1 of 23 Episode 9
We’ll continue with Gen. MacArthur’s pledge to recapture the Philippines while covering Corregidor; the Raid on Cabanatuan, and recognizing the support of the Philippines Army and guerrillas in the Philippine Campaign. #USArmy #WWII75 @INDOPACOM @ArmyHistory
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Although Corregidor didn’t have the importance it held in 1942, it did merit a separate attack. Gen. MacArthur’s plan was to mount an amphibious and airborne assault.
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The airborne assault would be tricky on Corregidor, with the Island just over five square miles, a small target for a parachute drop. Paratroopers would need to land in an area called Topside.
@USARAK @SpartanBrigade @1503rd @1501Geronimo
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On Feb 16, 1945 the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team would land by air on Corregidor taking the high ground. The paratroopers would land two hours before the amphibious landing.
@USARAK @SpartanBrigade @1503rd @1501Geronimo @USNavy
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Some airborne paratroopers landed on the cliff rather than topside resulting in casualties.
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During the assault on Corregidor the @USNavy provided fire as United States Army Air Force C-47 planes dropped paratroopers.
@usairforce
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The amphibious assault started two hours after the airborne operations with units from the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division.
@USNavy
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By dawn on Feb. 17 both ground and airborne forces had split the Island in two.
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On Feb. 26, 1945, Corregidor was once again in U.S. hands. Six days later Gen. MacArthur returned to the place he was forced to leave three years earlier.
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U.S. losses were 209 killed, 725 wounded, and 19 missing during the capture of Corregidor. Enemy losses were 4,497 killed and 19 prisoners.
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The Cabanatuan Operation was a bold mission to rescue over 500 prisoners of war.
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The skillful reconnaissance provided by the Alamo Scouts and careful planning paid off in a swift, well-executed attack.
@USASOC
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In the early evening of the January 13, Rangers began their approach march, crawling across the last mile of open rice fields to take up a position on two sides of camp Cabanatuan.
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On signal, one platoon eliminated the guards in the rear and on one side of the stockade, another broke through the main gate to rake the garrison's quarters with automatic fire.
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During this time a third platoon broke into the prisoners' section and liberated the astonished captives, most of whom had to be carried to freedom.
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Within half an hour the 6th Battalion Rangers had destroyed the installation, killing about 200 Japanese guards and rescuing over 500 prisoners at the cost of two dead and seven seriously wounded.
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Covered by the guerrillas, who stopped enemy relief efforts northeast of the camp, the column of Rangers and liberated prisoners finally reached friendly lines the following morning.
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Freeing Cabanatuan prisoners was celebrated equally by U.S. forces, Allied correspondents, and the American public, for the raid had touched an emotional nerve among Americans concerned about the fate of the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor.
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Freeing prisoners from Cabanatuan was just one of the many examples of how the Philippine Army, and guerillas provided crucial support in recapturing the Philippines. Below is map of guerilla locations.
@YourPhilippineArmy
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August 1943 in a clandestine radio broadcast by President Roosevelt said, “I give the Filipino people my word that the Republic of the Philippines will be established the moment the power of our Japanese enemies is destroyed.”
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The promise was fulfilled on the Fourth of July in 1946 when Filipinos celebrated Independence Day of their own as the American flag was lowered and replaced by the ensign of the newly independent Philippines.
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Public Law 114-265 – Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. This act was approved Dec. 14, 2016, collectively, to the Filipino veterans of World War II, in recognition of the dedicated service of the veterans during World War II.
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Check out tomorrow’s episode as we cover the final push to end the war.
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