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  USAAF 1945  U.S. Army April 1, 1945 |
Location Lat 13° 7' 60N Long 123° 43' 60E Legaspi (Legazpi) is the provincial capital of Albay Province on southeast Luzon in the Bicol Region (Region V) of the Philippines. Also known as Legazpi Port, Legaspi or San Roque. Borders Albay Gulf to the east, the Mayon Volcano (Mount Mayon) to the north and Daraga to the southwest. Today known as Legazpi City. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, Legaspi was one of the early Japanese objectives in their occupation of the Philippines. On December 12, 1941 in the early morning, the Legaspi Attack Force from Palau with the Japanese Army Kimura Detachment including the 33rd Regiment lands 2,500 troops unopposed and occupies Legaspi without opposition covered by carrier planes from Ryūjō. By 9:00am the Japanese occupied Legaspi Airfield and the terminus of the Manila railroad. Within a few hours, the Japanese began advancing to the northwest and southeast. The nearest American and Filipino defenders of the South Luzon Force were 150 miles away. Starting on December 12, 1941 targeted by U.S. planes conducting small air strikes. By the middle of November 1944 targeted by American planes. During late 1944, while planning the liberation of the Philippines, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Chamberlin, the Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 at GHQ SWPA considered capturing Legaspi and Legaspi Airfield to support the liberation but this idea was soon dismissed due to logistical issues and was deemed unnecessary. The Japanese Army established two defensive line in the Legaspi area with an eastern line south at Mount Bariway, 2 miles southwest of Legaspi, extending the line north 4 miles along a low ridge to barrio Busay, 3 miles northwest of Legaspi. The second line was defended by the 35th Naval Guard Unit in jungle covered ground along the Cituinan Hills south and southeast of Camalig. On April 1, 1945 at 10:00am the Legaspi Attack Group (TG 78.4) lands the U.S. Army 158th Regimental Combat Team (reinforced) at Legaspi and encounter only token resistance including a few artillery shells from a gun that was quickly silenced then liberates the port, town and Legaspi Airfield and by the late afternoon begins advancing inland towards Daraga. American missions against Legaspi December 12, 1941–April 27, 1945 Legaspi Airfield (Sanbon Field, Legazpi Airport) Built prewar in the middle 1930s, occupied by the Japanese December 12, 1941–April 1, 1945 References U.S. Army in World War II The Fall of the Philippines Chapter VI: The First Landings pages 98, 109-112 (Japanese invasion) Luzon The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II pages 25-26 U.S. Army in World War II Triumph in the Philippines Chapter II The Plan for Invasion pages 21 U.S. Army in World War II Triumph in the Philippines Chapter XXIII Securing the Visayan Passages page 439-444 Revenge of the Red Raiders: The Illustrated History of the 22nd Bombardment Group During World War II (2006) pages 314 (map), 345 (November 30, 1944), 347 (December 7, 1944), 349 (December 19 & 21, 1944), 362 (map), 364 (January 17, 1945), 389, 392 (April 1, 1945 landing), 578-579, 582-583, 585-586, 589-592, 613 (index Legaspi) Contribute Information Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated September 27, 2026 |
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