April 1942

Wednesday, April 7th


Philippines

LUZON

The II Corps disintegrates completel under sustained enemy attacks from ground and air. The Japanese soon discover gaps in the Alangan River line--held by the US 31st Infantry, 57th Infantry (PS), 26th Cavalr (PS), the US 803rd Engineer Battalion, the 14th Engineer Battalion (PS), and Constabulary troops--and stream southward at will. In a final effort to stem the enemy advance, the Provincial Coast Artillery Brigade (AA), serving as infantrymen, forms a weak line just north of Cabcaben, but other units ordered to extend this line are unable to do so. Gen King decides to surrender the Luzon Force and during the night orders equipment to be destroyed. Of the 78,000 men of Luzon Force, about 2,000 succeed in escaping to Corregidor.