Attack Orders from Jay D. Vanderpool to All Guerrilla Units on the Eve of the Nasugbu Landing

30 January 1945

SUBJECT TO

: ATTACK ORDERS : (see distribution)

1. During the recent conference between the undersigned and all the leaders of the major guerrilla units in Cavite, he was informed that all units were ready to attack and destroy all Japs within their sphere of influence, with the arms and ammunition now at hand. They have requested authority to attack, the request for authority to GHQ, SWPA. The following message was received by radiogram:

TWO EIGHT JANUARY PD
VANDERPOOL FROM MACARTHUR PD ALL GUERRILLAS WILL
ATTACK UPON NOTIFICATION REPEAT NOTIFICATION
FROM THIS HEADQUARTERS PERIOD YOU COORDINATE
ALL GUERRILLA ACTIVITIES WEST OF LAGUNA DE BAY END.

This is our attack order. We will attack when we received the day and hour of attack so that we can make a simultaneous effort with the American Forces. We will not know the exact American plan but we will attack when ordered.

2. All of the enemy forces will be attacked simultaneously; therefore, the areas of responsibility and missions are as follows:

(a) R.O.T.C. (Busio): Will attack and destroy the enemy forces now located in Murang Dalig, then continue to West and destroy the enemy forces in Patungan; then attack the forces at Ternate from the West and destroy any enemy forces along this route. He will be responsible for the coastline between Ternate and Patungan.

(b) TAPARAN: Will attack Ternate with his main force from the West. He will mop up the small garrisons in this area. Taparan will be responsible for the area Naic (incl), Ternate (incl), and Maragondon.

(c) ERNE – Will attack and destroy all enemy forces within sector bounded on the East by the road between Rosario (incl), Quintana (incl), Tres Truces (incl), Indang (incl) and Mendez (incl).

When all the forces in this area have been destroyed, he will advance without delay to attack Cavite City. If IROGUIN IS already engaged in Cavite City, ERNE will attack on the West side of the road while IROGUIN attacked on the East side.

(d) IROGUIN: Will make his main effort against Cavite City. He will attack and destroy all enemy forces in the area bounded by Noveleta (incl), Dasmariñas (excl), Buena Vista (excl), General Trias (excl) and Cavite (incl).

(e) CASTAÑEDA, SAULOG: Will make joint attack and destroy all enemy forces within the area Kawit (incl), Dasmariñas (incl), Silang (incl), Santo Domingo (incl), Carmona (excl) and Bacoor (incl). He will attack and destroy all enemy forces attempting to enter Cavite through his sector from the East or South. Castañeda will command.

(f) TERRY: Will attack and destroy in turn all the enemy forces in Western Laguna, that part of Batangas west of Calamba-Lipa road and East of Lemery (incl) Area of Alitagtag – Bukal – Lipa – Mount Macolod Excluded.

(g) YAP: Will attack and destroy selected enemy forces in Western Laguna and coordinate his effort with the R.O.T.C.

(h) UMALI: Will attack and destroy selected enemy forces along the Calamba-Lipa-Rosario road with his Batangas forces.

(i) ROTC (Gasilao) NASUGBU-FIL-AMERICANS: Will make joint attack and destroy the enemy forces at Wawa and San Diego in turn, Villadolid and Perucho will command the joint action.

(j) MALAKAS DIVISION (AUSA) (less Golden Regiment VILLADOLID): Will attack and destroy the enemy forces along the improved road Balayan (incl) Lemery (excl). He will be responsible for this road.

3. After the initial objective has been reached and all enemy resistance overcome, commanders will immediately organize and attack upon the next objective will be launched so as not to give the enemy time to recover from the shock.

4. As soon as each objective has been taken, a report will be submitted to this Headquarters so that the Army Commander can [be] informed. Daily reports of action will be made.

5. All captured enemy arms will be issued to unarmed men so that we will become stronger as we advance.

6. After all enemy forces in the assigned sector have been overcome, reorganize and be prepared for another mission as directed by this Headquarters.

7. The simultaneous attack will be so sudden that accompanied by the American Army actions, the enemy will never recover to harass civilians and burn towns. This will prevent towns of this area from being burned to the ground like those of Tarlac. The more we attack the enemy, the less time he will have to commit atrocities.

8. If the paratroopers drop in your sector, attack all enemy forces moving to intercept them. WARNING! Do not allow armed men to rush to them as they will mistake you for Japanese troops in civilian clothing. The Americans will shoot first and ask questions afterwards. Send a liaison officer with a white American flag to meet them and offer your support.

9. Every effort will be made by commanders to supply their men with food during the operation. However, whether we eat or not, the battle must go on without a pause for the few days that will be necessary, in order that not a single enemy escapes his just fate and prevent the slaughtering of innocent civilians and the burning of their homes.

10. Petty bickering has been stopped by command of every major guerrilla commander contacted. We will all fight as one with every man and every organization fighting side by side for the common cause.

11. Units not given assignments in this order will attach themselves to such organization as they desire in order that they may receive orders and be able to act at the same time as all other allied forces.

12. This Headquarters will maintain communication with the American Forces and relay orders via radio or courier. At least one liaison officer will be at this Headquarters at all times after receipt of this order. This Headquarters will remain here until further notice.

13. We will attack with the supplies and arms now on hand, if additional supplies do not arrive on time. Each unit receiving this order will be prepared to send one hundred (100) armed men and two hundred (200) unarmed men for additional supplies to any point directed by this Headquarters any time after receipt of this order.

14. THE DAY OF RECKONING HAS COME. For three long years, the people of the Philippines have been robbed, starved and tortured with inhuman cruelty. In the brief two days of combat following the order to attack, we must at once for three years of hell from the cruel torture of innocents who has settled like a plague upon the freedom-loving People of the Philippines. Every man who has seen his loved ones suffer now has the opportunity to insure that the hated invader shall receive his just reward.

LET EVERY MAN GO INTO THE FIELD OF BATTLE WITH THE DETERMINATION THAT HE WILL NOT PAUSE FOR REST OR FOOD UNTIL EVERY JAPANESE IN THIS AREA IS DESTROYED!

JAY D. VANDERPOOL
MAJOR, General Staff Corps: AUS
Coordinator

1 GHQ, SWPA
1 TERRY
1 TAPARAN
1 ERNE
1 IROGUIN
1 CASTAÑEDA
1 SAULOG
1 DAYRIT
1 YAP
1 Perucho NASUGBU FIL-AMERICANS
1 Blue Division
1 Villadolid
2 File

Note: R. O. T. C. Busio has been erroneously placed as member of the R. O. T. C. Hunters in these attack orders. The truth and the fact is that Busio (Ambrosio Liwanag) is a bona fide member of the Nasugbu Fil-American Troops as may be seen from the roster of the Fil-Americans duly submitted for processing in the PA (see page 30-39).

[Sgd.] Col. JUAN M. VILLEGAS

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