America's Encirclement Strategy

Lasting only a month in 1945, The Battle of Manila was an intense and vicious battle in which outnumbered Japanese troops were defeated by U.S. troops. The fierce battle occurred in Manila of the Philippine islands from February 3rd to March 3rd in 1945 near the end of World War II. Japanese had captured the Philippine Islands three years prior to this battle, and this was the chance American troops had to liberate the Philippines. Encirclement strategy and clear objectives are what allowed the United States to come out victorious in this battle. The Battle of Manila became known as one of the most brutal for urban warfare and was far more violent than any war following it in the Pacific region of World War II. The once great culture and city
General Oscar Griswold of the United States led 35,000 U.S. troops into battle with the aid of few Filipino soldiers to face off against an outnumbered army of 17,000 Japanese troops led by Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji. The United States strategy was to encircle the Japanese troops and have three objectives: to liberate the University of Santos Tomas, seize the Malacanang Palace, and reclaim the legislative building of Manila in order to take back control of the Philippine Islands. The Japanese strategy was to fight to the last man and never give up on their beloved emperor. The United States planned on winning with ease as they planned the celebration before their victory. It proved slightly more difficult, yet in the end, more resources, troops, and a better strategy saw the United States come out victorious, with Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji even committing suicide with anticipated defeat and loss of honor in Japan. The United States ended up losing 1,010 soldiers with over 5,000 wounded and the Japanese lost over 16,000 troops in the battle as they attempted to fight to the last
These crimes committed by the Japanese included murder of innocent civilians, rape of their women, and destruction of property and way of life. These Japanese war crimes in Manila became known as the Manila Massacre for the brutality and countless misconducts performed. Over 100,000 Filipino citizens were killed by defeated and irked Japanese soldiers. After the war, these crimes did not go unpunished as a Japanese leader, General Yamashita, was got the blame for these crimes and was eventually hung. The Manila Massacre was the result of undisciplined and frustrated Japanese soldiers that anticipated defeat and capture by American troops that resulted in the death of over 100,000 innocent Filipino