Compilation of Intel Reports on the Japanese Army from February 1 to 9, 1945
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Intelligence Group, 3rd Batallion, 49th Regiment, 47th Division is an affiliate of the Hunters-ROTC guerrilla organization commanded by Eleuterio Adevoso and one of the largest outfits that operated in Southern Luzon during the Japanese occupation and subsequent liberation. This intelligence group operated from the then-town of Lipa and was commanded by one Jose Alex Katigbak. In this page is a transcription1 of a compilation of intelligence reports on the Japanese Army as prepared by the Intelligence Group of the 3rd Battalion, Hunters-ROTC.
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UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
THE HUNTERS OR ROTC GUERRILLAS
ATTACHED U.S. 6th ARMY
3rd Bn. Headquarters
INTELLIGENCE REPORTS FROM FEBRUARY 1 TO 9
(A Compilation)
I. On the Enemy’s Disposition and Strength.
A. Lipa
1. In the town of Lipa, there are approximately 100 Japanese soldiers excluding those in the barrios, armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. At the Rose Packing Co. buildings, there are approximately 200 soldiers, supply corps, armed with rifles and machine guns.
3. In Anilao and Antipolo, there are 80 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
4. In Sabang, there are approximately 200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
5. In Latag, there are approximately 80 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
6. In Sapac and Babuyan, there are approximately 400 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles and machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns. 7. In Dagatan, there are approximately 100 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
8. In Talisay (Barrio, Lipa, Batangas), there are approximately 300 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns.
9. Those that were in San Benito and San Celestino have moved to Tiaong and Sapac.
10. In Bulacnin (4.8 kilometers from the Catholic church of Lipa and lying 23 degrees northwest of the Catholic church), there are approximately 30 soldiers guarding the biggest gasoline depot of the enemy, armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. At the Rose Packing Co. buildings, there are approximately 200 soldiers, supply corps, armed with rifles and machine guns.
3. In Anilao and Antipolo, there are 80 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
4. In Sabang, there are approximately 200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
5. In Latag, there are approximately 80 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
6. In Sapac and Babuyan, there are approximately 400 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles and machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns. 7. In Dagatan, there are approximately 100 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
8. In Talisay (Barrio, Lipa, Batangas), there are approximately 300 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns.
9. Those that were in San Benito and San Celestino have moved to Tiaong and Sapac.
10. In Bulacnin (4.8 kilometers from the Catholic church of Lipa and lying 23 degrees northwest of the Catholic church), there are approximately 30 soldiers guarding the biggest gasoline depot of the enemy, armed with rifles and machine guns.
B. Mataasnacahoy
1. In the town of Mataasnacahoy, there is none.
2. In the landing field, there are only a few, approximately 40 men to guard the landing field and the un-transported supplies, armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. In the landing field, there are only a few, approximately 40 men to guard the landing field and the un-transported supplies, armed with rifles and machine guns.
C. San Juan
1. There are none in the barrios.
2. In the town, there are only a few to look after the enemy’s communication lines.
2. In the town, there are only a few to look after the enemy’s communication lines.
D. Rosario
1. There are none in the barrios.
2. There are only a few in the town, approximately 40 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. There are only a few in the town, approximately 40 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
E. Santo Tomas
1. In the barrio of Suloc, there are approximately 3,000 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns.
2. San Joaquin has 100 soldiers, medical corps.
3. In Santa Clara, there are approximately 1,000 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. San Joaquin has 100 soldiers, medical corps.
3. In Santa Clara, there are approximately 1,000 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
II. Special Reports
A. Raids by United States planes in Lipa.
1. The 10 de Junio street and the market place were raided.
2. The results were the destruction of one Japanese truck, and the deaths of three Filipino civilians. No Japanese casualty was reported.
2. The results were the destruction of one Japanese truck, and the deaths of three Filipino civilians. No Japanese casualty was reported.
B. Raids by United States planes on the Bulacnin Gasoline Depot.
1. Several hits were scored by the raiders. Fires started at three different points.
C. GENERAL YAMASHITA, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE JAPANESE IMPER-
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IAL FORCES IN THE PHILIPPINES, WAS REPORTED TO HAVE ARRIVED IN SULOC, IN THE JAPANESE MILITARY AREA, IN THE MALARAYAT RANGE.
