INDIANA SOLDIERS & SAILORS

1944

 

January 9, 1944

British and Indian troops recapture Maungdaw in Burma.

 

January 31, 1944

U.S. Troops invade Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

 

February 24, 1944

Merrill's Marauders begin a ground campaign in northern Burma.

 

June 5, 1944

The first mission by B-29 Superfortress bombers occurs as 77 planes bomb Japanese railway facilities at Bangkok, Thailand.

 

June 19, 1944

The "Marianas Turkey Shoot" occurs as U.S. Carrier-based fighters shoot down 220 Japanese planes, while only 20 American planes are lost.

 

July 19, 1944

U.S. Marines invade Guam in the Marianas.

July 24, 1944

U.S. Marines invade Tinian.

July 27, 1944

American troops complete the liberation of Guam.

 

August 8, 1944

American troops complete the capture of the Mariana Islands.

September 15, 1944

U.S. Troops invade Morotai and the Paulaus.

 

September 21-22, 1944

Folks of Southern Laguna could hear the sounds of falling bombs. Everyone but the Japanese were over joyed. Later sounds could be heard in the direction of the Japanese field at Lipa. In the evening there were distant sounds of cannons to far to the east. The following day fighters were seen again in the skies seemingly flying to bomb Manila. The market was full of quiet conversation and rumors what was happening. They dare not let the Japanese know they were so happy that liberation seemed to be coming at last.

 

One September morning

Passing planes could be heard overhead but the sounds were different. Finally the planes were seen as they crossed over the Mt. Bulaho pointed toward Manila. Many silver bombers were passing escorted by eight fighter planes. Children ran to the streets to get a better look and some climbed trees. Everyone knew the Americans were giving the Japaneses a lickin' somewhere. Meanwhile, the Japanese seemed to be carrying out plans of their own as they raided villages stealing hogs and chickens, bananas, papayas and chicos. hundreds of trucks filled with soldiers were passing to the south. Prices soared upward on food goods and Filipinos were gahtered to repai bombing damages. Although the time was with quiet joy, the times were tough. Japanese were getting more and more men to work and often the men never returned.

October 11, 1944

U.S. Air raids against Okinawa.

October 18, 1944

Fourteen B-29s based on the Marianas attack the Japanese base at Truk.

October 20, 1944

U.S. Sixth Army invades Leyte in the Philippines.

 

October 23-26

Battle of Leyte Gulf results in a decisive U.S. Naval victory.

October 25, 1944

The first suicide air (Kamikaze) attacks occur against U.S. warships in Leyte Gulf. By the end of the war, Japan will have sent an estimated 2,257 aircraft. "The only weapon I feared in the war," Adm. Halsey will say later.

 

November 11, 1944

Iwo Jima bombarded by the U.S. Navy.

November 24, 1944

Twenty four B-29s bomb the Nakajima aircraft factory near Tokyo.

December 15, 1944

U.S. Troops invade Mindoro in the Philippines.

December 17, 1944

The U.S. Army Air Force begins preparations for dropping the Atomic Bomb by establishing the 509th Composite Group to operate the B-29s that will deliver the bomb.

 

 

1945

 

January 1, 1945

American Intelligence estimate Japanese have approximately 150 aircraft of which to defend Luzon.

 

January 3, 1945

Gen. MacArthur is placed in command of all U.S. ground forces and Adm. Nimitz in command of all naval forces in preparation for planned assaults against Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Japan itself.

 

January 6, 1945

Naval bombardment and minesweeping efforts begin in the Lingayen Gulf in preparation of an American landing on Luzon.  Japanese defending aircraft on Luzon reduced to about 35 aircraft per U.S. Intelligence.

 

January 9, 1945

U.S. troops land two divisions from each the I and XIV Corps on the south shore at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon. 100,000 men are ashore in a single day, which is the largest Pacific operation so far. Supported by the 5th Air Force and by Marine Corps and Naval aircraft, the 6th Army pushed inland. Resistance was encountered from the left flank where the mass of the Japanese strength had been concentrated in the mountains near Baguio. On the right the American forces captured Clark Field, drove the enemy to the Zambales Mountains, then advanced toward Manila, where heavy fighting ensued.

