o The Battle of the Philippine Sea

o Objective Leyte
o Prelude to the Landing at Lingayen Gulf
o The Liberation of Manila
o The Battle of Besang Pass
o The End of Hostilities
o The Task Ahead
o Restoration of the Commonwealth Government
o The Transition of Commonwealth to Republic
August 1994- impending hostile encounter
between the American and the Japanese forces
was inevitable.
- Saipan Island was bombarded by the
American Naval fleet while mariners landed in
Guam, an island belonging to the United States.
- The Japanese fleet, composed of
battleships cruisers and destroyers, moved
hastily toward the Marianas to relieve the
Japanese garrison where their big troops were
stationed.
Admiral Raymond Spruance
- Commander of the American fleet who
were waiting for the enemy west of the Marianas
- He sent heavy bomber airplanes to attack
Iwo Jima to neutralize the Japanese bases on the
islands.
June 1944- the Battle of the Philippine Sea began
- The air battle began in Guam, with Admiral
Mare Mitchell and his task force. The total
destruction of four hundred and two airplanes
against seventeen American airplanes lost and
four battleships damaged was the result of air
combat over Guam.
 With President Roosevelts knowledge, the
landing in the Philippines was carried out by
the forces under General MacArthur.
The liberation of General MacArthur means
adequate battleships, escort carriers, mine
craft, amphibian tanks, landing craft and
cargo ships to encounter the Japanese forces
led by Lt. Tomoyuki Yamashita.
On the first two weeks of October 1944, the
American intensified their air and sea attacks.
Similar air raids were directed to Formosa in
order to paralyze Japanese offensive.
 The Japanese suicide pilots or also known as
Kamikaze engaged in a dog-fight against American
pilots.
In October 20, the Leyte beaches were severely
bombarded by the American fighter planes moving
swiftly to counter attack the Japanese naval ships.
General MacArthur, together with Vice-President
Osmea, General Carlos P. Romulo, General Valdes
and some American troops waded ashore at the Red
Beach after the successive wave of assault.
In October 20, 1944 they landed at Palo, Leyte.
Amidst the speculation of skeptical Filipinos that it
would be difficult for the Americans to return,
General MacArthur fulfilled his promise: I SHALL
RETURN!
 The Battle of Lingayen Gulf is also considered
as one of the greatest battles in history was
fought simultaneously by both opposing forces
with intense ferocity in three places from
October 24 to 26.
These three places were the Battle of Surigao
Straight, the Battle of Samar, and the Battle of
Cape Engano. It is fought using airplanes,
battleships and carriers determine to demolish
the enemy.
 On January 9, 1945, the American forces
escorted by airplanes, carriers and torpedos
landed unexpectedly at the Lingayen Gulf, the
Japanese were caught off guard and cannot
offer stiff resistance.
The Americans landed at San Fabian,
Pangasinan. The Japanese, in a desperation
retreated to the nearby hills.
The Americans moved toward Central Luzon
without any resistance while the Japanese
prepared a last-ditch battle in Manila.
 MacArthurs plan and strategy after landing
at Lingayen was moved to South, for Manila
has excellent harbour facilities.
Offensive operations were carried out in
Batangas and San Narciso, Zambales. The
move was deliberately designed to cut off
the Bataan Peninsula so that American
troops can proceed to Subic Bay.
On January 30, the Subic Bay was in the
hands of the American Forces.
 The Japanese forces in Manila started series of
atrocities. They burned private homes, govt
buildings, churches and other landmarks.
Men found in the streets were forcibly taken and
compelled to work in Japanese garrisons and
airfields. Trucks, cars and carts are confiscated by
the Japanese from the civilians to be used for
transporting soldiers and supplies.
The Japanese also destroyed valuable documents,
books, sculptured saints and other art objects.
Hundreds of civilians- men, women and children
were massacred in cold blood.
 Several provinces were perpetrated by the
Japanese as revenge to the civilians for not
collaborating with them. Houses and buildings
are burned; bridges were blasted to prevent the
American forces to do their offensive operation.
In Tarlac, the American forces moved rapidly to
Pampanga, Bulacan and finally outlaying border
leading to the City of Manila.
On February 3, 1945, General MacArthur and the
American forces entered Manila spearheaded by
tanks. The Filipinos welcomed the American
soldiers as they yell: VICTORY, JOE! making a
V sign with their fingers as the jeeps and tanks
sped by.
 The American armored forces accelerated
to the University of Santo Tomas to
rescue the American and allied prisoners.
The Japanese forces continued fighting
and as they retreated, they set the
buildings on fire in Sta. Cruz, Binondo
and Quiapo making Manila a city raging
on fire.
 The Besang Pass was about 6,000 feet high
and commanded a good view for the enemies
coming below. This mountain trail led to
Cervantes, Ilocos Sur which General Yamashita
had strongly fortified.
