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The 41st Division, once briefly part of the South Luzon Force and now in position along the Mt. Natib trail and Balantay River, defended the center of the Abucay line,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=265}}</ref> until ordered to retreat on 22 January.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=291}}</ref>
The 41st Division, once briefly part of the South Luzon Force and now in position along the Mt. Natib trail and Balantay River, defended the center of the Abucay line,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=265}}</ref> until ordered to retreat on 22 January.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=291}}</ref>
The division held the extreme left of the II Corps line on the eve of the last Japanese offensive in Bataan on April 3, along with the 31st Division.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=422}}</ref> Such was the effect of bombardment that even before the Japanese tank-infantry attack had begun to roll, the 41st Division had ceased to exist as an effective military organization. The units most affected by the bombardment and the assault were the 42d and 43d Infantry. The first, in the center of the division front where bamboo fires burned fiercely, had retreated in a disorderly fashion, some of the men following Trail 29 into the 41st Infantry area, and others drifting eastward to join the retreating 43d on the western slopes of [[Mount Samat|Mt. Samat]]. Only the 41st Infantry on the extreme left of the line, which had escaped the full weight of the preliminary bombardment, had withdrawn in an orderly fashion.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=424-425}}</ref> Despite the attempt to stem the Japanese advance,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=425-427}}</ref> by 4 April the division is routed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=429}}</ref>
The division held the extreme left of the II Corps line on the eve of the last Japanese offensive in Bataan on April 3, along with the 31st Division.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=422}}</ref> Such was the effect of bombardment that even before the Japanese tank-infantry attack had begun to roll, the 41st Division had ceased to exist as an effective military organization. The units most affected by the bombardment and the assault were the 42d and 43d Infantry. The first, in the center of the division front where bamboo fires burned fiercely, had retreated in a disorderly fashion, some of the men following Trail 29 into the 41st Infantry area, and others drifting eastward to join the retreating 43d on the western slopes of [[Mount Samat|Mt. Samat]]. Only the 41st Infantry on the extreme left of the line, which had escaped the full weight of the preliminary bombardment, had withdrawn in an orderly fashion.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=424-425}}</ref> Despite the attempt to stem the Japanese advance,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=425-427}}</ref> by 4 April the division is routed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=429}}</ref> On 9 April, the inevitable bitter end came. Maj. General [[Edward P. King]] Jr., commander of Bataan Defense Force, surrendered to prevent the unnecessary slaughter of his war-torn troops, negotiated the surrender of the Bataan troops with the Japanese High Command.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton|first1=Louis|title=The Fall of the Philippines|date=1953|page=466}}</ref>
The 41st Division fought in the [[Battle of Bataan]] from January 8, 1941 until surrender by the Japanese troops on April 9, 1942. On April 9, the inevitable bitter end came. Maj. General [[Edward P. King]] Jr., commander of the Southern Luzon Force, to prevent the unnecessary slaughter of his war-torn troops, negotiated the surrender of the Bataan troops with the Japanese High Command.


==Order of Battle==
==Order of Battle==

Revision as of 15:21, 15 May 2016

41st Division
ActiveAugust 28, 1941 - April 9, 1942
Country Commonwealth of the Philippines
BranchPhilippine Army
TypeInfantry Division
SizeDivision
Garrison/HQTagaytay City, Cavite
AnniversariesAugust 28
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders		BGen Vicente Lim

The 41st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Brigadier General Vicente Lim was the division's commander.

History

It was active from August 28, 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Corregidor fell. Previously it was active in the City of Manila, Southern Luzon.

The 41st Field Artillery Regiment had sixteen 75-mm. guns and eight 2.95-inch pack howitzers.[1]

After the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in late 1941, it formed part of South Luzon Force (activated December 13, 1941) under Brig. Gen. George M. Parker Jr. The South Luzon Force controlled a zone east and south of Manila. Parker had the PA 41st and 51st Infantry Divisions and the 2nd Provisional Artillery Group of two batteries of the U.S. 86th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts).[2]

When the Japanese began landing at Lamon Bay on December 24, 1941, South Luzon Force was badly dispersed. The 41st Division (PA) on the west coast was in position, but elements of the 51st Division along the east coast were in the process of movement.[3]

The 41st Division, once briefly part of the South Luzon Force and now in position along the Mt. Natib trail and Balantay River, defended the center of the Abucay line,[4] until ordered to retreat on 22 January.[5] The division held the extreme left of the II Corps line on the eve of the last Japanese offensive in Bataan on April 3, along with the 31st Division.[6] Such was the effect of bombardment that even before the Japanese tank-infantry attack had begun to roll, the 41st Division had ceased to exist as an effective military organization. The units most affected by the bombardment and the assault were the 42d and 43d Infantry. The first, in the center of the division front where bamboo fires burned fiercely, had retreated in a disorderly fashion, some of the men following Trail 29 into the 41st Infantry area, and others drifting eastward to join the retreating 43d on the western slopes of Mt. Samat. Only the 41st Infantry on the extreme left of the line, which had escaped the full weight of the preliminary bombardment, had withdrawn in an orderly fashion.[7] Despite the attempt to stem the Japanese advance,[8] by 4 April the division is routed.[9] On 9 April, the inevitable bitter end came. Maj. General Edward P. King Jr., commander of Bataan Defense Force, surrendered to prevent the unnecessary slaughter of his war-torn troops, negotiated the surrender of the Bataan troops with the Japanese High Command.[10]

Order of Battle

  • 41st Infantry Regiment
  • 42nd Infantry Regiment
  • 43rd Infantry Regiment
  • 41st Field Artillery Regiment
  • 41st Engineer Battalion
  • 41st Division Units

References

  1. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 327.
  2. ^ The Fall of the Philippines, p. 68-69.
  3. ^ The Fall of the Philippines, p. 141.
  4. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 265.
  5. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 291.
  6. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 422.
  7. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 424-425.
  8. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). Fall of the Philippines. p. 425-427.
  9. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 429.
  10. ^ Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines. p. 466.
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