U.S. Army Forces Far East
Encyclopedia
USAFFE included the Philippine Department
, Philippine Army
(2 regular and 10 reserve division
s), and the Far East Air Force. USAFFE Headquarters was created on July 26, 1941, at No.1, Calle Victoria, Manila
, Luzon
, the Philippines
, with Major General MacArthur
as commander. The Chief of Staff was Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland
and the Deputy Chief of Staff was Major General Richard J. Marshall. The core of this command (including MacArthur, Marshall, and Sutherland) was drawn from the Office of the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government.
Creation of this command led to the subordination of the Philippine Department's headquarters, as a service command, since planning and tactical control were now under USAFFE control. MacArthur explains, "It became an administrative echelon. It was analogous to a corps area
." MacArthur recommended that Philippine Department commander Major General Grunert
be reassigned, as his services were no longer needed. On October 23, Grunert returned to the United States
and MacArthur was temporarily appointed as the Philippine Department's commander.
suggested, to the Army Chief of Staff
, that such a command be created with MacArthur as the Far Eastern Commander.
On June 6, Acting Chief of the War Plans Division Brigadier General Gerow
noted that he saw no need for such a command, as US Forces in the Far East were concentrated in the Philippines
. As such, Gerow argued that should a "crisis" occur, then MacArthur should become the commander of, not some new command, but rather, of the Philippine Department itself.
On June 20, Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall informed MacArthur, "Both the Secretary of War
(Stimson
) and I are much concerned about the situation in the Far East. Your qualifications and experience make you the logical selection for the Army Commander in the Far East should the situation approach a crisis. The Secretary has delayed recommending your appointment as he does not feel the time has arrived for such action. At the proper time, he will recommend to the President
that you be so appointed."
On July 17, Gerow made the following recommendations:
On July 25, Secretary of War Stimson
requested that President Roosevelt issue orders calling the military forces of the Commonwealth into active service for the United States. Stimson explains, "All practical steps should be taken to increase the defensive strength of the Philippine Islands."
The following day, President Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets within the United States and issued the orders to absorb the forces of the Philippine Army. That same day, the War Department
created the USAFFE command, with jurisdiction over the Philippine Department
and the military forces of the Commonwealth
. At the same time, MacArthur was recalled to active duty as the USAFFE commander, from his position as military advisor to, and Field Marshall of, the Philippine Army.
)
Philippine Department
The Philippine Department was a regular US Army unit, defeated in the Philippines, during World War II. The mission of the Philippine Department was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army...
, Philippine Army
Military history of the Philippines
-Battle of Mactan:The Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, is celebrated as the earliest reported resistance of the natives in the Philippines against foreign invaders. Lapu-Lapu, a Chieftain of Mactan Island, defeated Christian European explorers led by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand...
(2 regular and 10 reserve division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s), and the Far East Air Force. USAFFE Headquarters was created on July 26, 1941, at No.1, Calle Victoria, Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, with Major General MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
as commander. The Chief of Staff was Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland
Richard K. Sutherland
Richard Kerens Sutherland was a Lieutenant General of the US Army and General of the Army Douglas MacArthur's Chief of Staff in the South West Pacific Area during World War II.-Early life:...
and the Deputy Chief of Staff was Major General Richard J. Marshall. The core of this command (including MacArthur, Marshall, and Sutherland) was drawn from the Office of the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government.
Creation of this command led to the subordination of the Philippine Department's headquarters, as a service command, since planning and tactical control were now under USAFFE control. MacArthur explains, "It became an administrative echelon. It was analogous to a corps area
Corps area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure of the United States Army used to accomplish domestic administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army, Organized Reserve and National Guard of the United States...
." MacArthur recommended that Philippine Department commander Major General Grunert
George Grunert
George Grunert was a United States Army cavalry officer who retired as a Lieutenant General in a 47 year career that extended from the Spanish-American War to the end of World War II.-Education and early career:...
be reassigned, as his services were no longer needed. On October 23, Grunert returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and MacArthur was temporarily appointed as the Philippine Department's commander.
Creation of USAFFE
In January 1941, the intelligence officer (G-2) of the Philippine Department had recommended, to his superior in Washington D.C., that a Far Eastern Command be created, with the commander of the Philippine Department as the designated commander of said command. It does not appear this idea was seriously considered until Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
suggested, to the Army Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff of the United States Army
The Chief of Staff of the Army is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Army, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the Army; and is in...
, that such a command be created with MacArthur as the Far Eastern Commander.
On June 6, Acting Chief of the War Plans Division Brigadier General Gerow
Leonard T. Gerow
Leonard Townsend Gerow was a United States Army general.-Early life:Gerow was born in Petersburg, Virginia. The name Gerow is derived from the French name "Giraud". Gerow attended high school in Petersburg and then attended the Virginia Military Institute. He was three times elected class...
noted that he saw no need for such a command, as US Forces in the Far East were concentrated in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. As such, Gerow argued that should a "crisis" occur, then MacArthur should become the commander of, not some new command, but rather, of the Philippine Department itself.
On June 20, Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall informed MacArthur, "Both the Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
(Stimson
Henry L. Stimson
Henry Lewis Stimson was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican Party politician and spokesman on foreign policy. He twice served as Secretary of War 1911–1913 under Republican William Howard Taft and 1940–1945, under Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the latter role he was a leading hawk...
) and I are much concerned about the situation in the Far East. Your qualifications and experience make you the logical selection for the Army Commander in the Far East should the situation approach a crisis. The Secretary has delayed recommending your appointment as he does not feel the time has arrived for such action. At the proper time, he will recommend to the President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
that you be so appointed."
