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 effectively split the Japanese defenses in two, and deny them a …

1945-02-20

SF11

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 effectively split the Japanese defenses in two, and deny them a key observation position for spotting artillery and mortar fire. The men of 3rd Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment formed up near the Meralco Bus Depot and advanced west towards the City Hall. Along the path the Japanese had fortified the YMCA and several other buildings to prevent the Americans from reaching their objective. With darkness approaching there was no time for reconnaissance, and reinforcements would not arrive until after dark. Supported by a few tanks and company mortars, the Americans decided to force the issue and continued their attack.

Manila, Philippines

The Battle of Manila was a major battle of the Philippine campaign of 1944–45, during the Second World War. It was fought by forces from both the United States and the Philippines against Japanese troops in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The month-long battle, which resulted in the death of over 100,000 civilians and the complete devastation of the city, was the scene of the worst urban fighting fought by American forces in the Pacific theater. Japanese forces committed mass murder against Filipino civilians during the battle and American firepower killed many people. Japanese resistance and American artillery also destroyed much of Manila's architectural and cultural heritage dating back to the city's founding. Manila became one of the most devastated capital cities during the entire war, alongside Berlin and Warsaw. 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.

Wikipedia: Battle of Dai Do

American

Japanese

Scenario Type = Historical