Metro Cebu

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H-Hour

On the morning of March 26, 1945, the flotilla bearing the troops of the Americal arrived off the shores of Cebu. The transport ships were protected by cruisers, destroyers, and other supporting craft. A deafening salvo of naval gunfire and rockets hammered the shores of the island. In the photo at right, tracked landing vehicles (LVT) swarm in towards the shore. The larger ships are infantry landing craft (LCI). Smoke masks the landing beach, and an explosion can be seen at the waterline towards the right edge of the photo.

Some of the WW II emergency notes from Cebu, Negros, Leyte, Bohol and even Masbate on display at the War Memorial Gallery of Museo Sugbo, the Cebu Provincial Museum. These are bundled exactly as they were in 1945 when these notes were redeemed by the U.S. government at P2:$1.

Surrender Orders

After Gen. Kataoka surrendered his samurai to Gen. William H. Arnold, he barked orders to the Japanese troops in Ilihan who then stacked their weapons, mortars, grenades and ammunition in one big pile. The Japanese troops were immediately boarded on six-by-six trucks for the 50-mile journey from Ilihan to the port of Cebu City.

In the next two days, an additional 7,200 Japanese troops surrendered in Ilihan, bringing the total number of Japanese troops who surrendered to the Americal Division in Cebu to 9,867. They were all transported back to Cebu City and loaded into waiting troopships for the trip back to Japan. American intelligence reports said there were only 12,000 Japanese troops in Cebu. But the Cebuano guerrilla force led by Col. James Cushing reportedly killed some 8,000 Japanese in the entire war.

Japanese Surrender

Some of the WW II emergency notes from Cebu, Negros, Leyte, Bohol and even Masbate on display at the War Memorial Gallery of Museo Sugbo, the Cebu Provincial Museum. These are bundled exactly as they were in 1945 when these notes were redeemed by the U.S. government at P2:$1.

I Surrender

Despite the formal capitulation from Toyko, Japanese forces on Cebu continued to hold out for several days. This flyer was dropped all over the island in an attempt to convince the thousands of remaining Japanese soldiers to give up.

Combined Arms

For the first time in the war, the 182nd Infantry operated with significant armored support. The open coastal plains of Cebu provided room to maneuver, unlike the cramped jungles of Guadalcanal and Bougainville. Here, men of the 2nd Battalion of the 182nd advance with tanks from the Americal's 716th Tank Battalion.

A Formal Ceremony of Surrender

This document ordered the 182nd Infantry to prepare for a large, formal surrender ceremony by the remaining Japanese forces on Cebu.

Network of Caves

The Japanese retreated to caves and fixed positions in the hills of Cebu. Here, soldiers of the 182nd Infantry rifle through Japanese materials left behind in a cave on Babag Ridge.

182nd Infantry Regiment: Unit Citation

The 182nd Infantry Regiment was awarded the only Unit Citation at the regimental level in the history of the American Division for its actions in the hills of Cebu. The Regiment was also recommended for a prestigious Distinguished Unit Citation, though this award was never granted.

182nd American Infantry Map of Invasion

This map overlay shows the progress of the 182nd Infantry during the first few days of the invasion of Cebu. It progresses from the beachhead, through the Cebu City area, and on to the base of the heavily defended Japanese-held hills.

Taking the Capitol Building

The damaged capitol building of Cebu. Behind it loom the hills and mountains that the American Division took by force from fierce Japanese resistance.

Wave After Wave of Landing Craft s

The first wave of troops ashore met with limited Japanese resistance.
This photo shows soldiers of the 132nd Infantry coming ashore. The 132nd was responsible for the right sector of the beach, the 182nd the left side - behind the photographer in this photo.

One of the American landings in Cebu's shores

The first wave of troops ashore met with limited Japanese resistance.
This photo shows soldiers of the 132nd Infantry coming ashore. The 132nd was responsible for the right sector of the beach, the 182nd the left side - behind the photographer in this photo.

H-Hour

On the morning of March 26, 1945, the flotilla bearing the troops of the American arrived off the shores of Cebu. The transport ships were protected by cruisers, destroyers, and other supporting craft. A deafening salvo of naval gunfire and rockets hammered the shores of the island. In the photo at right, tracked landing vehicles swarm in towards the shore. The larger ships are infantry landing craft. Smoke masks the landing beach, and an explosion can be seen at the waterline towards the right edge of the photo.

Invasion Plans

Without time to even catch their breath from the fighting on Leyte, the Americal Division was selected for a series of amphibious assaults on other Philippines Islands. The 132nd and 182nd Infantry Regiments were assigned to capture the island of Cebu, just west of Leyte. American intelligence knew the island was occupied by a sizeable Japanese force, but they dramatically underestimated its size. Two regiments of American infantry - perhaps 5,000 men - were headed into a heavily fortified island defended by 15,000 Japanese soldiers.

Another view of the Cebu City downtown area.

Talisay Landing

American soldiers landing in a beach in Talisay. This event is commemorated annually by the city. These photos were from the US National Archives.

Pier 1, 2, and 3 - Post War

Cebu's port area - Post War

An aerial view of the port area with the gutted warehouses, the Aduana, and Plaza Independencia.