October 14, 1941

Reinforcements in equipment, ordnance and personnel that left USA last August started arriving in Manila Sept. 20 last month. Today, the good news is about the arrival of Artillery Ordnance. Fifty 75 mm. Self Propelled Mounts (SPM) Artillery; Twenty four 155 mm. Artillery and 155 mm. Howitzers on wooden wheels  that also arrived were issued to the unit of Col. Alexander Quintard.

Manila front page news is all about USSR Red Army’s continued counter attacks against the Germans in Ukraine and Leningrad fronts; claims Nazi losses to 3 million to their 1.1 million.

October 11, 1941

After a week-long Joint Tactical Training between our Q-Boat Squadron and PT Ron Three, the OSP Officers hosted a dinner dance for the USN Officers at the Winter Garden, Manila Hotel. I invited my good friend  Lt. Sid Huff USN to the affair.  He escorted former Miss Philippines, Miss Conching Sunico.

It was an impressive social gathering of the cream of Manila socialites and among those that graced the affair were Erlinda Kalaw; Josephine, Purita and Baby Yulo; Eva and Nina Estrada; Helen Bennett; Alice Dreyfus; Aurora Zablan; Paquita Puzon; Amparito Gutierrez; Leonor and Maxime Carmelo; Helen and Evelyn Fabella; Betty Arrastia; Erlinda Garcia, Susan Magalona etc.  This is not surprising as the Head of our Invitation Committee was Lt. Charlie Albert ’39.

The atmosphere was joyful with a scent of Christmas.  After dinner our guest enjoyed dancing with their new friends from Manila.  Dancing lasted past midnight with our guest expressing profound thanks for  a memorable evening.  Lt. John D. Bulkeley, Sqn. Comdr. PT Ron Three told me how much they enjoyed the honor accorded them.

Manila’s front page good news  announced USSR Red Army stopped the German advance towards  Moscow.

October 6, 1941

Our general mobilization is going according to schedule in all ten PA Military Districts. Personnel of the 2nd Regimental PA Reserve Divisions started reporting for duty in their respective Centers last Oct. 2.  By 1946, when we gain our independence, the defense plan would have trained adequate personnel with necessary armaments. OSP will have 50 Q-Boats by then but at  present we only have three.  With the mounting build up of Japanese forces in nearby Indo-China, I wonder what will happen if hostilities start way before 1946. Just wondering.

The bad news is the order by the US War Department that Plan Rainbow to be in effect in the Phil., which Gen. MacArthur as CG, USAFFE objected vigorously as it means less priority tantamount to immediate loss. He believes we can be defended successfully if given proper military hardware and logistics for training a total 200,000 troops expected to be mobilized by April 1942.

The good news is that joint naval exercises between Q-Boat RON One and PT RON THREE starts today to cover communications, basic tactics and formations.  These exercises are essential for future coordinated joint operations and will last for a week.

Manila news states that Nazi executed Czech Premier Alvis  Elias. In Paris, six synagogues  were blown up. Nazi warned Norwegians to comply with rules of the occupation or face starvation.

September 28, 1941

PT (Patrol Torpedo) Squadron 3, USN under Lt. John D. Bulkeley arrived today in Cavite.  PT Boats are the USN version of the British MTB (Motor Torpedo Boat) like our Q-Boat acquired from England in 1939.  When MacArthur was shopping for Torpedo Boats, the USN had none, and after some serious thoughts, started their own program in 1937 at Quonset Pt, R.I. Their first operational squadron came early this year which is two years after we started OSP.

PT Ron 3 is composed of six PT Boats similar to our Q-Boats, and they are as follows with their respective COs; PT 41 Ens. George E. Cox; PT 31 Lt. Edward G. de Long; PT 32 Lt. (jg)  Vincent E. Schumacher; PT 33 Ens. Baron W. Chandler; PT 34  Lt. Robert G. Kelley; and PT 35 Ens. Anthony B. Akers. Their Sqdn. Comdr. is Lt J. D. Bulkeley.  Since Cavite did not have adequate boatsheds for the newly arrived PTs, we share our facilities initially at Muelle del Codo, Port Area, Manila.

