71st Division (Philippines)

Last updated
71st Division
71st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42-1a.jpg
71st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42
Active1941 - 9 April 1942
CountryFlag of the Philippines (1946-1998).svg  Commonwealth of the Philippines
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Branch Philippine Army
Type Infantry Division
SizeDivision
Part of South Luzon Force
Garrison/HQCamp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac
EquipmentM1917 Enfield Rifles, M1917 Browning Machineguns, M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles, M1923 Thompson Submachineguns, 3inch Stokes Mortar, M1935 37mm Carriage Guns, M1918 75mm Guns, M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzers
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Division StaffsChief of Staff - LCol. Salvador Reyes

Assistant Chief of Staff - Capt Juan Relosa

ADC - 3Lt. Francisco Gallego | 2Lt. Juan F. Fernandez
Support StaffsACS Personnel G1 & Adjutant - Maj Juan Relosa

ACS Intelligence G2 - Maj. Felix Maniego
ACS Operations G3 - LCol. Pedro San Diego
ACS Supply G4 - Maj Severino Obana
Quartermaster - LCol. Daniel Victoria
Surgeon - LCol. Manuel De Luna
Judge Advocate - Capt. Leonardo Lucena
Chaplain - Capt. Jose Miranda
Supply - Capt Artemio Malabayabas
Engineer - Capt. Hector R. Franco
Provost Marshal - Capt. Santiago Ledesma
Veterinarian - 1Lt. Cipriano Flores

Communications - Capt. Luis Alba

Contents


Military AdviserMaj. William D. Collins, USA
Notable
commanders
Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck
BGen. Clinton A. Pierce
General Clyde Selleck commanded the division from December 1941 in Pangasinan and in the of Layac Junction in early January 1942. General Selleck.png
General Clyde Selleck commanded the division from December 1941 in Pangasinan and in the of Layac Junction in early January 1942.

The 71st Infantry Division was a reserve division of the Philippine Army that fought under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). It was known for its fight with Japanese invading forces in Layac Junction, that was ordered to hold until all retreating Fil-American forces of crossed into Bataan Peninsula.

Organization

The division was activated in Negros and transferred to Luzon to augment the North Luzon Force. It was active from 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Bataan fell. Previously it was active in Southern Luzon. Initially Lieutenant Colonel Donald Van Bonnett was appointed to start organizing its troops. Then few days later Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck (USA), a 1910 U.S. Military Academy graduate, arrived in Negros to assumed command as the division commander. The division was inducted to USAFFE on September 1, 1941. General Selleck commanded the division until February 1942, when BGen. Clinton A. Pierce (USA) took over the command. Pierce had previously been in command of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regt. (PS) since before the Japanese opened hostilities. Col. Salvador F. Reyes (PA), a 1917 U.S. Military Academy graduate, was the division's chief of staff. [1] [2] Initially activated on Negros island were 71st and 72nd Infantry regiments are formed. The division was transferred to Luzon on September 1, 1941. leaving its third regiment the 73rd Infantry as it was still being mobilized [3] .

Order of Battle August to September 1942

World War II

The division was designated as a reserve force USAFFE initially attached to South Luzon Force. However, on November 25, 1941 it was transferred to North Luzon Force only to be committed if permitted by USAFFE headquarters. It saw little action at the start of the hostilities.

Rosario-Baguio Road Junction

General Wainwright attached 26th Cavalry Regiment to 71st Infantry Division and ordered BGen. Selleck to move his division from Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Damortis and prevent Japanese from moving south. 72nd Infantry Regiment of Col. Lloyd Biggs and 71st Infantry Regiment under LCol. Halstead Fowler accompanied by General Selleck arrived at Rosario. 26th Cavalry was to cover the right flank of 71st Division and hold the junction of Rosario-Baguio road, east of Rosario in order to permit the 71st Infantry Regiment (less 1st Bn) under LCol. Donal Van Bonnett then at Baguio to clear that point and join North Luzon Force.

Battle of Layac Junction

On January 6, 1942, the 71st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Selleck was posted at Layac Junction in Dinalupihan, Bataan supported by the 31st US Infantry Regiment under Colonel Charles Steele, 26th US Cavalry (Motorized) Regiment of Colonel Clinton Pierce with supporting units of artilleries, Light tanks, and self-propelled guns fought Imai detachment of 48th IJA Division. The junction was a key position based on WPO 3 and designated as a first line of resistance (MLR) of the combined Fil-American forces.

In this battle, Sergeant Jose Calugas (MOH) eluded bullets to take over a fallen comrade's machine gun and led a group of volunteers, and engaged the Japanese in a shootout thus enabling other soldiers to take advantageous positions to defend the line. For this extraordinary bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Lts. Julian Chua and Cecilio Garcia were also awarded Distinguished Service Cross for exhibiting exceptional courage. [4]

Battle of Bataan

Brigadier General Clinton Pierce commanded the division in Battle of Points in March until its surrender in April. Pierce Clinton Albert.jpg
Brigadier General Clinton Pierce commanded the division in Battle of Points in March until its surrender in April.

The division saw action in defending Quinauan Point from the Japanese landings in the western coast of the Bataan peninsula. The division was never utilized as one unit as it was downsized due to casualties and desertions of Filipino soldiers.

Surrender

On April 9, 1942, General Edward P. King surrendered the entire Bataan Force and the entire 71st Infantry Division fell to captivity and suffered more casualties during the dreaded Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.

