Timeline: War World II in the Pacific, Philippines

15 December 1944: U.S. Troops invade Mindoro in the Philippines.22 December 1944: Leyte resistance ended09 January 1945: U.S. Sixth Army invades Lingayen Gulf on Luzon in the Philippines.03 February 1945: U.S. Sixth Army attacks Japanese in Manila.26 January 1945: Clark Field Runway No. 1 secured27 January 1945: Route 3 from Bamban south to Mabalacat and Manila railroad secured29 January 1945: XI Corps lands on Luzon west coast01 February 1945: Seizure of Clark Field01-08 February 1945: Capture of San Jose16 February 1945: U.S. Troops recapture Bataan in the Philippines.02 March 1945: U.S. airborne troops recapture Corregidor in the Philippines.

EOA 14: JOINT OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES II- GROUP IEnd state: Reoccupation of the Philippines is a United States obligation and a political necessity; seizure of the Philippines will facilitate the invasion of Japan.Condition (P/M): Reoccupation of Manila (P)COG: Enemy- Kembu Group(O); Clark Field (S) Friendly- 6th Army (O)OP Approach: Direct. Destruction of Kembu Group (shaping operations); advancing I Corps; control of routes/LOCs; securing key terrain Decisive Points: Clark Field; Fort Stosenburg; Luzon west coast landing; San Jose; strong points (Japanese) Munoz and LupaoLOO: Interior LOOs. Clear, maneuver, seize and secureOP Reach: Pampanga RiverTempo: IOT maintain tempo towards Manila required I Corps to extend right flank south and southeast IOT protect XIV Corps left flank and XIV Corps’ ability to secure its right rear by defeating the Kembu Group; Simultaneity/Depth: CAM (air attack, artillery supporting fires, and infantry penetration)Phasing/Transitions: PH1- clear terrain to Army beachhead line; PHII-maneuver south and east to Bactad; PHIII-seize and secure crossing over Agno River; PHIV- reconnaissance; PV- WAS “mopping-up” Culmination: Contingent on I Corps pace and advancement east and southRisk (S/O/T): Tempo of XIV Corps capturing Manila (S/O) mitigated by control movement with phase lines; maneuver forces overrunning supplies (T); movement between I and XIV Corps not synchronized (O)Theorist Synthesis: Discourse vs. reality (Lynn), Strategy and engagement (Clausewitz book 3-4), and a plan for continuing the war or peace (Dolman).

EOA 14: JOINT OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES II- GROUP IME: XIV corps T: seize the key terrain of Clarke airfieldP: to enable localized air support for attack south T: advance to Manila P: seize and secure manilaSE1: I Corps T: Seize line San Nicola – San JoseP: To protect the eastern flank of XIV Corps.SE2: 5th AF T: Provide Close Air Support to 6th ArmyP: To Neutralize enemy defensive positions. SE3: 1st CAV DIV T: EST Security between XVI & I CorpsP: IO Prevent Japanese breakthrough SE4: XI Corps (-) T: conduct AMPHIB ASLT VIC BataanP: Relieve pressure of XIV Corps by diverting ENY focusSE5: 11th ABN CIV T: conduct AMPHIP ASLT 20 M South of Manila P: Contain ENY force on SW LUZONSE6: 7th fleet T: assist AMPHIB ASLT P: Establish multiple approaches to Manila. T: Provide Naval Gun Fire to 8th Army P: Enable 8th Army to defeat ENYRISK: Overextended XIV Corps lines (exposed flank), Stretched supply lines, I Corps culminating at San Jose. OPPORTUNITIES: increased TEMPO to rapidly fix enemy locations. Time, the more prep time the ENY has, the more difficult they will be to destroy. BASING: Constant movement prohibits robust sustainment beyond lodgment, Clarke Airfield – resupply point first static location for sustainment and will increase air support.

This is a three phase operation using a ME-SE framework with the objective of seizing Clarke airfield and position forces for a follow on attack on Manila. In the restrictive terrain and environment of Northern Luzon. 6th Army will use its 3 Corps to attack dug-in isolated pockets of Japanese resistance. I corps will hold and advance in the North and East. XIV corps will seize Clarke airfield and position to attack on Manila. XI Corps after an amphibious landing on the west sites of Luzon will advance on to attrite the Kembo group. Strategic OBJ: to secure basing for operations against japan. OPER OBJ: secure beachhead line, Clarke airfield and San José. IOT: capture Manila (follow on mission), secure central plains, flanks (East and west), neutralize enemy threat on Luzon, enable Air-corps operation and Luzon shipping for follow on islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Duration: 15 FEB Given: 2 Corps (XIV and I) about 175k troops. Against: 14th army group under Yamashita about 200K in total. Conditions: Japanese strong points on high ground, disorganized sustainment ops, pressure from Higher HQ for resources, conflicting Intel estimates of enemy forces and locations _____

LOOs for Operations:Phase1 1 – 9 FEB Phase2 5 – 12 FEB

BATAAN PENINSULA

SECURE MANILA CITY (ME)

SOUTH SHORE/CAVITE

Transition

EOA 14: JOINT OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES II- GROUP 2BLUF: the purpose of this operation is to secure manila and manila bay IOT open the port and city to Allied forces. 6th Army conducts a 2 phase, direct approach, offensive operation on 2 Lines of operation 1st CAV (ME) conducts approach march to Manila, enveloping Japanese forces from North to South and East to West. 11th ABN (SE) conducts an approach from the South to ISOLATE Japanese forces at Hagonoy isthmus with follow on objectives to secure Cavite. 34th ID and 38th ID (SE2) Isolate Bataan peninsula and then clear south to the channel islands. COG: Manila bay areaOP Reach: limited by piers and beach sustainment capacity, limited transportation of supplies forward. BASING: Lingayen gulf, Nasgubu (11th ABN), San Antonio (XI Corps). TEMPO: Simultaneous assaults from 2 directions with multiple shaping operations. TRANSITION: movement of units from 8th Army to 6th Army, even based in city. CULMINATION: occurs is US cannot secure Manila and Manila bay area for LOCs and sustainment. RISK: XIV Corps flank security during movement to and then securing of Manila. OPPORTUNITY: Surprise the Japanese in Manila.HOW DO WE: Defeat Japanese forces IVO Manila IOT: Capture the city of Manila and its BAY/Ports Given: 6th Army and 11th ABN DIVAgainst: 14th Army area & Shobu Group In Consideration to: Terrain, ENY Defenses in city, Guerilla forces, broken internal political structure.

END STATE1. Manila is

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3. Defeat Japanese on LUZON

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