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| Location Lat 15° 58' 34N Long 120° 34' 16E Urdaneta is an Inland town in the 5th District of Pangasinan Province on Luzon in the Philippines. To the northwest 13.3 miles is Mangaldan. Urdaneta is located at the intersection between the north-south MacArthur Highway and east-west road junction making it an important crossroad town. Wartime History On January 2, 1945 the Japanese Army 2nd Tank Division ordered a detachment from the 7th Tank Regiment to Urdaneta in anticipation of the U.S. landing at Lingayen Gulf. After the American landing on January 9, 1945 2nd Tank Division commander General Yamashita ordered them to counterattack with one tank company and one motorized infantry battalion from Urdaneta to attack the American beachhead. During the night of January 16, 1945 they advanced towards the beachhead but were ambushed by U.S. anti-tank guns and suffered heavy losses. Battle of Urdaneta On January 17, 1945 at dawn the 7th Tank Regiment "Omori Detachment" of nine tanks and 100 men were an outpost and rear guard at Binalonan. At 8:00am the U.S. Army 6th Division, 1st Infantry Regiment supported by M4 Sherman tanks advanced towards Urdaneta. Defending were tanks of 3rd Company that were camouflaged in palm trees off the road and waited until the enemy tanks were at close range and destroyed two with flank fire before their positions were revealed and they were hit by other Shermans. Other tanks of 3rd Company swung around and attacked from the flank. During the engagement, the company commander's tank was destroyed by the Shermans. In total, the Japanese lost all nine of their tanks and most infantry. The U.S. suffered 5 killed and 15 wounded. Urdaneta Museum (Museo de Urdaneta) Located in the town's cultural an sports center, across from the library. This museum includes a small display of WWII era artifacts - helmets, guns and mess tins. Outside, a Japanese Jukie heavy machine gun is displayed along with Spanish era cannons. References World War II Japanese Tank Tactics (2008) pages 55-56 (acount of Warrant Officer Kojuro Wada, 7th Tank Regt) Contribute
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 Map January 9-17, 1945 Map Fallingrain |
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