Although assigned to the medical group, Bill says he has not been assigned a permanent role. However, he must be busy because he started this letter on the 23rd and didn’t finish it until the 26th of October. Although he doesn’t mention specific details, probably due to the censorship, he is involved in the invasion of Leyte.
He says the Filipinos are giving them a great reception, shouting Welcome Americans …. Wait for you long time. “We marched thru a town and a well dressed native lead the inhabitants in singing a chorus of ‘God Bless America’. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Bill goes on to say how poorly the Filipinos were treated by the Japanese. The people are undernourished and walk around in rags. Bill goes on to complement the Filipino Guerrillas for the contribution in beating the “Japs.” He describes an aerial battle, over in just minutes, with the downing of for Japanese planes.
Actions of the 1st Cavalry Division between October 23 and 26, 1944
The 1st Cavalry Division was actively engaged in combat operations, advancing inland, and securing key objectives on Leyte Island during this time frame. Specifically:
- On October 20, 1944, the division had landed on Leyte as part of the invasion force[1][3].
- Between October 20 and December 1944, the division was involved in several key actions:
- Capturing Tacloban and its adjacent airstrip
- Advancing along the north coast of Leyte
- Securing Leyte Valley[1][3][7]
- On October 23, General MacArthur presided over a ceremony to restore civil government to Leyte[3].
- The 1st and 2nd Cavalry Brigades initiated a holding action to prevent a Japanese counterattack from the mountainous interior[3].
- By October 24, the 8th Cavalry Regiment had established itself on Samar Island, securing the San Juanico Strait[3].
- During this period, the division was likely continuing its advance and consolidating its positions on Leyte, facing sporadic and uncoordinated enemy resistance[3].
- The division was part of the X Corps under Maj. Gen. Franklin C. Sibert, which was pushing across a 4-mile stretch of beach between Tacloban airfield and the Palo River[3].
Citations:
[1] 1st Cavalry Division (United States)
[2] The Battle of Leyte Gulf: 23–26 October 1944
[3] Battle of Leyte
[4] Leyte 1944: First Cavalry Division
[5] 1st Cavalry Division: Force Structure
[6] Leyte
[7] U.S. Army Unit Records, Book 3 (Boxes 490-747)
[8] 1st Cavalry DIVISION – Hell For Leather
The Main Objectives of the 1st Cavalry Division
- Landing and securing the northern end of the American assault beaches on Leyte on October 20, 1944[6].
- Capturing the city of Tacloban and its adjacent airstrip[4][5].
- Advancing along the north coast of Leyte[4].
- Securing Leyte Valley[4][5].
- Establishing blocking positions west of Tacloban to prevent a Japanese counterattack from the mountainous interior[2].
- Securing control over San Juanico Strait between Leyte and Samar Islands[2][4].
- Establishing a presence on Samar Island by October 24, 1944[4].
- Converging on Carigara, at the northern end of Leyte Valley on Carigara Bay, in conjunction with the 24th Infantry Division[2].
- Later in the campaign, pushing through the mountains between the Ormoc Corridor and Leyte Valley to cut off Japanese supply lines[8].
- Advancing against resistance to capture Wright on Samar Island and secure the strategic Taft-Wright Highway across central Samar[8].
These objectives were part of the larger goal of securing northern Leyte and establishing a strong foothold for further operations to liberate the Philippines.
Citations:
[1] Invasion of Leyte naval order of battle
[2] Leyte
[3] Leyte: Return to the Philippines
[4] Battle of Leyte
[5] 1st Cavalry DIVISION – Hell For Leather
[6] Leyte 1944: First Cavalry Division
[7] The Battle of Leyte Gulf 23–26 October 1944
[8] The Leyte Operation
