41st Division (Philippines)
| 41st Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 28 August 1941 - 9 April 1942 |
| Country |
.svg.png){kind=small} Commonwealth of the Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Infantry Division |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Tagaytay City, Cavite |
| Anniversaries | August 28 |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | BGen Vicente Lim |
The 41st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).
Organization
The division has an authorized strength of 7,500 men.[1] As of March 1942, the division has less than 6,000 men.[2] The 41st Field Artillery Regiment had sixteen 75-mm. guns and eight 2.95-inch pack howitzers.[3]
History
It was active from August 28, 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Bataan fell. Previously it was active in the City of Manila, Southern Luzon. Brigadier General Vicente Lim was the division's commander.[4]
The First Days
After the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941, it formed part of South Luzon Force (activated December 13, 1941) under Brig. Gen. George M. Parker Jr. The South Luzon Force controlled a zone east and south of Manila. Parker had the PA 41st and 51st Infantry Divisions and the 2nd Provisional Artillery Group of two batteries of the U.S. 86th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts).[5]
When the Japanese began landing at Lamon Bay on December 24, 1941, South Luzon Force was badly dispersed. The 41st Division (PA) on the west coast was in position, but elements of the 51st Division along the east coast were in the process of movement.[6]
Bataan
The 41st Division is one of the first units to reach Bataan.[7] The division was in position along the Mt. Natib trail and Balantay River and defended the center of the Abucay line,[8] against Japanese assaults[9] until ordered to retreat on 22 January.[10]
The division held the extreme left of the II Corps line on the eve of the last Japanese offensive in Bataan on April 3, along with the 31st Division.[11] Such was the effect of bombardment that even before the Japanese tank-infantry attack had begun to roll, the 41st Division had ceased to exist as an effective military organization. The units most affected by the bombardment and the assault were the 42d and 43d Infantry. The first, in the center of the division front where bamboo fires burned fiercely, had retreated in a disorderly fashion, some of the men following Trail 29 into the 41st Infantry area, and others drifting eastward to join the retreating 43d on the western slopes of Mt. Samat. Only the 41st Infantry on the extreme left of the line, which had escaped the full weight of the preliminary bombardment, had withdrawn in an orderly fashion.[12]
Despite the attempt to stem the Japanese advance,[13] by 4 April the division is routed.[14] On 9 April, the inevitable bitter end came. Maj. General Edward P. King Jr., commander of Bataan Defense Force, surrendered to prevent the unnecessary slaughter of his war-torn troops, negotiated the surrender of the Bataan troops with the Japanese High Command.[15]
Order of Battle
- 41st Infantry Regiment
- 42nd Infantry Regiment
- 43rd Infantry Regiment
- 41st Field Artillery Regiment
- 41st Engineer Battalion
- 41st Division Units
References
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 27.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 405.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 327.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 109.
- ↑ Morton 1953, pp. 68-69.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 141.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 251.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 265.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 275.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 291.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 422.
- ↑ Morton 1953, pp. 424-425.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 425-427.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 429.
- ↑ Morton 1953, p. 466.
Bibliography
- Morton, Louis. The Fall of the Philippines (Publication 5-2). Retrieved on 17 May 2016.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.