09 January, 1945
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The United States Army under General Douglas MacArthur landed at Bonuan (Blue Beach) in Lingayen, Pangasinan near Dagupan, which liberation forces fanned out without resistance to Central Luzon.
MacArthur’s forces unexpectedly landed at Lingayen Gulf which took the enemy by surprise, which the Japanese could not offer stiff resistance, particularly because the number of their airplanes had dwindled. The Japanese, in desperation, retreated to the mountains, while those in Manila prepared for a last-ditch battle.
On July 4, 1945, MacArthur succesfully proclaimed the liberation of the country from Japanese forces.
(Ref: Philippine News Agency Archives; Photo from www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history/pictures/allied-military-leaders/general-douglas-macarthur-with-pipe-in-mouth)
