Advanced Squad Leader

Spartan Style

The Greek Government had sent the Greek Expeditionary Force (GEF), one battalion to assist in Korea. This "Sparta" Battalion was composed of three rifle companies, a HQ company and six vehicles. The men were all …

7-10 Split

The road from Sangju to Taegu wound through a mountain pass nick-named the "Bowling Alley" by the American troops. In mid-August the North Korean drive was losing steam, the North Korean 13th Division was given the task to complete the breakthrough.…

One Smart Bastard

Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, one of the few realists among high-ranking Japanese Officers had adopted a radical defensive policy. Forgoing the water's edge tactics and the Banzai attacks of previous battles, he chose an inland defensive policy.…

Shotgun Shuffle

After the ineffective Naval bombardment of Afetna, the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines landed about 600 meters north of the point. They were to clear the trenches and bunkers held by the 47th Independent Mixed Brigade. The Marines had been issued…

Destruction of the Pearl

Having raced to get to Manila in early Februruy, the 37th Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Division spent the next four weeks trying to take it. Despite General MacArthur's pronouncement on 6 February that "Manila had fallen'' it soon became very…

The Walled City

The Intramuros is an ancient Spanish fortress-town built in the late 16th century. The outer walls were designed to withstand the greatest sieges possible, being 40 feet thick at the base and 15 feet thick at the top. Only 155mm, 8-inch, and 240mm…

1st Cavalry Moves North

After the troopers of 1st Cavalry Division reached the shore of Manila Bay on 12 February, they turned their attention north. In their advance toward the dock facilities and the Walled City, the cavalrymen would encounter a number of Japanese…

Fighting for the Fortresses

Once across the Pasig River, the 37th Infantry Division pushed south into the Paco District and west along the river toward Intramuros. The Gls quickly discovered that they were in the thick of the Japanese defenses. Every store and house had a…

Clearing the North Shore

The 37th Infantry Division's advance through Manila north of the Pasig River was greatly delayed. In their fighting withdrawal toward the river, the Japanese were systematically blowing up every large building in their path and setting hundreds more…

A Change in the Government

The final battle in Manila would involve the capture or destruction of the three large government buildings east of lntramuros. The Legislative and Finance Buildings would be the responsibility of 2nd Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry…

Dash for the Stairs

Private First Class Cleto Rodriguez's actions fighting at the Paco Railroad Station just fifteen days earlier would earn him a nomination for the Medal of Honor. Now, once again, he would be called upon to display valor far beyond what was expected.…

Iwabuchi's Sarcophagus

For the weary troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division, their final fight in Manila would be to secure the Agriculture Building where Admiral Iwabuchi had located his headquarters. Surrounded and with no hope for eventual victory, the well-stocked…

Bamboo Spear Banzai

After the 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment had cleared the Customs building, it was a matter of mopping up the remainder of the South Port facilities near the shore of Manila Bay. In performing their mission, the 1st Squadron generally encountered…

A Mass for Humanity

Situated near the center and southeast of the walled city of Intramuros were the San Augustin churches. Heavy fighting erupted all around.

Through the Breach, Into the Fire

The entire area within the walls of Intramuros had been subjected to a massive artillery barrage the previous day and another artillery attack that lasted for ninety minutes on the morning of the main attack. When the last shells bad roared overhead~…

Fortress Within A Fortress

FORT SANTIAGO, MANILA, LUZON, PHILIPPINES, 23 February 1945: Shells from 240mm and 155mm American guns finally managed to breach a portion of the outer walls of this ancient Spanish fort along the south shore of the Pasig River. To escape the…

And the Walls Come A-Tumblin' Down

Their virtually unopposed river crossing came as a welcome relief to the men of 3rd Battalion, 129th Regiment. Taking full advantage of the limited Japanese response, the Americans advanced deeper into the ruins of the ancient walled city, placing…

Assault Across the Pasig

The battle to take the ancient Spanish city of Intramuros was ready to begin. The 1st Cavalry Division was in position west and south of the walled city. The 37th Infantry Division held key buildings east of Intramuros. Now, an amphibious assault…

Struggle Without End

Even with most off the major buildings in the Hospital/University complex now under their control, the troopers of 5th Cavalry were having an extremely difficult time in eliminating the remaining isolated pockets of Japanese from the area. It seemed…

No Greater Love

Advancing through a light rain shower down a narrow street in the South Port Area, the men of E Troop suddenly came under machine gun and small arms fire from the Customs building. Most of the troopers dove under cover or ran behind the supporting…

The Price of Postage

While the 3rd Battalion was trying to secure the City Hall, the 1st Battalion of the 145th Infantry Regiment was preparing to attack the General Post Office. Situated along the south shore of the Pasig River, the five-story tall Post Office building…

You Can Fight City Hall

The first attempt on 20 February to reach City Hall had failed. A second attempt the next day met with similar results. Beginning just before dawn on 22 February, a heavy barrage of 155mm and 105mm artillery and 81mm and 4.2-inch mortars-accompanied…

Checkout Time

The five-story tall Manila Hotel stood watch over Dewey Boulevard, the South Port area, and the open park areas surrounding lntramuros. To gain entrance, the troopers of 12th Cavalry Regiment would have to dash across the open areas of Wallace Field,…

Venture Into Carnage

As the Americans edged deeper into the Ermita District of downtown Manila, the Japanese response became increasingly violent. Dominating this area was the City Hall with its tall tower. Should the Americans gain control of this building it would…

High Rent Hooligans

In downtown Manila just east of the High Commissioner's Office were several high-rise hotels and apartment buildings. These were the University Apartments, Peralta Apartments, Alhambra Apartments, Bayview Hotel, Miramar Apartments, Luneta Hotel and…

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