 

January 11, 1945

Air raid against Japanese bases in Indochina by U.S. Carrier-based planes.

 

January 24, 1945

Major Charles Howe, Major Tom Thompkins and SGT Clifford A. Bretain force land a damaged a U.S. Army A-20 Havoc near Pila, Laguna. The airmen were rescued and protected by men of Markings Fil-American Guerrillas operating from Tayak Hills near Rizal, Laguna commanded by Col. Gertrudo San Pedro.

 

January 30, 1945

US Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas executed a flawless rescue of 486 POWs from Camp Cabanatuan north of Manila.

 

February 3, 1945

The U.S. 1st Cavalry in a night raid captured Santo Tomas University. After the Japanese occupation of Manila, Santo Tomas University’s main building was used to hold civilian POWs and classrooms for sleeping quarters from January 4, 1942 - February 3, 1945. In total there were 3,787 prisoners: 3,792 Americans, 733 British, 200 Australians, 61 Canadians, 51 Dutch, 8 French, 1 Swiss, 2 Egyptians, 2, Spanish, 1 German, 1 Slovak.  All were held for a total of 37 months, and 466 died in captivity. Three attempted escape February 15, 1942 and were shot, one successfully escaped in January 1945. On February 3, the university was liberated by the US Army 1st Calvary Division (8th Regiment, 1st Brigade).  They were backed by five tanks from the 44th Tank Battalion. They were assisted by Filipino Guerrillas. The tanks entered thru the gate at Calle Espana after a brief skirmish, freeing many of the captives. The Japanese, commanded by Lt. Col. Toshio Hayashi gathered the remaining internees together in the Education Building, as hostages, exchanging pot shots with the Americans. On February 4th, they negotiated with the Americans to allow them to rejoin Japanese troops to the south of the city.  Americans allowed this to save the hostages, allowing them to only carry their rifles, pistols and swords. On the morning of February 5, 47 Japanese were escorted out of the university to the spot they requested. Each group saluted each other and departed.  The Japanese were unaware the area they requested was near the American occupied Malacanang, and soon afterwards were fired upon and several killed including Hayashi. Later in the afternoon, some of the same group returned to Santo Thomas, captured as prisoners during the same day.

 

Also U.S. Sixth Army attacks Japanese in Manila.

 

February 4, 1945

The 37th Division freed over 1,000 from Bilibid prison. The two divisions then crossed the Pasig River against stiffening resistance while the 11th Airborne Division overcame similar resistance in its attack upon Nichols Field. The 1st Cavalry and the 37th Infantry Divisions forced their way through Manila eventually reaching the stronghold at Intramuros where the fighting was especially bitter.

 

February 8, 1945

Japanese Battalion order issued this day:    

“When Filipinos are to be killed, they must be gathered into one place and be disposed of with the consideration that ammunition and be disposed of with the consideration that ammunition and manpower must not be used to excess. Because the disposal of dead bodies is a troublesome task, they should be gathered into houses which are scheduled to be burned or demolished. They should also be thrown into the river.”

 

A diary presumably belonging to a member of the Akatsuki force in Manila and captured by the 14th Corps contained the following items:   February 8 – Guarded 1,164 guerrillas newly brought in today. February 9 – Burned 1,000 guerrillas to death tonight. February 13 – 150 guerrillas were disposed of tonight. I personally stabbed and killed 10.

 

February 16, 1945

U.S. Troops recapture Bataan in the Philippines.

 

February 18, 1945

After the Luzon Landing of American troops Gertrudo San Pedro ordered civilians in San Pablo City and its vicinity to evacuate February 18, 1945, and suggested Tayak Hills, the sites of Lagaslasan, Pitt, Bacunngan and Bitin as evacuation center and enforced measures for peace, security and sanitation of 8,000 civilians through Detachment Provost Commanders, Capt. Godfredo Contemplacion, Capt. Brigido Cabrera and Capt. Francisco Pulotan until the liberation of San Pablo City April 3, 1945.

 

February 19, 1945

U.S. Marines invade Iwo Jima.

