March 1-7, 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
March 1
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 5th Cav clears Agriculture building, leaving a single strongpoint in Manila - the Finance building. RCT 145, including 1st Bn, which is garrisoning Intramuros, passes from control of 37th Div and Sixth Army to Provost Marshal General, USAFFE. In region E of Manila, 6th Div regroups for further action against (Japanese)'s Shimbu line, extending N from Antipolo to Mt Oro, while 1st Cav Div to S continues to probe to develop this line. In 1 Corps area, 33d Div continues to probe toward Baguio from S while Philippine Guerilla Forces, North Luzon, under Lt. Col. Russell W. Volckmann, area exerting pressure toward the summer capital from the N. 32d and 25th Divs continue limited actions along Villa Verde Trail and Highway 5, respectively, toward Cagayan Valley and ultimately Balete Pass. 2d Bn of 127th Inf, 32d Div, encounters strongpoint in outer perimeter defenses of Salacsac Pass on Villa Verde Trail at Cabalisian R and is delayed by pillbox opposition. Other elements of 32d Div are working forward along Arboredo and Ambayabang Valleys. On Highway 5, 25th Div columns are converging on Puncan and Digdig.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eight Army area, aircraft begin preinvasion bombardment of Zamboanga area of Mindanao and of Islands of Panay and Negros. After naval and aerial bombardment, 1st Bn of 21st Inf, reinf, lands on Lubang 1., at W end of Verde 1. Passage, and clears Tilic. Most of the island, the largest in the Lubang Group, is cleared with ease within the next few days. Elements of Co E, 2ist Inf, move to Verde 1, from Mindoro. On Palawan, RCT 186 of 41st Div secures Puerto Princesa Harbor, assuring virtual control of the island.
March 2
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, 1 Corps is ordered to press attack northward as XIV Corps is winding up battle for Manila. On Villa Verde Trail, 2d Bn of 127th Inf, 32d Div, reduces the strongpoint barring its progress. On Highway 5, 2d Bn begins assault on Digdig. IN XI Corps area, 43d Div completes relief of 40th Div. 40th Div, less 103d Inf, which is given garrison duty on Leyte, assembles in army reserve. Rock Force finishes clearing Corregidor, to which Gen. MacArthur pays return visit. For Japanese losses of about 4,500 killed and 20 captured, in addition to some 200 killed while trying to escape and about 500 sealed in caves or tunnels, American casualties number over 1,000 killed, wounded, injured, or missing. Para RCT 503 remains on Corregidor for garrison duty.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eight Army area, 1st Bn of 132d Inf, reinf, leaves Leyte for amphibious operations against Burias and Ticao Islands. On Samar, Co C of 182d Inf, Amercial Div, drives to outskirts of Maou and is joined there by Co B, which reports Mt. Bermodo deserted. On Palawan. 186th Inf of 41st Div patrols actively to locate (Japanese), meeting fire near Hill 1125, N of Iratag.
March 3
Luzon - In U.S. sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 37th Div overcomes final resistance within Manila. Elements of 11th A/B Div conclude operations to clear Manila Bay with reduction of resistance in Ternate area. In 1 Corps area, 35th Inf of 25th Div seizes Digdig and is eliminating pockets in vicinity of Puncan as other elements of the div work toward Puncan, on Highway 5.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eight Army area, 1st Bn of 132d Inf, reinf, lands on Burias and Ticao Islands without opposition. Ticao is free of (Japanese). Uneventful search of Burias is begun. Verde 1, is now secure and American forces withdraw. Total (Japanese) casualties there are 82 killed. On Palawan, 1st Bn of 186th Inf attacks toward Hill 1125 but is pinned down by intense fire.
March 4
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps orders continuation of drive to E against Shimbu line on 8 March; gives 11th A/B Div, reinf by RCT 158, task of clearing Balayan and Batangas Bays on S Luzon. In XI Corps area, elements of 43d and 38th Divs makes contact at Tiaong; 43d then begins westward push into Zambales Mtns W of Clark Field.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eight Army area, Co B of 186th Inf, with flame-thrower assistance, secures Hill 1125 on Palawan. On Samar, Mauo region is searched carefully for (Japanese).
