THE ROAD TO BATAAN:

Headquarters

Company C, 1st Battalion 57th Infantry Regiment (PS)

Operations Order 1/1/42 no: 1/1/42/002

1 Jan. 1942

1. Situation: The Japanese have been advancing as we have been falling back towards Bataan. Elements of North Luzon Force have held successive delaying positions (D1D5). The final delay line (D5) near Padrille is currently being held by elements of the 71st Regiment (PA) and 194th Tank Battalion supported by the 71st Field Artillery (PA). The Philippine Division has been ordered to support this operation and prevent the Japanese from flanking the 71st's position.

The Japanese have been advancing with elements of two divisions and two tank regiments in the van. Japanese morale is high and they have been attacking aggressively. They have control of the air and can deploy some heavy artillery in the area.

The D5 line must be held long enough to allow the South Luzon Force to withdraw to Bataan or about 36 hours from noon on 31 December 1941.

Attachments and Detachments: Two platoons will be detached to the Battalion CP as reserve. A platoon of the 194th Tank Bn. will be in support of the operation. B'Battery of the 24th FA (PS) will be in direct support. One Platoon of the Provisional Air Corps Infantry will be attached. One squad of B Company 14th Engineers will mine bridges and assist in fortifications. Regt. may send a section from the anti-tank platoon later.

2. Mission: C Company, 57th Infantry will defend north of the bridges at San Jose' d'Poca and prevent the Japanese from securing the bridges at all cost. And will assist dhe depot commander at San Jose d'Poca in evacuating the depot. The company will withdraw on order.

3. Concept of the operation: C Company will defend with all platoons forward of dhe village in line covering the approaches and roads. Machineguns and mortars will provide interlocking flre and cover dead spaces. Conserve ammunition. The Air Corps will provide reserve for counter-attacks with tanks as required. Each platoon will construct one barricade on the roads.

4.Service and support: Ammunition resupply from depot. Each platoon should send two men to depot to draw rations for five days once positions are established. Company may send hot rations later. Evacuate casualties through the CP.

5. Command and signal: Company CP located in village. Commo section will string WD1 to platoon CP and to FAO and tanks. XO will be with the trains or at CP. CO will maintain radio link on Freq. 45.68 with battalion. Tank platoon and FA can use BN Freq. in emergency.