Thread by @indiohistorian

Today until March 3, we commemorate the Battle of Manila 1945 that engulfed the city 75 years ago, making it the 2nd most destroyed Allied capital of #WWII. Starting today, I will tweet on the events that transpired by a series of #TodayinHistory tweets.

Follow this thread.

#TodayinHistory in 1945, Manila waited w/ bated breath as Allied forces approach. Pillboxes were set up by the Japanese in the streets. At7:30-8PM, the Americans began their offensive vs the Japanese in UST and FEU. UST is liberated. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cQgNNi

#TodayinHistory in 1945, smoke rises in #Manila as the Japanese begin burning Tondo and Binondo, even demolishing the city's Pasig river bridges, to slow down the Allied advance from the north. Electricity & water have been cut off. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cVhhVh #history #WWII

#TodayinHistory in 1945, the Japanese have successfully stalled Allied forces from north of Manila. Fighting ensues in San Marcelino St., as Escolta burns. A city-wide panic spreads as refugees came in droves to Concordia College in Pedro Gil St. #WWII tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cboYfm

#TodayinHistory in 1945, remaining residents hid in their houses as all means of escaping #Manila have been blocked by the Japanese. The roar of U.S. planes, and explosions, could be heard from far off. All supplies from markets are already depleted. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cgNoyO #WWII

#TodayinHistory in 1945, w/ Malacañang cleared, the Allied forces took that position to fire on the Japanese concentrated on the opposite riverbank. Meanwhile, some Allied units were able to cross the Pasig river. Paco & Pandacan were liberated. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cl5YKg

#TodayinHistory in 1945, approx 2-3k #Intramuros male residents are brought to #FortSantiago cells. They would be massacred 2 days later. At 2:30 pm, the Japanese began firing at Concordia College, killing refugees. Constant shelling destroys its roof. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cs2sB-

#TodayinHistory in 1945 in #Manila, Japanese kill refugees in St. Paul College, Pedro Gil (250 civilians at chapel, 600 in campus), & the Vincentian House, San Marcelino (6 priests, 1 acolyte, civilians). Some of the Quirinos are killed in Ermita. #WWII tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1cyj77w

#TodayinHistory in 1945 at 4 pm, @FarEasternU founder Nicanor Reyes & family are massacred by the Japanese at their residence in Agno St., #Malate #Manila. The sole survivor, Lourdes Reyes-Montinola, wrote the account in her book, "Breaking the Silence." Blog soon. #BeBrave #WWII

@FarEasternU #TodayinHistory in 1945 #Manila, the Japanese massacred civilians in Asilo de Looban (10 civilians), German Club (approx. 1,000), Campos Residence (family w/ 120 refugees), Price Residence (approx. 100), & Red Cross (65 civilians including doctors/nurses). tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1d2F25U

#TodayinHistory in 1945, in Ermita #Manila, 50 plus are killed by the Japanese at Tabacalera Bldg & Shell Station. Meanwhile, Allied forces advanced in Sta Ana, Pandacan, & Paco.

"The fighting was bldg by bldg, floor by floor and room by room."
- Gen. Beightler, 37th Inf. Div.

#TodayinHistory in 1945, at @DLSUManila, the Japanese barged in, shouting. One La Sallian brother understood Japanese & said, “On your knees, everyone! Fr. Cosgrave, please grant us absolution!” 16 La Salle brothers & 26 civilians are massacred. #WWII #PH tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1dHwT0p

@DLSUManila Other #BattleofManila1945 massacres not tweeted previously on this thread:

▫️early Feb, Scottish Rite Temple, Taft Ave. - McMicking family & unknown number of diff. nationalities
▫️Feb 3, Dy Pac Lumber Yard, Tondo - 115 civilians
▫️Feb 4, Carriedo-Estero Cegado - unknown number

▫️Feb 5, Masonic Temple at San Marcelino St. - Mauricio Cruz (Rizal's nephew), his son, & some Bataan survivors, unknown no.
▫️Feb 5, Courtyard in Leon Guinto cor. Apacible Sts. - 100 civilians (from Jean Reldy, sole survivor)

▫️Feb 7, Burning of San Francisco Church & Sta Isabel College - unknown number
▫️Feb 9, unidentified garage in Paco district - 250 civilians
▫️Feb 9, Mendoza-Guazon compound, Pedro Gil cor. Benitez Sts.- approx. 300
▫️Feb 10, Carlos Perez Rubio house, Vito Cruz St. - 25 civilians

▫️Feb 12, Spanish Consulate - 50 civilians (Spaniards, Filipinos & Chinese). One 7 yr. old girl survived. Consul's body found, wrapped in🇪🇸 flag.
▫️Feb 12, Pax Court, Balagtas St. - 19 people (including German Jews). Justice Antonio Villareal & wife included. Only 3 survived.

#TodayinHistory in 1945, fighting intensified bet. Allied & Japanese forces along Taft & U.N. Ave. (Isaac Peral St). Refugees in @UPManilaOnline-PGH huddled as 2,091 rounds of 105-mm ammunition were fired by the Americans on the Japanese in PGH. #WWII #PH tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1dNJMZI

#TodayinHistory in 1945, the Allied forces lay siege to Rizal Memorial Stadium, as the Japanese fortified it. Fighting intensified as Allied forces continue to advance from west & south. At 5:30pm in San Juan de Dios Hospital, there was a huge explosion. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1dRxN7t

#TodayinHistory in 1945, 1:30pm, the U.S. XIV Corps radioed the Japanese in #Intramuros on all frequencies: "Your situation is hopeless—your defeat is inevitable. I offer you an honorable surrender... This must be done within four hours or I am coming in."
tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1ddxA6Z

#TodayinHistory in 1945, 12:30 pm at Rafael Moreta residence along UN Avenue (Isaac Peral), #Manila, 20 Japanese soldiers stripped 61 refugees w/ valuables, shot the men to the head, & raped 4 of the women. 35 died and 26 were wounded w/ bayonets & hand grenade explosion. #WWII

#TodayinHistory in 1945, Allied forces begin their assault on the University of the Philippines (now @UPManilaOnline). U.S. 5th Cavalry reports: "The area we are moving into is a cauldron of complete wreckage, w/ ever present litter of battle & the stench of enemy dead." #WWII