We at OSP are jubilant with the arrival of PT Ron 3 as they bolstered the total Torpedo Boats in our arsenal to nine including our three Q-Boats. It is felt these boats will be vital in our defenses considering the inland waters of a maritime Phil. As of this date, the naval forces in the Phil. under the Asiatic Fleet commanded by Adm. Thomas Hart are; 3 cruisers (Houston, Marblehead, Boise); 13 destroyers; 29 submarines; 32 PBYs; 6 Gunboats; 3 Tenders; 16th Naval District in Cavite and the 4th Marine Regmt stationed in Shanghai. The arrival today of 6 PTs are a most welcome addition to our naval [forces].

September 27, 1941

Army HQ issued a GO today for all regular officers below field rank (majors) promoting them one rank higher in temporary rank.  And so, 3rd Lt. R. Alcaraz became a very proud temporary 2nd Lt. today.  My promotion is not due until March 15, 1942 when I complete my two years time in grade as a 3rd “Otinant” as we were called then. Now I can be called LIEUTENANT, no longer “Otinant.”  Incidentally, from hereon, to 1947, all promotions are in temporary ranks.

C,OSP Captain Andrada became a Major which he deserved long ago. 1st Lt. Jurado became a Captain and so is my Sqdn. Comdr. Navarete became Captain “Neveready” as Sid Huff used to call him.  2nd Lt. Nuval, CO Q-113 became 1st Lt. and all our ExOs like Alano, Campo and Picar became 2nd Lts. Needless to say, morale in the 1st Q-Boat RON is very high.

Manila’s front page news state that Nazi Germany tells Belgium to enter the war or be occupied. The French Resistance National Council was formed to organize anti Nazi efforts in Europe.

September 20, 1941

The 1st Q-Boat Squadron under Capt. Navarrete started its tactical training exercises for the first time as a unit with the newly assigned permanent Os and crew. Tactical formations using new doctrines and signals are being tried.

Very good news today!  Initial reinforcements from USA that left San Francisco Aug. 27 arrived today consisting of  200th CAC Regmt. under Col. Charles W. Sage with 76 Os; 1,681 EM; 12  3″ and  24-37 mm. guns;  26-50 .cal machine guns; and 60″  searchlights.

Reinforcements that also arrived today is the Tank Group under Col. James R. Weaver comprising of:

f   192nd Tank Bn with 36 Os, 588 EM and 54 M-3 Tanks;

f   194th Tank Bn with 31 Os, 510 EM and 54 M-3 Tanks

f   17th Ordnance Co with 5 Os 150 EM

Manila News front page mention about Iran’s Reza Shah Pahlevi abdicating in favor of son Mohammad as Allied troops enter Teheran.  Berlin announced that two American pilots downed flying for RAF are held by them. Nazi also cut off Crimean Peninsula from USSR.

September 16, 1941

The OSP seems to be much ahead of their Training Program than the other branches of the  PA.  While the Training Schools for Os of the different branches like the Inf. FA, CAC, SigC, CE, MC, QMS etc only started the first of the month, OSP extensive Training Program was completed the week-end of Sept. 14 after the Depth Charge firings.

Today, the much anticipated announcement by C, OSP  Capt. Andrada as to who will be the permanent Os and Crew of the Q-Boats  is made as follows:

1st Q-Boat Squadron

Q-111 “Luzon”

1st. Lt. Alberto Navarrete ’35 Sqn. Comdr. and Comdg. O.

3rd. Lt. Heracleo Alano ’40 ExO

Crew :

Sgt.Claro Jimenez

Cpl. Anastacio Castañeda

Cpl. Felipe Donato

Cpl. Sinforose Ros

Pfc. Andres Gaceta

Pfc. Florencio Iñigo

Pfc. Jose Villamor

1st Q-Boat Squadron

Q-112  “Abra”

3rd. Lt. Ramon A. Alcaraz ’40 Comdg. O.

