Formation of Regiments and Divisions

A. The Need For Unity

The diverse guerrilla bands springing into existence and taking shape and form during the last quarter of 1942, were loosely organized, clearly wanting in discipline and manifestly in dire need of many necessary attributes that make up the requirements for fighting units.

The guerrillas had no definite source from which to draw disbursements for the expenses entailed in their maintenance and operations or the various supplies or the payment of salaries and allowances. In fact, this deficiency was the root cause of a number of abuses committed by the guerrillas in some areas.

Enemy Had All The Advantages

Ill-fed, clothed in rags, sick and without sufficient weapons and ammunition to use in resisting the gigantic war machine of an empire, the guerrillas had practically nothing to hold on to except the smoldering fire of hatred for the brutal conqueror that terrorized and subjugated their people.

Most sadly lacking in education and training of any sort, and led for the most part by men whose visions were fenced within the narrow confines of limited understanding, could not be expected to look far ahead. Added to all this, was the sudden disruption of communication and transportation lines which made extremely difficult the transmission of plans and tactics of one group to another.

To cap it all, the enemy occupied almost all the strategic places, aggravating the hardship of contact between guerrilla bands. The result was that one guerrilla unit, isolated in its own chosen sector, constituted the law.

It took advantage of its new-found power, and invariably was tempted to prey upon the already suffering civilians for the support and maintenance of the organization. Some of these guerrillas, found a welcome opportunity to square old accounts with persons who, in the normal times of the past, had somehow the upper hand in the run of affairs. This gave rise to unnecessary and uncalled-for retaliations.

The need for unity of action was clearer than ever. At no other time was the truism, “IN UNION THERE IS STRENGTH”, made truer.

Fertig Unified Command

Col WENDELL W. FERTIG, from his headquarters in Misamis, Misamis Occidental, knew all these facts and more. He knew, that if no strong move was made to unify the many guerrilla groups strung all over the island of Mindanao; internal and bloody friction among them would result over which the enemy would gloat with glee. His objective then settled down to the problem of unification.

The very first move he made was to arm himself with the powers, assumed or not, needed to clothe a recognized leader. The rank of “Brigadier-General” which was first applied by MORGAN to a fictitious character, was actually assumed by Col FERTIG when he accepted the leadership. The rank, though just an adopted one, lent more color to the Leader and enhanced the authority he exercised in those early guerrilla days.

“WENDELL W. FERTIG, BRIGADIER-GENERAL, ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMANDING,”  placed at the end of written communications from Col. FERTIG’s headquarters was somehow enough to make small guerrilla leaders forget their dreams of power and glory and rally to the colors borne by the “American General”.

Leadership, however, does not end in ranks, genuine or assumed. And Col FERTIG was one who did not dawdle on half-way measure. The next stop was a move toward capturing the attention of Gen MacArthur in the great potentialities of the unified Mindanao Guerrillas, for the attainment of the final goal – total defeat of the Empire of Japan in a war of attrition. This of course, eventually would lead to recognition and recognition would mean conferring upon the Mindanao guerrillas the status of being a part of a great Army of the United States, with the manifold advantages attendant thereto.

Establishes Contact With Macarthur

Accordingly, efforts were made in establishing radio contact with the US War Department or Southwest Pacific Area. Also three intrepid Americans, CHARLES SMITH, ALBERT SMITH and JOHN HAMNER, set out for Australia in a small sailboat, reinforced with an old motor placed in the hull which served more as ballast than as a driving force. Their mission was to contact Gen MacArthur and bring full data on the Mindanao Guerrilla possibilities and problems.

Both the radio and the sailboat trip ventures were successful, after harrowing experiences and anxious expectancy.

On 20 Feb 1943, Col FERTIG sent Gen MacArthur this radio message:

“The unification of scattered guerrilla forces so far into nine regiments is made with the end in view of eliminating dangerous friction between them and coordinating their efforts against the enemy. The present total strength of these units consists of 650 officers and 10,300 men. Regiments can quickly be expanded if arms are available. At present we have seventeen MG’s, eighty-four BARs, twenty-three Colt MRs, 4,000 rifles and twenty-one Garands, exclusive of those in the Philippine Corps. The shortage of ammunition is becoming acute. What we have cannot sustain the present harassing guerrilla activities.”

Two days later, on 22 Feb 1943, Gen MacArthur sent Col FERTIG the following:

“Command areas will be progressively established based on existing military districts. Commanders of districts will operate under the control of this Headquarters (Southwest Pacific) and assignments will be made on the basis of performance. Lt-Col FERTIG (CE) is designated to command the Tenth Military District (island of Mindanao) x x x He will perfect intelligence not covering the Ninth Military District (Samar-Leyte) x x x No officer of rank of General will be designated at present”.

