With 100,000 GI's pouring
down Luzon's two main highways towards Manila, MacArthur predicted that Yamashita would
have sufficient time to have his troops make an orderly evacuation
towards the hills. Reconnaissance showed as much. Rear Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi, was not under
Army
command, and had 30,000 sailors and marines available to fight, even if
Yamashita would not. He began his defense by ordering the clearance from the population of any possible
guerrilla force. This commenced a war crime of massive and
unprecedented proportions and barbarity. This aerial photo shows
Intramuros (at left), City Hall (at right) The Post Office (center) and
the commercial district (north of the Pasig River) and precious few
defenders.