3rd. Lt. Abraham C. Campo ’40 ExO

Crew:

Sgt. Francisco Arbillon

Sgt. Marcos Eamilao

Sgt. Teotimo Figuracion

Cpl. Anastacio Cacayorin

Pfc. Jopse Loor

1st Q-Boat Squadron

Q-113  “Agusan”

2nd Lt.  Santiago Nuval  ’38 Comdg. O.

3rd Lt.  Liberato Picar ’40  ExO

Crew:

Sgt. Paulino Baltazar

Sgt. Francisco Sescon

Cpl. Igmidio Alejandro

Cpl. Aniceto A. Torre

Pfc. Arturo Noblezada

It is gratifying to note that out of the six slots for Os, four were given to  our Class ’40.  Today is one of celebration and rejoicing.

September 3, 1941

Our Q-Boat depth charge firing exercises against submarine targets will continue during the week to finally complete the training program. Then, I understand the selection Board headed by C,OSP Capt. Andrada will announce the permanently  designated officers and crew of Q-111 Luzon; Q-112 Abra; and Q-113 Agusan. There are only six slots for Os to come from fifteen prospective candidate that are undergoing this rigid training.  I am keeping my fingers crossed. For EMs, there will be only 17 coveted slots.

Aside from the FA, CAC, and PAAC Training Schools activated two days ago, the following Training Schools are activated today to train the hundreds Os being mobilized:

• Medical School at Ft. McKinley under Maj. Joseph U. Weaver MC USA
• Medical School at Camp Murphy under Maj. Jack W. Schwartz MC USA
• QM & Motor Trpt. School at Port Area, Manila under Maj. Michael Quinn QMS
• US Signal School at Ft. McKinley under Capt. Lassiter Mason SigC USA
•  Engineers School at Ft. McKinley under Lt. Antonio C. Chanco CE PA USAFFE
• Infantry Schools at every Mobilization Centers in all Military Districts.

Manila News today say Nazi forces overran Smolensk after three weeks fighting Stalin’s Army and is now about 200 miles from Moscow.  Meanwhile, British and Russian forces invaded Iran announcing their intention is only to get rid of German Agents and Technicians residing in Iran. They said their forces will withdraw as soon as the threat of German invasion or 5th Column Operation is nullified.

September 1, 1941

Today is mass induction ceremonies in all PA Military Districts. All Os and EMs of the 1st Regiment and other key personnel of each of the ten Divs that reported for duty starting Aug. 28 are inducted into the USAFFE in their respective Mobilization Centers in the ten Military Districts.

Today, the C & GSS in Baguio City under Col. Bluemel opens with selected senior Officers as students to be prospective Div Comdrs and staff  to man the Divisions being mobilized, after their graduation.

To facilitate the training of other officers in the Divs being mobilized, the following Training Schools are activated:

• Field Arty. School at Camp Stotsenburg under Lt. Col. Ralph Hirsh FA USA
• Coast Artillery School at Ft. Wint under Lt.Col. Napoleon Boudreaux  CAC USA
• PAAC Flying Schools at Cabanatuan, Batangas and Cebu.

Meanwhile, training of the Q-Boats on Depth Charge Firings started this week.

August 29, 1941

All ten Military Districts in the Philippines are extra busy since yesterday.  One Infantry Regiment and Key O’s and EM of other organic units of EACH of the Phil. Army Divisions started reporting yesterday as ordered to their respective  Mobilization Centers  for  training. The PA Reserves being called to active duty (CAD) are expected to number 75,000 by 1 Dec ’41;  100,000 by 1 Jan ’42; and 200,000 by 1 Apr ’42.

Also, additional senior O’s selected to train at CGSS, Baguio to open Sept. 1 are: B/Gen. Guillermo Francisco; Col. Simeon de Jesus; Lt. Cols. Santiago Guevarra, Ricardo Poblete; Claro Lizardo; Paciano Tangco; Claro Lizardo; Irineo Buenconsejo;  Rafael Jalandoni; Calixto Duque;  Tomas Domaoal; Fidel Cruz; Bienvenido Alba; Patricio Borromeo; Majors Jaime Velasquez; and Emmanuel Cepeda. They are prospective Division Comdrs. or Staff O’s for the Divisions being mobilized.

