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| Visayan Force | |
|---|---|
| Lakas ng Islang Bisaya | |
 Visayas Forces | |
| Active | March 17, 1942 – April 19, 1942 |
| Disbanded | May 11, 1942 |
| Countries |  United States of America Philippine Commonwealth |
| Allegiance |  United States Army Philippine Commonwealth Army |
| Branch | Army, Navy, Army Air Corps |
| Type | Infantry, Quartermaster |
| Role | Territorial Defense |
| Size | 30,000 |
| Part of | United States Forces in the Philippines |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp X, Cantabaco, Cebu |
| Motto(s) | Baus Au (Get it back) |
| Equipment | M1917 Engfield .30 Caliber Bolt Action Rifles, M1923 Thompson .45 ACP Submachineguns, M2 Browning .30 Caliber Heavy Machineguns |
| Engagements | Japanese invasion of Panay Operation Baus Au |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Brigadier General Bradford G. Chynoweth, USA |
| US Forces in the Philippines Commands | ||||
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The Visayan Force was a short-lived US military organization formed during the Philippines Campaign (1941-1942) of World War II. It was created chiefly from elements of the Visayas-Mindanao Force that were located on the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines and was activated on March 17, 1942, when General Douglas MacArthur departed for Australia. Its mission was to resist Japanese landings on the islands and prepare for ongoing guerilla warfare, but it suffered from a shortage of rifles and ammunition and from a complete lack of artillery. The Japanese invaded Cebu, the location of the Force's headquarters, on April 16 to 19, 1942. The headquarters lost contact with the other islands and General Wainwright ordered the Mindanao Force to take command of them.[1] Eventually all forces in the Visayas were ordered to surrender on May 11, 1942, though some units evaded surrender and carried on as guerrillas.
- ^ Morton, Louis (March 4 – May 12, 1942). The Fall of the Philippines (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: US Government Printing Press (published July 26, 1953). pp. 501–502.