Other units

73rd Infantry Regiment was left in Negros island as it was still activated by the time division was ordered to Luzon. Eventually the regiment was attached to 81st Infantry Division under BGen. Guy O. Fort and saw action at Malabang, Lanao engaging Kawaguchi detachment.

To cover the defense of Negros island LCol. Gabriel Gador commander of 7th Military District requested to call to arms all reserve soldiers and activated 74th Provisional Infantry Regiment under the command of Major Sam Jones to defend Negros Occidental and later 75th Provisional Infantry Regiment under LCol. Teburcio Ballesteros to defend Negros Oriental. Colonel Roger Hilsman arrived to take matters on Negros defense and became a component of Visayan Force of BGen. Bradford Chynoweth. When General Wainwright surrendered Corregidor in May 1942 all units in Visayas and Mindanao also surrendered as part of the condition by General Homma.

Order of Battle December to April 1942

71st Division
71st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42-1b.jpg
71st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42, alternate version
Branch Philippine Army

Forces in Bataan

Forces in Negros

Negros Force - Colonel Roger Hilsman | Colonel Carter McClennan | Colonel Roger Hilsman

Unit in Mindanao

73rd Infantry Regiment (PA)(LCol. Robert H. Vesey) (attached to 81st ID in Lanao sector Mindanao)

Notables Soldiers

Sources

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Forces in the Far East</span> Military unit

United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) was a military formation of the United States Army active from 1941 to 1946. The new command's headquarters was created on 26 July 1941, at No. 1, Calle Victoria, Manila, Luzon, the Philippines, with General Douglas MacArthur as commander. The Chief of Staff was Brigadier General Richard K. Sutherland and the Deputy Chief of Staff was Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Marshall. The core of this command was drawn from the Office of the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippines campaign (1941–1942)</span> Invasion of the Philippines by Japan during World War II

The Philippines campaign, also known as the Battle of the Philippines or the Fall of the Philippines, was the invasion of the American territory of the Philippines by the Empire of Japan and the defense of the islands by United States and the Philippine Armies during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment</span> Military unit

The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment was a Territorial Force unit of the New Zealand Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Infantry Division (Philippines)</span> Philippine Army formation

The 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, nicknamed Tabak Division, is the Philippine Army's primary infantry unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare. The division has been involved in combating terrorists in Southern Mindanao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Infantry Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army nicknamed Jungle Fighter, is the Philippine Army's primary infantry unit specializing in jungle warfare.

Battle of Chosin Reservoir order of battle is a list of the significant units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir between November 27, 1950 and December 13, 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 41st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">61st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 61st Division of the Philippine Army was an infantry division from the 1941 to 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese invasion of Lingayen Gulf</span> Overview of the Japanese invasion of Lingayen Gulf

The Japanese invasion of Lingayen Gulf was the key point in the Japanese plan for the conquest of the Philippines. Preparations had already been made by the Attack on Clark Field and the landings of Japanese forces at five points in northern and southern Luzon and Mindanao in early/mid December 1941, with the IJAAF seizing air fields and basing aircraft for ground support, and the Imperial Japanese Navy establishing seaplane bases at the Camiguin Island, Legaspi, and Davao. The main landing of Japanese forces targeted Lingayen Gulf, with its proximity to the Philippine capital of Manila, and Lamon Bay on the opposite coast to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">51st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 51st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">31st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 31st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 21st Infantry Division was one of the 10 reserve division of the Philippine Army mobilized under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). The unit was involved in the delaying action against the Japanese invasion in the plains of Central Luzon, and the Battle of Bataan in 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 11th Infantry Division was one the reserve division of the Philippine Army that was mobilized in September 1941 under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">81st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 81st Infantry Division was a reserve division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). It was established in the prewar period and fought 1941–1942. Its troops are from Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte but most of its troops are Americans and junior officers are Filipinos coming mostly from Luzon. The division served in defense of Mindanao but it never commanded the 4 of its maneuver regiments but was supplemented with 61st Infantry from Panay and 73rd Infantry from Negros. Also, 2nd Regular Regiment was transferred to its command in the early part of Japanese invasion of Mindanao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">101st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 101st Infantry Division was one the reserve divisions of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE)'s 10th Military district mainly entire island of Mindanao.

The 102nd Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">91st Division (Philippines)</span> Military unit

The 91st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

The North Luzon Force was a corps-sized grouping of the U.S.-sponsored Philippine Army, defeated in battle against the Japanese in 1941–42.

Luzon Force or Bataan Defense Force is a short-lived Field Army size unit created in the Philippines after the restructure of command organized by General Douglas MacArthur commander of US Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). He wished to control the 4 Commands from Australia with its representative in Corregidor Island. Major General Jonathan M. Wainwright IV was selected to command as the senior general officer in Bataan peninsula.

South Luzon Force was a corps-sized unit of the US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) active in the Philippines between 1941 and 1942. Created along with other 3 commands under the USAFFE, it was officially announced on November 4, 1941, and BGen. George M. Parker was appointed to command, making him responsible for the defense of Southern Luzon of any invasion. General Parker established his headquarters in Fort William McKinley in Rizal province.

References

  1. Alcaraz, Ramon A. (November 17, 1941). Personal Diary. Philippine Diary Project. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  2. "International Graduates (through Class of 2020)" (PDF). West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  3. Catalan, Primitivo (1973). Brief History of 71st Infantry Division. Quezon City, Philippines: Cintoner Printing Press. p. 28.
  4. Romulo, Carlos (1946). I Saw the Fall of the Philippines. Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc. pp. 112–114.