D. A ranking Japanese officer of the intelligence corps also arrived in the Military area.
E. Movements of the Enemy
1. Three 104 mm. artillery guns were transferred from the Lipa Hill defenses of the enemy to the Malarayat Military Area.
F. The Japanese Military Police still carries on its activities against all guerrilla units and suspected civilians in Lipa and the surrounding areas.
III. Special Report on the enemy’s military installations in the Malarayat area.
1. The tendency is to concentrate their troops and fighting power in the Malarayat area.
2. The defenses of Lipa Hill have been weakened. Three artillery guns were removed. Consequently, the personnel was also depleted.
3. The center of the Malarayat Military Area is in the barrio of Suloc, Santo Tomas, Batangas.
4. Lumbang, Lipa, Batangas, which lies directly west of Suloc, has been ordered evacuated.
5. The Malarayat Area is approachable from many points: from Santo Tomas, Tanauan, Malvar, Lipa, Rosario, and Alaminos.
6. The Malarayat Area dominates the entire national road from Santo Tomas to Lipa.
2. The defenses of Lipa Hill have been weakened. Three artillery guns were removed. Consequently, the personnel was also depleted.
3. The center of the Malarayat Military Area is in the barrio of Suloc, Santo Tomas, Batangas.
4. Lumbang, Lipa, Batangas, which lies directly west of Suloc, has been ordered evacuated.
5. The Malarayat Area is approachable from many points: from Santo Tomas, Tanauan, Malvar, Lipa, Rosario, and Alaminos.
6. The Malarayat Area dominates the entire national road from Santo Tomas to Lipa.
From February 2 to February 9
I. On Enemy Disposition and Strength
A. Lipa
1. The enemy continues to strengthen its defenses in the Malarayat area.
2. There are very few Japanese soldiers in Lipa, approximately less than 100, armed with rifles and machine guns.
3. In Anilao and Antipolo, there are approximately 100 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns. They man the Lipa Hill defenses.
4. In Latag, there are approximately 200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
5. In Sabang, there are approximately 200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles, machine guns, and anti-aircraft guns.
6. In Sapac and Bubuyan, there are approximately 400 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns, and artillery guns.
7. In Talisay (barrio, Lipa, Batangas), there are approximately 350 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns and artillery guns.
8. In Lumbang, there are approximately 250 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
9. In Dagatan, there are approximately less than 50 men, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. There are very few Japanese soldiers in Lipa, approximately less than 100, armed with rifles and machine guns.
3. In Anilao and Antipolo, there are approximately 100 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns. They man the Lipa Hill defenses.
4. In Latag, there are approximately 200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
5. In Sabang, there are approximately 200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles, machine guns, and anti-aircraft guns.
6. In Sapac and Bubuyan, there are approximately 400 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns, and artillery guns.
7. In Talisay (barrio, Lipa, Batangas), there are approximately 350 soldiers, infantry and artillery, armed with rifles, machine guns and artillery guns.
8. In Lumbang, there are approximately 250 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
9. In Dagatan, there are approximately less than 50 men, infantry, armed with rifles and machine guns.
B. Santo Tomas
1. In Suloc, there are approximately 3,000 soldiers, armed with rifles, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns. Suloc is the center of the Malarayat Area. GEN. YAMASHITA IS AGAIN REPORTED THIS WEEK AS HAVING HIS HEADQUARTERS IN SULOC.
2. In Santa Clara, there are approximately 1200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns.
3. In San Luis, there are approximately 200 soldiers, armed with rifles and machine guns.
4. In San Joaquin, there are approximately 100 soldiers, medical corps.
2. In Santa Clara, there are approximately 1200 soldiers, infantry, armed with rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns and artillery guns.
3. In San Luis, there are approximately 200 soldiers, armed with rifles and machine guns.
4. In San Joaquin, there are approximately 100 soldiers, medical corps.
C. Mataasnacahoy
1. There are no more Japanese troops in the town.
2. In the airfield, there are approximately 46 men armed with rifles and machine guns guarding the airfield and the un-transported supplies.
