MikeLigalig.com

by PNA

On October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur at the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, landed on Palo, Leyte to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese.

Gen. MacArthur made true his famous vow "I shall return" following his escape from Corregidor on March 11, 1942 for Australia, together with his wife and four-year-old son, and others on orders of President Franklin D. Roosevelt being overrun by Japanese Forces.

For three years of Japanese occupation (1942 to 1945) of the Philippines, at his headquarters in Australia, Gen. MacArthur received reports on the enemy movements, losses, strengths and disposition of troops.

Likewise, he knew exactly where to land and what to expect from the enemy, thus the date of the invasion of Leyte was approved by President Roosevelt, of which the Battle of Leyte Gulf was considered as the greatest naval battle in history.

Other landings were made in Mindoro, Batangas and Lingayen in subsequent months.

On February 23, 1945, the bloody Battle of Manila ended and pursuit of enemy followed with a series of amphibious landing and air attacks were made in various parts of the Philippines still in Japanese hands.

After four days, MacArthur, who had taken over the government as Military Administrator, turned over the reins of the civil government to President Sergio Osmeña.

On July 4, 1945, he proclaimed the liberation of the entire Philippines from Japanese invasion.

Accordingly, MacArthur proposed that war brought right at the Japan's door -- bombing occurred day and night at mainland of Japan, important Japanese ports and cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Kure as well as the deadly atomic bomb unleashed in Hiroshima, killing thousands of inhabitants.

On September 2, 1945, Japan unconditionally signed the terms of surrender on board the battleship Missouri at Tokyo Bay.

Hence, MacArthur, one of the best-known American military leaders of World War II led occupation forces in the reconstruction of Japan.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=43987.0