First US vs Japan Tank Battle of WWII The Battle of Damortis Philippines

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ww2 tank battles The dashing tank battles on the open plains of Europe during World War 2 have largely overshadowed the war's first tank-versus-tank action. On December 22, 1941, this initial armor engagement occurred when a platoon of five brand new American M3 Stuart light tanks engaged Imperial Japanese Army Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks just north of Damortis, on the eastern shore of the Philippine island of Luzon. • Please help us continue to bring you interesting and informative videos for as little as $1 a month. Become a Patron at: / pacificwarstories • In the early hours of December 21, 1941, General Homma's well-equipped 48th Infantry Division landed at Lingayen Gulf, 100 miles north of Manila. Along with more than 20,000 men, the general brought 38 Type 95 light tanks of the 4th Tanks Regiment and thirty-four Type 89 tanks, and fourteen Type 95 tanks of the 7th Tank Regiment. • The Type 95 light tank weighed in at 7.4-ton with a 120 horsepower six-cylinder diesel engine that could propel it at 45 kph. Small and nimble, the Type 95 served the light tank role well and was ideal for combat in dense Pacific jungles. The high-velocity rounds of its 37mm gun provided good penetrating power. Secondary armament consisted of two 6.5mm machine guns, one in the hull and another in the turret. It had a crew of 3; a commander who also served as gunner and loader, a driver, and machine gunner, radioman. • Facing the Japanese landing force was the Philippine Army's 11th and 71st Infantry Divisions, and the horse-mounted 26th Cavalry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts. The Japanese easily stormed the beaches, turned the flank of the 11th Division, and advanced inland. • The first heavy fighting began later that day as the 26th Cavalry entered the town of Damortis and attempted to block the Japanese advance. The Japanese, supported by tanks and aircraft, pushed the 26th Cavalry out of Damortis with heavy losses. • On December 21, General Wainwright, commander of Filipino-American forces of the North Luzon Force, ordered the 192nd Tank Battalion, commanded by Major Theodore F. Wickord, to move north. (made up of National Guard members from Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Kentucky) The M3's of the 192nd Tank Battalion went up against the equally armed Type 95 light tank, which were armed with the 37mm cannon, but were equipped with diesel engines. The M3 was better armored, with 32 mm (1¼ inches) thick turret sides, vs the Type 95's 12 mm thick armor. The Type 95 Ha-Go with its 37mm type 98 gun could penetrate 36mm of armor from 100 meters. That would go through the Stuart's hull and turret flank as well as its hull and turret rear. But the Stuart would be impervious to a head on shot and would most likely make short work of the Ha-Go. • Wickord sent Company B, commanded by Captain Donald Hanes, ahead, as an advance guard. Hanes had planned to refuel the gasoline-powered M3s at Gerona and then again at Bauang. However, upon reaching Gerona, no fuel was available. • Word reached Hanes that the enemy was fast approaching Bauang. Hanes needed to act swiftly. Since the American tanks had not been able to refuel at Gerona, the Stuarts were nearly out of gas. He ordered that fuel from all the company's tanks be consolidated, giving him just enough fuel to top-off one platoon of five tanks. Hanes ordered the tank platoon, led by Lieutenant Benjamin R. Morin, to move north from the town of Damortis. • In the tank-to-tank battle that ensued, the lead 192nd tank immediately left the road to maneuver, but was instantly hit and caught fire. Lt. Morin maneuvered his M3 off the road, but took a direct hit while doing so, and his tank began to burn. The other four M3s were also hit but managed to leave the field under their own power; they retreated only to be destroyed by enemy aircraft later on. • Lieutenant Morin was wounded. With his main gun inoperable, his tank disabled and on fire, the other tanks in his platoon withdrawing, and four enemy tanks bearing down on him and his crew, Morin was forced to surrender himself and his soldiers; those who survived spent the rest of the war in captivity. • Despite the M3 Stuart being an arguably superior tank, the Japanese crews were better trained, combat experienced, and had the element of surprise. • Inspired by the Jesuit priests who ministered tenderly to Allied soldiers in the POW camps Lieutenant Morin joined the Jesuits less than a year after his liberation and went on to serve as a priest in Peru, for more than 30 years. He died on April 23, 2014 in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 94.

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