Intelligence Reports filed by Operatives of the Canluran Infantry Regiment
The Canluran Infantry Regiment was a guerrilla outfit that operated out of the Municipality of Taal and was commanded by one Lt. Col. Marcelino D. de la Rosa. The outfit was affiliated with the larger Blue Eagle Command that also operated in Batangas and was attached to United States Army units during the liberation of the province in 1945. In this documents1 are contained intelligence reports about Japanese positions and activities in the province of Batangas filed by operatives of the Canluran Infantry Regiment from the field.
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BLUE EAGLE
CANLURAN REGIMENT
2nd Battalion, Inf.
8 Feb. 45
CONSOLIDATED S-2 REPORT COVERING THE AREA OF THE 2nd Bn. FROM LAST S-2 REPORT TO DATE
1. Batangas, Batangas
(a) Barrio of Calansayan – 1 demolition squad under Sgt. Kawasahi is stationed here.
(b) Nurses’ dormitory near the Batangas Provincial Hospital is stationed 1 demolition squad.
(c) 200 Japs evacuated Simlong-Matuco area and went to either San Jose or Sorosoro Hill.
(d) Tinga-Labac area is evacuated totally by the Japs, although there are ammunition of big guns at Tinga Falls.
(e) The C.P. of the Japs in [the] Simlong-Matuco area is in Kalansingan Hill ¼ km. from the beach. There are 4 guns consisting point. This is between Simlong and Matuco.
(f) Houses in Danglayan, Sta. Rita, Batangas are occupied by the Japs.
(g) Fox holes are dug along the provincial road from Bo. Bolbok to Lagnas, Bauan, Batangas.
2. Taysan, Batangas
(a) Bundok ng Maynila is occupiedby 500 to 1000 Japs. 20 Japs of the Signal Corps unit transferred to Sorosoro Hill.
(b) Dagatan School is occupied by 40 Japanese soldiers.
3. 25 Japs are stationed in Lobo, Batangas pier watching the incoming and outgoing civilian ships.
4. Bo. Bataan San Juan, Batangas – There are 500 Japs stationed in this area.
5. Sorosoro Hill is connected by a communication line to Bauan passing thru the Bo. Banaba and Balete.
6. Bridges from Ibaan going to San Jose and to San Juan have been blasted.
7. San Jose, Batangas
Capt.
Bn. Ex. O. 2nd Bn.
1ST INDORSEMENT:
HQ, CANLURAN REGT. – 13th Feb. 45
TO: C. O. MALAKAS DIVISION
For Information
Lt. Col., Inf. (B.E.)
COMMANDING
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BLUE EAGLE
CANLURAN REGIMENT
S-2 REPORT OF SOROSORO HILL
BY: H. P. , 2nd Bn. Canluran Rgt.
From Calansayan, there is a road constructed by the Japs going to Sorosoro Hill. This road terminates at the group of houses H-1 shown in the sketch. These houses are occupied by the Japanese forces. From these houses, there are several trails going up the hill and to the mouths of tunnesl A, B, C, D, and E.
50 meters south of these houses are two tunnels, A and B, shown in the sketch. The distance between tunnels A and B is around 10 meters. These tunnels are dug at the foot of the hill passing straight thru the other side.
Around 20 meters north of these houses is a dugout marked 0 where ammunition is kept. This dugout is covered by big trees.
At the summit of the hill (the most elevated part of the hill marked S on the sketch), the Japs dug a hole downward connecting the ends of the tunnels C, D, and E in level with the foot of the hill.
The Japs stay in all these tunnels especially during the daytime when there are planes around.
Southwest of Point S, going down the hill, there is a small depression wherein the barracks have been constructed. These barracks are made of bamboos and cogon roofing. There is a dugout under these barracks where the ammunition and good supplies are kept.
Right at the foot of the hill marked M in the sketch are machine guns, .50 caliber. Fronting this machine gun emplacements are five (5) lines of barbed wire entanglements starting from the group of houses marked H-1 and terminating at the side of the river shown in the sketch. These barbed wire entanglements are not visible from the air because they are placed under big trees. Trucks, ammunition and food supplies are kept under these big trees along the barbed wire entanglements.
From the railroad crossing shown in the sketch going east before reaching the hill are several tank traps strayed among the banana trees. These are shown by rectangles shown in the sketch. These tank traps cover around 1km. distance.
The strength of Sorosoro Hill is changeable, ranging from 500 to 1000 strong. Sorosoro and Banay-banay forces interchange. The Sorosoro Hill forces are under the command of Capt. Tanisi and 2nd Lt. Fukoka.
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[Sketch of the report above.]
