South Luzon Force

South Luzon Force (II Philippine Corps)
Hukbong Timog Luzon
ActiveNovember 4, 1941 - April 9, 1942
DisbandedApril 9, 1942
Countries Commonwealth of the Philippines
United States
AllegianceUnited States
BranchArmy
TypeCorps
RoleSouth Luzon territorial defense force
Size25,000
Part ofLuzon Force
USAFFE
Garrison/HQLimay, Bataan
Fort William McKinley, Makati, Rizal
EngagementsBattle of Bataan
Battle of Mauban
Battle of Atimonan
Battle of Bicol
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Major General George S. Parker Major General Albert Jones (Acting)

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.

He selected Col Stuart MacDonald as his Chief of Staff from December 8 to December 24, 1941, Colonel Louis R. Dougherty served as Chief of Staff from December 25, 1941 to January 13, 1942. Colonel Arnold J. Funk served as Chief of Staff from January 23 to March 2, 1942 before he was moved as Chief of Staff of Luzon Force. Colonel Charles Steele served as Chief of Staff from March 2 to April 9, 1942.

Comprising force staffs are the following officers and their designations in December 1941.

Bataan Defense Force | II Corps[1]
Name Rank Designation
Ovid O. Wilson Major Assistant CS - G1
Dennis Moore Major Assistant CS - G2
Arthur Christensen Captain Assistant to the Assistant CS - G2
Howard D. Johnston Lieutenant Colonel Assistant CS - G3
Albert C. Wolfe Major Assistant to the Assistant CS - G3
John H. Bennett Major Assistant CS - G4
John Neiger Captain Aide to the Commanding General
Thomas M. Tarpley Jr Major Adjutant General
Hal C. Granberry Major Signal Officer
William C. Chenoweth Major Engineer Officer
Arthur L. Shreve Lieutenant Colonel Artillery Officer
W. Hinton Drummond Major Surgeon
Nicholas N. Milhailov Lieutenant Air Liaison Officer
Kearie L. Berry Lieutenant Colonel Quartermaster and Ordinance Officer

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.

  1. ^ Wainwright, Jonathan (December 1941 – May 1942). "General Wainwright Report". Filipino-American Memorials: 1–10.