Sunday, February 25
The Americans Attack the Government District
US troops and tanks roll toward the Legislature Building - US National Archives
The Japanese had now been pushed into a small pocket centered on the government buildings of Luneta. Some discussion was made between General Griswold and General Beightler regarding the possibility of simply containing the Japanese and starving them out, but the tall buildings offered the Japanese a view to harass US movements for a considerable distance around them, as well as potentially to radio intelligence to other units operating outside the city. In addition, Filipino civilians who had been used by the Japanese to stock the structures reported that large amounts of supplies were within, enough to allow the Japanese to remain in the buildings for an indefinite siege.
Smoke clouds the Agriculture Building as US shells land around it - US National Archives
US intelligence reports suggested that unit cohesion had effectively broken down in the remaining Japanese forces, who were all resigned to their oncoming deaths in the buildings. They had not been seen to make active preparations for a siege, although many had been seen wandering about between the buildings during lulls in the artillery barrage with no apparent purpose.
The buildings had already been prepared for defense, however, with every orifice blocked by sandbags and machine gun nests controlling all avenues of approach over the open fields of Luneta, providing no cover for advancing troops. The only option that existed was thus to pound the buildings to such an extent that they were all but entirely destroyed before infantry were able to enter the structures. This bombardment began in earnest today, with no other notable movement taking place in the city.
GIs attend an impromptu mass today before the bullet scarred San Agustin Church - US National Archives
The fighting on Corregidor continued today, with the Americans advancing about 1,000 yards further east, thus depriving the Japanese of a third of the territory they had the day before. Explosions could still be heard throughout the island today as well, as the Japanese continued to commit suicide in the tunnels and caverns of the island.
US Flags - Represent US and Filipino positions, division emblems added as needed.
IJN Flags - Represent known Major Japanese positions
Black “X” - Represent major war crimes committed today
Medal of Honor - Approximate location of CMH action