Southernmost
Philippines Island, second largest in the archipelago, and southern most
part of the country. Thanks to Tony Feredo for additional information.
Japanese Occupation
Occupied by the Japanese in December 1941. An American, Col.
Wendell W. Fertig had escaped Japanese captivity and organized a guerilla
movement on the
island, that was highly effective and had over 35,000 men at
its height and were supplied by US subs, restricting the Japanese
to major cities and towns only.
American Liberation
Japanese anticipated an American
attack, and had amassed many troops on the island. Originally
slated to be the first island liberated by American forces, instead
Leyte
was
selected,
and the
liberation of
Mindanao became the last assault of the Philippines campaign. By
that time, most of the troops had been reduced fighting in other
campaigns. Japanese 35th Army commander General Suzuki planned
to defend the eastern part of the island, and holdout indefinitely
with 43,000 troops on the island. Suzuki was killed in an air attack
while he was traveling from Cebu
to Mindanao via boat. He was succeeded by Lt. General Gyosaku Morozumi. His
troops were short of supplies and low on moral, also due to effective
guerilla resistance on the island during the occupation.
| |
Region IX (Zamboanga, Western Mindanao) |
|
Located on the northern coast of Zamboanga peninsula |
Zamboanga del Sur |
|
|
Southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula along Sibuguey Bay |
|
Located at the southern tip of Zamboanga along Basilan Strait |
Isabela City |
Located on Basilan Island |
| |
Region X (Northern Mindanao) |
|
Province in Central Mindanao, Del Monte |
Camiguin |
Province in Central Mindanao |
Lanao del Norte |
Province in Central Mindanao |
|
Located on northern Mindanao, center of the island |
Misamis Occidental |
Province in Central Mindanao |
Lanao del Norte |
Province in Central Mindanao |
Camiguin |
Island off the northern coast of Mindanao |
| |
Region XI (Davao Region, Southern Mindanao) |
Davao Oriental |
Located in the south-east corner of the island |
|
Port city and harbor on south-east coast of the island |
|
Located in the south-east corner of the island |
Compostela Valley |
Located in the south-east corner of the island |
| |
Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) |
|
Central Mindano Province |
|
Located on the south coast of Mindano & Sarangani Bay |
South Cotabato |
Central Mindano Province |
Sultan Kudarat |
Central Mindano Province |
| |
Region XIII (Caraga) |
|
Butuan Bay and Butuan |
Agusan Del Sur |
Province in north-eastern Mindanao |
Surigao Del Norte |
Province in north-eastern Mindanao |
Surigao Del Sur |
Province in north-eastern Mindanao |
Dinagat Islands |
Province in north-eastern Mindanao |
| |
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindano |
Lanao del Sur |
Located on the south-western coast of Mindano |
|
Located in south-western coast of Mindano |
