Sunday, 25 February
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.
Japanese troops lie dead in the gutter along General Luna Street after a desperate Banzai charge from the Agriculture Building
US National Archives
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.
Manila: 25 February, 1945
City Hall - US troops are massing here for the assault on the Legislaure
Legislature Building - This ruined but still imposing edifice is slated to be the first of the three government buildings to fall. Heavy bombardment commenced on all three buildings today in preparation for that move.
Finance Building - Another Japanese strongpoint
Agriculture Building - Admiral Iwabuchi’s headquarters over what was left of the MNDF.