Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
DECEMBER 5, 1944
Operation Te-Go Japanese Paratrooper Attack on Leyte was initiated after General Tomoyuki Yamashita gave an order to launch offensives against American forces.
The entire Japanese First Airborne Brigade with two regiments jumped on San Pablo Airfield and Buri Airfield.
The Americans under General Douglas MacArthur were caught by surprise. The first plane load of Japanese paratroopers left their aircraft directly above the Division Headquarters 600 feet short of their objectives.
Some were strung out in an area full of trees and got entangled. One plane load of paratroopers jumped to their deaths when the anchor line failed to open. Others were shot down by American troops. The Japanese paratroopers were all eliminated.
Buri Airfield was located on the eastern coast of Leyte. To the south is Bayug Airfield and to the southeast is San Pablo Airfield.
That same day, the US 10th Corp began their offensive and moved into Ormoc while the 24th Corp gained ground in central and southwestern Leyte.
The US 77th Division landed unopposed on December 7 in Ormoc and secured it on December 10, 1944.
Earlier, on October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur accompanied by his staff and President Sergio Osmeña landed at Red Beach, Leyte.
The Battle of Leyte which began on October 17 to December 26, 1944 was an amphibious invasion of the island of Leyte by American forces.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph
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