Miscellaneous Documents on the District Special Troops, Hunters-ROTC
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Hunters-ROTC was a large guerrilla organization founded in Rizal but which relocated its headquarters to the western Batangas town of Nasugbu as the liberation of Luzon neared. It had many units operating in many areas of Luzon and its 49th Regiment was based in Batangas. This regiment’s “Special District Troops” appear to be supplemental rosters of the guerrilla organization to those that had already been recognized by the United States Army. In this page are transcriptions1 of an assortment of documents related to the District Special Troops’ application for official recognition by the United States Army.
[p. 1]
HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
Col. Gerald F Lillard:
UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
THE HUNTERS or ROTC GUERRILLAS
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
GUERRILLA GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
NASUGBU, BATANGAS
M E S S A G E
1st Indorsement
Notes and references:
1 “District Special Troops, 49th Regt., 47th Div., HUNTERS-ROTC,” File No. 307-38, online at the United States National Archives.
The Hunters-ROTC was a large guerrilla organization founded in Rizal but which relocated its headquarters to the western Batangas town of Nasugbu as the liberation of Luzon neared. It had many units operating in many areas of Luzon and its 49th Regiment was based in Batangas. This regiment’s “Special District Troops” appear to be supplemental rosters of the guerrilla organization to those that had already been recognized by the United States Army. In this page are transcriptions1 of an assortment of documents related to the District Special Troops’ application for official recognition by the United States Army.
[Letter from the US Army on Non-Recognition.]
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
| GSCPU 091 PI |
APO 707 3 Mar 47. |
Mr. Calixto Gasilao
Nasugbu, Batangas
Philippines
Dear Mr. Gasilao:
The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the District Special Troops, Hunters ROTC, purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, has not been favorably considered for recognition.
It is felt that the number of men recognized in the Miguel Ver Regiment, Hunters ROTC, a composite unit of the overall command, under Col Eleuterio Adevoso, constitutes a just and adequate acknowledgement of the military services performed by the Hunters ROTC Unit.
This decision does not preclude individual requests for casualty recognition by injured personnel who desire to enter such claims. Upon request from interested individuals, appropriate casualty forms will be forwarded.
Sincerely,
[No signatory provided.]
[No signatory provided.]
Col. Gerald F Lillard:
Basic, ltr fr Calixto Gasilao, Nasugbu, Batangas to CG, PHILRYCOM, requesting recgn of the District Special Troops, Hunters ROTC.
Lt. Charles L. Homewood.
Concur: Maj C. H. Wentzell, Chief, Unit Investigation Section
Concur: Lt Col S J Palos, Chief, Unit Branch
[p. 2]
[Letter from Hunters-ROTC CO to Calixto Gasilao.]
CPW: THE HUNTERS
1400 o’clock
1400 o’clock
Dear GASILAO, Major
This is to congratulate you for all the hit intelligence reports you have been submitting lately. I may with authority state here that the Batangas units are doing mighty fine with their intelligence, and my personal opinion as well that of the opinion of Lt Col CASTILLO and Maj Vanderpool is that yours is about the best lately. You have been sending us just the kind of information that we needed… STRENGTH REPORTS AND LOCATION, ENEMY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS, order of battle, material, etc. That’s good. I am confident that sooner or later, you will be giving out more info on enemy identification or names of commanders.
SOUTHERN LUZON is nearing its Zero Hour. Landing in Lingayen has already taken place about five days ago. ORDERS FOR ALL UNITS TO STRIKE AT ENEMY COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN SENT OUT. Destroy his communications. Destroy any equipment of the Japanese. Destroy. But do not fighter personnel yet. The guerrillas’ fighting power shall be utilized at the opportune time later. We are awaiting for your arms yet. In the meantime, keep on with the training, and I know that you are doing it.
AMBUSH UNPROTECTED OFFICERS AND MESSENGERS. Capture their documents. Take the officers alive to be sent to Leyte.
Keep on with the brilliant intelligence work that you have begun lately. All are doing well. And you are doing best.
/s/ Terry Magtangol
/t/ TERRY MAGTANGOL
Commanding
/t/ TERRY MAGTANGOL
Commanding
NB: I had sent Lt COL DEL PILAR several aerial photos taken only last December 1944 of several places in Batangas. I am sorry the US Army has not so far taken photos of your sector, hence, I guess Lt COL Del Pilar will not be able to give you any for your intelligence.
Don’t get too impatient, boy. It’s coming. And they are coming, too.
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
[Sgd.] CALIXTO GASILAO
Capt Infantry (PA)
0-46399
[p. 3]
[Instructions to Gasilao on Transmittal of Reports.]