 

February 23, 1945

San Pedro’s Guerrillas of San Pablo City participated in the liberation of 2,146 American and Allied civilian internees in the Los Baños area assisting paratroopers of the 511th Parachute Infantry. All total 243 Japanese are killed for loss of just two U.S. killed and two injured.

 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.

 

U.S. Marines storm Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and raise the U.S. flag.

 

Late February 1945

As March arrived, Japanese understood what was happening elsewhere in the Philippines. American Forces were on the move and quickly taking island after island putting a choker-hold on Japan in the Southwest Pacific. They also understood the Filipinos were like other countries of the region; they did not like the Japanese who had taken their country. Despite bamboo parades and declarations of allegiance, Filipinos were going to get their country back after three years of Japanese Occupation. Liberators were in Cabayao and Calamba and soon they would be in Los Banos, Sta. Tomas, Alaminos and San Pablo.

 

One morning an order was issued that males in San Pablo, fifteen years of age and up, must gather inside the Catholic Cathedral to discuss living in peace together. Approximately 600 Chinese and 200 Filipinos were fetched at the church and led away for a work detail. They were never seen again. Japanese in charge murdered all but a few that managed to escape.

 

March 2, 1945

U.S. airborne troops recapture Corregidor in the Philippines.

 

March 3, 1945

U.S. And Filipino troops take Manila.

 

March 8, 1945

Japanese occupiers gave an order that all inhabitants of San Pablo City must leave town no later than seven o,clock p.m.. Anyone found in town after that would be considered a guerrilla and shot on sight. It was recommended that occupants should travel to Butokan or Bulaho since they were the only villages declared as safety zones by the Japanese.

March 9-10, 1945

Fifteen square miles of Tokyo erupts in flames after it is fire bombed by 279 B-29s. 

 

March 10, 1945

U.S. Eighth Army invades Zamboanga Peninsula on Mindanao in the Philippines.

 

March 11-12-13, 1945

Japanese occupiers started burning San Pablo City about midnight in a fire which could be seen for many miles. The following morning, the 12th, American fighter bombers waged a fierce raid on Japanese forces in San Pablo. The raids started early in the morning and following a short pause they began again in the afternoon. The following dayhundreds of Japs and their Filipino informers were on the road heading south toward the mountains to escape the attacks. Recalling the massacre at Intrmuros families feared for their lives. Families started on a journeys to safety at Masaya, Maitim, Dayap and Nanhaya. Jungle folliage hid their movements but open fields of rice and crossing the National Road was extremely dangerous. Hill were climbed and streams were crossed. Children all carried family belongings; together they carried all the family belongings. Families witnessed the war up close as they passed Lumbagan (San Crispin) and Filomena. Canons from Los Banos could be heard and artillery flying overhead landed in nearby San Mateo and Mt Kalisungan.

 

March 30, 1945

March 30, 1945, an Intelligence Platoon, HQ Co., 2nd Batallion operated under Lt Hounsaville with four operatives, 1st Lt. Antonio Carpio, Lt. Romeo Brinas, Sgt. Pablo Garcia and Sgt Bayani Cabrera, were sent on a special mission to report on Japanese positions around "Kalisungan Hills", Calauan, Laguna, which was heavily fortified by the enemy. At barrio Masaya, Calauan, the platoon was ambushed killing Sgt. Bayani Cabrera and wounding Lt. Antonio Carpio, as per casualty Report March 22, 1945.  The mission can be judged as successful because American bombing planes and artillery pinpointed gun emplacements, ammunitions, munitions depots and other military objectives in San Pablo City.

 

April 1, 1945

The final amphibious landing of the war occurs as the U.S. Tenth Army invades Okinawa.

 

April 3, 1945

Liberartion of San Pablo City, Laguna

 

April 7, 1945

B-29s fly their first fighter-escorted mission against Japan with P-51 Mustangs based on Iwo Jima; U.S. Carrier-based fighters sink the super battleship YAMATO and several escort vessels which planned to attack U.S. Forces at Okinawa.

 

April 12, 1945

President Roosevelt dies, succeeded by Harry S. Truman.

 

May 8, 1945

Victory in Europe Day.

 

May 20, 1945

Japanese begin withdrawal from China.

