Vanderpool's Letter of Instructions to Quintin Gellidon to Establish Pony Express, January 1945
[TRANSCRIPTION]
Col. Jay D. Vanderpool was the Liaison Officer sent by Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) Command to southern Luzon, including Batangas, to coordinate guerrilla activities in the area in preparation for the Allied invasion. Transcriptions of a selection of his communications either with guerrilla units or offices of the United States Army are compiled in this section. In this page is a transcription1 of a letter of instructions written by Vanderpool to his assistant, Guerrilla Colonel Quintin Gellidon, just before the landing of the United States Eighth Army on the beaches of Nasugbu.
JOINT INTELLIGENCE CENTER NUMBER [unreadable]
Notes and references:
1 “Magallanes Unit, 48th Special Regt, 47th Div, Hunters ROTC,” File 307-34, online at the United States National Archives.
Col. Jay D. Vanderpool was the Liaison Officer sent by Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) Command to southern Luzon, including Batangas, to coordinate guerrilla activities in the area in preparation for the Allied invasion. Transcriptions of a selection of his communications either with guerrilla units or offices of the United States Army are compiled in this section. In this page is a transcription1 of a letter of instructions written by Vanderpool to his assistant, Guerrilla Colonel Quintin Gellidon, just before the landing of the United States Eighth Army on the beaches of Nasugbu.
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| Left: Col. Vanderpool. Image credit: ARSOF History. Right: Filipino soldiers being inspected. Image credit: US National Archives. |
27 January 1945
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Subject To |
: Letter of Instruction. : Colonel Quintin Gellidon. |
1. You will immediately proceed to the Cavite-Laguna area and establish a series of Pony Express Stations between this Headquarters and Carmona, Cavite in accordance with the instruction of Lieutenant General Krueger, Commanding General SIXTH ARMY.
2. The following route is recommended: This Headquarters-Magallanes-Indang-Silang-Carmona. You are authorized to deviate slightly from this route if a more rapid and secure route can be determined.
3. You will contact all major guerrilla units along the route and direct that all loyal organizations assist in securing this route and guaranteeing the safe passage of all official couriers.
4. A minimum of five (5) horses is considered necessary at each relay station. The nearest Guerrilla Commander to the station that you select will be requested to furnish the horses and PONY EXPRESS RIDERS.
5. This service will be available for all loyal guerrilla organizations but priorities will be given to orders from General Headquarters SWPA, Headquarters SIXTH ARMY and to intelligence information being forwarded to this Headquarters.
6. Lateral routes will be established between Magallanes and Maragondon and between Indang and Quintana. The axial route to Carmona will receive first priority.
7. A report will be submitted to this Headquarters of any organizations that do not desire to cooperate in this plan.
8. PONY EXPRESS RIDERS will ride day and night while carrying orders from GHQ SWPA of Headquarters SIXTH ARMY and while carrying intelligence reports.
9. Attached herewith are passes to identify PONY EXPRESS RIDERS. These passes will be distributed as you deem necessary.
(SGD) Jay D Vanderpool
Major General Staff Corps, AUS
Major General Staff Corps, AUS
Certified True Copy:
[Sgd.] Col. QUINTIN GELLIDON
Copy furnished:
Town Commander
Magallanes, Cavite
Notes and references:
1 “Magallanes Unit, 48th Special Regt, 47th Div, Hunters ROTC,” File 307-34, online at the United States National Archives.