| Operation codename: Victor V |
Mindanao is the southernmost and the second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. Its rugged and mountainous terrain is mostly covered with rain-soaked woods and before the war it had about two million people. Although the Zamboanga peninsula, extending westward to the Sulu Sea, is geographically part of Mindanao, during the southern Philippines liberation it was treated as a separate territorial unit for not having, from a purely military standpoint, any relation to the main eastern part of the island. Planners on the U.S. 8th Army staff took as a decisive fact that Zamboanga is separated by a mountain barrier from eastern Mindanao, preventing the development of broad-based attack led from there to the east. So, although at the end of March 1945 Zamboanga was in the hands of Allied forces, completely separated amphibious operations had to be conducted to dominate the eastern part of Mindanao. (Miloš Hubáček - Boj o Filipíny, Panorama 1990)
Article on English Wikipedia| Scenario in dates: |
| April 4, 1943: |
Philippines - A group of ten Americans and two Filipino convicts led by US Air Force Lieutenant William E. Dyesse manage to escape from the Japanese Davao prison camp on Mindanao. After hiding in the jungle, they join the Philippine guerrillas. This is the only successful mass escape of Allied prisoners from Japanese captivity during the entire war in the Pacific. Dyess will later be picked up by the submarine USS Trout (SS-202) and, as a survivor of the Bataan death march, will give the first evidence of this terrible event in the United States. |
| December 22, 1943: |
United States - Lt. Col. William E. Dyess dies after a plane crash in Los Angeles on a training flight with a P-38 fighter. After his death, the Chicago Tribune receives government permission to publish his story of his capture in the Philippines, the Bataan Death March, and as he escaped from Japanese captivity during a mass escape from Davao Camp in Mindanao. For the safety of Americans still lingering in Japanese captivity, his statement had beeb kept secret, but now 100 US newspapers describe his experiences as "the greatest story of the war since the attack on Pearl Harbor." |
| September 9, 1944: |
In the Philippines - Three groups of US Task Force 38, with 12 carriers, conduct air strikes on Japanese airfields on Mindanao Island. |
| September 10, 1944: |
In the Philippines - Three groups of US Task Force 38, with 12 carriers, conduct air strikes on Japanese airfields on Mindanao Island. |
| October 16, 1944: |
In the Philippines - Land-based aircraft of US 13th and 5th Air Forces, from Biak, Sansapor and Morotai, attack targets on Mindanao. US Task Group 77.4 (Admiral TF Sprague), with 18 escort carriers, launches air strikes on Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao. |
| March 10, 1945: |
In the Philippines - Most of the US 41st Infantry Division is landed at the southwest of Mindanao near Zamboanga. General Doe commands the troops and Admiral Barbey the naval support. On Luzon fighting continues south of Laguna de Bay where the US forces are still trying to break through to the east and in the north, where American troops are fighting their way up the Villa Verde Trail toward the Cagayan Valley. During the fighting at Villa Verde, Private Thomas E. Atkins is distinguished for defending an advanced position against intense Japanese attacks for four hours, action for later will be awared by the Medal of Honor. Organized Japanese resistance on the island of Palawan comes to an end. |
| April 17, 1945: |
In the Philippines - There are American landings in the Moro Gulf at Cotabato. The assault units are from US 24th Infantry Division from US X Corps (General Sibert). Admiral Noble commands 3 cruisers and a destroyer force in support. The American forces which landed at Zamboanga early in March have already cleared a large part of the southwest of the island, but the majority of the Japanese 35th Army (General Suzuki) remains intact. There is no initial opposition to the new landings. |
| April 22, 1945: |
In the Philippines - The US 31st Infantry Division is landed at Moro Gulf. The US 24th Division is already advancing inland and has nearly reached Kabakan. Meanwhile, on Jolo, the last Japanese resistance comes to an end as their final strong-points fall to the US forces. Scattered individual Japanese soldiers remain at large. |
| May 3, 1945: |
In the Philippines - American naval forces commanded by Admiral Noble land 1000 troops near Santa Cruz in the Gulf of Davao, on Mindanao. Davao City is taken by US 24th Division units. |
