Battle for Talisay

One of the least reported chronicles of the fighting between the American forces and the Japanese during World War II was in the attack on Talisay, Occidental Negros on March 31-April 2, 1945.

The plan of the US 40th Division, the unit tasked to clear the island of Negros of Japanese, was to attack the Japanese in Talisay on April 1 because intelligence estimated that Bacolod would be defended heavily and that the Japanese had placed demolition charges in the bridges from Bacolod to Talisay.

When the Americans reached Bacolod on March 29 they halted at the southern outskirts of the city to assess the situation. The planned attack was for March 30. However when they entered Bacolod it was lightly defended so that a component of the 185th Regiment moved north towards Matab-ang while another unit swung towards Granada with the intention of providing pressure from the right flank of the attacking force in Talisay.

However, the reconnaissance and intelligence of the First Battalion of the 185th Regiment moving towards Granada met with stiff resistance around Kamingawan where the Japanese had dug in. The Americans tried to call for air strikes but the Japanese fox holes were too spread out bombing the area would not be effective. The Japanese had to be assaulted in close combat.

The rest of the battalion moved closer to the forward units and then halted. They were to hold until relieved by the 160th Regiment.

The Americans had reasons to hesitate in pursuing the enemy. A document captured by the Americans on March 30 directed all troops to defend Bacolod and thus protect the forward defense line. The Yamaguchi Butai was ordered to prevent the Americans from moving forward. In fact, Colonel Yamaguchi “apologized” to the people of Bacolod that “it is unfortunate that the streets of Bacolod will be used as a battleground.” As it turned out Yamaguchi decided to vacate Bacolod except for a rear guard unit.

In the case of Talisay, the town was vital to the protection of the Japanese left flank of Silay where the Americans were thought to land. Talisay must be defended lest its weakness would lead to the collapse of the defense of Silay.

The order to the Japanese 124th Airfield Battalion was to secure Silay which was the gateway to the main Japanese defense line in Patag. The order said that in the event the Americans are able to land and advance towards Talisay, the defenders should “annihilate them at the southern bridge river lines; also with the pillboxes located at the fork of the provincial road, at the naval firm and on both sides of the cemetery as strong points (and) destroy the enemy in front of these positions.”

Other orders captured during this operation described the situation of the Japanese forces – it was an army in retreat. A captured diary with the name of Takanayaki described the scene: “Guimbalaon is congested because of retreating units. All civilians including women and children have retreated here. We don’t know what to do in these terrible conditions.” If Talisay fell, this retreating army would be cut down.

On mid-morning two patrols of the US 185th Regiment crossed Matab-ang River without incidence but when they reached Minuluang River just before the town proper, they found the bridge blown up. The patrols were subjected to machinegun and rifle fires from the north side of the river. One patrol moved two miles east and was able to cross the river under scattered rifle fires. As the patrol moved towards the town, it was met with heavy machinegun, rifle and mortar fires.

The Americans, however, responded with self-propelled howitzer guns (M7) and 81mm mortar, in concentration of fire on the Japanese position. After a while there was only silence. The Americans reported no casualties. It is not also reported how many Japanese were killed under the barrage of the guns and mortars.

The Americans halted to reorganize. They had reached Talisay one day ahead of schedule. The regiment had been engaged since their capture of Bago Bridge. Its other companies were stalled by strong resistance in Granada which must be captured lest it strikes the Americans in Talisay from Concepcion.

At eight in the morning of April 1, the Americans advanced followed two hours later by light tanks and a cannon company that attacked east of Talisay. It was met with stiff resistance near the Talisay cemetery-Tabayag Road. Five companies attacked but were repulsed and they had to halt and dig in for the night.

At eight in the morning of April 2, the fighting raged, the Americans attacking from the west along the Talisay-Binonga road and from the south. Two hours later the Americans entered Talisay unopposed. The Japanese main unit had escaped during the night. The next battleground was Concepcion.*

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