The gloomiest Christmas

Publisher: The Zambales Association, Inc.

Google search “Dawasan Blogger” for easy access.

The gloomiest Christmas

 A concise overview of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and its effect on Christmas 1941. By Mike Colorado.

On December 7, 1941, at 7:48 a.m., the Japanese Empire launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, sinking ships and destroying airfields in Hawaii. The next day, December 8, 1941, U.S. General Richard K. Sutherland, Chief of Staff of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, received the news in the Philippines while Japanese planes bombed Davao Harbor and Airfield at around 9:30 a.m., prompting an immediate heightened alert by the US and the Philippine Armed Forces.

Before midday on December 9, numerous Japanese aircraft operating at high altitudes attacked Camp John Hay in Baguio and Clark Air Field in Angeles City. Resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, as well as the destruction of 17 bombers and other small aircraft. At 4 p.m., the airfield in Iba, Zambales was also attacked by Japanese aircraft, which destroyed numerous U.S. Army airplanes and caused casualties among soldiers and civilians.

As a result, the Zambales town leaders organized their self-defense forces, known today as guerilla fighters. They bonded at night and remained good farmers and fathers of the family during the day. Their leader was Ramon Magsaysay, and they were based in the mountains of Pinatubo.

It's interesting to note that on December 9, 1941, the residents of Manila were leaving the city for places safe from air bombardment. Top destinations included Antipolo, Tagaytay, Marikina, San Mateo, Montalban, and some towns in Bulacan. Prominent families were among those who fled the city.

On the evening of December 9th, 1941, with the moon shining brightly, three air raid alarms sounded as enemy planes attacked Nichols Field (now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and Fort McKinley (now Fort Bonifacio) in Taguig City. The military targets were clearly visible in the clear night sky.

According to an eyewitness account of Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz, a U.S. Silver Star recipient, the initial enemy landings were reported in Cagayan and Ilocos Sur on December 10, 1941. While the invasion was ongoing, enemy high-flying planes bombed the Cavite Navy Yard, making the defensive anti-aircraft guns ineffective. Two days later, on December 12, 1941, Japanese soldiers were reported to be landing in Legaspi and Davao.

The Japanese systematic assaults continued by air, land, and sea. Their superiority in air and sea has enabled them to make simultaneous landings in Lingayen Gulf and Lamon Bay. By now, the Japanese army was marching inside the heartland of the Philippine Islands at will without much resistance. 

The headquarters of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) in Manila has been moved to Corregidor, along with the commander, Douglas MacArthur. The city was declared an 'open city' — meaning the defenses have been moved elsewhere.

During that time, the weather was warm and dry during the day, while the evenings were cooler. The sky was a sight to behold, with thousands of stars shining brightly in the dark heavens above.

Christmas 1941: Despite the uncertain threat in communities scattered across the islands, individuals remained dedicated to singing traditional carols and displaying Christmas decorations, such as parols and items in their homes. There was no gift-giving like usual. If there aren't any Japanese soldiers around, the children continue to play in the streets.

In the provinces, the people stayed true to their traditional practice of pounding sweet rice to make pinipig while singing their native songs. Whispers of guidance, safety, and child protection were significant issues they faced. Life, as they knew it, was no longer the same.

Humor is part of life, even in war. Some people greet Japanese soldiers shouting 'Bangkay!' (A Tagalog word for cadaver, carcass) instead of 'Banshee!' When they come around to check out the gatherings. They tried to make the best of every possible situation to maintain their good senses.

Teodoro M. Locsin, Sr., a journalist and publisher of the Philippine Free Press, recorded in his diary that on December 25, 1941, a radio broadcast ordered people to leave Manila within 24 hours. People were worried about how they were going to transport their belongings out of the city. Later, the announcer clarified during the broadcast that the city that needed to be evacuated was Cebu, not Manila, as many had misunderstood. Despite the confusion, Teodoro M. Locsin said it was still a Merry Christmas.

There were good and bad people living in every community across the nation. Some were Japanese collaborators, often referred to as makapili or informers. They were directly involved in the killing and execution of defenseless civilians. Some successfully concealed their identities and maintained a prominent lifestyle until their death. 

The Japanese occupation of the Philippines resulted in days, months, and years of unspeakable suffering and torture for the Filipinos, who were made to perform duties and endured many forms of exploitation, including the enslavement and sexual assault of women. Despite this, the people never gave up and refused to accept their fate. (Pictured left: Death March) << Click the link to learn more.

Vice President Harry Truman assumed office as the 33rd president on April 12, 1945, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and he devoted his entire administration to the war effort. Having never received a briefing on the development of the atomic bomb, he was taken aback when he first learned about the atomic project because so few people were bound by oaths of secrecy.

To save lives, an envoy was sent to Japan to request its surrender, but he was met with frank rejection. This was done before the use of the atomic bomb was given serious consideration. 

For those reasons, on August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The two cities were chosen because they made the largest contributions to Japan's ability to produce the weaponry required to support its massive aspirations for war.

And for the first time in Japan's history, the people were confronted with the unimaginable destructive power of atomic energy. So on September 2, 1945, Japan unconditionally renounced its sovereignty in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri.

Even though the Philippines was saved from total humiliation at the end of World War II, many Filipino soldiers who fought alongside American soldiers were not given the same respect as American veterans. See Recognizing the Extraordinary Contribution of Filipino Veterans  

It took the United States Congress several years to enact laws acknowledging their services to the war effort following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's call to arms. -  

____________________________________________________________________________________________

<<<   Back >>>