53rd Infantry Regiment (PA)
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| 53rd Infantry Regiment (PA) | |
|---|---|
| Active | November 1941 - April 1942 |
| Disbanded | April 9, 1942 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Allegiance |  United States Army Philippine Commonwealth Army |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Reserve |
| Size | 1,500 |
| Part of | 51st Division (Philippines) |
| Garrison/HQ | Sorsogon, Sorsogon |
| Equipment | M1917 Enfield Rifles |
| Engagements | Battle of Bataan Battle of Bicol Peninsula |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant Colonel John Boatwright Lieutenant Colonel Hunter |
53rd Infantry Regiment, is a unit of the Philippine Commonwealth Army activated and organized in 1941. It was part of 51st Infantry Division commanded by Major General Albert Jones. It fought the Japanese forces who invaded the Philippines during World War II.[1]
| Philippine Commonwealth Army Infantry Regiments | ||||
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Background
[edit]53rd Infantry Regiment was formed in November 1941, in 3 Provinces of Bicol Peninsula Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate. I was activated as component of 51st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Albert M. Jones. This regiment was composed mostly of reservists from Bicol Peninsula which speaks bicolano and most officers came from mainland Luzon speaks Tagalog.[1]
Lieutenant Colonel John R. Boatwright was appointed as its commander, with 1Lieutenant Tabionosa as commander of 1st Battalion which is based in Virac, Catanduanes, 1Lieutenant Preston Brown commander of 2nd Battalion, 1Lieutenant Emilio Medenilla commander of 3rd Battalion based in Masbate, Masbate.[1]
On December 12, 1941, Japanese landed in Legazpi City which is under 51st Division's area of responsibility. 53rd was not yet fully trained and it was still forming from cadres and recruits.
53rd Infantry and 52nd Infantry under Colonel Virgilio Cordero made a delaying actions to prevent Japanese reach Manila.[1]
Retreat to Bataan
[edit]USAFFE Headquarters all units of WPO 3 is in effect, all units are to retreat to Bataan Peninsula. Entire 51st Division stayed a little to cover 41st Division and 1st Divisions retreat. In Bataan, 51st Division was assigned at Eastern Sector with units mostly from South Luzon Force. It was renamed to II Philippine Corps and form Abucay Hacienda Line. 51st Division was put in the middle of II Corps Area, with 52nd Infantry in right of 51st and left of 53rd Infantry.[2]
Japanese assault in Abucay-Mauban Line was concentrated to 51st Division and 41st Division sectors.[3] Regiment cease to exist during the later days of Battle of Bataan and all division units was cramped into 1 unit 51st Regimental Combat Team under Colonel Adlai Young. Unit became POWs on April 9, 1942, under surrendered of all Bataan Forces by General King.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Catalan, Primitivo (1974). Brief History of 51st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, September 1941 – April 1942 (1st ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: Cintoner Printing Press (published June 1, 1974). pp. 10–180.
- ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines, November 1941 – May 1942 (1st ed.). Washington, D.C: US Government Printing Press (published June 26, 1953). pp. 190–202.
- ^ "Operations of Bataan Defense Force (24 December 1941 to 6 January 1942)" (PDF). filipino-americanmemorials.org.
See Also
[edit]External links
[edit]- The Fall of the Philippines, Louis Morton
- NARA[1]