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| Location Lat 11° 17' 20N Long 124° 34' 2E Limon is located at an elevation of 324' / 98m inland from the north coast of Leyte Island in Leyte Province in the Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) in the Visayas (Visayas Islands) in the central Philippines. Also spelled Lemon. The Ormoc-Limon Road (Highway 2) spans Limon connecting northward to Pinamopoan on the north coast and southward to Lonoy. To the north is Breakneck Ridge. To the south is the Leyte River. To the southwest is Kilay Ridge. Today, Limon is a locality in Capoocan. Limon Pass is located at this location. Wartime History During November 1944, the Limon area was the high ground defended by the Japanese Army 1st Division (reinforced) that was tasked with blocking American forces from occupying the northern entrance to the Ormoc Valley. The 1st Division was supported by twenty Type 95 Ha go light tanks including ten from 1st Independent Tank Company and ten from 2nd Independent Tank Company of the 2nd Tank Division on Luzon landed as reinforcements at Ormoc attached to the 1st Division. The tanks were used as tractors to tow artillery and their ammunition from Ormoc to the Limon Pass area. Afterwards, they supported m infantry defending Limon Pass against the U.S. Army until lost in combat and accidents. By November 15, 1944 the 24th Infantry established road block was established across Highway 2 roughly 2,000 yards south of Limon manned by the 19th Infantry, 2nd Battalion with the 34th Infantry, 1st Battalion on Kilay Ridge a high ground roughly 700 yards west of the road. These positions prevented the Japanese from sending reinforcement to Limon. When Limon was occupied, it concluded the Battle of Breakneck Ridge but pockets of Japanese resistance remained until the middle of December 1944. Meanwhile, the 2nd Squadron, 112th Cavalry encountered a strong enemy force south of Limon on a ridge overlooking the Leyte River and repelled their advances. On December 14, 1944 relieved by the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry and captured the ridge. On December 15, 1944 at the road block on Highway 2 south of Limon was attacked by Japanese tanks. Alone, Pfc Dirk J. C. Vlug left his covered position with a bazooka and six rockets and advanced under enemy fire. He loaded the bazooka and destroyed the first tank and killing the crew inside. As the second tank crew began to dismount to attack him, he killed one with his pistol and the others returned to their tank. Reloading, he destroyed the second tank. Next, three more tanks advanced up the road. Flanking them, he destroyed the third with a rocket and continued to advance under fire destroying the next. With his last rocket, he destroyed the third and caused it to crash down a steep embankment. For his actions, he later earned the Medal of Honor. On December 17, 1944 in the morning advance elements of the 126th Infantry Regiment were roughly 4,000 yards south of Limon. After a preparation of heavy mortar fire, at 7:30am the 1st Battalion moved out and met a platoon of the enemy on a knoll 300 yards east of the road that resulted in a bitter fight during the day and halted their advance with four enemy machine guns captured. By the end of December 1944, the last three surviving Japanese tanks were demolished before the remaining Japanese retreated from the Limon Pass area. References U.S. Army in World War II Leyte: The Return to the Philippines Chapter XII The Mountain Barrier: Part One pages 208, 209, 211, 213, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220 U.S. Army in World War II Leyte: The Return to the Philippines Chapter XIII The Mountain Barrier: Part Two pages 223, 224, 225 U.S. Army in World War II Leyte: The Return to the Philippines Chapter XIX The Entrances to Ormoc Valley pages 323-325, 327 (photos), 328 U.S. Army in World War II Leyte: The Return to the Philippines Chapter XX pages 340, 342 Taki's Home Page - The History of Battle of Imperial Japanese Tanks Part II Leyte Oct. to Dec. 1944 Contribute
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