Japanese invasion of Cebu

Japanese Invasion of Cebu
DateApril 16, 1942 – May 12, 1942
Location
Cebu Island, Visayas, Philippines
Result Japanese victory
Territorial
changes
Cebu captured by the Japanese
Belligerents
 Empire of Japan

 United States of America

  •  Commonwealth of the Philippines
Commanders and leaders
Japan Kawaguchi Kiyotake

United States Bradford Chynoweth
United States Irvine Scudder
United States Howard Edmands
United States Rufus Rogers
United States Arthur Grimes
United States Cornelius Byrd
United States John D. Cook
Commonwealth of the Philippines Emigdio David

Commonwealth of the Philippines Fortunato Borbon
Units involved

Ground units:
Japanese Fourteenth Army

  • Kawaguchi detachment
    • 35th Infantry Brigade
    • 124th Infantry Regiment
    • Armored Detachment
    • Artillery Batteries
  • 10th Independent Garrison

"Ground units":
USFIP Visayan Force

  • Cebu Brigade
    • Cebu Military Police Regiment
  • US Army Transport Service

Philippine Commonwealth Army

    • 82nd Infantry Regiment
    • 83rd Infantry Regiment

Philippine Constabulary

  • Cebu PC Battalion
Strength
4,500 6,500
Casualties and losses
500 1,000

On April 14, 1942 Kawaguchi Detachment who just landed in Lingayen, Pangasinan intended as reinforcement of the 14th Imperial Japanese Army to finally subdue Philippine-American forces in Bataan. However, General King surrendered days earlier before they arrived. Instead, General Homma Masaharu commander of 14th Army ordered them south to secure Cebu island in the Visayas intended as launching place for invasion of Mindanao after it is secured.[1]

The island garrison was neutralized after a few days of fighting as they lacked artillery guns, no anti-aircraft guns, no antitank guns, and limited ammunition. The forces retreated but did not surrender until ordered to do so by General Sharp on May 10, 1942.[1]

  1. ^ a b Tarkington, Hiram (November 1, 1941 – May 12, 1942). There Were Others (PDF). pp. 264–296.