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Photo by Gaetano Faillace.

10 Facts about the Liberation of the Philippines (1944-1945)

The liberation of the Philippines between 1944 and 1945 was also referred to as the Battle of the Philippines or the Philippines campaign. It was a combination of efforts and a daring move by the Mexican, Australian, American, and Filipinos to overrun and defeat the Japanese forces that had occupied the Philippines. This was during the second world when the Philippines collaborated with the Americans and other allies to expel the Japanese forces. This was after the Philippines were defeated in the first half of 1942 by the Japanese Army. The Liberation of the Philippines began on a high notch with amphibious warfare where the Filipinos and their allies landed on the shores of Leyte Island which is one of the Visayas group. Read with us through the paragraphs below and explore the top ten facts about the liberation of the Philippines (1944-1945)

1. Liberation began with the Amphibious landing on the Leyte Island

Photo by Gaetano Faillace.

The success and history of the liberation of the Philippines began in 1944 when the Philippines Commonwealth military forces in collaboration with the American forces made an amphibious landing on Leyte Island. This was on the 20^th of October 1944 when the forces matched from the eastern of the Philippine island. They also received support from the Mexican and American forces in the air and naval. The massive move led to an attempt to destroy the land as the Japanese forces undermined the strength of their enemies. As a result, the Battle of Leyte Gulf emerged and was fought from 23^rd October to 26^th October. The Japanese Navy was destroyed and their warships were destroyed as well.

2. The Battle of Ormoc Bay took place from 11^th November to 21^st December 1944

The Battle of Ormoc Bay. Photo by U.S. Navy. Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. Army and in collaboration with the Philippine Commonwealth military forces advanced their battle as they pushed the Japanese forces from Leyte Island pushing them to the Ormoc Bay area. However, the U.S. forces continued their attacks as they received more supplies and support in the air from the allies. The Japanese forces were devastated and pushed to the war in the battle known as the Battle of Ormoc Bay which lasted from 11^th November to 21^st December 1944.

3. The Filipinos used Guerrillas Tactic

In the Liberation of Philippines between the 1944 and 1945, the Filipinos used the guerrillas tactic which played a major in the liberation. The Filipino guerrillas used to maintain public order as well as keep highways free of congestion. However, the guerrilla units were attached after the establishment of American beachheads. They were attached to the Sixth Army corps and divisions and played a major role in combat operations, scouting, and intelligence.

4. The U.S. Army cut off Japanese Supplies on Leyte Island

The U.S. Army was able to successfully make an amphibious landing on Ormoc Bay on the 7^th of December 1944. This move was tactical in that they were able to cut short their supplies and their ability to reinforce. This meant that the U.S. army was in control at the moment. They suppressed the Japanese army even further as the battle continued across the island. Over time, the Philippines with the help of the U.S. army were at an advantage as they ceased the supplies of their enemies.

5. The Battle of Mindoro was a Major Breakthrough in the Liberation

Southern Mindoro Guerrilla Force. Photo by Cooper’s Unit. Wikimedia Commons

The battle of Mindoro was a major success for the Philippines which was majorly occupied by Filipino guerrillas. However, it was lightly occupied by the Japanese forces and was easily overrun by the U.S. army. The U.S. army engineers were able to quickly construct an airbase which served greatly to the advantage of the Philippines. Mindoro was a stepping stone and a move for the sixth Army in the invasion of Luzon.

6. The Japanese forces Used the Kamikaze Tactics

Kamikaze in Ormoc Bay. Photo by U.S. Navy.

As the battle advanced, the Japanese forces were forced to come up with new tactics as they were mostly dominated by the U.S. Army in the battle. The Philippines had managed to push them from Leyte Island and the battle of Mindoro. As a result, the Japanese devised Kamikaze tactics. This tactic involved a deliberate suicidal crash in which the Japanese pilots crashed directly into the enemies’ ships using them as targets. However, the tactic did not bear many fruits as the suicidal planes were shot down while others managed to reach their targets.

7. The U.S. Forces Used Filipino Guerillas to Dispatch Holdouts

In the liberation of Philippines between the 1944 and 1945, the U.S. forces used Filipino Guerillas to find and dispatch the holdouts of the Enemies. The Japanese forces were known for their battle tactics on the battlegrounds. While in the battleground, the Japanese forces often withdrew into the jungles and mountains and dispersed into smaller units. As a result, the U.S. forces used the Filipino Guerillas to find out the holdouts and dispatch them.

8. The Battle of Mindanao Ended the Japanese Resistance

The Battle of Mindanao. Photo by Signal Corps photographer.

The Battle of Mindanao was one of the last battles that were fought from the 10^th of March to the 15^th of August 1945. The battle was fought by the Americans with their allied Filipino Guerrillas on Mindanao Island against the Japanese forces. This was a major turn-around in the liberation of the Philippines during the Second World War. The battle resulted in the recapture of portions of the Archipelago from the hands of the Japanese Army.

9. Japanese Surrendered on the 15^th of August 1945

The Japanese forces were compressed and left in isolated pockets in the battle of Mindanao. This led to the surrender of the Japanese forces on the 15^th of August 1945. However, some of the Japanese forces were out of radio and the communications of their surrender did not reach them on time. This forced the imperial family to visit them to convince them that they had actually surrendered and must as well surrender by the order of the Emperor.

10. The Liberation of the Philippines Cost the U.S. forces Several Soldiers

In the struggle for the liberation of the Philippines, the American forces suffered a major blow with a record of 13,884 militants dead and over 48,541 soldiers wounded. However, the Japanese military and civilians suffered an even bigger blow losing more than 250,000 lives. At the end of the war, several other militants remained to surrender in the Philippines and under American rule.

The liberation of the Philippines between 1944 and 1945 was a result of the collaboration between the Filipino allies including the Mexicans, Australian, and Mexicans. The Filipino Guerrillas played a major role in the liberation as they worked alongside the American forces.