The Japanese invasion of Manila

Shortly after the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl harbor, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941. The first to be attacked was Clark Airbase in Pampanga.  Then the Japanese landed at Lingayen Gulf and proceeded towards Manila. At the Advice of the Commonwealth President Osmena, Gen. Douglas MacArthur declared Manila an Open City so as to spare the destruction of its buildings and residents.

Manila: Open City

While the Japanese proceeded to occupy Manila, MacArthur's forces, composed of Filipinos and Americans, decided to put up a fight at Corregidor and Bataan.. With the Japanese in pursuit, the Philippine Scouts guarded the rear of MacArthur's forces and succeded in inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese.

The heroic stand of the Fil-Am forces in Bataan and Corregidor  delayed the Japanese advance to other countries in the Pacific.The Japanese thought that they could take the Philippines by two months but actually dragged on for half a year.

Even as the surrender of the Fil-Am Forces on early April of 1942, small groups of Philippine Scouts continued to resist the Japanese.