31st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)

Last updated
31st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)
ActiveAugust 28, 1941 - April 9, 1942
DisbandedApril 9, 1942
CountryFlag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
AllegianceFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
BranchArmy
TypeField Artillery
RoleReserve Unit
Size1,500
Part of 31st Infantry Division
Garrison/HQCamp Sanchez, Zambales
Equipment M1916 75mm Howitzers
QF 2.95inch Mountain Guns
EngagementsBattle of Bataan
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Lieutenant Colonel Harry J. Harper

31st Field Artillery Regiment, is a unit of 31st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army under the USAFFE, mobilized in August 1941 but was equipped in November, and was in action December 1941 to April 9, 1942. Division's area of responsibility covered Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, and Bulacan. [1]

Contents

Organization

The regiment was activated and organized in August 1941 as part of the 31st Infantry Division. It is part of units under III Military District which covers Central Plains of Luzon. It trained in Camp Del Pilar in Dau, Pampanga the Field Artillery School of Philippine Army. Lieutenant Colonel Harry J. Harper was selected as senior instructor of the regiment but eventually commanded it as war progressed. [2]

Combat Action

The division was in Central Plains and covering Zambales west coast when Japanese started its invasion in the Philippines. The regiment saw combat during the series of delaying actions of North Luzon Force under Major General Jonathan Wainwright. It provided fire support during withdrawal to Bataan as division was covering Cabanatuan-Bamban line.

Bataan and Surrender

31st Division was assigned to II Corps area at the east of Bataan under Major General George M. Parker. 31st Field Artillery provided accurate artillery support for 31st Division units in Orion-Bagac Line. [3]

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References

  1. Pestaño, Rolando (1976). A Brief History of the 31st Infantry Division, Philippine Army (1st ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: Cintoner Printing Press. pp. 10–15.
  2. Pestaño, Rolando (1976). The Brief History of 31st Infantry Division, Philippine Army (1sr ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: Cintoner Printing Press. pp. 1 to 15.
  3. Dioso, Marconi (2010). There Are Times When Men Must Die: The Story of the Destruction of the Philippine Army During the Early Months of World War II in the Pacific, December 1941 - May 1942 (1st ed.). O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania: Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. pp. 126b- 132. ISBN   978-1434908094.

See Also