Historical Report (Operations) (Cont'd)

the enemy to be withdrawing the bulk of his forces to the South away from the regimental combat team zone of action. Consequently, on 11 May the 40th division issued orders relocating the regimental combat team (less one battalion), on the division right flank. The third battalion was attached to the 185th Regimental Combat Team and continued its advance on the division left flank. The new regimental combat team mission was to advance to the North and cut the enemy supply and evacuation route to the Southeast; thus containing the balance of the enemy forces in the PATOG HILL 4055 area which the 160th Regimental Combat Team and 185th Regimental Combat Team closed in from the North, Fighting up—hill through heavy rain forest, ravines and steep mountainous areas our forces, supported by aerial and artillery action, succeeded in their mission by emplacing strong forces across the enemy’s evacuation route on 26 May. Extensive combat patrolling from this position effectively broke up all organized resistance and forced the remainder to flee deep into the mountains. On 4 June all infantry elements of the 40th Division, including the 503d Regimental Combat Team, were relieved from the objective area by the 7th Philippine Military District Forces. The mission of the latter was to pursue and destroy the enemy that could be found and contain the remainder in the mountains, denying it access to food or supplies.