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 artillery had any effect on these walls. …

1945-02-23

SFCG4

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 artillery had any effect on these walls. The American command decided that the Intramuros had to be taken before the large government buildings to the east and south could be attacked. On 23 February, the men of 145th Infantry Regiment with attached armor attacked the northeast corner of the Walled City, while the 129th Infantry executed an assault across the Pasig River towards the north wall. A nonstop artillery barrage lasting a day and a half pummeled every square inch of Intramuros. Then an intense smoke and white phosphorous screen laid across the entire northern third of the Walled City blinded the defenders as to what was going on. At 0830, the Americans loaded into their amtracs and boats and soon reached the south bank of the Pasig River. They swiftly moved to secure the ruins of the old Treasury Building and then advanced into the opening along the north wall of Intramuros. Meanwhile, other American troops and tanks moved through the breach in the east wall between the Quezon and Parian Gates, picking their way through the smoldering rubble. The Japanese response was minimal, until the Americans advanced deep into the heart of the Walled City.

Intramuros, 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