corner of Ft Stotsenburg. Elements of 145th Inf move NW from Angeles to keep abreast 129th. 37th Rcn Tr patrol and element of 148th Inf reach San Fernando. 160th Inf of 40th Div, working along Hill 636-Hill 620 ridge N of Bamban R, takes Hill 620 and drives 1,200 yards beyond; narrows in front as right flank comes under heavy opposition from (Japanese)'s MLR. In I Corps area, as 161st Inf finishes clearing San Manuel, 25th Div continues attack with 35th and 27th Regts, former on right, leaving 161st behind in San Manuel area.
Mindoro-19th Inf is concentrated in San Jose area, having completed offensive operations on Mindoro.
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