6 February 1945
Plans for the attack on Malabang, Lanao started 6 February 1945 but the general attack was not made until 6 Mar 1945 – it lasted for thirty-three days! The operation was undertaken to eliminate and wipe out the enemy in its garrison.
The guerrilla forces in the engagement were: the Expedfitionary Battalion of the 108th Division, composed of “A” Co – 105th Inf Regt, “B” Co – 108th Inf Regt, “C” Co – 120th Inf Regt, and “D” Co – Commando Battalion, 108th Div; the 127th Inf, Maranao Militia Force (MMF); the 128th Inf, MMF; and the 2nd Separate Battalion, MMF; a contingent of the 165th Inf Regt and 126th Inf Regt as reinforcement.
Preliminary steps in preparation for the battle was undertaken from 1 to 6 March. Sectors for the participating units were defined: grounds organized and improved; and reconnaissance patrols sent out to gather fresh information about the enemy.
US planes struck on the 6th of March heightening the morale of the men but causing considerable confusion on the part of the enemy.
The full offensive scheduled on 8 March was postponed. Activities during the day were nothing but an interchange of sporadic firing.
9 March was a day of lull. The enemy was apparently busy strengthening their position. The guerrillas worked on similar lines but took care to re-intensify its combat and reconnaissance patrols. Occasional bursts of mortar and heavy machine gun fire from the enemy broke the lull the next day but the guerrillas held their fire for a better opportunity. Combat and reconnaissance patrols went on as usual.
COORDINATED AIR-GROUND ATTACK
On 12 March, American planes struck at Fort Corcuera and that sector of the airfield occupied by the enemy. Ground operation coordinated with the movement; air runs were dependent on ground information. Elements of MAG 24 and GSAP Team #3, 13th Air Force supported the operation.
The activities on 13 March were confined to combat and reconnaissance patrols. There were contacts with the enemy but results were of no consequence.
On 16 March, some of the guerrilla units tried to advance but, were held back. One enemy plane bombed the mouth of Matling River then headed towards Cotabato. The guerrilla harassing units moved into action when the plane cleared but no gains were made.
In the afternoon of 16 March, an order was issued in the guerrilla camp in preparation for the general attack the following day. Calmly, the men made preparations; positions for the mortars and heavy MGs were shifted to better locations to support the expected attack. Two mortar bursts from the Air Force was the signal to commence hostilities.
MAIN OFFENSIVE BEGINS
On 17 March, at 7:30 AM, the general advance was launched. Firing was heavy in all sectors, with mortar, MG, and rifles, on both sides. Enemy resistance was strong, especially in the sector of the Expeditionary Battalion near the airfield.
The Expeditionary Battalion, 1st Provisional Regt, MMF, and the 127th Inf Regt, MMF, succeeded in gaining some ground. The 128th Inf Regt, MMF, remained passive, except for harassing patrols made during the attack. Firing was heavy till nightfall. Enemy casualties were not determined but believed heavy.
Japs opened fire at guerrilla positions early on the morning of 18 March. The fighting which ensued was again heavy. The Expeditionary Battalion and the lst Provisional Battalion, MMF, opened the counter-attack on 19 March directed at the airfield area, The 127th Inf Regt, MMF, followed. More grounds were gained; enemy rifles, helmets and documents were captured.
AIRFIELD GROUND GAINED
US planes struck again on 20 March. 100 yards of ground was gained by the Expeditionary Battalion and a connecting trench in the airfield on the side of the Matling River was captured after a heavy resistance by the enemy.
The 1st Provisional Regt MMF on the right of the Expeditionary Battalion also gained ground adding more of the airfield area which it had already occupied. The 127th Inf Regt, MMF also gained ground driving the enemy northward into the town proper.
On 21 March, the guerrilla units consolidated the grounds gained. Enemy fire was very strong during the day. The enemy attempted a counter-attack but were repulsed with heavy losses.
Mortar and heavy MG fire were delivered heavily on enemy positions on 22 March. Combat and reconnaissance patrols against the enemy were intensified.
A Jap plane dropped a bomb on a guerrilla position on 23 March but no damage was inflicted. Sniping, harassing and reconnaissance patrols towards the enemy line continued.
OFFENSIVE INCREASED – BOTH AIR AND GROUND
On 24 March, US planes wrought havoc on the enemy location. During the run, the 128th Inf Regt, MMF sent harassing patrols to the rear of the enemy as a ruse, while other units slowly advanced in coordination.
In the afternoon, more planes came. As pre-arranged, after the airstrikes the guerrillas took advantage of the enemy’s confusion and moved forward. It was a most precise moment and so Major REX BLOW sent a letter of surrender to the Japs garrison Commander (copy following). This was refused.
AIRFIELD CAPTURED
The airfield was completely captured. The Expeditionary Battalion and the 1st Provisional Regt were then massed facing the Matling River and the only Jap OP at Matling River bridge.
MALABANG STRIP, MINDANAO–THEY NEVER SURRENDERED–The guerrillas shown here are part of a band which has fought the Japanese for three years. Now they have the Japanese cornered in Malabang Town. The guerrillas occupy the north, south and east. To the west of the town is the Moro Gulf. The two PBJs shown in the background have just landed after bombing the Japanese only 1,000 yards from this guerrilla-held strip. A few minutes after this photo was taken the Marine Mitchells took off and again bombed the same Japanese positions. The PBJs are part of a squadron commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George A. Sarles, U.S.M.C., who is present in the crowd of guerrillas. (Photo: United States National Archives : SC-117638)
All units continued to press in. The 1st Provisional Regt, MMF, ordered to undertake the repair of the road towards Cotabato was relieved by the 2nd Separate Battalion, MMF.
