South Luzon Force
South Luzon Force was a corps-sized unit of the US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) active in the Philippines between 1941 and 1942. Created along with other 3 commands under the USAFFE, it was officially announced on November 4, 1941, and BGen. (Later MGen.) George M. Parker was appointed to command, making him responsible for the defense of Southern Luzon of any invasion. General Parker established his headquarters in Fort William McKinley in Rizal province.
| South Luzon Force (II Philippine Corps) | |
|---|---|
| Active | November 4, 1941 - April 9, 1942 |
| Disbanded | April 9, 1942 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Corps |
| Role | South Luzon territorial defense force |
| Size | 25,000 |
| Part of | Luzon Force USAFFE |
| Corps | Fort William McKinley, Makati, Rizal |
| Engagements | Battle of Bataan Battle of Mauban |
| Commanders | |
| Commanders | MGen. George S. Parker BGen. Albert Jones (Acting) |
| Chief of Staff | LCol. Howard Johnson Col. Arnold J. Funk |
| G1 | LCol. Ovid Oscar Wilson |
| G2 Intelligence | LCol. James Cavanagh LCol. Dennis Moore |
| G3 Operations | LCol. George H. Churchyard LCol. James Collier |
| G4 Supply | LCol. John H. Bennett |
| Support Staffs | Adjutant - Maj. Joseph Brimo
Artillery - LCol. Louis Dougherty Quartermaster - LCol. Wallace Durst Engineer - LCol. Roger Chenoweth |
| USAFFE Commands | ||||
|
He selected Col Stuart MacDonald as his Chief of Staff along with Major Arthur Christensen and LCol. Arthur Shreve as his intelligence and operations officers. Initially assigned combat units are 41st Division under BGen. Vicente Lim (formerly Philippine Army Vice Chief of Staff) covering Southern Tagalog region, 51st Division under BGen. Albert Jones covering Bicol Peninsula, and 71st Division (unit from Visayas) under Col. (BGen) Clyde Selleck as reserve. However, 71st Division was transferred to North Luzon Force in late November as its Force Reserve.
At the start of hostilities in December 1941 additional units was assigned to support. 2nd Provisional Group under LCol. David Babcock equipped with T12 Gun Carriage (75mm), Provisional Field Artillery Battalion from 88th Field Artillery, 515th Coast Artillery (AA), and Provisional Infantry Brigade under BGen. Simeon De Jesus, composing of Philippine Constabulary units of Southern Luzon.
1st Regular Division of Philippine Commonwealth Army under BGen. Fidel Segundo was reactivated as its reserve but got engaged to repulse Japanese landings in Mauban and Atimonan beaches.
War Plan Orange (WPO-3)
General MacArthur ordered General Parker to go to Bataan to make all preparations as he is to implement WPO3, all forces will withdraw to Bataan. The command of South Luzon Force was temporary passed on to BGen. Albert Jones commander of 51st Division. After the withdrawal is completed both officers reverted to its old command. South Luzon Force is now renamed to II Philippine Corps.
Surrender
II Philippine Corps surrendered on April 9, 1942, along with other forces in Bataan after General Edward King commander of Luzon Force surrendered to Japanese 16th Division. All marched from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga under the heat of the sun without food or water later known as Death March.
Order of Battle November 1941 to January 1942
- Headquarters, South Luzon Force
- 41st Division - BGen. Vicente Lim
- 51st Division - BGen. Albert Jones
- 1st Regular Division - BGen. Fidel Segundo
- 51st Provisional Infantry Brigade (PC) - BGen. Simeon De Jesus, PA
- Provisional Group (SPM) - LCol. David Babcock
- 515th Coast Artillery (AA) - LCol. Henry Peck
Order of Battle January to April 1942 (Renamed II Philippine Corps)
- Headquarters, South Luzon Force
- 41st Division - BGen. Vicente Lim
- 51st Division - BGen. Albert Jones
- 91st Division - BGen. Luther Stevens
- Provisional Group (SPM) - LCol. David Babcock
- 515th Coast Artillery (AA) - LCol. Henry Peck
- 57th US Infantry Regimental Team (PS)
- Provisional Field Artillery Brigade - Col. Albert Ives
References
- Morton, Louis (1953). Chapter IV: Prewar Plans, Japanese and American (in) The Fall of the Philippines United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific. Washington DC: Center of Military History, United States Army. (p70)