PHILIPPINE DIVISION
by: U.S. Army Center of Military History
Pre-World War II
Activated: 8 June 1921 in the Philippine Islands.
World War II
Campaigns: Philippine Islands. Honors: Distinguished
Unit Citations: 1 (all units). MH-3. Commanders: Maj. Gen. Jonathan M.
Wainwright (November 1940-December 1941), Brig. Gen. Mason S. Lough (December
1941-May 1942). Inactivated: 30 April 1947 in the Philippine Islands.
Combat Chronicle
Units of the Philippine Division were on security missions at
Manila, Fort McKinley, and Bataan prior to the declaration of war in the
Pacific, 8 December 1941. After undergoing 2 days of bombings, the Division
moved into the field to cover the withdrawal of troops to Bataan and to resist
the enemy in the Subic Bay area. From 11 to 23 December, positions were
organized and strengthened and on 23 December the Division was assigned to the
Bataan Defense Forces. While the 31st Infantry moved to the vicinity of Zig-Zag
to cover the flanks of troops withdrawing from central and southern Luzon, 30
December, the rest of the Division organized the main and reserve positions on
Bataan. The 31st Infantry moved to a defensive position on the west side of the
Olongapo Road near Layac Junction, 5 January 1942. This junction was lost on the
6th, but the withdrawal to Bataan had been successfully concluded. The Division
was placed in reserve from 7 to 14 January 1942. This period was largely one of
reconnaissance and development by the Japanese in preparation for their attack
on the main battle position on the Abucay line. Elements repulsed night attacks
near Abucay, 10-12 January,, and other elements of the Division counterattacked
on the 16th. Strong offensive and defensive action was not able to prevent enemy
penetrations and the Division withdrew to the Reserve Battle Position in the
Pilar-Bagac area, 26 January. Until the latter part of March the enemy, made
cautious by heavy losses, engaged in patrols and limited local attacks, and
after a general retirement, 24 February, did not undertake any serious activity
on this front until 28 March. During this period elements of the Division were
shifted to assist in the defense of other sectors. The enemy attack on 28 March
struck at a division weakened by malnutrition, sickness, and prolonged exposure
to combat. The Division, no longer operating as a coordinated unit, was unable
to counterattack against heavy enemy assaults. On 8 April, the 57th Infantry and
the 31st Infantry were lost near the Alangan River, and the 45th Infantry
surrendered, 10 April 1942. The victory over Japan ended the misery of Japanese
prison camps for the survivors of the Philippine Division.
592
[Nota Bene: These combat chronicles, current as of October 1948, are
reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the
United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.]