May 25, 1945

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff approve Operation Olympic, the invasion of Japan, scheduled for November 1.

 

May 29, 1945

As per Attachment Orders, attached from Headquaters, 1st Cav. Division, the BN Headquarters and Company "A"., Ist HN., 2nd Division, III Army Corps, Markings Fil-Americans was placed under control of the 5th Cavalry.

 

May 29, 1945

Commanding General of U.S. Sixth Army sent a letter of accommodation in appreciation for military excellence of Company "A", 1st Battalion, 2nd Div., III Army Corps, Markings Fil-Americans, in action with his men from March 27, 1945 in Calamba till liberations were complete in provinces of Laguna,  Tayabas to Bicol provinces.

 

June 9, 1945

By virtue of Operations Direction No. 1, the Commanding General, 1st Cac. Dic., Markings Fil-Americans was one of the guerrilla units was organized into the Saber Force Regement.

 

June 25, 1945

Effective this date when the Saber Force Regement assumed complete and independent responsibility for the security of the area assigned, Col. Gertrudo San Pedro's Unit was assigned to perform bridge guard duties, aside from conducting aggressive patrols to complete the final extermination of all Japanese stragglers in the area.

 

June 9, 1945

Japanese Premier Suzuki announces Japan will fight to the very end rather than accept unconditional surrender.

 

June 18, 1945

Japanese resistance ends on Mindanao in the Philippines.

June 22, 1945

Japanese resistance ends on Okinawa as the U.S. Tenth Army completes its capture.

June 28, 1945

MacArthur's headquarters announces the end of all Japanese resistance in the Philippines.

July 5, 1945

Liberation of Philippines declared.

 

July 10, 1945

Company "A", Sta. Anna Detachment under Capt. Brigido Cabrera, 2nd BN., then led by 1st Lt Pedro Mangubat, apprehended 193 Makapilis (traders) who were rabid pro-Japs, including two foremost collaborators in San Pablo City, while their firearms, such as pistols and rifles, ammunitions, and the documents, sketches, maps and other paraphernallia were turned over to the CIC Det. U.S. Army. Seventy-Three alleged collaborators were turned over to the CIC Det. by the Unit under Lt. Col. Vicente San Pedro. Also, 1,000 bomber raids were launched against Japan.

 

July 14, 1945

The first U.S. Naval bombardment of Japanese home islands.

July 16, 1945

First Atomic Bomb is successfully tested in the U.S.

July 26, 1945

Components of the Atomic Bomb "Little Boy" are unloaded at Tinian Island in the South Pacific.

 

July 29, 1945

A Japanese submarine sinks the Cruiser INDIANAPOLIS resulting in the loss of 881 crewmen. The ship sinks before a radio message can be sent out leaving survivors adrift for two days.

August 6, 1945

First Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima from a B-29 flown by Col. Paul Tibbets.

 

August 9, 1945

Second Atomic Bomb is dropped on Nagasaki from a B-29 flown by Maj. Charles Sweeney -- Emperor Hirohito and Japanese Prime Minister Suzuki then decide to seek an immediate peace with the Allies.

August 14, 1945

Japanese accept unconditional surrender; Gen. MacArthur is appointed to head the occupation forces in Japan.

August 16, 1945

Gen. Wainwright, a POW since May 6, 1942, is released from a POW camp in Manchuria.

 

August 27, 1945

B-29s drop supplies to Allied POWs in China.

August 29, 1945

The Soviets shoot down a B-29 dropping supplies to POWs in Korea; U.S. Troops land near Tokyo to begin the occupation of Japan.

September 2, 1945

Formal Japanese surrender ceremony on board the MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay as 1,000 carrier-based planes fly overhead; President Truman declares VJ Day.

 

September 3, 1945

The Japanese commander in the Philippines, Gen. Yamashita, surrenders to Gen. Wainwright at Baguio.

September 4, 1945

Japanese troops on Wake Island surrender.

September 8, 1945

MacArthur enters Tokyo.

September 9, 1945

Japanese in Korea surrender.

September 13, 1945

Japanese in Burma surrender.

October 24, 1945

United Nations is born.