Introduction
The United States 6th Army landed at Lingayen Gulf. Luzon, On January 9. 1945. After a short period spent expanding and securing the beachhead, operations shifted over to the offensive. Two corps -- the I and XIV -- were to drive south from Lingayen Gulf, though the Central Plains. with the ultimate objective of liberating Manila. I Corp was to advance on the left (eastern) flank, screening the XIV Corps from a substantial number of Japanese troops, including most of the 2nd Tank Division. XIV Corp was to advance south along the axis of Highway 3, the main road to Manila. Highway 3 ran along the western edge of the Central Plains, under the peaks of the Zambales Mountains.
T'his advance would pas; along the eastern edge of the Clark Field complex, a network of pre-war airfields now utilized by the Japanese. XIV Corps' immediate objective was to secure Clark Field for use by planes of the Fifth Air Force. Though resistance had so far been light, on January 25, XIV Corps troops ran into a strong line of Japanese defenders around the eastern periphery of the Clark Field complex. These troops composed the outpost line of resistance of the Takayama Detachment. covering the northern edge of Japanese defenses in the Clark field region. Following this check, General MacArthur directed renewed efforts in the drive on Manila. General Kruger. the 6th Army's commanding officer, passed the order down to XIV's corps commander. General Griswold. Griswold in turn directed the 40th Infantry Division to envelop the northern approaches to Clark Field, while sending the majority of the 37th Infantry Division on south to Manila. The task of seizing Clark Field. as well as securing Highway 3 from Japanese harassment attacks, fell to the 37th Division's 129th RCT.
The 129th, built around the 129th Infantry Regiment (Illinois National Guard) was reinforced with medium tanks and tank destroyers, as well as additional support from the divisional artillery and air support from Fifth Air Force. On January 29, the attack commenced. Starting near the town of Culayo, the 129th advanced to the west and rapidly encountered the Eguchi Detachment's outpost line of resistance (OPLR). The OPLR was bolstered with extensive minefields and supported with the Eguchi Detachment's artillery. The attack was halted at the west end of Runway No. 2. On the January 30, the attack was to continue preceded by a short artillery barrage. At 0930 hours the 129th began its assault.
Liberation of Clark Field: Luzon, Philippines CDII Scenario: January 29-31, 1945
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Introduction
US Briefing
Japanese Briefing
Terrain, Victory, Historical Notes, and Sources
Map (slow: 136K)
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© Copyright 1995 by Greg Novak.
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