28
June
1945.
|
SUBJECT : |
Historical Report (Operations). Operation 1A
-
NEGROS (Occidental). |
|
TO : |
Commanding General, Eighth Army, APO
343. |
|
MAPS
: |
Negros 1:50,000, Negros 1:25,000, Negros
1:250,000. |
|
MISSION : |
To seize and occupy Northern NEGROS
(Occidental); to destroy hostile forces and reestablish
civil
government. |
The
503d
Regimental Combat Team was alerted on
25 March 1945
for a probable jump mission vicinity Alicante Airfield, Negros
Island, advance to the West and seize and
secure Saravia (town), then advance rapidly to the
South to
effect a junction with the 185th Regimenta1 Combat
Team in the vicinity Imbang River Bridge (17.2-10.2)
Preparations began immediately, which included
checking,
replacing combat equipment and detailed planning for the movement
and mission. Plans for the operation were completed and Field Order
#10 was distributed to the lower units 5 April 1945. Later in
the day orders were received from Headquarters, Eighth Army,
canceling the jump mission on the recommendation of the Commanding
General, 40th Division to the effect that the target area was clear
of enemy. Instead, orders were issued for an airborne movement to
Panay Island with subsequent waterborne movement to Negros Island
for a mission to be designated by the Commanding General, 40th
Division. Applying that portion of Field Order #10 as pertained to
an airborne movement, the move of the Regimental Combat Team (less
one battalion, reinforced) began on 6 April and was completed on 8
April with a landing at Pulupandan, Negros Island. The First
Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry, C Battery and elements of D
Battery, 462d Parachute Field Artillery remained on Mindoro
Island as Eighth Army reserves. The Regimental Combat Team then
entrucked for motorized movement to assembly area as assigned to by
Commanding General, 40th
Infantry
Division.
Primary
mission and
zone of action was assigned to the Regimental Combat Team and issued
on 8 April. (Operations overlay to accompany Field Order #17, dated
8 April 1945,
Headquarters, 40th
Infantry Division). The mission assigned to the
Regimental Combat Team was to seize Division Objective within its
zone, destroy all hostile forces encountered and protect the left
(N) (flank of the
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