South Luzon Force

South Luzon Force (II Philippine Corps)
South Luzon Force (II Philippine Corps)
Hukbong Timog Luzon
Active	November 4, 1941 - April 9, 1942
Disbanded	April 9, 1942
Countries	Commonwealth of the Philippines ; United States
Allegiance	United States
Branch	Army
Type	Corps
Role	South Luzon territorial defense force
Size	25,000
Part of	Luzon Force ; USAFFE
Garrison/HQ	Limay, Bataan ; Fort William McKinley, Makati, Rizal
Engagements	Battle of Bataan ; Battle of Mauban ; Battle of Atimonan ; Battle of Bicol
Commanders
Notable; commanders	Major General George S. Parker Major General Albert Jones (Acting)

Last updated March 06, 2024

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. (Later MGen.) 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.

He selected Col Stuart MacDonald as his Chief of Staff from December 8 to December 24, 1941, Colonel Louis R. Dougherty served as Chief of Staff from December 25, 1941 to January 13, 1942. Colonel Arnold J. Funk served as Chief of Staff from January 23 to March 2, 1942 before he was moved as Chief of Staff of Luzon Force. Colonel Charles Steele served as Chief of Staff from March 2 to April 9, 1942.

Comprising force staffs are the following officers and their designations in December 1941.

Bataan Defense Force | II Corps^[1]
Name	Rank	Designation
Ovid O. Wilson	Major	Assistant CS - G1
Dennis Moore	Major	Assistant CS - G2
Arthur Christensen	Captain	Assistant to the Assistant CS - G2
Howard D. Johnston	Lieutenant Colonel	Assistant CS - G3
Albert C. Wolfe	Major	Assistant to the Assistant CS - G3
John H. Bennett	Major	Assistant CS - G4

John Neiger	Captain	Aide to the Commanding General
Thomas M. Tarpley Jr	Major	Adjutant General
Hal C. Granberry	Major	Signal Officer
William C. Chenoweth	Major	Engineer Officer
Arthur L. Shreve	Lieutenant Colonel	Artillery Officer
W. Hinton Drummond	Major	Surgeon
Nicholas N. Milhailov	Lieutenant	Air Liaison Officer
Kearie L. Berry	Lieutenant Colonel	Quartermaster and Ordinance Officer

Initially assigned combat units are 41st Division under BGen. Vicente Lim (formerly Philippine Army Vice Chief of Staff) covering Southern Tagalog region, 51st Division under BGen. Albert Jones covering Bicol Peninsula, and 71st Division (unit from Visayas) under Col. (BGen) Clyde Selleck as reserve. However, 71st Division was transferred to North Luzon Force in late November as its Force Reserve.

At the start of hostilities in December 1941 additional units was assigned to support. 2nd Provisional Group under LCol. David Babcock equipped with T12 Gun Carriage (75mm), Provisional Field Artillery Battalion from 88th Field Artillery, 515th Coast Artillery (AA), and Provisional Infantry Brigade under BGen. Simeon De Jesus, composing of Philippine Constabulary units of Southern Luzon.

1st Regular Division of Philippine Commonwealth Army under BGen. Fidel Segundo was reactivated as its reserve but got engaged to repulse Japanese landings in Mauban and Atimonan beaches.

War Plan Orange (WPO-3)

General MacArthur ordered General Parker to go to Bataan to make all preparations as he is to implement WPO3, all forces will withdraw to Bataan. The command of South Luzon Force was temporary passed on to BGen. Albert Jones commander of 51st Division. After the withdrawal is completed both officers reverted to its old command. South Luzon Force is now renamed to II Philippine Corps.

Surrender

II Philippine Corps surrendered on April 9, 1942, along with other forces in Bataan after General Edward King commander of Luzon Force surrendered to Japanese 16th Division. All marched from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga under the heat of the sun without food or water later known as Death March.

Order of Battle November 1941 to January 1942

Headquarters, South Luzon Force
41st Division - BGen. Vicente Lim
51st Division - BGen. Albert Jones
1st Regular Division - BGen. Fidel Segundo
51st Provisional Infantry Brigade (PC) - BGen. Simeon De Jesus, PA
Provisional Group (SPM) - LCol. David Babcock
515th Coast Artillery (AA) - LCol. Henry Peck

Order of Battle January to April 1942 (Renamed II Philippine Corps)

Headquarters, South Luzon Force
41st Division - BGen. Vicente Lim
51st Division - BGen. Albert Jones
91st Division - BGen. Luther Stevens
Provisional Group (SPM) - LCol. David Babcock
515th Coast Artillery (AA) - LCol. Henry Peck
57th US Infantry Regimental Team (PS)
Provisional Field Artillery Brigade - Col. Albert Ives

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References

↑ Wainwright, Jonathan (December 1941 – May 1942). "General Wainwright Report". Filipino-American Memorials: 1–10.

Morton, Louis (1953). Chapter IV: Prewar Plans, Japanese and American (in) The Fall of the Philippines United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific. Washington DC: Center of Military History, United States Army. (p70)

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[1] Wainwright, Jonathan (December 1941 – May 1942). "General Wainwright Report". Filipino-American Memorials: 1–10.

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