Visayas Force

Visayas Force

After Major General William F. Sharp split his Visayas-Mindanao Force into 2 commands on March 4, 1941. Designated 61st Infantry Division commander Brigadier General Bradford Chynoweth as its commander. He moved to Cebu to assume his post and left Colonel Albert F. Christie to command all forces on Panay Island. He set up his headquarters at Camp X in the middle of the Island.

General Homma's preoccupation with Bataan gave General Chynoweth, an additional month to make preparations for a prolonged defense of the islands. The force has 20,000 men organized into five separate garrisons, each with its own commander. The largest of these is Colonel Christie's, Panay Force with 7,000. Negros force was initially commanded by LCol. Carter R. McLennan but replaced by Colonel Roger Hilsman who has more experience as he led opposing the Japanese landing in Davao. LCol. McLennan slides to be the executive officer of Col. Hilsman, they have 3,000 soldiers. Colonel Irvine Schrudder's Cebu Force has 6,500 and Bohol Force of LCol.Arthur J. Grimes has 1,000. Samar-Leyte Force of Colonel Theodore M. Cornell has 2,500 which 83rd Infantry Regiment under LCol. Ruperto Kangleon was moved to Mindanao by General Sharp and the 91st Infantry Division to north Luzon to act as a reserve. Only 1 regiment was left 93rd Infantry Regiment so they created the 94th Provisional Infantry Regiment and 95th Infantry Regiment.

Cebu Landings

General Homma ordered Kawaguchi Detachment battle-hardened soldiers from Malaya and Borneo led by Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi to proceed to Cebu. With 4,852 soldiers of the 35th Brigade headquarters and 124th Infantry Regiment part of IJA's 18th Division landed in Cebu on April 10, 1942, in 2 groups. One in Cebu City and the second at the same landed in Toledo, Cebu.

The battle in Cebu lasted for a day. Faced by a superior foe in numbers and weapons. Defenders fell back slowly, fighting with delaying tactics.

Seizure of Panay

April 4, 1942 Part of IJA's 5th Division a veteran unit in Malaya 9th Infantry Brigade and the 41st Infantry under Major General Sabura Kawamura.reached Lingayen Gulf to augment the 14th Army. General Homma ordered them to proceed to Panay.

Colonel Christie implemented Operation Baus Au (means get back) to counter the Japanese landings

Surrender

Order of Battle

Panay Force - Colonel Albert Christie, USA

61st Infantry Division - Colonel Albert Christie, USA

61st Infantry Regiment (moved to 102nd Infantry Division)

62nd Infantry Regiment (moved to 102nd Infantry Division)

63rd Infantry Regiment

64th Infantry Regiment (Provisional)

65th Infantry Regiment (Provisional)

61st Field Artillery Regiment (moved to Mindanao) - Col

PC Detachments

Negros Force - LCol. Carter R. McLennan (then Colonel Roger Hilsman, USA)

73rd Infantry Regiment - Colonel Robert Vesey, USA (moved to Mindanao)

74th Provisional Infantry Regiment - Col. Roger Hilsman, USA

2nd Battalion - Major Ernesto S. Mata, PA

3rd Battalion - Major Salvador Abcede, PA

75th Provisional Infantry Regiment - LCol. Ireneo Buenconsejo, PA

Cebu Force - Colonel Irvine Schudder, USA

82nd Infantry Regiment

83rd Infantry Regiment

8th Philippine Constabulary Regiment - LCol. Howards J. Edmands, USA

Philippine Army Air Corps Detachment

Bohol Force - LCol. Arthur Grimes, USA

1st Battalion, 83rd Infantry Regiment

Samar-Leyte Force - Colonel Theodore Cornell, USA

93rd Infantry Regiment

94th Infantry Regiment (Provisional)

95th Infantry Regiment (Provisional)

References

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