Mindanao Force
Mindanao Force
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Mindanao Force

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Mindanao Force

Mindanao Force was a corps size military unit defending the island of Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines, from March 17, 1942, to its surrender on May 9, 1942. The force was created when the Visayas-Mindanao Force was split into two in March 1942. It was initiated in February 1942 in the headquarters of the United States Army Forces in the Far East, but took effect when General Douglas MacArthur departed for Australia on March 17, 1942.

Visayas-Mindanao Force (VMF) commander Major General William F. Sharp assumed command of the force since he moved his previous headquarters in January in that year. He retained his staffs from his previous VMF HQ to his Mindanao Force HQ and released Visayan Force to Brigadier General Bradford Chynoweth. Along with Luzon Force and Harbor Defense of Manila and Subic, both headquarters were to report directly to US Forces in the Philippines HQ in Corregidor under Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright IV.

The main mission of Mindanao Force was to protect Del Monte Field and construct more air fields around Mindanao so supplies from Australia could be flown in, in preparation for the relief of the Philippine Garrison by General MacArthur. This was not materialized, due to the grip of the Japanese forces in the Philippines and its surrender on May 10, 1942.

Back in January, General Sharp was able to transfer units from Visayas to Mindanao when he was still commander of Visayas and Mindanao. He was of lack of training of his forces, lack of weapons and ammunitions, and supplies. He brought along 81st Division under Brigadier General Guy O. Fort and ordered to relocate in Mindanao the following units, 73rd Infantry Regiment from Negros, 61st Infantry, 62nd Infantry, and 61st Field Artillery from Panay. He also had forces from Leyte which composed by 81st Infantry Regiment and 93rd Infantry Regiment that wasn't included during the transfer of 91st Division to Luzon. Bulk of the forces are now in Mindanao leaving only one division in Visayas.

Much of the Mindanao Force staffs are the same officers of defunct Visayas-Mindanao Force.

He divided the island into five defensive sector and place sector commanders on each and combat units to repulse Japanese landings. Zamboanga Peninsula sector, Misamis-Lanao sector, Cagayan Sector, Agusan Sector including Surigao provinces, and the largest Cotabato-Davao sector which covers the southern end of . All reserve forces are posted in the northern part of Bukidnon province.

Lanao Sector which included Misamis Occidental in Zamboanga Peninsula was commanded by Brigadier General Guy O. Fort who also commanded the 81st Division. He had his headquarters in Dansalan, Lanao (now Marawi City). He had 2nd Infantry Regiment a regular Philippine Army unit under Lieutenant Colonel Calixto Duque posted in Cotabato City. 61st Infantry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Mitchell posted in Malabang. 73rd Infantry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Robert Vessey was held in reserve to guard northern part of Lanao Province and Misamis Oriental.

Cagayan Sector was under the command of Colonel William P. Morse who also commanded the newly created 102nd Division. Under his command was 61st Field Artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Tarkington and 81st Field Artillery Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel John Woodridge, both regiments are fighting as infantry due to lack of artillery guns. 103rd Infantry Regiment under Major Joseph Webb, was transferred from 101st Division sector.

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