Monday, 26 February
Attacking the Last Bastions
An M18 Hellcat tank destroyer fires at the Legislature Building from Taft Avenue alongside the City Hall, the target barely visible through the smoke
US National Archives
Following the bombardment of the building over the last two days, the Americans began their assault on the Legislature Building at 0900. Supported by armored vehicles, the infantry were able to force they way into the ruin from the east side, encountering strong resistance, by 1300 only securing the ground floor of the five story structure. Faced with mounting casualties as they moved to the upper floors, a tactical withdrawal was commenced so the building could again be shelled.
The cavalry likewise attacked the Agriculture Building with support from a rolling artillery barrage, but were not able to reach the structure, in part due to fire from the San Luis Terrace Apartments, and were forced to withdraw. Preparations were made to clear the highrise apartments tomorrow before resuming the attack on the Agriculture Building.
GIs carry a fallen comrade through the rubble of Ermita
US National Archives
On Corregidor, the Japanese committed their final act of suicide today, as they detonated a large underground ammunition dump at 1100, debris from the massive explosion injuring a man at Topside almost a mile away. At this point major resistance on the island ended, and the paratroopers reached the eastern end of the island at 1600, leaving only mopping up of small Japanese holdouts in caves along the shoreline. For all intents and purposes, Corregidor had fallen.
Back in the city, the end was imminent, and that much was obvious to the remaining defenders of the city. According to most sources, today Admiral Iwabuchi called what was left of his men inside his new headquarters in the Agriculture Building. In a short speech, he apologized for his failures in commanding the defense of Manila, and ordered his men to commit suicide or fight until they were killed. He and some his staff then retired to another room, where they committed seppuku (ritual suicide via disembowelment).
Manila: 26 February, 1945
City Hall - US forces commence their assault on the Legislature from here
Legislature - After heavy fighting the Americans secure the ground floor, but are unable to progress, resulting in a withdrawal to allow the artillery to pound the building again
Finance Building
Agriculture - 1st Cavalry attacks with a rolling barrage, but is unable to reach the building. Within, Admiral Iwabuchi and his staff commit seppuku