Philippine Department
The Philippine Department (The Battling Bastards of Bataan) was a regular US Army unit, defeated in the Philippines, during World War II. The mission of the Philippine Department was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army.
The primary force of the Department was the Philippine Division. The Philippine Division consisted of ~10,000 troops, composted mostly of enlisted Pilipinos, known as the Philippine Scouts.
The Department and, it's sub-units, were predominantly under the command of American officers, including an American general. Of the Philippine Scouts within the Division proper, 15 were officers.
Patch of the Philippine Department
The patch is a 2.5 inch oval, blue embroidered, patch with a white embroidered Sea Lion holding a sword. The design is derived from the coat of arms of Spain.
Commanders of the Philippine Department
- 1928 - October 1930 -- Major General MacArthur
- January 22, 1936 - 1938 -- Major General Lucius Roy Holbrook
- May, 1940 - November, 1941 -- Major General George Grunert
- December 1941 - May 6, 1942 -- Lieutenant General Mayhew Wainwright IV
History of the Philippine Department
This unit was formally organized in 1913 and on July 26, 1941, was attached to US Army Forces - Far East (USAFFE). During World War II, on May 6, 1942, the unit surrended to the Japanese.
Organization Under USAFFE
At the time of USAFFE's formation, the unit consisted of 22,532 troops, of which 11,972 were Philippine Scouts. Of the 1,340 officers, 775 were reservists. 7,293 troops were assigned to the infantry and 4,967 were assigned to the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bay. The majority of the troops were stationed on Luzon.
Of the 22,532 troops, 10,473 were members of the Philippine Division, itself containing 2,552 Americans and 7,921 Pilipinos. All of the enlisted men, with the exception of the 31st Infantry Regiment and various military police and headquarters troops, were Philippine Scouts.
The Philippine Division in July 1941
General Headquarters and Headquarters Company (181):
- Philippine Division (10,473)
- 31st Infantry Regiment (2,131)
- 45th Infantry Regiment (2,265 -)
- 43rd Infantry Regiment (PS) (329)
- 57th Infantry Regiment (2,279 -)
- 23rd Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (401) (2.95in)
- 24th Field Artillery Regiment (843) (75mm)
- 14th Engineering Regiment (870)
- 12th Ordnance Company (142)
- 12th Signal Regiment (227)
- 12th Military Police Company (136)
- 12th Medical Regiment (421)
- 12th Quartermaster Regiment (592)
- 4th Veteran Company (11)
- Special Troops (5)
- Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays (4,967)
- 26th Cavalry Regiment (838)
- 86th Field Artillery Regiment (388)
- 88th Field Artillery Regiment (518)
- 808th Military Police Company
The Philippine Department in 1914
General Headquarters:
Troops:
- Field Hospital and Ambulance Company Number 4
- Headquarters Company K, 3rd Engineers
- Headquarters Company L, 3rd Engineers
- Company F, Signal Corps
- Company L, Signal Corps
- 7th Cavalry Brigade
- 8th Cavalry Brigade
- 2nd Field Artillery
- Coast Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays
- 8th Infantry Regiment
- 13th Infantry Regiment
- 24th Infantry Regiment
- China Expedition (15th Infantry)
See also: