101st Field Artillery Regiment is a reserve field artillery regiment activated in August 1941 as part of 101st Infantry Division based in Camp Casisang in Bukidnon Province. Visayas-Mindanao Force only received 8 QF 2.95inch Mountain Guns and divided it between two divisions in the island 101st and 81st in Lanao sector. The regiment retrained into fighting as infantry due to lack of guns to operate.[1]
| 101st Field Artillery Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | August 26, 1941 – May 10, 1942 |
| Disbanded | May 12, 1942 |
| Countries |  United States of America Philippine Commonwealth |
| Allegiance |  United States Army |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Field Artillery |
| Role | fought as Infantry |
| Size | 1500 |
| Part of | 101st Infantry Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Casisang, Malaybalay |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | LCol. Reed Graves LCol. Alexander Quintard |
Background
editThe regiment was organized in Camp Keithley in Lanao Province from reservist, students, and local moros. It was commanded initially by Captain Abellana during the activation but he was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Quintard while being moved to Camp Casisang in Bukidnon province. In November 1941, Quintard was ordered to transfer to Luzon to command 301st Field Artillery Regiment leaving Major Reed Graves in command.[1]
Due to lack of artillery guns Graves was ordered to train his regiment into fighting as infantry. It fought as an infantry during the entire Japanese invasion of Mindanao.[2]
Combat narratives
edit
In January 1942, a detachment with 4 QF 2.95inch Guns from 101st FA under Captain Manuel Acosta was dispatched to Digos Subsector to provide fire support 3/101st Infantry and 3/102nd Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Howard Frissell who setup the new Main Line of Resistance (MLR) in Digos, Davao.[2] They engaged Japanese forces who landed in Malalag and made Padada as its combat base. The Japanese with superior weapons, naval and air support made their progress easy. On January 12, 1942, the detachment received a direct hit from a naval gun destroying one gun and killing its commander Captain Acosta. With the order of the Visayas-Mindanao Force CG Sharp all guns are withdrawn to Bukidnon. In February 1942, 3rd Battalion 101st FA was dispatched and attached Digos SubSector to replace3/102nd Infantry.[2] 3rd Battalion was fighting as Infantry due to lack of artillery guns to operate. In April 1 Battalion 101st Field Artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Reed Graves was dispatched to Digos to replaced 1/101st Infantry who fighting in that sector since February 1942. In April Lieutenant Colonel Reed Graves took over the command of Digos Subsector.[2]
2nd Battalion 101st FA was posted in Midsayap, Cotabato to prevent Japanese landing through Mindanao River. In March Lieutenant Colonel Reed Graves took over the command of Digos sector from Lieutenant Colonel John H. McGee who was suffering from Malaria.[2][3]
In April 26, Muira detachment received reinforcements and was ordered to keep engaged for Kawaguchi to reach Kabacan. Colonel Graves repulsed these attempts twice from his prepared positions with mortars and machine guns. However, he was ordered to pullback in Kabacan as Kawaguchi detachment reached Midsayap and Pikit.[2]
Surrender
editOn May 10, 1942 Visayas-Mindanao Force CG Major General William F. Sharp ordered all units in Visayas and Mindanao to surrender at daybreak the following day. 101st Division commander BG Joseph Vachon ordered 101st FA to surrender but LCol Graves allowed those Filipino soldiers who do not want to surrender to escape to the hills.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Catalan, Primitivo (May 1942). The brief history of 101st Infantry Division Philippine Army (1st ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: Cintoner Printing Press (published May 1977). pp. 6–9.
- ^ a b c d e f Tarkington, Hiram (May 12, 1942). There were others. pp. 121–129.
- ^ McGee, John H. (2020). Rice and Salt (1st ed.). San Antonio, Texas, United States of America: Burtyrki Books (published January 30, 2020). p. 375. ISBN 9781839742460.
- ^ Morton, Louis (May 12, 1942). The Fall of the Philippines (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: US Government Printing Office (published June 26, 1952). pp. 564–582.