As a tangible manifestation of Gen MacArthur’s recognition of the Mindanao Guerrillas under Col FERTIG, on 5 March 1943, a submarine arrived and unloaded supplies for the Tenth Military District off Tukuran beach, Pagadian, Zamboanga. Aboard was Lt-Commander “Chick” PARSONS, MacArthur’s representative charged with the mission of observing conditions in the Philippines, especially Mindanao, making report and recommendation on his findings and of helping Col FERTIG in the unification of the Mindanao Guerrilla. Also with him was Lt-Col CHARLES SMITH, one of the three Americans who led successfully and braved the uncertain voyage to Australia from Mindanao on 5 Dec 1942 in a small sailboat.

Authority To Print Money

On the heels of this recognition, there came the authorization from President MANUEL L. QUEZON for the appointment of a new Currency Board to print money for the financing of the organization and its corollary entities, including that for civilian relief. This was on 10 April 1943, and the authority follows:

“Following forwarded to you from QUEZON (for FERTIG from MacArthur): I hereby appoint new Currency Board with same authority as previous board as to military requirements and also unlimited amount for civilian relief. New Board Judge FLORENTINO SAGUIN, Provincial Treasurer, FELOMENO PACANA and Provincial Auditor ISIDORO BARBASA.”

In a radio message dated 16 April 1943, correction was made on the foregoing instructions. The word “unlimited” between “also” and “Amount” was changed to “limited”.

The recognition of the FERTIG Command by Gen MacArthur, and the authorization by President QUEZON to print money for the support of the Mindanao Guerrillas, including the maintenance of the civil government and for civilian relief, and the steady flow of supplies from Southwest Pacific Area, did not come as a gift on a platter of gold. This recognition was the result of incessant labors and sacrifices of untold risks undergone by Col FERTIG and those who stood by him, in the welding into an effective fighting machine of what in the beginning were loose, irresponsible, roving, undisciplined men.

Adopt Philippine Army Table of Organization

It was originally planned by FERTIG to follow the! Philippine Constabulary set-up of Districts, Sectors and Sub-Sectors. This, however had to be discarded in favor of the Philippine Army Table of Organization (Reserve Division), for the reason that the latter pattern admitted more room for expansion. Hence, Divisions following the PATO (Reserve Division) were evolved, composed of Regiments. The Regiments were evolved from Guerrilla units which were formed into battalions.

To effect the efficient administration, control and supervision of the different guerrilla units; enhance the unification program am hasten the formation of regiments and divisions, it was essential that a well-established, strong General Headquarters be maintained. Permanency of station was, however, out of the question in enemy occupied Mindanao and mobility of GHQ was compulsory. In fact, on several occasions, the Japanese attacked or bombed FERTIG’s Headquarters, being especially active in the Agusan area. But wherever the location of the General Headquarters, Col FERTIG and his Staff, managed to administer the affairs of the organization smoothly. Headquarters was variously denominated; GHQ, CPG, CPZ, Cpz-W, CPZ-U and CPZ-L.

District Headquarters was first established in Misamis, Misamis Occidental. The site was not centrally located but did allow the maintenance of Communication by sea with all divisional areas. After the enemy invasion of Misamis Occidental on 26 June 1943, the headquarters was moved to Liangan, Lanao. This was in early July 1943.

As the Japanese efforts to stamp out the guerrillas became more and more intensified, Col FERTIG considered splitting the District Headquarters for security purposes. If one met disaster, the other could carry on. Lives were expendable but somehow the contingency of disruption due to enemy action had to be considered and met in advance, to forestall the possibility of complete annihilation. For this reason, Col. FERTIG and a portion of his staff, transferred to Esperanza, Agusan Province some thirty five kilometers up the Agusan River from Butuan, on 15 Oct 1943.

The move from Liangan to Esperanza was mostly by sailboat through enemy infested waters. At that time, the Japs were garrisoning Iligan, Cagayan and Gingoog Bays. The sailboat was open to enemy attack from air and sea. The importance of that trip was augmented by the presence in the frail sailboat of the Commanding Officer, Col FERTIG himself, and the important records of the District Headquarters.

“A” Corps Formed

Col ROBERT BOWLER, Chief of Staff, headed the portion of the Headquarters left in Liangan, Lanao. Eventually on 1 Jan 1944, Col FERTIG created the “A” Corps for the supervision, administrations and control of the 105th,  106th, 108th and 109th Divisions, all garrisoning Western Mindanao, with Col BOWLER, after having been relieved as Chief of Staff, made Commanding Officer.

This arrangement enabled Col FERTIG to dedicate most of his time in setting things right in the forces at Misamis Oriental (Eastern side), Agusan, Surigao and Davao – all then under 110th Division. Also followed his plan of having a second headquarters which would take over direction and communications if the other was jeopardized.

With the series of American landings in the Philippines which began in Leyte on 20 Oct 1944, easing enemy pressure on the Mindanao guerrillas, and the fact that the District Headquarters was transferred to Camp Keithley, Dansalan City, Lanao on 31 March 1945, the “A” Corps was dissolved on 1 April 1945, the reason for its existence having already grown effete.

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