The Philippines and World War II The greatest armed conflict in the history of mankind.

It was a life and death struggle between DEMOCRACY and TOTALITARIANISM. It was joined by the Philippines on December 8, 1941 immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor --- because of the love of freedom and loyalty to America.

THE PHILIPPINES PREPARES FOR WAR. Military training of the youth was intensified. First aid courses were given in all schools and social clubs. APRIL 1, 1941 --- President Quezon created the Civilian Emergency Administration (CEA) with branches in the provinces and towns. Blackout practices were held --- the first of which took place in Manila on the night of July 10, 1941. Evacuation centers were established and aid raid drills were conducted in Manila and other cities. JULY 26, 1941 --- Lt. Gen. Douglas McArthur, Military Adviser to the Philippine Commonwealth, was called back to active service by President Roosevelt and took command of the newlyformed United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFEE) --- 100,000 Filipinos were trained in modern warfare.

OUTBREAK OF THE WAR Extra! Extra! JAPAN RAIDS HAWAII! --- Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, mightiest U.S. Naval Base in Hawaii at exactly 2:30 a.m. of the same date. American time: 7:55a.m. December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy. --------- WAR CAME -------The Pacific became an arena of a global war. There was excitement everywhere but no panic. Men from all walks of life jammed the army headquarters volunteering for combat service.

FIRST JAPANESE AIR ATTACKS ON THE PHILIPPINES Davao City was the first point to be bombed. Time: 6:30 a.m. December 8, 1941 Tuguegarao, Baguio, Ib a, Tarlac, and Clark Field were subsequently raided. Sleeping residents were awakened from their slumber by the wailing alarm of the sirens. The Japanese planes soared over the moonlit city and bombed Nichols Field. The USAFFE anti-craft batteries thundered to action and filled the sky with bursting flak.

JAPANESE INVASION BEGINS December 10 --- the Japanese invaders made their first successful landing at Aparri and Vigan. Two days later, more assault forces made a beach head in Legazpi. December 20 --- the Japanese landed in Davao. Two days later, the main Japanese invasion forces (under the command of Lt. Masaharu Homma) landed in Lingayen. December 24 --- other landings took place at Atimonan and Mauban. Why couldnt McArthur stop the enemy landings? o His Air Force had been destroyed on the first day of the war. o He lacked Naval Support after the withdrawal of Admiral Thomas C. Harts fleet to the south. Result? The enemy dominated the air and sea. ------------December 10 --- they bombed the U.S Navy Yard at Cavite and raided Nichols Field and Fort McKinley. Captain Jesus Villamor o Shot down one enemy plane. o First Filipino to win fame in aerial combat. o He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General McArthur. December 11, Captain Villamor and five Filipino airmen attacked two enemy formation of 27 planes each. Captain Villamor lost two men Lt. Cesar Basa and Geronimo Adan.