The Battle of Manila
The Philippines - 1945
Second World War
Follow the Battle of Manila in 1945, as the Japanese occupation forces defend the city to the last man against the liberating American and Filipino forces day by day as it happened.
Prelude: MacArthur’s Return
In October of 1944 General MacArthur made his promised return to the Philippines when he landed on Leyte. This preceded a bloody campaign, but was only the first step on the road to avenging his defeat on Luzon in 1942, a road that led directly to the city of Manila.
Prelude: Under the Boot of the Empire
The city of Manila, just as the rest of the Philippines, had suffered under the occupation imposed by the Empire of Japan, but the greatest tribulation was yet to come, as the final days of the occupation drew near.
Prelude: Fall of the Philippines
The series of events that led to the Battle of Manila in 1945 began in late 1941, as the Japanese invaded the Philippines and defeated the American and Filipino forces on the archipelago and began an occupation.
The Leaders
The Battle of Manila saw the forces of the Empire of Japan as well as the United States and Philippine Commonwealth clash over the capitol of the archipelago, led by an assortment of political and military leaders.
The Weapons
The machines of modern warfare played a pivotal role in the destruction wrought upon the Pearl of the Orient in early 1945. From rifles and pistols to swords and grenades, mortars to siege guns, trucks to tanks, all would be used in the brutal combat.
The City
Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Manila was the American gateway to Asia and the South Pacific. Rebuilt in the early 20th century into a modern city, and on its way to becoming the capitol of an independent Philippines, but that ended in 1942, and years of Japanese occupation have taken their toll.
A number of references were used in the creation of this project, cited within.
Exercise Rhine, WWII, May 1941
The Battle of Hue, Vietnam, February 1968