Manila News report says  US Sec of State Hull warns Japan to leave the Pacific open to US Shipping.  Also Hitler and Mussolini met and formulated plans to counter US aid to  Allies.

August 21, 1941

Our Q-Boat tactical training, AA firing drone targets towed by airplanes is going on as scheduled. All hands (Os & EMs) are required to man the .40 Cal. AA guns and fire like when we were at PMA during rifle markmanships. OSP policy is all hands are supposed to be capable of being AA gun crew members. AA exercises will last during the week followed by depth charge firing next week.

The newly established Command and Gen. Staff School (CGSS) whose Commandant is Col. Clifford Bluemel USA is scheduled to open come Sept. 1 in Baguio.  Senior O’s capable of being Division Comdrs. and Div. Staff are being selected by a Board to undergo training in this School.  So far, the following O’s have orders to attend the CGSS:  B/Gen Vicente Lim; Cols. Mateo Capinpin; Fidel Segundo; Col. Luther R. Stevens; Col. Guy O. Fort; Salvador F. Reyes; Juan C. Quimbo; Eustaquio Baclig; Pastor Martelino (our PMA Supe); Bradford Chenoweth; and Joseph Vachon.

Manila news states that in France, Vichy arrested 5,000 Jews  and sent them to the Drancy Concentration Camp that opened  yesterdat.  On the USSR front, the Soviets blow up the Dneiper Dam to halt further German advances

August 18, 1941

Gen. MacArthur as CG, USAFFE orders the establishment of a Command and General Staff  School (CGSS) in Baguio to train prospective Division Commanders and their Staff. Orders for all reserve officers and EMs (trainees that completed their 5 1/2 months training) are out for them to report to their respective units for mobilization in all 10 Military Districts. Ten Divisions are expected to be mobilized and the prospective Div. Comdrs. and their staff are now being selected for training at the new CGSS in Baguio.

Manila front page news states that German troops reached the Black Sea and surrounds Odessa. Pres. Petain pledges French collaboration in Nazi “New Order” and appoints Admiral Darlan to head the Defense Ministry. Meanwhile, it is also announced that Rabindranah Tagore, India’s poet and playwright, 1913 Nobel Prize Winner died at age 80.

August 15, 1941

This is a significant day for our young 5-year old Phil. Army.  In consonance with Pres. Roosevelt’s order last July 26, the Phil. Army Air Corps (PAAC) is the first unit of PA inducted to the USAFFE today.  What is remarkable is the inducting officer is Gen. MacArthur himself who swore the PAAC under the command of Maj. Basilio Fernando with his 141 air pilots,  17 ground O’s, 1,200 EM’s and 64 planes. Aside from Maj. Fernando and my 17 Classmates led by Lts. Victor Osias, Tomas Tirona, Bartolome Cabangbang, Pedro Baban, Horacio Farolan  etc, among the others I know personally inducted today are Capts. Pelagio Cruz, Eustacio Orobia; Lts Benito Ebuen, Bienvenido Ferrer, P. Q. Molina, Jonas Victoria, Renato Bareto, Godofredo Juliano, Augusto Jurado, Manecio Raventar, Juan Guevara, J B Ramos, Jose Basa and Jesus Villamor.

It may be pertinent to remark here that PAAC was given early priority among the PA branches of service. It was organized in 1936 with Major William L Lee, USAAC on detail with MacArthur’s Military Advisors Office as its first Comdg O until 1938.  It was Maj Lee who trained our early Phil pioneer air pilots like Majors Zablan, Fernando, etc.  It was also during his time that Major Eisenhower earned his wings with PAAC.

August 13, 1941

Our Q-Boats night attack exercises continue under different situations with greater intensity.  My PAAC Mistah Aranzaso also reported that the 6th Pursuit Sqdn. where he belongs are having intensive exercises at Zablan Field. My other classmates aside from Aranzaso in that Squadron under the command of 1st. Lt. Jess Villamor are Lts. Bartolome Cabangbang, Urbano Caldoza, Horacio Farolan and Pete Aragon.  I got the same report about intensive training exercises from my classmates in the Infantry at Camp Murphy and the Artillery at Camp Dau and Fort Wint since the USAFFE was announced last July 27.

