February 4, 1945: US 37th Infantry Division troops Crosses Pasig River!

37th Infantry Division troops crossing the Pasig River in 

Manila, 4 February 1945. U.S. National Archives

The Battle for Manila from 3 February to 3 March 1945, fought by U.S. and Japanese forces, was part of the Philippines' 1945 campaign. The one-month battle which culminated in a terrible bloodbath and total devastation of the city was the scene of the worst urban fighting in the Pacific War|Pacific theater, ended almost three years, 1942-1945 of Japanese military occupation in the Philippines. The city's capture was marked as General Douglas MacArthur's key to victory in the campaign of reconquest.

By 4 February, the rapid drive to Manila by U.S. forces began. Using intelligence provided by Filipino guerrillas, American units were able to find intact bridges and shallow rivers everywhere they went.

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