The Price of Postage PTO (id:#65867)

(HASL 11 - Sword & Fire: Manila ID: SF14)   [next]   [previous]

Manila, Luzon, Philippines 1945-02-22 (5 others)

Overview:

While the 3rd Battalion was trying to secure the City Hall, the 1st Battalion of the 145th Infantry Regiment was preparing to attack the General Post Office. Situated along the south shore of the Pasig River, the five-story tall Post Office building was made from reinforced steel and the strongest concrete available, designed to withstand the most severe earthquakes. From its many windows the defenders could cover all the eastern approaches to Intramuros and interdict any movement along the riverbank. Direct fire from tanks and most artillery did little damage. All the rooms were heavily barricaded, with doorways and hallway entrances reinforced with floor to ceiling sandbags up to ten feet thick. Three days of continuous shelling preceded the final infantry attack on 22 February. Entering through a second-story window, the men of 1st Battalion cautiously advanced down the corridors.

Defender: Japanese (2nd Provisional Army Battalion)  

Errata (source)