Capt. Avelino Tapia’s History of the Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team was a small resistance organization operating out of the Municipality of Tanauan during the Japanese occupation and the liberation period. It was supposedly founded by one Avelino T. Tapia in July 1942 but failed to gain official recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. Some of its members, however, were recognized likely with other outfits or as individuals. In this page is a transcription1 of a brief summary of the activities of this guerrilla organization prepared by one Capt. Avelino Tapia.
BATANGAS FIL-AMERICAN GUERRILLAS
TANAUAN GUERRILLA COMBAT TEAM
ATTACHED 2ND BATTALION 187TH INF PARAGLIDER
11TH AIRBORNE DIVISION
15 March 1945
ORGANIZED 5 FEBRUARY ‘45
BRIEF HISTORY
From 15 July 1942, commenced noting the Japanese movements in the towns of Tanauan, Talisay, Sto. Tomas, Malvar, Lipa, & Rosario, of Batangas, and recruiting members, and contacting other guerrilla leaders.
June 1944, commenced actual combat operations against Japanese patrols charged with requisitioning of food stuffs from the civilians. Area covered northeastern shore of Taal Lake.
February 27, 1945, made contact with Col. QUINTIN GELLIDON & Major SCHOMMER, in Tagaytay City Command Post: CO overall guerrilla units attached to the 11th Airborne Division.
Submitted reports about the conditions of the Japs in the towns of Tanauan, Sto. Tomas, & Makulot Mountain, of Batangas province, and we were given our assignment and sector of attack to the enemies by Col. Gellidon.
March 1, 1945, assembled the men on the northeastern shore of Taal Lake.
March 15, 1945, destroyed two trucks loaded with Japanese soldiers in the barrio Payapa, which trucks are bound for Malvar, coming from Lipa.
March 20 to April 10, 1945, taken to Makulot Mt for patrol under Capt ROBERT, supporting Company G, of LT SIGEL.
April 10 to 22, 1945, taken to Sapac Mt for patrol under Capt BAWERS, through Lt MCDONALD: Sgt JACK CROUSE, in-charge, and supported with two tanks with 75 mm guns.
April 25 to May 1, 1945, stationed in Natatas, in Tanauan, to rest, with the 2nd Bn of the 187th Inf Paraglider, 11th Airborne Division.
May 1 to July 23, 1945, used and assigned for policing the municipality of Tanauan from Japanese stragglers through the order of Col. Pearson, CO 187th Inf. Paraglider, 11th Airborne Division, through Lt Joseph Weider and Captain Schlubach.
Commanding, Tanauan
Combat Team