2. In the airfield, there are approximately 46 men armed with rifles and machine guns guarding the airfield and the un-transported supplies.
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D. San Juan
1. In the town, there are only a few, sometimes less than 8, to look after the communication lines.
2. There are none in the barrios nor in the beaches.
2. There are none in the barrios nor in the beaches.
E. Rosario
1. Approximately 200 men arrived in Rosario this week. They are of the infantry armed with rifles and machine guns.
2. There are none in the barrios.
2. There are none in the barrios.
II. Special report on the Malarayat Military Area.
This report locates all places included in the Malarayat Military Area from three referenced points.
A. From Mt. Malepunyo as the reference point. (Mt. Malepunyo is a peak in the Malarayat range and is 1,000 ft. in altitude.)
1. San Joaquin – 10,850 meters, 25 degrees northeast.
2. Santa Clara – 8,000 meters, 31 degrees northwest.
3. San Luis – 3,200 meters, 39 degrees northwest.
4. Suloc – 3,350 meters, 51 degrees northwest.
5. Lumbang – 5,650 meters, 56 degrees northwest.
6. Dagatan – 6,300 meters, 74 degrees northwest.
7. Talisay (barrio, Lipa, Batangas) – 4,500 meters, 86 degrees northwest.
8. Bubuyan – 3,850 meters, 84 degrees southwest.
9. Sabang – 8,200 meters, 75 degrees southwest.
10. Sapac – 4,450 meters, 65 degrees southwest.
11. Latag – 8,000 meters, 63 degrees southwest.
12. Lipa Hill – 9,050 meters, 49 degrees southwest.
13. San Benito – 4,000 meters, 25 degrees southwest.
14. Santo Toribio – 5,800 meters, 18 degrees southwest.
15. San Celestino – 4,850 meters, due south.
16. San Francisco – 6,650 meters, 4 degrees southeast.
2. Santa Clara – 8,000 meters, 31 degrees northwest.
3. San Luis – 3,200 meters, 39 degrees northwest.
4. Suloc – 3,350 meters, 51 degrees northwest.
5. Lumbang – 5,650 meters, 56 degrees northwest.
6. Dagatan – 6,300 meters, 74 degrees northwest.
7. Talisay (barrio, Lipa, Batangas) – 4,500 meters, 86 degrees northwest.
8. Bubuyan – 3,850 meters, 84 degrees southwest.
9. Sabang – 8,200 meters, 75 degrees southwest.
10. Sapac – 4,450 meters, 65 degrees southwest.
11. Latag – 8,000 meters, 63 degrees southwest.
12. Lipa Hill – 9,050 meters, 49 degrees southwest.
13. San Benito – 4,000 meters, 25 degrees southwest.
14. Santo Toribio – 5,800 meters, 18 degrees southwest.
15. San Celestino – 4,850 meters, due south.
16. San Francisco – 6,650 meters, 4 degrees southeast.
B. From Mt. Dalaga as the reference point. (Mt. Dalaga is another peak in the Malarayat range with an altitude of 793 ft.)
1. Suloc – 1850 meters, 72 degrees northwest.
2. Lumbang – 4,100 meters, 68 degrees northwest.
3. Dagatan – 5,300 meters, 86 degrees northwest.
4. San Luis – 6,450 meters, 42 degrees northwest.
L 5. Santa Clara – 6,300 meters, 33 degrees northwest.
2. Lumbang – 4,100 meters, 68 degrees northwest.
3. Dagatan – 5,300 meters, 86 degrees northwest.
4. San Luis – 6,450 meters, 42 degrees northwest.
L 5. Santa Clara – 6,300 meters, 33 degrees northwest.
[Note to the reader: the rest of this page is unreadable because of a bad scan.]
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III. Special reports
1. Anti-aircraft guns reinstalled at the Lipa landing field which had been reported before as abandoned by the enemy, and others are placed in other points in Lipa. They are located in the following places, using the dome of the Catholic church as the reference point.
(1) Near the St. Agnes Academy – 450 meters from the reference point, 79 degrees northeast.
(2) Near the Catholic Convent, 309 meters from the reference point, 85 degrees northwest.
(3) Near the residential house in Sabang, 411 meters from the reference point, 78 degrees northeast.
