Post by The Phantom on Jun 29, 2009 7:43:12 GMT 8
From "THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES"
26th Cavalry action, last actual cavalry action in the history of the United States Cavalry?
Japanese heading South towards Manila after their landing to the North.
"The action of December 24th put the Japanese in a position for the final drive towards the Agno River. At 0500, with the 4th tank regiment in the lead, the Japanese made contact with the 26th Cavalry outposts north and west of Binalonan. Although the Scouts had no anti tank guns, they were able to stop the first attack.
The tanks then swung west to bypass the American positions, leaving the Infantry to continue the fight for Binalonan.
By 0700 the 26th Cavalry had blunted the assault and inflicted many casualties on the enemy.
Pursuing their their advantage, the Scouts counterattacked and the Japanese had to send in more tanks to stop the 26th Cavalry.
Even with the aid of the tanks, the Japanese made no progress.
Sometime during the morning the 2D Formosa joined the attack, and the Cavalrymen found themselves in serious trouble.
To heavily engaged to break off the action and retire, they continued to fight on.
At this juncture, General Wainwright arrived at Binalonan to see Sellack. He found neither General Sellack, who had gone to Wainwright's command Post to report, nor any 71st division troops
but he did find the 26th Cavalry, which now numbered 450 men.
He ordered Pierce to get his wounded men and supply train out as quickly as possible and to fight a delaying action before withdrawing Southeast across the Agno to Tayug.
For more than 4 hours the the cavalrymen held their position against overwhelming odds , and at 1530 began to withdraw.
By dusk the last elements had reached Tayug and the 2nd Formosa entered Binalonan.
" Here " said General Wainwright, himself a cavalryman, " Was true cavalry delaying action fit to make a man's heart sing. Pierce, that day, upheld the best tradition of the cavalry service."
If I'm not mistaken you can go to Binalonan today and see the old Church that was there at that time.
The church and courtyard are fenced in and appears to be a time capsule from the past. Huge, stately trees hundreds of years old shade the church courtyard.
(That's where you took me last year right Karl? About and hour from Subic, along the coast towards Manila?)
Good Halo Halo there.............
Worth a visit for many reasons.
What place did the church play in the fight?
When Wainwright says to get the wounded and "Supply Train" out, is the "Supply Train" he is referring to made up of horses?
26th Cavalry action, last actual cavalry action in the history of the United States Cavalry?
Japanese heading South towards Manila after their landing to the North.
"The action of December 24th put the Japanese in a position for the final drive towards the Agno River. At 0500, with the 4th tank regiment in the lead, the Japanese made contact with the 26th Cavalry outposts north and west of Binalonan. Although the Scouts had no anti tank guns, they were able to stop the first attack.
The tanks then swung west to bypass the American positions, leaving the Infantry to continue the fight for Binalonan.
By 0700 the 26th Cavalry had blunted the assault and inflicted many casualties on the enemy.
Pursuing their their advantage, the Scouts counterattacked and the Japanese had to send in more tanks to stop the 26th Cavalry.
Even with the aid of the tanks, the Japanese made no progress.
Sometime during the morning the 2D Formosa joined the attack, and the Cavalrymen found themselves in serious trouble.
To heavily engaged to break off the action and retire, they continued to fight on.
At this juncture, General Wainwright arrived at Binalonan to see Sellack. He found neither General Sellack, who had gone to Wainwright's command Post to report, nor any 71st division troops
but he did find the 26th Cavalry, which now numbered 450 men.
He ordered Pierce to get his wounded men and supply train out as quickly as possible and to fight a delaying action before withdrawing Southeast across the Agno to Tayug.
For more than 4 hours the the cavalrymen held their position against overwhelming odds , and at 1530 began to withdraw.
By dusk the last elements had reached Tayug and the 2nd Formosa entered Binalonan.
" Here " said General Wainwright, himself a cavalryman, " Was true cavalry delaying action fit to make a man's heart sing. Pierce, that day, upheld the best tradition of the cavalry service."
If I'm not mistaken you can go to Binalonan today and see the old Church that was there at that time.
The church and courtyard are fenced in and appears to be a time capsule from the past. Huge, stately trees hundreds of years old shade the church courtyard.
(That's where you took me last year right Karl? About and hour from Subic, along the coast towards Manila?)
Good Halo Halo there.............
Worth a visit for many reasons.
What place did the church play in the fight?
When Wainwright says to get the wounded and "Supply Train" out, is the "Supply Train" he is referring to made up of horses?