The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
|
| Previous: Johore | Table of Contents | Next: Jones, Albert M. |
Jolo (121.008E
6.058N) is a island and port in
the Sulu
Archipelago near the southwest end of the Philippine
Islands. It is the second largest island in the archipelago, 40
miles (64 km) long and 14 miles (23 km) wide with mountains reaching to
2664' (812 meters).
The city had a small airstrip
in 1941 and was
the target of a Japanese
landing on 25 December
1941 by a battalion from 146 Regiment,
elements
of
1
and 2 Kure
SNLF, and an airfield construction
unit. The landings allowed the
Japanese to bring aircraft
forward to cover a further move against Tarakan
off eastern Borneo.
The Sulu Archipelago was informally ruled by Sultan Mohammed Janail
Abirir II, who had previously fought the Spanish and the Americans before surrendering to Pershing in 1911.
Thereafter he felt honor-bound to be scrupulously loyal to the
Americans, and he retreated into the hills of Jolo to continue resisting the Japanese.
The island was retaken by 163 Regiment,
41 Division
on 9 April 1945, which landed six miles to either side of Jolo City and
converged on the town rapidly. The Japanese had withdrawn to Mount Daho
and Mount Tumatangus. Daho was reduced between 15 and 22 April and
Tumatangus between 25 April and 2 May. Moro guerrillas were tasked to
mop up the survivors, and 163 Regiment was relieved
by elements of 368 Regiment
on 19 June. Casualties were 35
killed and 130 wounded for the Americans and 3780 Japanese killed and
30 taken prisoner, just
90 evading the Moros to surrender at the end of the war.
References
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007, 2010 by Kent G. Budge. Index
