WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:12.080 Driving inland near Subic Bay, one arm of MacArthur's three-pronged attack captures 00:12.080 --> 00:17.320 Olongapoanville Station on the way to Manila. This same thrust, which later joined with 00:17.320 --> 00:22.740 the forces pouring south from Lingayant Bay, also takes an airfield, which, prior to the 00:22.740 --> 00:27.940 approach of the ground forces, had been heavily strafed by our bombers. Many Jap planes have 00:27.940 --> 00:34.040 been caught on the ground and will never fly again. The fleeing enemy used bombs to mine 00:34.040 --> 00:39.680 the field, but the Dragon's teeth are pulled, and entrenched Japs ahead are pounded by our 00:39.680 --> 00:53.400 heavy howitzers. The enemy puts up little resistance until our troops reach the outskirts 00:53.400 --> 01:13.700 of the capital, where their rear guard elements put up a strong delaying action. The third 01:13.700 --> 01:20.640 spearhead closing the trap on the Manila Japs is led by Lieutenant General Robert Eichelberger. 01:20.640 --> 01:25.640 The American forces, whose strength has been increased by bands of patriotic Filipino guerrillas, 01:25.640 --> 01:31.280 moves on Manila with all the irresistible force of a tidal wave. Luzon's native tribesmen, 01:31.280 --> 01:41.480 the Negritos, add their forces to the liberation of their homeland. The main attack rolls down 01:41.480 --> 01:46.640 from the north, and as our victorious forces reach the suburbs of Manila, the net closes 01:46.640 --> 02:02.640 on Japanese collaborators. These are official Signal Corps pictures. There's a little extra 02:02.640 --> 02:21.560 welcome in this particular town. Seems our guns and bombs clean missed the local brewery. 02:21.560 --> 02:27.200 Nearing the city, swollen to a million wartime population, stark proof of the Jap occupation 02:27.200 --> 02:37.560 is encountered. And as Manila station is reached, evidence of Jap demolition is met. Knowing 02:37.560 --> 02:42.640 they couldn't hold the capital, they destroyed all they could with gasoline and dynamite. 02:42.640 --> 02:55.280 Loyal guerrillas point out Jap snipers. A Yank sharpshooter gives them a dose of their 02:55.280 --> 03:03.760 own medicine. Three years of relentless effort is rewarded. Five-star general Douglas MacArthur 03:03.760 --> 03:10.880 sets his people free. Here in Bilibid Prison, 1,100 people suffered all the vicious brutality 03:10.880 --> 03:23.800 of a remorseless enemy. Faced with a diet of potato peelings and the flesh of dogs and 03:23.800 --> 03:28.760 cats when they could get it, deliberately starved and ravaged by disease, the released 03:28.760 --> 03:43.280 captives find strength and courage to greet their liberator. Toughest of the barriers 03:43.280 --> 03:52.480 encountered by our forces was the Pasig River. An armored Jap boat is sunk. Our troops crossed 03:52.480 --> 04:09.720 to the south bank under fire. The wounded are rushed to hospitals. The Japs, entrenched 04:09.720 --> 04:15.200 in south side Manila, fought stubbornly for many days. Using every trick they knew, burning 04:15.200 --> 04:20.320 and wrecking as they withdrew and sheltering behind the civilian population, they staved 04:20.320 --> 04:25.600 off defeat as long as possible. Manila is a shambles, and the natives are driven from 04:25.600 --> 04:31.000 their homes by the savage battle. For years, they had to bow to their hated invaders, salute 04:31.000 --> 04:36.880 them, obey their curfew, and display their flag. But now, with a little more effort, 04:36.880 --> 04:55.240 they will be free of the yoke. Nearing Intramuros, the old walled city built by the Spanish, 04:55.240 --> 05:19.240 the fighting grows in intensity. Some of the natives are caught in the murderous crossfire. 05:19.240 --> 05:23.920 The Japs blew up water mains and pumping stations, and Manila's fire equipment was completely 05:23.920 --> 05:40.720 useless. In North Manila alone, one whole section of 20 blocks was fire swept. Our forces 05:40.720 --> 05:54.080 fought fire with dynamite, blasting fire breaks to halt consuming flames. Through the gutted 05:54.080 --> 05:59.320 city, the battle continues. There's only one way to stop the destruction, drive the Jap 05:59.320 --> 06:09.320 out completely. While in control, the Japs methodically stripped the Filipinos of their 06:09.320 --> 06:22.760 positions, but they saved some things. As the Yanks advanced, the citizens returned 06:22.760 --> 06:27.960 to their former neighborhoods. Thousands died because the Japs would not release them and 06:27.960 --> 06:40.200 because collaborationists betrayed them. Agents of the enemy who helped open the doors to 06:40.200 --> 06:59.000 the Jap invaders. Many Filipinos gave their lives as part of the price of victory. But 06:59.000 --> 07:05.480 Manila's dead are revenged. The six weeks campaign cost the Japs 100,000 men and opened 07:05.480 --> 07:10.720 Manila Bay to our ships. The enemy's lifeline through the China Sea is at the mercy of our 07:10.720 --> 07:16.680 planes and battle wagons. The recapture of Manila sets the stage for the big show, the 07:16.680 --> 07:35.840 drive on the Japanese homeland, and Manila itself will arise again from its ashes.