| May 4, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US 25th Division, part of US I Corps, capture Mount Taal, west of the Balete Pass. Northwest of Manila, elements of the US XI Corps attack toward Guagua but are forced back by Japanese defenses. On Mindanao, the US 24th Division mops up in around Davao while elements of the US 31st Division patrol north of Zibawe. Elements of the US 41st Division reach Parang, north of Cotabato while other forces land north of Digos, near Santa Cruz. On Negros, the Americal Division attempts to reopen its supply lines, which have been cut by the Japanese forces, in the eastern part of the island. |
| May 6, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, elements of the US 25th Division, part of US I Corps, capture the Kembu plateau. On Mindanao, the US 24th and 31st Divisions overrun Japanese positions north of Davao, where the Japanese 35th Army (General Morozumi) is concentrated. |
| May 8, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US 145th Infantry Regiment captures the ridge near Guagua, southeast of Mount Pacawagan and blocks a track along the Mariquina river. On Mindanao, units of the US 24th Division establish a bridgehead over the Talomo river, north of Mintal. The US 31st Division clears the Colgan woods, reaching the Maramag airfield. American units land on Samar. On Negros, American forces in the south continue to progress against strong Japanese resistance. |
| May 9, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, forces of the US 145th Infantry Regiment, an element of US XI Corps, captures Mount Binicayan and patrols into the Guagua area. On Mindanao, the US 24th Division continues to defend its bridgehead over the Talomo river against Japanese counterattacks but fails to build a bridge. The US 31st Division breaks off its attacks in the Colgan woods to allow air and artillery strikes on the Japanese positions. |
| May 10, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the advance of US 43rd Division, part of US XI Corps, loses momentum. On Mindanao, part of the US 40th Division lands on the coast of Macalajar Bay, in the north of the island. The naval support group is commanded by Rear-Admiral Struble. The landing is successful. Filipino guerrillas provide additional support and the beachhead is rapidly consolidated and extended. Some elements advance some 5 miles to the southeast and link up with units of the US 31st Division. There is heavy fighting between the American and Japanese forces already present on the island. Units of the US 19th Division begin to eliminate a number of Japanese pockets of resistance around Davao. |
| May 11, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, elements of US I Corps make contact on Kapintalan Ridge. The US 25th Division advances on Santa Fe. On Mindanao, elements of US 40th Division advance to hills overlooking Del Monte airfield. Units of Filipino guerrillas liberate Cagayan. The US 24th Division mops up the area northeast of the Talomo river, near Mintal. On Samar, a small American contingent is landed to spot Japanese artillery sites firing on Davao on Mindanao. Fighting continues in the western mountains on Negros. |
| May 12, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, elements of the US 43rd Division, part of US XI Corps, converge on Ipo, capturing several hill occupied by the Japanese. On Mindanao, Del Monte airfield is reached by elements of the US 40th Division. Other elements advance southwest of Tankulan. The US 123th Infantry Regiment eliminates the Japanese strongpoint in the Colgan woods after a lengthy air and artillery bombardment. American aircraft and artillery strike at suspected Japanese gun emplacements on Samar Island. |
| May 13, 1945: |
In the Philippines - After more heavy fighting on Mindanao, the Del Monte airfield is captured by units of the US 40th Division. The US 24th Division advances northwards along the Talomo track in the river valley. |
| May 15, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US XI Corps prepares for a resumption of attacks against the Ipo dam, north of Manila. Forces of the US 8th Army launch new attacks on Mindanao and Negros. Units of the US 24th Division advance from Davao to the northeast and make contact with Filipino guerrillas. Mopping up operations continue in the Talomo river valley. |
| May 16, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US 152nd Division, part of US XI Corps, attacks Woodpecker Ridge with heavy artillery support and entrenches on the summit. The capture of the Bicol peninsula by forces of the US XIV Corps is declared to be completed. On Mindanao, Japanese forces hold the American advance along the Talomo River. |
| May 20, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Mindanao, the US 31st Division, part of US X Corps, advances northward and occupies positions near the town of Malaybalay and encounter Japanese artillery fire. Other units advance north of Davao and resist nighttime counterattacks. |
| May 21, 1945: |
In the Philippines - The Japanese supply base at Malaybalay on Mindanao is captured by elements of the US 31st Division. |
| May 22, 1945: |