JAP PLANE ACTIVE
On 27 March, a Jap plane bombed and strafed guerrilla positions but no damage was scored. The Expeditionary Battalion and the 2nd Separate Battalion engaged enemy OP at Matling River which offered heavy resistance.
On 30 March, a US Navy whaleboat owned by the guerrillas, armed with one 20mm and one heavy MG, shelled enemy positions from 300 yards off the beach while the guerrilla forces tried to inch forward.
ENEMY LOSSES ONE-HALF ITS GROUND
By the end of March, enemy-held ground was reduced to half of its original area from the start of the operations. A conference was held in the guerrilla operation headquarters on matters dealing with the necessity of reinforcement to bring the operation to a speedy conclusion. Contingents of the 105th Inf Regt and 126th Inf Regt, MMF were called to be placed against the most strong points of the enemy.
1-6 April were spent in the laying out of plans for the final drive. Contingents of the 126th Inf Regt, MMF arrived and were placed directly under the Expeditionary Battalion. Contingents of the 105th Inf Regt also arrived and were placed in the airfield sector between the Expeditionary Battalion and the 2nd Separate Batta1tion, MMF. Minute details for the final assault were studied under the continuous rain of enemy fire.
AMERICAN FORCES LANDING SOON
The series of US plane strikes started on 8 April. The remaining OP of the Japs west of Matising River at the bridge point was blasted. After the run, all units pushed the attack. Although not much ground was gained, the day’s engagement was one of the most hard-fought. After the air run, the Expeditionary Battalion and the 2nd Separate Battalion and the contingent of the 105th Infantry Regt wiped out the last line of enemy resistance west of the Matling River and drove them to the town proper, while the 127th and 126th Inf, MMFs carried on harassing patrols to divert the attention of the enemy.
On 9 April, more planes came, using Napalm bombs. Most of the guerrilla units gained grounds and drove the enemy into a small pocket of the town portion towards the beach. Orders to launch the final assault the next day was issued.
FINAL ASSAULT-JAPS FLEE
More Napalm bombs were dropped on 10 April. The final assault was launched at exactly 1:15 PM after the planes had done their part. Firing was heavy in all directions and this continued til midnight, with all guerrilla units closing in. The Jap fought savagely and succeeded in breaking through the 127th Inf and 128th Inf, MMF lines midnight and fled by the use of dug-out canoes and others by foot to Parang, Cotabato Province.
At early dawn, 11 April, the Expeditionary Battalion was ordered to garrison Malabang.
LANAO PROVINCE NOW CLEARED OF JAPS
The occupation of Malabang by the guerrilla troops marked the end of Japanese control over Lanao Province and opened up a way to easy landing of American Liberation Forces from Malabang to Parang on 17 April.
The commanding Officers who took part in the important engagements during the operation were: Maj REX BLOW, AIF, Ground Control Officer, Maj LAZARO D. SILVA, Inf, CO, Expeditionary Battalion, Maj MALAMLT UMPA, MMF, CO of all MMF elements, and Capt LEO KELLETT, AC, Liaison Officer between the air group.
The enemy suffered a heavy but undetermined number of dead and wounded. It was the consensus of all Unit Commanders that only a conservative estimate would be 250 – between fifty and one hundred escaped south to Cotabato!
The guerrillas suffered seventeen dead, twenty-one wounded. Many documents and much enemy equipment was captured. Intelligence data gained was most helpful to American Forces just prior to their large scale landing at Malabang and nearby Parang-on 17 April 1945.
When the Malabang operation approached a climax, a letter was delivered to the Japanese Commander with surrender terms. It is reproduced below:
TENTH MILITARY DISTRICT
HEADQUARTERS 108TH DIVISION
In the Field
23 March 1945
To: The Japanese Garrison Commander, Malabang
1. No doubt you are by now informed of the progress of the ware In
case you are not ~ American Forces have captured Zamboanga and your garrison
is now nearest to American Forces, and no doubt, your turn to be annihilated
will came very soon.
2. However, we have discovered you have women and children inside your garrison and as an American – I cannot but keep sympathizing with them in their predicament – as the nearing action will mean certain death for all -as you must know that cannot be avoided.
3. However, I am now making the following offer for you to consider:
a. Surrender of all your soldiers and civilians direct to me.
b. If you wish to accept this offer – indicate to us in the form direction of the Matling River with a white flag raised on a stick. Bring with you no more than h men who will carry their rifles with muzzles towards the ground. Contact one of our officers who is in the line and will immediately send for me and we will discuss terms on the landing field.
4. I will personally guarantee your safety and if surrender is made, you will of course be concentrated and treated according to International Rules.
5. However, be warned that any attempt at treachery will have dire results for you in the future – you must know that you have very little chance of receiving any reinforcement or supplies, as you have probably noticed our submarines and launch patrol in waters of your shores. We also have unlimited air support now and bombing will be continued.
6. This note will be shown across to your lines by our men and you can send a reply in the same manner.
For the Division Commander:
/s/ REX BLOW
Source: History of the Mindanao Guerrillas by the American Guerrillas of Mindanao (AGOM) Unpublished Manuscript
