Post by Karl Welteke on Sept 24, 2020 8:49:54 GMT 8
Battle of Balete Pass.
This is an album of pictures from NARA. They are images in the Record Group 111:
Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 – 1985 Series:
U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographs of Military Activity During World War II, Balete Pass.
This is the NARA URL:
catalog.archives.gov/id/80666052
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Battle of Balete Pass. From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalton_Pass
The Japanese strategy during the Battle of Luzon was to fight a delaying retreat from Baguio to Bayombong, and then to a final defensive position in Kiangan, Ifugao.[2]:Map 2,88,99 The pass was the only access between Central Luzon and the Cagayan Valley, and was the scene of much bloody fighting in the Battle of Luzon, during the final stages of World War II.
Balete Pass lies along Highway 5 from San Jose City and Santa Fe, and became a defensive position for Tomoyuki Yamashita's forces. A similar defensive battle was fought at Salacsac Pass, along the Villa Verde Trail joining San Nicolas and Santa Fe.[2]:Map 2 and 4
Japanese Gen. Yoshiharu Iwanaka's 2nd Tank Division fought a retreating battle from San Jose to Dupax, before confronting the American 32nd Division, under the command of Maj. Gen. William H. Gill, at Salacsac Pass in early March 1945.[2]:70–72 That left the Japanese 10th Division, under the command of Lt. Gen. Yasuyuki Okamoto, to confront the American 25th Division, under the command of Maj. Gen. Charles L. Mullins, at Balete Pass.[2]:83,98
According to Ogawa, "When Balete was about to be captured, those unable to move were left to die after much pain and agony. Some of the more fortunate were given potassium cyanide or hand grenades to dispose of themselves quickly."[2]:98 The Americans took the Balete area on 31 May 1945.[2]:102
The Japanese lost 7,750 at Balete Pass, and 5,410 at Salacsac Pass.[2]:Map 2 The Battle of Balete Pass incurred the death of 685, and the wounding of 2,090, 25th Division American soldiers between 21 Feb. and 31 May 1945.[1]:539 The Battle of Villa Verde Trail, or the Battle of Salacsac Pass, cost the American 32nd Division, 825 killed, and 2,160 wounded.[1]:539 The casualties among Filipino Commonwealth regulars, Constabulary and guerrillas were 285 killed and 1,134 wounded in battle. The Japanese 10th Division and 2nd Tank Division were finished as effective combat units.[1]:510,535
The pass is named for General James Dalton II, who was killed by a sniper during the battle.
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Zd122. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded in high resolution from NARA.
Zd123. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd124. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Zd125. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd126. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Zd127. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd128. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Zd129. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd130. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Zd131. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd132. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Note from Karl: This marker is still in place, check this URL: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1694/villa-verde-trail-balete-dalton
Zd133. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd134. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Zd135. This is the description for the previous image.
Zd136. This is an WWII 1945 image of the Battle of the Balete Pass, fought by the 25th Division, to liberate North Luzon and defeat the Japanese Army. This picture was downloaded from NARA look for the source information above.
Zd137. This is the description for the previous image.