THE HUNTERS or ROTC GUERRILLAS
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
|
Subject
To Date |
: Instructions for transmittal of intelligence reports and other communications to Mindoro : Capt. C. Gasilao : 31 Dec. 1944 |
1. Accompanying are intelligence reports, official letters to Major Vanderpool and Lt.-Comdr. Nicholson, personal letters to the airmen who have been to this GHQ, and other letters, which must reach Mindoro by first available transportation.
2. A week ago, we dispatched Lt. Florencio Rada with many of these intelligence reports and letters, but he failed to get a boat for Mindoro.
3. We are afraid, however, many of these reports might lose their value if they do not reach GHQ, SWPA as soon as possible.
4. By all means, therefore, we expect you to reach Mindoro within three (3) days from this date and deliver these reports and letters safely to Lt.-Comdr. Nicholson. You shall report to this Headquarters within a week from today.
5. If the letters to Major Vanderpool cannot be delivered to him, please have them returned to this Headquarters.
6. You shall also get Lt.-Comdr. Nicholson’s reply to the letter to him enclosed.
7. For the present, we know of no other officer whom we known can “deliver the goods” except you.
8. Good luck and Happy New Year to you.
/s/ Terry Magtangol
/t/ TERRY MAGTANGOL
Colonel, Infantry
Commanding
/t/ TERRY MAGTANGOL
Colonel, Infantry
Commanding
Encls.
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
[Sgd.] CALIXTO GASILAO
Capt Infantry (PA)
0-46399
[p. 4]
[Commendations from Maj. Jay Vanderpool.]
GUERRILLA GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
NASUGBU, BATANGAS
20 Feb 45
|
SUBJECT T0 |
: COMMENDATION AND PRESENTATION OF GARAND RIFLES : MAJ. CALIXTO GASILAO HUNTERS C.O. 1st. BN. Thru C.O. 49th Regiment |
1. This is to extend to you and to the men under your command a high commendation for your deeds in meeting enemy patrol on land and on shore.
(a) On Feb. 10 – At Matabuncay, you captured 1 Jap motorboat, killed 3 Japs, wounding 7 Japs.
(b) On Feb. 12 – At Talin Pt., you captured 1 Jap motorboat, killed 2 Japs.
(c) On Feb. 13 – At Balibago, Talin Pt., you captured 2 Jap motorboats, and killed 4 Jap officers.
(d) On Feb. 15 – At Talin Pt., you captured 2 Jap motorboats, killed 2 Jap officers.
2. All of these daring deeds have merited these commendations and a present of six (6) Garand rifles from the High Command.
BY ORDER OF:
JAY D. VANDERPOOL
MAJ. GSC, U.S. ARMY
GUERRILLA COMMANDER
MAJ. GSC, U.S. ARMY
GUERRILLA COMMANDER
DISTRIBUTION:
1 – Maj. C. Gasilao
1 – 49th Regiment
1 – Maj. J. D. Vanderpool
1 – Capt. Schommer
1 – C.O. Hunters
1 – C.O. Rear Area
1 – Lt. C. Rogers
1 - File
1 – 49th Regiment
1 – Maj. J. D. Vanderpool
1 – Capt. Schommer
1 – C.O. Hunters
1 – C.O. Rear Area
1 – Lt. C. Rogers
1 - File
GM/jpm
[p. 5]
[Request from Lt. John Sigler.]
14 February 1945
MAJOR GASILAO
STEPHEN CINCO HAS BEEN OF GREAT SERVICE TO HIS UNIT AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH IF YOU WILL ALLOW HIM TO RETURN TO US.
JOHN SIGLER
1st Lt. CAC
1st Lt. CAC
Allow this fellow to go with Lt. Sigler.
J. del Pilar
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
[Sgd.] CALIXTO GASILAO
Capt Infantry
0-46399
[p. 6]
[Order to sink Japanese Q-boats.]
14. Feb. 45
To: Major Gasilao
If you have not turned in the Q-boats that you captured, you are hereby ordered to sink them. All other Q-boats that you captured should be dealt with similarly. The Navy will fire at all enemy boats coming in.
By order of Lt. Col. Farren
(Sgd.) J. DEL PILAR
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
[Sgd.] CALIXTO GASILAO
Capt Infantry (PA)
0-46399
[p. 7.]
[Order to defend Wawa Point.]
1 Feb 45
Gasilao:
Send one platoon to Wawa Point to report to US Army Cmdr there to help defend the point. Keep remainder of men at present position.
(Sgd.) Van
Maj
Maj
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
[Sgd.] CALIXTO GASILAO
Capt Infantry (PA)
0-46399
Notes and references:
1 “District Special Troops, 49th Regt., 47th Div., HUNTERS-ROTC,” File No. 307-38, online at the United States National Archives.