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 U.S. Army 1945  US Army March 26, 1945  US Army Aug 19, 1945 |
Location Cebu Island encompasses Cebu Province in the Central Visayas (Region VII) in the Visayas (Visayas Islands) in the central Philippines. To the east is the Cebu Strait. Offshore to the east is Mactan Island and Olango Island in the Bohol Strait (Cebu Strait) and beyond BohoI Island and beyond is Leyte. To the west is Negros. History On February 13, 1565 Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi arrived at Cebu to become the first Europeans to reach the Philippines having departed departed Mexico the previous year. After establishing themselves, Filipinos reported rich resources to the north. In 1570, Legazpi dispatched two of his commanders: Martín de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo to explore northward to Luzon. Prewar During the prewar period, Cebu and Bohol were part of the Philippine Army 8th Military District. Also, the USAFFE 81st Division was based at Cebu. Wartime History On December 8, 1941 a H5K2 Emily flying boat from Toko Seaplane Base bombed Cebu City. On April 10, 1942 a Japanese force including three warships and eleven transports landed 12,000 Japanese Army "Kawaguchi Detachment" at seven points on southern Cebu and quickly occupied the island. On April 12, 1942 and April 13, 1942. On April 12, 1942 during the "Royce Mission" nine B-25s and a single B-17 from Australia flying via Mindanao bomb Japanese shipping in Cebu Harbor. On April 13, 1942 the nine B-25s repeated the attack. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Filipino guerrillas were active in their opposition. In August 1942 former USAFFE soldiers aided Filipino guerrilla in barrio Tig-baon. During 1943, guerrillas engaged Japanese for a day and a half at Ligid-Ligid. On February 23, 1943 a guerrillas force led by American Harry Fenton, formerlly a radio DJ on KZRC and American mining engineer James Cushing plus succeeded in attacking Babag in Cebu City. By 1944, his group had absorbed other groups and became known as "Cebu Area Command", headquartered in the mountains at Tabunan. Acknowledged by SWPA HQ and designated "8th Military District". Cushing was given the rank of Lt Colonel. In early April 1944, Filipino guerrillas captured Vice Admiral Fukodomei and the "Koga Papers". Later in the war, guerrillas even gained control of the southern part of Cebu before the Americans arrived. During the war, Cebu guerrillas reportedly killed more Japanese than in any other part of the Philippines. In Toledo especially, Filipino guerrillas resisted strongly and inflicted many casualties on the occupiers. During October 1944, American planes began bombing Cebu to neutralize airfields. After the American victory at Leyte, some Japanese managed to escape by boat to Cebu. On March 24, 1945 General Suzuki arrived and took command of the 13,000 Japanese troops on the island. Well equipped and supplied, the Japanese prepared defenses and mined beaches and dug anti-tank ditches. Troops in the central and northern Cebu Island were under the command of Major-General Takeo Manjome. Another 1,000 troops in the far north were mostly survivors from Leyte. They abandoned the south of the island where guerrillas had gained control. American missions against Cebu April 7, 1942–June 2, 1945 On March 26, 1945 Operation Victory II began with the U.S. Navy (USN) 7th Fleet conducting a large scale shore bombardment prior to the amphibious landing by the U.S. Army Americal Division at Talisay. A defensive mine field knocked out ten of the first fifteen landing craft ashore and killed and wounded many. Blocked, men, vehicles and supplies crowded the beach area while engineers rushed to clear a safe pathway. Despite the confusion, the Japanese failed to cover the beaches with anything larger than small arms fire and were unable to exploit the situation. After an hour, the minefield was adequately cleared and the advance continued. On March 27, 1945 although Cebu City was liberated, American forces encountered stiff resistance in nearby hills. On April 10, 1945 General Suzuki was lost at sea bound for Mindanao. On August 19, 1945 Japanese officers under the command of Lt. General Kataoka, 35th Army arrived in Cebu City to begin surrender negotiations. On August 28, 1945 Maj. Gen. William H. Arnold of the Americal Division accepted the surrender of 10,000 Japanese on the island, the first large scale Japanese surrender. On Cebu, the Japanee lost roughly 5,500. The Americal Division lost 410 killed plus 1,700 wounded. Another 8,000 men were classified as non-battle casualties, Cebu City Occupied by the Japanese, liberated by the Americal Division on March 27, 1945. Talisay (Talisay City) Located to the south of Cebu City site of U.S. Army landing on on March 26, 1945. Argao Located to the south of Cebu City, site of initial Japanese landing. Mactan Island Located off Cebu Harbor and Cebu City includes Opon Airfield (Mactan, Mactan-Cebu International Airport). Consolacion Located to the northeast of Cebu City. Damolog Located on the northeast coast of Cebu. Camotes Island Group Located between Cebu and Leyte to the southwest of Ormoc Bay. Contribute
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