| 51st Infantry Regiment (PA) | |
|---|---|
| Active | September 1, 1941 - April 9, 1942 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Allegiance |  United States Army |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Territorial Defense |
| Size | 1,752 |
| Part of | 51st Infantry Division |
| Cantonment | Lipa, Batangas |
| Equipment | M1917 Enfield .30 Caliber Bolt Action Rifle |
| Engagements | Battle of Bataan
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Adlai C. Young Loren P. Stewart (KIA) |
51st Infantry Regiment, is component unit of 51st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army during World War II. It was activated in September 1941 and disbanded in April 9, 1942 upon surrender of Luzon Force in Bataan by Major General Edward P. King Jr.
| Philippine Commonwealth Army Infantry Units | ||||
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Background
editThe regiment was inducted in Bicol Peninsula as most of its soldiers are coming that area. Its cantonment was in Lipa, Batangas. The unit was still in process of training when Japanese attack the Philippines in December 8, 1941. The unit didn't finish their training as they are sent to established defensive position around east coast of South Luzon[1].
During Japanese landings in Legazpi, Albay and Lamon Bay 51st Division was the primary unit opposing them. However, 51st Infantry is the only unit never got engage to combat. It was tasted its first combat when they retreated to towards Bataan. When General Jones was ordered to secure east of San Fernando to cover retreating units. 51st Infantry with elements of 194th US Tank Battalion engaged the Japanese tanks in Plaridel, Bulacan. They were able to halt the advance of Japanese detachment as US tanks destroyed 8 of them and inflected heavy casualties. They retreated to San Fernando and crossed Calumpit bridge. They were one of the last units who entered Bataan on January 4, 1942[2].
Bataan
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51st Division was assigned at the slopes of Mount Natib west of 41st Division in Abucay-Mauban Line. On January 9 Japanese tore a gap in 51st Infantry sector near Abucay Hacienda[3]. However, Colonel Stewart counterattacked immediately with his reserve battalion and regained the lost ground[2]. On the night of January 12 Colonel Stewart and Captain Kruge the senior instructor of 1st Battalion was on reconnaissance mission when they were killed by a machinegun fire. The lost of their regimental commander created a confusion with the regiment that they withdraw that night. Lieutenant Colonel Donovan Swanton was appointed as the new commander of the regiment. The regiment already mauled from its previous engagement was overwhelmed and had to retreat toward Orion-Bagac line. By March the regiment is now down to battalion size. All units of 51st Division are now cramped into one unit 51st Regimental Combat team with 3 battalions (51st, 52nd, & 53rd). Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Adlai C. Young[4]. This unit was in II Philippine Corps reserve when Japanese struck again Bagac-Orion line in March 26, 1942[3].
They became POWs when General Edward King surrendered the Luzon Force on April 9, 1942.
References
edit- ^ Emerson, Kary (January 10 – April 8, 1942). Operations of II Philippine Corps on Bataan (PDF). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b Humber, Thomas (December 1941 – April 1942). "The American Bataan Campaign December 1941 to April 1942". Army History (21): 9–12. JSTOR 26302928.
- ^ a b Martin, Brice (1947–1948). Operations of Company F, 51st Infantry Regiment (51st Division) Philippine Army (PDF). Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. pp. 4–11.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Pierce, Henry (January 15–25, 1942). Operations of Company L, 45th Infantry on Abucay Hacienda Line (PDF).
See also
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