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 Edwin Fitchett 1946  Carl R. Thien 1945  Justin Taylan 2003  Justin Taylan 2003  Justin Taylan 2003 |
Location Lat 16° 24' 59N Long 120° 35' 35E Baguio located at an elevation of 5029' / 1,532m above sea level in the mountains in Benguet Province on Luzon in the Philippines. Also known as Baguio City. Connected by the Kennon Road southward to Rosario. A newer western road connects Baguio to La Union Province. Prewar During the American colonial era, Baguio was designed and based on the layout of Washington D. C. in the United States. During the hot summer months, the cooler mountain climate and pine tree forests of Baguio were ideal for recreation and the city became the summer capital of the Philippines. Many wealthy Filipinos and Americans purchased homes in Baguio. In 1903, the U.S. Army established Camp John Hay to the east of the city. Wartime History On December 8, 1941 nearby Camp John Hay was the first location in the Philippines bombed by the Japanese aircraft. On December 24, 1941 the Japanese Army 9th Regiment advanced from Bauang and occupied Baguio without opposition. During the Japanese occupation of Baguio was relatively peacefully, with limited guerrilla activities in the area and few reprisals by the Japanese against the local population. During the occupation years, the Imperial Japanese Army used Baguio as a rest and recuperation (R&R) area for senior officers. WIth the threat of a U.S. landing on Luzon, Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 14th Area Army commander General Tomoyuki Yamashita moved his headquarters to Baguio with the city defended by the 19th Division "Tora". On January 9, 1945 the U.S. Army landed at Lingayen Gulf. Starting in late January 1945, Baguio was was bombed in an effort to deprive it from being used by the Japanese. Tragically, these attacks primarily impacted the civilian population and many sought refuge inside Baguio Cathedral believing it would not be targeted. American missions against Baguio January 23, 1945–August 9, 1945 As the U.S. Army advanced on Kennon Road towards Baguio debris was used to form roadblocks to slow their advance. The approach was defended by small Japanese force including the 10th Tank Regiment, 5th Company with only three medium and two light tanks that were ordered to carry out suicide attacks to stop the advance. On the road to the city, one Type 97 Chi Ha and one Type 95 Ha Go had explosives attached to the front hull. They hid into bamboo bushes near the road between Baguio and Sablan waiting for U.S. Army tanks to approach. When a column of M4 Sherman tanks turned the corner about 100m away, both accelerated forward to make a suicide attack. The lead tank was surprised at tried to backup, but failed to turn and fell off the road into the valley below. Their suicide attack destroyed two M4 Sherman tanks and both Japanese tanks. One Japanese soldier exited the his suicide tank brandishing a sword. After this incident, the Americans advanced more hesitantly towards the city. On April 27, 1945 Baguio was liberated by the U.S. Army 33rd Infantry Division, 37th Infantry Division plus Norther Luzon (USAFFE-NL) 66th Infantry Regiment and found the city in ruins from American bombing. Until the official surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945 Japanese resistance persisted to the Baguio area until General Tomoyuki Yamashita officially surrendered in an official ceremony at Camp John Hay. Baguio Cathedral (Our Lady of the Atonement) Constructed between 1920 and was completed in 1936 by missionaries from Belgium atop Kampo Hill (renamed "Mount Mary"), the tallest hill in Baguio. During 1945, the cathedral was used as a shelter for civilians during the American bombing of Baguio, and an evacuation center. Many residents built shanty shacks around the cathedral, after it was filled to capacity. During April, 1945 advance units of the US Army arrived at the Cathedral and liberated the town. Burnham Park Park at the center of Baguio. The US Army held a formal ceremony here in April 1945 after the liberation of Baguio attended by General Swift (I Corps commander). After liberation, L-4 Piper Cubs landed on the park. Camp Henry T. Allen (Camp Allen) Prewar US Army camp in Baguio. Japan-Filipino Peace Monument A memorial park and obelisk is located on the western edge of town, with dedications in Japanese and English. Veterans Park & Wall of Honor Dedicated in 1991 and upgraded in 1995, this small memorial park and Wall of Honor lists the names of the 3,347 officers, enlisted men and auxiliary volunteers of the 66th Infantry Regiment USAFFE. The memorial lists 854 casualties (280 KIA, 568 WIA, 6 MIA) in the campaign in the mountains. At the front of the memorial, a US Army 105mm howitzer is on display. Camp John Hay In 1903 the U.S. Army established Camp John Hay includes Baguio Country Club, US Ambassador's Residence, Loakan Airfield (Baguio Airport) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Gegorio del Pilar). Birac Airfield Contribute
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 Map January 9-17, 1945 Map Fallingrain |
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