Colonel Russell V. Volckman of the United
States Armed Forces in the Philippines, North
Luzon (USAFIL, NL) was given a dangerous
mission by the United States Sixth Army to
assault and seize the Besang Pass.
 The Battle of Besang Pass maybe considered
one of the fiercest and most dangerous
battles between the American forces and the
Japanese soldiers because the fury was day
and night and continued over five months,
resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
American troops with heavy artillery and
combat planes supported the fighting
guerrillas until the enemy collapsed.
The Battle of Besang Pass was characterized
by courage and heroism, as well as
bloodshed, ended on June 14, 1945 and
immortalized the bravery of Filipino soldiers.
 General MacArthur was determined to carry
out the war right at Japans door; launched
hundreds of B29s, the U.S. heavy, long-
ranged, four engine bomber dropped bombs
in the mainland Japan ports and cities like
Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, day and night.
On July 26, 1945, the Three Allied Powers
Great Britain, China and United States
through President Truman and Prime Minister
Churchill issued Postdam Proclamation urging
Japan to surrender or face prompt and utter
destruction.
 Japan refused to surrender through Premier
Kentaro Susuki, still proud and arrogant of her
strength saying that the Imperial Government
of Japan would take no action of the
ultimatum.
The United States Air Force dropped the
deadly uranium bomb on the Japanese City of
Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It destroyed
half of the city and killed about 60,000
persons and wounded 100,000 others.
 On August 9, 1945, the bomb that fell to
Nagasaki three days later was actuated by the
fission of plutonium, an artificial radioactive
element derived from the bombardment of
uranium by neutrons in atomic reactors built
for that purpose in United States. It flattened
a square mile of Nagasaki and took a heavy
toll of life.
On August 15, 1945, Japan unconditionally
accepted the demand for surrender.
On September 3, 1945, Japan signed the
terms and conditions of surrender onboard of
the battleship, USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay.
 The newly appointed Supreme Commander
of the Allied Powers (SCAP) in Japan,
General MacArthur presided over the
historic ceremonies, finally ending the war.
Lieutenant General Yamashita, referred to
as Tiger of Malaya surrendered to Major
General Leavery, Deputy Commander and
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces in the
Western Pacific region because of the
British protectorate in 1942.
 The Commonwealth Government was
temporarily established in Tacloban, Leyte,
and later on Manila on October 24, 1944 with
President Osmea as the successor of the late
President Quezon.
On November 15, 1944, on the ninth
anniversary of the Commonwealth
Government, President Osmea delivered his
address to the Filipino people full of endearing
words about bravery, ideals of democracy and
freedom.
 On February 27, 1945, in a simple
ceremony regarding the turn-over of the
Commonwealth Government to President
Osmea, General MacArthur delivered a
meaningful message which deeply
touched President Osmea.
The proclamation of the liberation of the
Philippines from the Japanese Imperial
forces was on July 4, 1945.
 President Osmea being the head of the duly
constituted government was challenged by
the gigantic task of rehabilitating the country
as a result of war.
The complete restoration of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines- the
executive and judicial branches will be re-
established.
 Cognizant of the various problems of national
significance that must be dealt with, were the
reestablishment of agencies that should be
responsible for law and order, the reopening of
schools, the construction, the rehabilitation and
repair of school buildings, hospitals, bridges and
other important infrastructure that had to be
rehabilitated or indemnified.
The legitimate claims of common laborers, small
farmers and fishermen who had lost their tools,
work, animals and fishing nets must be given
preferential attention and priority.
The war not only caused untold misery and
suffering to our people, but also brought
destruction to lives and property, economic
dislocation and financial bankruptcy.
 Farms and industries had to be rehabilitated;
bank and credits facilities had to be reopened.
The Congress of the Philippines met for the first
time after the war and Senator Manuel A. Roxas
was chosen President of the Senate, while
Senator Elpidio Q. Quirino was chosen President
Pro-tempore.
The speaker of the House of Representatives was
the Representatives of Iloilo, Jose C. Zulueta and
Speaker Pro-tempore was Representative
Prospero Sanidad.
The newly constituted legislative body passed
various resolutions and legislatives enacments
concerning the rehabilitation and reconstruction
of the Philippines.
 On April 23, 1946, the last national election
under Commonwealth Period was held.
Manuel A. Roxas and Elpidio Q. Quirino were
elected President and Vice-President,
respectively.
On May 26, 1946, Roxas assumption was
inaugurated in simple but impressive
ceremonies as the last President of the
Commonwealth.
 On July 4, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines
was inaugurated at the Luneta amidst the jubilant
Filipino rejoicing the regained freedom.
High-ranking Officials and dignitaries witnessed
the simple but solemn occasion. Representing the
United States were Honorable Paul V. McNutt, last
United States High Commissioner and first
American Ambassador to the Philippines and
Senator Millard E. Tydings, co-author of the
Philippine Independence Law.
General Douglas MacArthur came by a chartered
plane from Tokyo to witness and to take part in
the ceremonies.