On July 17, Gerow made the following recommendations:
- The President should call into the service of the US all organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines;
- General MacArthur should be called to active duty as a Major GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and assigned as commander of Army Forces in the Far East; - that $United States dollarThe United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
10,000,000, from the President's Emergency Fund should be allotted to cover the costs of mobilization and training of the Philippine Army; - that training of the Philippine Army be financed from the sugar excise fund, or from other funds; and
- that 425 reserve officers be sent to the Philippines to assist in mobilizationMobilizationMobilization is the act of assembling and making both troops and supplies ready for war. The word mobilization was first used, in a military context, in order to describe the preparation of the Prussian army during the 1850s and 1860s. Mobilization theories and techniques have continuously changed...
and training.
On July 25, Secretary of War Stimson
Henry L. Stimson
Henry Lewis Stimson was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican Party politician and spokesman on foreign policy. He twice served as Secretary of War 1911–1913 under Republican William Howard Taft and 1940–1945, under Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the latter role he was a leading hawk...
requested that President Roosevelt issue orders calling the military forces of the Commonwealth into active service for the United States. Stimson explains, "All practical steps should be taken to increase the defensive strength of the Philippine Islands."
The following day, President Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets within the United States and issued the orders to absorb the forces of the Philippine Army. That same day, the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
created the USAFFE command, with jurisdiction over the Philippine Department
Philippine Department
The Philippine Department was a regular US Army unit, defeated in the Philippines, during World War II. The mission of the Philippine Department was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army...
and the military forces of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of the Philippines
The Commonwealth of the Philippines was a designation of the Philippines from 1935 to 1946 when the country was a commonwealth of the United States. The Commonwealth was created by the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1934. When Manuel L...
. At the same time, MacArthur was recalled to active duty as the USAFFE commander, from his position as military advisor to, and Field Marshall of, the Philippine Army.
USAFFE -- 30 November 1941
Total Strength—31,095 (2,504 officers -- 28,591 enlisted, including 11,957 Philippine ScoutsPhilippine Scouts
The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a...
)
- USAFFE Headquarters (61)
- Philippine Department Headquarters (553)
- Headquarters - North Luzon Force (38)
- Headquarters - South Luzon Force (10)
- Headquarters - Visayan-Mindanao Force (9)
- Philippine Division (10,233)
- 26th Cavalry Regiment (PS)26th Cavalry Regiment (PS)The 26th Cavalry Regiment was part of U.S. Army Forces Far East's Philippine Department, during World War II. The 26th engaged in the last cavalry charge in the history of the U.S. cavalry...
(842) - 43d Infantry Regiment (PS)43d Infantry Regiment (PS)The 43d Philippine Scout Infantry Regiment was part of USAFFE's Philippine Division, during World War II.-History of the 43d Infantry Regiment:...
(328) - U.S. 86th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (395)
- U.S. 88th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (538)
- U.S. 808th Military Police Company (160)
- U.S. 192d Tank Battalion (588)
- U.S. 194th Tank Battalion (410)
- U.S. 200th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment (1,809)
- Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic BaysHarbor Defenses of Manila and Subic BaysThe Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays were part of the Philippine Department of the United States Army prior to and during World War II....
(5,225) - Far East Air Force (5,609)
- Service Detachments (4,268)
- Other (19)
- Also
- Offshore PatrolOffshore PatrolThe Offshore Patrol was a rudimentary navy, intended for inshore defenses only, called for by the Philippine National Assembly in its National Defense Act of 1935...
- Offshore Patrol
US Army Troops - Philippines -- July 31, 1941
Total Strength—22,532 (1,434 officers—21,098 enlisted, including 11,937 Philippine Scouts)- USAFFE Headquarters (5)
- Philippine Department Headquarters (289)
- Philippine Division (10,473)
- U.S. 26th Cavalry Regiment (PS) (838)
- U.S. 43rd Infantry Regiment (PS) (329)
- U.S. 86th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (388)
- U.S. 88th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (518)
- U.S. 808th Military Police Company (69)
- Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic BaysHarbor Defenses of Manila and Subic BaysThe Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays were part of the Philippine Department of the United States Army prior to and during World War II....
(5,360) - Philippine Army Air CorpsPhilippine Army Air CorpsThe Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assembly's National Defense Act of 1935. By 1940, the corps had around 40 aircraft and 100 pilots, 500 personnel, and six squadrons...
(2,407) - Service Detachments (1,836)
- Other (20)
See also
- V Amphibious CorpsV Amphibious CorpsThe V Amphibious Corps was a formation of the United States Marine Corps and was composed of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions during World War II. They were the amphibious landing force for the United States Fifth Fleet and were notably involved in the battles for Tarawa and Saipan in 1944...
(USMCUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
) - Asiatic Fleet
- Military History of the PhilippinesMilitary history of the Philippines-Battle of Mactan:The Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, is celebrated as the earliest reported resistance of the natives in the Philippines against foreign invaders. Lapu-Lapu, a Chieftain of Mactan Island, defeated Christian European explorers led by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand...
- Military History of the United StatesMilitary history of the United StatesThe military history of the United States spans a period of over two centuries. During the course of those years, the United States evolved from a new nation fighting the British Empire for independence without a professional military , through a monumental American Civil War to the world's sole...
- Far East Air Force (United States)
- Filipino Veterans Fairness ActFilipino Veterans Fairness ActThe Filipino Veterans Fairness Act is the name of a number of acts that have been introduced to the United States Congress in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate since the 103rd Congress in 1993. Since then, nearly every session of Congress has seen a new...
External links
- Orbat.com, USAFFE December 1941