(4) Near the Catholic Cathedral – 33 meters from the reference point, 40 degrees southwest.
(2) Near the Catholic Convent, 309 meters from the reference point, 85 degrees northwest.
(3) Near the residential house in Sabang, 411 meters from the reference point, 78 degrees northeast.
(4) Near the Catholic Cathedral – 33 meters from the reference point, 40 degrees southwest.
2. A fairly large number of troops coming from the direction of Cuenca, Batangas arrived and bivouacked in the barrio of Tibig, Lipa, Batangas. They are armed with machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.
3. Another big group of enemy troops arrived in Lipa from Cuenca. A portion of these troops proceeded to Manila, while the other joined the enemy troops stationed in the Malarayat Area. They are armed with rifles, machine guns and artillery guns.
4. Japanese troops were reported as having arrived in Rosario, Batangas.
5. The Lipa-Sabang Bridge is all set for construction.
3. Another big group of enemy troops arrived in Lipa from Cuenca. A portion of these troops proceeded to Manila, while the other joined the enemy troops stationed in the Malarayat Area. They are armed with rifles, machine guns and artillery guns.
4. Japanese troops were reported as having arrived in Rosario, Batangas.
5. The Lipa-Sabang Bridge is all set for construction.
IV. Special report on houses and areas occupied by the enemy in Sabang and Latag.
1. From the Catholic Cathedral as the reference point.
(a) Houses in the Lipa-Manila road in Sabang gathered at a point 570 meters from the reference point between 51 degrees and 56 degrees northeast of the reference point.
(b) Officers’ Quarters behind St. Agnes Academy in Sabang. It lies 522 meters from the reference point, 52 degrees northeast.
(c) Soldiers’ Quarters lie 642 meters from the reference point, 86 degrees northeast.
(d) Officers’ Quarters in Latag. It lies 880 meters from the reference point, 84 degrees northeast.
(e) Soldiers’ Quarters. These three houses lie 700 meters from the reference point, between 81 and 84 degrees southeast.
(f) Soldiers’ Quarters. It lies 630 meters from the reference point, 70 degrees southeast.
(g) Soldiers’ Hideouts. A portion of the Pamintahan or Lipa stream lying 480 meters from the reference point between 56 degrees and 61 degrees southeast.
(b) Officers’ Quarters behind St. Agnes Academy in Sabang. It lies 522 meters from the reference point, 52 degrees northeast.
(c) Soldiers’ Quarters lie 642 meters from the reference point, 86 degrees northeast.
(d) Officers’ Quarters in Latag. It lies 880 meters from the reference point, 84 degrees northeast.
(e) Soldiers’ Quarters. These three houses lie 700 meters from the reference point, between 81 and 84 degrees southeast.
(f) Soldiers’ Quarters. It lies 630 meters from the reference point, 70 degrees southeast.
(g) Soldiers’ Hideouts. A portion of the Pamintahan or Lipa stream lying 480 meters from the reference point between 56 degrees and 61 degrees southeast.
V. Enclosures.
1. These maps were sent to accompany portions of these reports.
(a) A map of the Japanese Military Area in the Malarayat range was enclosed to help in the comprehension of the report entitled “Japanese Defenses in the Malarayat Area.”
(b) A map of the Japanese Military Area in the Malarayat range was enclosed to help in the comprehension of the report entitled “The Malarayat Military Area.”
(c) A map of Sabang and Latag was enclosed to help in the comprehension of the report entitled “Houses and Areas Occupied by the Enemy in Sabang and Latag.”
(b) A map of the Japanese Military Area in the Malarayat range was enclosed to help in the comprehension of the report entitled “The Malarayat Military Area.”
(c) A map of Sabang and Latag was enclosed to help in the comprehension of the report entitled “Houses and Areas Occupied by the Enemy in Sabang and Latag.”
VI. S-2 Reports
1. S-2 report from January 26 to February 2.
2. S-2 report from February 2 to February 9.
2. S-2 report from February 2 to February 9.
February 14, 1945
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3rd Bn. S-2
Notes and references:
1 “Intell Unit, 3rd Bn, 49th Regt, 47th Div, Hunters-ROTC,” file number 307-42, online at the United States National Archives.