Col. Clifford Bluemel USA is appointed Comdt., CGSS to be assisted by Cols. Clyde Selleck, William A. Brougher, and Albert Jones, all US Army Os selected by MacArthur.

Our Q-Boat training on night sneak attacks was completed last week.  This week, our training  will be on anti-aircraft firing  with drone targets towed by airplanes.

Manila News front page says the British and Soviets warn Iran  to get rid of excess German tourist.  Also, London and Moscow  signed a Trade Agreement.

August 7, 1941

My Tocayo Olbes visited his former OSP chums at Muelle del Codo after coming from HPA on OB.  We had a mini-reunion dinner at Legaspi Garden. Ramon Olbes was originally with us at OSP before he transferred to CE.  He reports that his Engineering Unit at Lucena are busy with their training too.

Manila News today says Tokyo offers concessions to US demands on China and Indo China in return for end of freeze of Japanese assets in the US.  Meanwhile, from Moscow, it was announced that Joseph Stalin is the new Commander-in-Chief  of the Soviet Armed Forces

August 4, 1941

Our Q-Boat Squadron’s Tactical Training Sked this week is about night attacks against imaginary enemy landing ships at night which is the most advantageous using cover of darkness.  I am excited about this training phase.  Manila News says Britain breaks relations with Finland while the Soviets restore relations with Polish gov’t in exile in London.  And Judy Garland marred David Rose in Las Vegas.  All US Army personnel asgd. in the Phil. are under the so-called Phil Depmt. primarily  stationed in Ft McKinley, Ft Stotsenburgh, and Fort Mills (Corregidor).  At present, Phil Depmt. CG is M/Gen. George Grunnert; Phil Div CG M/Gen Jonathan Wainwright; Phil. Dpmt. Air Corps CG  B/Gen Henry Claggett; and Harbor Defense CG is B/Gen. George F. Moore.  Total US Army personnel asgd in the Phil. today numbered 1,478 officers and  21,098 EMs a total of 22,536 troops.

Incidentally, Ft McKinley was named after the US Pres. during the Spanish-American War while Ft. Stotsenburg was named after Col. John Stotseburg USA who was killed by Katipuneros of Quingua (now Plaridel), Bulacan during the Phil-American War in 1899.  Ft Stotsenburg is basically a Cavalry post and near it is the USAAC airfields.  A marker where Stotsenburgh was killed is in Plaridel near the local airport.

August 2, 1941

My friend and OSP Advisor, Sid Huff informed me that their new USAFFE HQ is located at No. 1 Calle Victoria, Intramuros a couple of big blocks from OSP HQ at Port Area, Manila. MacArthur and his staff moved out from Malacañan to Calle Victoria where the US Army 31st Inf. is stationed. MacArthur’s rank as CG, USAFFE is only Lt. Gen. and he retired as full Gen. (four stars) as Chief of Staff, US Army before he became Quezon’s Advisor with the rank of Field Marshal. He got a demotion here but no complaints, according to his secretary Mrs. Sofia Adamson.

Q-Boat RON ONE completed its extensive torpedo training at sea during rough weather and our next schedule will be sneak attacks using smoke screens. I am looking forward to this one as it seems very interesting, “sneak attacks.” Manila News report that Joseph Broz alias Tito of Yugoslavia is emerging as the leader of the resistance against the Nazi. Tito is Communist. Pres. Roosevelt also announced that US Naval Forces landed on Iceland to prevent the Germans occupying the island. The Icelandic Gov’t invited the move which should assure US Munitions delivery to Britain.

July 27, 1941

I did not pay so much attention when Lt. Sid Huff, USN, our OSP Advisor on the Staff of Gen. MacArthur, told me last month that his Boss may be Called to Active Duty.  Today, its impact is manifested after reading the front page news about Pres. Quezon’s Proclamation No. 740, announcing the Military Orders of US Pres. FDR dated July 26, 1941 that the Phil Army is called into the service of a newly formed United States Army Forces Far East  (USAFFE) and  Lt Gen MacArthur CAD and designated as Comdg. General. We read the announcement with serious trepidation but glad the USA is reacting to the realities of what is happening in the area with the Japanese building its military forces in French Indo China.  It is also reported that Japanese troops are flooding Cambodia and Thailand with the consent of the French Vichy government.

