Battle for the Liberation of Manila

Battle of Manila

Part of World War II, the 1944-1945 Philippine Campaign and Pacific War

Aerial view of the destroyed Walled City of Intramuros taken on May 1945

Date

3 February – 3 March 1945

Location

Manila, Philippines
14°35′N 120°58′E / 14.583°N 120.967°ECoordinates: 14°35′N 120°58′E / 14.583°N 120.967°E

Result

Allied victory

End of the Japanese military rule
Restoration of the Philippine Commonwealth

Belligerents

United States

Commonwealth of the Philippines

Empire of Japan

Second Philippine Republic

Commanders and leaders

Verne D. Mudge

Strength

35,000 US troops
3,000 Filipino guerrillas

12,500 Sailors and Marines
4,500 Soldiers

Casualties and losses

1,010 killed
5,565 wounded

16,665 killed (counted dead)

estimated 100,000 Filipino civilians killed

Allied victory

United States

Empire of Japan

The Battle of Manila (February 3, 1945 – March 3, 1945) was a major battle of the Philippine campaign of 1944-45 during World War II that was fought by the American and Filipino forces against the Empire of Japan in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The one-month battle, which culminated in the massacre of over 100,000 civilians and complete devastation of the city, was the scene of the worst urban fighting in the Pacific theater. Along with the massive loss of lives, the battle also destroyed architectural and cultural heritage dating back since the city's foundation. The battle ended the almost three years of Japanese military occupation in the Philippines (1942–1945). The city's capture was marked as General Douglas MacArthur's key to victory in the campaign of reconquest.

On 9 January 1945, the Sixth U.S. Army under Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger waded ashore on Lingayen Gulf and began a rapid drive south in the Battle of Luzon. On 12 Jan., MacArthur ordered Krueger to advance rapidly to Manila. The 37th Infantry Division, under the command of Major Gen. Robert S. Beightler, headed south.

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Wikipedia