34014 1945 U.S. NAVY FILM COMBAT BULLETIN NO. 2 LIBERATION OF LUZON, PHILIPPINES

This film features the US Navy efforts in removing Japanese forces from the Philippine Islands at the end of WW2 in 1945. It was produced in cooperation with the US Army Pictorial Services (:14) and begins with an air strike on Manila (:27). Carrier planes of the 3rd fleet targeted enemy shipping in Manila and air fields and other installations including Cavite Navy Yard on Luzon Island (:39). Aerial footage of the attacks follows (:53) during which two enemy destroyers were hit, one light cruiser was damaged and thirty large and medium cargo vessels and tankers were sunk or damaged (1:51). Japanese propaganda footage follows depicting the attack by the American forces (1:57). A siren sounds off as the raid began and pedestrians flee in the streets (2:35). The commentator announces 50 citizens were killed in the strike (3:31). As American forces landed on Luzon Island, they were greeted by Philippine civilians (4:25). Landing crafts took troops northwest of the Bataan peninsula (1:36). Elements of the 38th division moved inland without opposition (4:43). Leaflets were dropped by US forces warning the Filipino people to keep roadways clear (4:59). The 38th headed towards Bataan (5:06). US forces delivered food supplies to natives who were working to rehabilitate ruined cities (5:14). The 25th Infantry Division moved towards the heavily defended San Manuel (5:36). As they neared, resistance increased (5:48). Japanese tanks defending the area were dug in and turned into pillboxes (5:58). Artillery was moved up from troops of the 14th Corp in order to hit Clark Field (6:45). Abandoned Japanese crafts in Clark Field follows (7:17). A second front was set up on Luzon (7:28) as tanks and infantry men of the 8th Army’s 11th Corp were dropped northwest of Subic Bay (7:31), moving into a flanking movement on Manila. Soldiers hit resistance from Japanese forces entrenched 8 miles inland from Subic Bay (7:43). Japan set fire to the area (8:09). Block to block street fights ensued in the Rosario suburb of Manila with troops of the 1st Calvary Division and of the 37th Infantry Division (8:19). The joined forces sought out Japanese snipers and small resistance groups (8:34). A female Filipino guerrilla fighter appears briefly (9:04). Japanese forces inflicted damage on the area as they retreated (9:10). Civilians fled with their belongings and looters added to the chaos of the scene (9:28). A pile of dead follows which consisted of suspected relatives or collaborators of the Filipino Guerillas left behind by the Japanese (9:46). Guerillas rounded up collaborators and one was found who had on his person a map showing the burned area of Manila as well as areas that were to be fired (10:03). Japanese forces had used the University of Santo Tomas as a prison and after it was liberated by units of the 1st Calvary Division, an American flag is draped over the side of the balcony (10:16). Some of the freed 3,100 Allied nationals are shown (10:35). Guns which had been held within the university were now used by American forces against Japanese positions (11:16). Bilibid prison, in the center of Manila, held over 800 war prisoners and 550 civilian internees (11:31) until soldiers of the 37th National Guard broke through the wall of the compound. Some of the released are seen digging through the ground for their buried regimental colors (11:53). General MacArthur visited the liberated prison (12:04). Major General Beightler commanded the 37th Division crossing the Pasig River into southern Manila (12:27). All four bridges crossing the river were cut (12:41). The 1st Calvary Division, the 37th Infantry Division, as well as elements of the 11th Airborne Division worked to encircle Japanese forces (12:45). The Japanese were pushed back to the Intramuros for a final stand (13:19). Japanese resistance was concentrated in public buildings and parks (15:23). Heavy shelling drove them out into the open (15:41). Manila was now considered free (15:52). The battle for the recapture of Corregidor follows (15:54) as Higgins boats unload troops (16:03). Attacks from Liberators and heavy bombers hit the plateau at the western end of the island (16:14). Destroyers and cruisers move in for heavy bombardment (16:29). Soldiers of the 503rd Paratrooper Infantry Regiment were to land onto a golf course and a parade ground (16:45). From here, they moved towards the plateau perimeter (19:48). Air and Navy bombardments continued (19:50). The 3rd Battalion of the 34th Infantry moved towards San Jose beach (20:02). The film concludes just after the 3rd Battalion began to move forward to make contact with the paratroopers (20:33).

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