The Battle for Manila

Excerpt From the Philippine Army Web Site

American troops entered Manila on February 3. MacArthur and the rest of the command had hoped that clearing up operations would be fast and the city spared from damage. It was only a week or so before moving in that the US forces received intelligence information that the Japanese forces are determined to hold the city.

The American forces imposed strict restrictions on artillery operations to protect the city and the civilian population. Soon, it became apparent that the battle for Manila would be difficult and costly. A war of attrition unfolded - with the protagonists fighting over Manila inch by bloody inch, with incessant bombing from the air and man-to-man combat on the ground. Army artillery and tanks had to be used to bring down the defenses in the Walled City.

The battle raged until March 3, with the Japanese losing some 16,000 men. The casualties among Filipino and American forces may not have been as high but still ran up to thousands.

When the smoke of battle had cleared, Manila was in shambles - much of it either beyond repair or reparable only at a cost too high for a country ravaged by three years of war.

Visitor since 23 February 1998

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