February 28, 1945: Sherman tank enters Intramuros.

On the 28th of  February 1945.  A M4 Sherman tank finally breached the defenses of Fort Santiago, Intramuros (the heart of Manila), entering through the Santa Lucia Gate.

Sanji Iwabuchi (March 2, 1895 - February 26, 1945) was the Japanese rear admiral 
during World War II in command of the naval forces in Manila, Philippines in 1945.

February 3, 1945, the battle for the liberation of Manila started. The Manila Naval Defense Force, under Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji, composed of around 15,000 troops, defended Manila to the last man. There was only one Japanese tank attached to naval forces in the defense. Tanks played a vital role for the American operations. The 44th Tank Battalion and 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 754th Tank Battalion and 711th Tank Battalion of the 37th Division played a significant role in liberating Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The city joined Stalingrad as being the host to some of the fiercest urban fighting during the war. Manila was successfully liberated on March 3, 1945 when the last Japanese unit was wiped out. 

technorati tags: 28th of February 1945 M4 Sherman tank defenses Fort Santiago Intramuros heart of Manila Santa Lucia Gate Sanji Iwabuchi Japanese rear admiral World War II command naval forces Manila, Philippines 1945 February 3, 1945 battle liberation of Manila Manila Naval Defense Force Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji defended Manila Japanese tank naval forces defense Tanks American operations 44th Tank Battalion 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion 1st Cavalry Division 754th Tank Battalion 711th Tank Battalion 37th Division Manila capital city of the Philippines Stalingrad fiercest urban fighting war

del.icio.us tags: 28th of February 1945 M4 Sherman tank defenses Fort Santiago Intramuros heart of Manila Santa Lucia Gate Sanji Iwabuchi Japanese rear admiral World War II command naval forces Manila, Philippines 1945 February 3, 1945 battle liberation of Manila Manila Naval Defense Force Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji defended Manila Japanese tank naval forces defense Tanks American operations 44th Tank Battalion 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion 1st Cavalry Division 754th Tank Battalion 711th Tank Battalion 37th Division Manila capital city of the Philippines Stalingrad fiercest urban fighting war

keotag tags: 28th of February 1945 M4 Sherman tank defenses Fort Santiago Intramuros heart of Manila Santa Lucia Gate Sanji Iwabuchi Japanese rear admiral World War II command naval forces Manila, Philippines 1945 February 3, 1945 battle liberation of Manila Manila Naval Defense Force Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji defended Manila Japanese tank naval forces defense Tanks American operations 44th Tank Battalion 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion 1st Cavalry Division 754th Tank Battalion 711th Tank Battalion 37th Division Manila capital city of the Philippines Stalingrad fiercest urban fighting war