Battle of Manila begins 70 years ago today (Feb 3 1945)


Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 3/5' (Feb. 1945, at 2:01)

(Saturday, February 3, 1945; during the Battle of Manila, part of the Philippines Campaign (1944–45) in the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — The Battle of Manila, the Allied campaign to liberate the capital city of the Philippines, began today as elements of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division under Maj. Gen. Verne D. Mudge pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila and seized a vital bridge across the Tullahan River, which separated them from the city proper, and quickly captured Malacanang Palace.