77th Infantry Division at Ormoc, Leyte, Philippines; December 7-12, 1944

Описание: This footage was filmed in December 1944 as the 77th Infantry Division was in combat at Ormoc on Leyte.

"At 1830 General Bruce issued verbal orders for the attack on 10 December. Ormoc was the target. The 307th and 306th Infantry Regiments were to move out abreast. The 307th Infantry would attack along the highway to its front while the 306th Infantry would move to the northeast and attempt to envelop the opposing enemy force. The 305th Infantry initially was to remain in position and defend its part of the line.

Ormoc, the largest and most important commercial center in western Leyte, possessed a concrete and pile pier at which a vessel with a sixteen-foot draft, and two smaller vessels, could anchor at the same time. On the route to Ormoc and in the town itself, the Japanese dug strong defensive positions. The favored sites were in bamboo thickets, on reverse slopes, along creek beds, and under buildings. Individual spider holes about six feet deep were covered with logs and earth and 'beautifully camouflaged.' Against such positions, artillery and mortar fire did little more than daze the defenders.

Each position had to be searched out and destroyed."

(from "Leyte: The Return to the Philippines" by M. Hamlin Cannon" courtesy of HyperWar Foundation website)

Source: NARA, 111-ADC-2932
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