Tuesday, February 27
The Commonwealth is Restored
A 155mm howitzer in a direct fire position - US National Archives
As the dawn broke on the 27th of February the Americans continued their bombardment of the Legislature Building, attempting to drive the Japanese from the crumbling edifice with ranged artillery and mortar fire, followed by yet more direct fire from 155mm guns, blasting the building to such an extent that the north and south wings of the building had collapsed, leaving only the central portion still standing.
An American machine gunner stands next to his M1919 and observes the ruined Legislature Building - US National Archives
Infantry of the 148th Regiment again assaulted the building in the afternoon, securing the remains of the 1st floor, and continued up through the building in hand to hand combat against the remaining Japanese within. After a brutal fight the building was finally secure (apart from some holdouts almost buried in the basement) at 1800.
The ruins of the San Luis Terrace Apartments and the surrounding buildings - US National Archives
The cavalry to the south did not resume their attacks on the Agriculture Building today, instead moving to eliminate the Japanese from the San Luis Terrace Apartments, where they had flanked the attack on the government building yesterday. The fighting inside the apartments would claim an additional 15 American casualties, but by the end of the day the Japanese were reduced and the path of the 1st Cavalry to engage the Agriculture Building was now secure on its flank.
MacArthur and President Osmeña at Malacañang Palace as MacArthur formally restores the Philippine Commonwealth - US National Archives
On the north bank of the Pasig, General MacArthur and his attached press corps and staff arrived today at the Malacañang Palace, along with the members of the Philippine Commonwealth’s Government in Exile. Inside the palace, the only major government building not seriously damaged during the battle, General MacArthur gave a short address, lamenting the destruction wrought upon the city and contrasting it with his own abandonment of Manila in 1942.
“On behalf of my government, I now solemnly swear, Mr. President, the full powers and responsibilities under the Constitution restored to the Commonwealth whose seat is here reestablished as provided by law.”
A silent film of today’s ceremony at the the Malacañang Palace
The Commonwealth Government had been officially restored in Manila, but the battle was not yet over, nor was the tribulation of the citizens of the Philippines. Mere blocks away the fighting still raged in Luneta, and the Japanese remained determined in the northern parts of Luzon.
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