1. Japanese Invasion:
In December 1941, the Imperial Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, initiating the Pacific theatre of World War II. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Japan invaded the Philippines, a U.S. territory at the time.
2. Fall of Manila:
Japanese troops quickly advanced through the Philippines, capturing key cities and gaining control of most of the country. In January 1942, the Philippine capital, Manila, fell to the Japanese, resulting in the retreat of American and Filipino forces to the Bataan Peninsula and the island fortress of Corregidor.
3. Bataan Death March:
The American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula held their ground against the Japanese military for several months. However, in April 1942, the Japanese forces overwhelmed them. About 76,000 surrendered Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march approximately 65 miles (105 kilometers) to prison camps located in Capas, Tarlac, in what became known as the infamous "Bataan Death March." Thousands of prisoners perished due to maltreatment, starvation, and disease.
4. Corregidor's Surrender:
Corregidor Island, considered a strategic stronghold in Manila Bay, was the last American stronghold in the Philippines. The Japanese subjected Corregidor to relentless aerial and naval bombardments, eventually leading to its surrender on May 6, 1942.
5. Occupation of the Philippines:
Following the fall of Corregidor, the Japanese occupied the Philippines for over three years. During this time, the Filipinos endured hardship under Japanese rule, including harsh treatment, deprivation of resources, and guerrilla warfare.
6. Guerrilla Resistance:
Despite the Japanese occupation, Filipino resistance movements, supported by the United States, formed guerrilla units to fight against the Japanese. The guerrillas employed hit-and-run tactics to disrupt Japanese supply lines, gather intelligence, and organize sabotage efforts.
7. Liberation:
In October 1944, the United States launched a major amphibious operation, codenamed "Leyte Landing," to retake the Philippines from the Japanese. After heavy fighting and significant losses, American and Filipino forces gradually liberated most of the country by early 1945.
8. Battle of Manila and End of the War:
The Battle of Manila was one of the last major engagements of the Pacific theater. In February 1945, American and Filipino forces fought a fierce battle to recapture Manila from the Japanese. The battle resulted in the city's near destruction and the death of thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire.
The Philippines was finally liberated by July 1945, contributing to the overall Allied victory in World War II.