The 1945 recapture of Corregidor by American forces reversed the symbolic 1942 fall of the Philippines and helped restore US military prestige in the Pacific.
Key Facts
- Battle dates
- 16–26 February 1945
- Island official name
- Fort Mills
- 1942 defenders surrendered
- 11,000 American and Filipino troops
- Original fall date
- 6 May 1942
- Theater
- Pacific Theater, World War II
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Japan captured Corregidor on 6 May 1942, forcing the surrender of approximately 11,000 American and Filipino defenders and completing its conquest of the Philippines. The island became a powerful symbol of early Allied defeat in the Pacific, instilling in General Douglas MacArthur a strong sense of moral purpose to liberate the archipelago.
From 16 to 26 February 1945, American forces assaulted and recaptured Corregidor from its Japanese garrison. The battle was part of the broader campaign to liberate the Philippines, conducted alongside the bloody Battle of Manila, and required US troops to dislodge a determined Japanese defensive force from the heavily fortified island.
The successful recapture of Corregidor, combined with the battles of Manila and Bataan, marked the redemption of the 1942 American and Filipino surrender and the restoration of US control over the Philippines. The island's recapture carried significant symbolic weight as the last major Pacific outpost to have fallen to Japan in the early stages of the war.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Douglas MacArthur.
Side B
1 belligerent