Behold Bataan

English:

SGT. JOSE CALUGAS AND THE FIRST DEFENSE OF BATAAN

The 11th and 21st divisions of the USAFFE engaged and delayed the pursuing Japanese at Guagua and Porac lines in Pampanga from January 3 – 5 to cover the withdrawal of the Northern Luzon Force to Bataan. On January 6, the First Battle in Bataan soil took place in Layac, the narrow gateway to the peninsula.

The mission to delay the Japanese advance to Bataan fell on the Layac force – composed of the remnants of the 71st Division, the 31st Infantry (US), and the 26th Cavalry Regiment, with the support of the 23rd FA regiment which lost all its guns except one and whose gunners were disabled by the Japanese fire. Mess. Sgt. Jose Calugas of the Philippine Scouts stationed between Culis and Mandama in Hermosa took over the last gun left. With 3rd Lts. Cecilio Garcia and Julian Chua as ammunition leaders, Sgt. Calugas delayed the invaders’ tank advance toward the First Line of Defense in Abucay.

Tagalog:

SI SGT. JOSE CALUGAS AT ANG UNANG DEPENSA NG BATAAN

Sinikap pigilin ng 11th at 21st division ng USAFFE na nasa Porac at Guagua line ang pagpasok ng Hapones sa Bataan ngunit nabigo sila. Kaya noong ika – 5 ng Enero taong 1942, nakapasok sila sa Layac line, ang First Line of Defense ng Peninsula ng Bataan kung saan nakatalaga ang 26th Cavalry Regimen. Ito ang unang engkwentro sa lupa ng Bataan na ikinasawi nang may hawak ng kanyon ng USAFFE.

Nang Makita ito ni Mess. Sgt. Jose Calugas, boung tapang at mag-isa niyang pinaputukan ang mga kalaban sa pag alalay nina 3rd Lt. Cecilio Garcia at 3rd Lt. Julian Chua sa pagitan ng Mandama at Culis. Dahil dito, nabalam ang pagpasok ng mga Hapones sa Bataan.