I  had dinner at Tom’s Dixie hosted by Lt. Tony Chanco USMA ’38 and with him were Lts. Vicente E. Gepte USMA ’40 and my Mistah and Tocayo, Ramon Olbes.  The main topic of our discussion was the USAFFE whose new HQ will be at Victoria St, Intramuros a few blocks from OSP Hq at Port Area, Manila.

July 21, 1941

Our training during the past week on the 1st Q-Boat Squadron was hectic and very extensive. Torpedo firing exercises were conducted under the watchful eyes of our torpedo mentor William Mooney. I really do not know how I fared during my turn during those exercises. I know I scored several hits.  Manila newspapers today says the German advance smash near Leningrad but the Soviets claimed the Nazi column crushed.  London BBC Broadcast to Europe encourages resistance against the Nazi under the slogan “V for Victory.”  Meanwhile, it was reported French Vichy gov’t yields military bases to the Japanese in Indo-China to prevent the British from gaining complete control of the area which consisted of Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma. 

My Mistah, Maning Acosta reported to me the feverish training activities of the FA in Camp Dau. The early pioneers of the FA were trained at the FA School at Ft. Stotsenburg under Lt Col Ralph Hirsh, USA FA, a product of the FA School, Ft Sills, OK. Some of the early pioneers were Jesus Vargas, Alfonso Arellano, Luis Villareal, Zoilo Perez, Felipe Pilapil, Francisco Adriano, Simplicio Rivera and my seven classmates. Later an FA School was established in Camp Dau.  I have touched on the early pioneers of PAAC, OSP, INF, CAC,QM, SigC and now the FA.

The Med Corps was pioneered by Maj. Joseph Weaver USA MC, thence Victoriano Luna, Diño, Roman Salacup, Hospicio Solidum. Early DCs were Fernandez and Hawkins (forgot their first names).  JAGO were Fred Ruiz Castro, Delfin Jaranilla, Luis Torres, Sixto Carlos. The AGS were Federico Oboza and Luis Florentin.  Let me touch on the other branches of the PA as I recall them.  The early pioneer of the CE was a certain Maj Torres from the USA CE, thence Antonio P. Chanco, Rigoberto Atienza, Pollard, Clemente Guerero, Benjamin Mata, Ramon Olbes, Licurgo Estrada, Washington Sagun, Cipriano de Leon, Reynaldo Bocalbos.

July 12, 1941

Today’s front page news says Germany and Italy announced plans to divide Yugoslavia and Croatia to be independent. FDR announced the appointment of  William Donovan to head the newly formed Civil Intelligence Agency (CIA).  Britain and  USSR  pledge  mutual aid for war effort.  And William Holden married today, in Las Vegas, Brenda Marshall.  I remember Brenda as a young student at Brent School across Leonard Wood Drive from our White Hall Barracks.  Lt Luis Villareal, then Jr. aide to Pres. Quezon introduced me to her during a social at Quezon’s home at Legarda Road summer of 1937.  She attended our Sunday evening parade twice at Teachers Camp same year.  Now she is a famous Hollywood star. Sayang!

My Mistah Rey Mendoza of CAC, Ft. Wint reported to me how busy they are with their training in Grande Island. CAC was built on solid foundation by its pioneer, US Army Maj Marquart who taught early PA officers like Lts. Silvino de Goma, Carlos Gatmaitan, Jose Fernandez, Jose Cardenas, Fidel Llamas and my seven classmates Caballero, Joe Mendoza, Job T. Mayo, Conrado Nano, Francisco Lumen and Ricardo Foronda.  I remember Maj. Marquart as the Ft Wint Comdr. during our first class trip when we fired the CAC guns with disappearing carriage.  CAC Training was also available at Ft Mills in Corregidor.