Japanese invasion of Parang

Japanese Invasion of Parang
Part of Japanese Invasion of Mindanao
Date April 29, 1942 Location Parang, Empire Province of Cotabato Result Japanese able to established beachhead after Filipinos was forced to withdraw in order not to be outflanked.
Belligerents
Empire of Japan	United States of America   Commonwealth of the Philippines
Commanders and leaders
Major General Kawaguchi Kiyotake	Lieutenant Colonel Calixto Duque
Units involved
Kawaguchi Detachment 35th Infantry Brigade	2nd Infantry (Regular) Regiment (Philippines)
Strength
3,000 IJA Soldiers 4 Cruisers 11 Transports	600

The Battle of Parang, Cotabato in 1942 saw the Japanese Kawaguchi Detachment land on the shores of Parang town in Cotabato province, Philippines, on April 29, 1942, as part of their invasion of Mindanao, facing resistance from the Philippine Army's 2nd Regular Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Calixto Duque, who managed to delay the Japanese advance for several hours despite eventually being forced to withdraw due to the overwhelming Japanese forces and the fall of nearby Cotabato City; this battle marked a key point in the Japanese occupation of southern Mindanao.

Background

Philippine Army posted 2nd Infantry Regiment part of 1st Infantry Division a regular unit of Philippine Commonwealth Army. The regiment homebased was in Camp Luna in Parang, Cotabato (now Maguindanao). In October 1941 Lieutenant Colonel Calixto Duque, replaced Colonel Fidel Segundo as he was appointed as Superintendent of Philippine Military Academy. In preparation of the defense of Parang and Polloc Harbor. Duque trained his inexperienced men almost everyday but with limited arms, ammunition, and fresh recruits that composing his regiment he relegated to just delay the advance of the Japanese as long as his unit can and withdraw to Lanao or Cotabato City.

Invasion

In April 26, 1942 Kawaguchi Detachment left Cebu for Lanao and Cotabato. In April 28, Zamboanga Force reported to Mindanao Force HQ of the Naval Task Force with 11 transports carrying Kawaguchi Detachment passing Zamboanga. Mindanao HQ informed 81st Division HQ and 101st Division HQ to prepare. ^[1]

Japanese Landings

April 29, 1942 The Kawaguchi Detachment landed simultaneously in both Cotabato City and Parang, aiming to secure the vital highway connecting the two areas. ^[1]

Philippine Defense

The 2nd Regular Regiment under Colonel Duque was tasked to defend Parang, putting up a strong resistance on the beachhead, delaying the Japanese advance with their well-positioned defenses. For six hours with this stubborn defense they held the Japanese at bay in their beachhead and not go inland. ^[1]

Withdrawal and Retreat

Despite their initial resistance, the Filipino forces were eventually forced to withdraw from Parang due to the superior Japanese firepower and the fall of Cotabato City, which left them vulnerable to encirclement. Duque retreated inland a prepared as route of retreat. His unit reached Lanao and put under 81st Division's command. ^[2]

Kawaguchi forces captured Parang and cleared its highway then moved northward to link of the forces in Malabang. They moved northward to capture Dansalan in Lanao with the objective of linking with the Kawamura Detachment in Cagayan.

Duque's resolute leadership was largely responsible for preventing the enemy from gaining in is rear areas and preserved the combat integrity of his regiment. He was still fighting astride the main approach to his rear when the Mindanao Operations came to an end in May 20, 1942. ^[3]

References

1. Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines, November 1941 – May 1942 (1st ed.). Washington, D.C: US Government Printing Press (published June 26, 1953). pp. 510–614.
2. Tarkington, Hiram. There Were Others (PDF). pp. 315–320.
3. Baclagon, Uldarico (1965). Filipino Heroes of World War II (1st ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: DM Press (published 1968). pp. 146–150.

See also

• 81st Infantry Division
• Mindanao Force
• Calixto Duque
• Kawaguchi Kiyotake
• Kawaguchi Detachment