In the Philippines - Elements of the US 24th Division reach Tambongan on Mindanao. |
| May 27, 1945: |
In the Philippines - The US 25th Division, part of the US I Corps, takes Santa Fe on Luzon. There is still heavy fighting in several parts of Mindanao. |
| June 1, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US 37th Division (US I Corps) advances rapidly in the Cagayan valley. Japanese resistance is reduced to rearguard actions. On Mindanao, American forces are engaged north of Davao. |
| June 6, 1945: |
In the Philippines - American forces advance without meeting significant resistance in the Cagayan valley, on Luzon, as well as on Minadanao. |
| June 9, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US 37th Division captures Bagabag. The American forces attempt to block the routes into the Cagayan valley in order to isolate the Japanese forces concentrated in the Sierra Madre, in the northeast. On Mindanao, elements of the US 24th Division take Mandog, the last major strong point in the Japanese defenses. |
| June 10, 1945: |
In Tokyo - Prime Minister Suzuki is granted dictatorial powers by the Imperial Diet. |
| June 12, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, the US 145th Infantry Regiment breaks Japanese resistance at Orioung Pass, occupies the town of Orioung and advances as far as positions overlooking the town of Balite. The Visayan Islands (including Samar, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol), between Luzon and Mindanao, are secured by American forces. American casualties in the campaign have amounted to 835 dead and 2300 wounded. Japanese casualties are estimated to be 10,000 dead. |
| June 18, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Luzon, elements of the US 37th Division, supported by an armored column, advance in the Caygayan valley, capturing Ilagan airfield and crossing the Ilagan River. On Mindanao, organized Japanese resistance comes to an end. Forces of the Japanese 35th Army have been cut off and dependent on roots and tree bark for food for some time now. Nonetheless, some small units of Japanese continue to resist. |
| June 28, 1945: |
In the Philippines - General MacArthur announces that the operations on Luzon are complete. It has been 5 months and 19 days since the American invasion began. An estimated 11,000 Japanese troops remain isolated in the Sierra Madre mountains and another 12,000 are trapped in the Kiangan-Bontoc (or Ifugao-Bontoc) area. The US 8th Army is assigned the task of mopping up on Luzon while the US 6th Army is reorganized for the invasion of Japan (Operation Olympic). Much of the mopping-up will be left to Filipino units. On Mindanao, mopping up operations continue. |
| July 4, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Mindanao, the US 24th Division organizes an amphibious expeditionary force to liberate Sarangani Bay, in the south of the island, south of Davao. Filipino guerrilla forces assist in clearing out the Japanese pockets of resistance. |
| July 8, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Mindanao, fighting continues in the Sarangani Bay area. Filipino guerrillas under American leadership engage the Japanese. |
| July 20, 1945: |
In the Philippines - American forces land on Balut Island, at the entrance to Sarangani Bay of Mindanao. The small Japanese garrison is eliminated. |
| July 25, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Mindanao, all organized Japanese resistance comes to an end in the Sarangani Bay area. American mopping up operations begin. |
| August 10, 1945: |
Philippines - The headquarters of the 100th Japanese Division are destroyed by American B-25 bombers on the island of Mindanao. The attack is extremely successful and destroys the command structures of the remaining Japanese forces on the island, which are no longer capable of organized resistance. The raid is personally and precisely guided by Japanese Lieutenant Minoru Wada, a former intelligence officer who was previously captured on the island. Determined to help shorten the war and save as many lives as possible on both sides, he offered the Americans maximum cooperation after his capture. |
| August 11, 1945: |
In the Philippines - On Mindanao, American mopping up operations are completed. |
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| Literature sources: |  | Hubáček, Miloš: Boj o Filipíny (Fight for Philippines), Paseka, 2005, Praha, Litomyšl |  | Moskin, J. Robert: The U.S. marine corps story, Laser - books, 1997, Plzeň |  | Hata, Izawa, Sh, Ikuhiro, Yasuho, Christopher: Japanese army air force fighter units and their aces, 1931-1945, DOBROVSKÝ s.r.o., 2007, Praha |  | Hrbek, Jaroslav, Hrbek Ivan: Vítězství přichází z moře (Victory comes from sea), Naše vojsko, 1999, Praha | Nepevný, Jindřich, Ing.: Americká polopásová vozidla (US Haltrucks), HPM No. 3,4/1991
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