March 5
LUZON - U.S. Sixth Army field order transferring 37th Div from XIV Corps to direct control of army for garrison duty in Manila and releasing RCT 158 from army reserve to XIV Corps goes into effect. In XIV Corps area, 11th A/B Div, reinf by RCT 158, begins operations to open Balayan and Batangas Bays, S Luzon. 158th Inf drives E along Route 17 on Balayan Bay until stopped by opposition near Langanan. In 1Corps area, Philippine Guerilla Forces, N. Luzon, now control N coast of island W of Cagayan R mouth; control W coast, except for Vigan, S to San Fernando area. 33d Div continues northward toward Baguio and San Fernando, threatening to close pincers on Japanese between it and the guerillas. Elements of 32d Div continue to battle Salacsac Pass defenses on Villa Verde Trail. 25th Div completes mop-up of Puncan area, opening Highway 5 from San Jose to Digdig and concluding first phase of drive on Cagayan Valley.
S PHILIPPINES - U.S. Eight Army assigns 19th Inf, 24th Div, mission of clearing Romblon Is. On Palawan, 2d Bn of 186th Inf reaches Hill 1445 (near Iratag), which (Japanese) is prepared to defend.
March 6
LUZON - In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps is ordered by Gen. Krueger to relieve 1st Cav Div with 43d Div, less one RCT. (Japanese) positions are being softened with aerial and arty bombardment in preparation for renewed ground attack. In 11th A/B Div sector, elements of 158th Inf reach Lemery, across Pansipit R from Taal. 1 Corps is ordered by Gen Krueger to speed action toward Balete, Pass-Santa Fe-Imugan area. Elements of 130th Inf, 33d Div, assemble at Damortis for drive on Aringay. On Villa Verde Trail, 1st Bn of 127th Inf, 32d Div, crosses Cabalisian R and drives E toward Salacsac Pass No. 2, 25th Div drives N astride Highway 5 toward Putlan with 161st Inf on W and 27th on E. 35th Inf's 1st Bn starts wide enveloping move NE from Carrangalan to secure high ground about 5,000 yards NE of Putlan. 3d Bn, upon relief at Digdig by 27th Inf, starts ren up Old Spanish Trail toward Salazar.
S PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Eight Army area, 21st Inf patrols find 2 other islands of Lubang Group free of (Japanese). On Palawan, Japanese on Hill 1445 repulse attacks of 2d Bn, 186th Inf. On Burias, 1st Bn of 132d Inf gains first contact with (Japanese).
March 7
LUZON - Hq USAFFE closes on Leyte and opens at Manila
In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 6th Div and 1st Cav Div continue preparations for coordinated drive eastward against Shimbu line. Arty and aerial bombardment destroys or uncovers (Japanese) positions. In 11th A/B Div zone, 158th Inf advances through undefended Taal and gains several miles to E and S, completing first phase of attack. 187th Inf joins in the attack: 1st Bn, attacking in 2 columns N of Lake Taal, advances rapidly against slight resistance. In 1 Coprs area, 1st Bn of 130th Inf, 33d Dvi, takes Aringay bridge and town without opposition and probes toward Mt. Magabang. Opposition to 1st Bn of 127th Inf, 32d Div, on Villa Verde Trail is so stiff that 3d Bn starts from Santa Maria in effort to outflank (Japanese). 25th Div continues N Astride Highway 5 with 161st and 27th Regts; 1st Bn, 35th Inf, gains heights NE of Putlan with ease.
S PHILIPPINES - U.S.Eighth Army designates Americal Div (-) to clear Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental, and small islands adjacent. On Palawan, troops of 186th Inf are still unable to clear Hill 1445, although supported by arty and mortar fire as well as aircraft.
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