The Shimbu group situated in the mountains and hills east of Manila controlled extremely important installations of the Metropolitan water supply system. Under Lt Gen Shizuo Yokohama, the 50,000 strong Shimbu group fought with the Allies all throughout the early months of 1945. By May, as the need to supply Manila with water increased, General MacArthur ordered the capture of Ipo Dam, with the US 43rd Division with General Wing leading the charge. Attached with the 43rd are guerrilla forces mostly from the Markings Fil-American Regiment, one of the biggest Filipino guerrilla units during the war, under Col Marcus V. Augustin. The Allied Forces attacked on the night of 6th May which completely surprised the outer defenses of the Japanese. The 169th, 172nd and 103rd Division attacked from the South as elements of the 169th Infantry and the Markings regiment attack from the western sector. The first fierce fight erupted on Hill 535 where elements of the Markings and Kasama Battalion clashed to capture the strategic area. By 12th May, Markings in the northern sector broke thru the strongly defended Japanese positions after the heavy air and artillery bombardment. Throughout the battle, hundreds of fighter bombers from the Fifth Air Force dropped gallons of napalm to destroy enemy defensive positions and demoralized the Japanese troops. Ipo Dam was captured on 17 May when the Markings permanently captured the facilities intact.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1945 VICTORY DAY IN NEGROS ISLAND
SEPTEMBER 3, 1945 END OF WORLD WAR II IN BAGUIO
SEPTEMBER 2, 1945 SURRENDER OF GENERAL YAMASHITA AT KIANGAN, IFUGAO
AUGUST 15, 1945 LIBERATION OF BENGUET
AUGUST 4, 1945 LIBERATION OF ATOK, BENGUET
JULY 26, 1945 LIBERATION OF NATONIN, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
JULY 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF MANKAYAN, BENGUET
JULY 19, 1945 LIBERATION OF KABAYAN, BENGUET
JULY 17, 1945 LIBERATION OF BOKOD, BENGUET
JUNE 27, 1945 LIBERATION OF APARRI, CAGAYAN
JUNE 25, 1945 LIBERATION OF TUGUEGARAO CAGAYAN
JUNE 19, 1945 LIBERATION OF ILAGAN, ISABELA
JUNE 14, 1945 BATTLE OF BESSANG PASS
MAY 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON
MAY 17, 1945 LIBERATION OF KIBUNGAN & TUBLAY, BENGUET
MAY 17, 1945 BATTLE OF IPO DAM
MAY 14, 1945 BATTLE OF MALEPUNYO
MAY 13, 1945 BATTLE OF BALETE PASS
MAY 3, 1945 BATTLE OF ISING
MAY 3, 1945 LIBERATION OF DAVAO CITY
APRIL 28, 1945 LIBERATION OF DIGOS, DAVAO CITY
APRIL 27, 1945 LIBERATION OF BAGUIO CITY
APRIL 26, 1945 LIBERATION OF TUBA, BENGUET
APRIL 26, 1945 LIBERATION OF DUMAGUETE CITY
APRIL 22, 1945 A SALUTE TO VALOR – PALAWAN LIBERATION
APRIL 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF DUMAGUETE CITY
APRIL 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF PIKIT
APRIL 18, 1945 LANDING IN COTABATO
APRIL 17, 1945 LIBERATION OF PARANG, MAGUINDANAO
APRIL 10, 1945 LIBERATION OF SABLAN, BENGUET
APRIL 9, 1945 LANDING IN JOLO ISLAND
APRIL 1, 1945 LIBERATION OF BURGOS, LA UNION
APRIL 1, 1945 LANDING IN LEGASPI
MARCH 29, 1945 LIBERATION OF LIPA CITY
MARCH 29, 1945 LANDING IN NEGROS ISLAND
MARCH 26, 1945 LANDING IN TALISAY, CEBU
MARCH 19, 1945 BATTLE OF BACSIL RIDGE
MARCH 19, 1945 LIBERATION OF BAUANG, LA UNION
MARCH 18, 1945 LIBERATION OF PANAY, ROMBLON, AND GUIMARAS
MARCH 17, 2004 ILOILO VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY
MARCH 10, 1945 LIBERATION OF ZAMBOANGA