| 51st Field Artillery Regiment (PA) | |
|---|---|
| Active | August 28, 1941 - April 1942 |
| Disbanded | April 9, 1942 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Field Artillery |
| Role | Artillery Support |
| Size | 1,500 |
| Part of | 51st Infantry Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Lucena, Tayabas |
| Equipment | M1916 75mm Howitzers QF2.95inch Mountain Guns |
| Engagements | Battle of Bataan Battle of Mauban |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Colonel Hamilton Searight |
51st Field Artillery Regiment is a reserve unit ofPhilippine Commonwealth Army activated and organized in 1941 and fought during World War II. The regiment is a component of51st Infantry Division under Brigadier GeneralAlbert M. Jones, responsible for the defense of Bicol Peninsula.[1]
Source:[2]
The regiment was organized mostly from recruits and reserve personnel from South Luzon and Bicol Peninsula. It was inducted on August 28, 1941, and intensified its training.[citation needed]
Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton Searight was appointed as commander.[2]
| Philippine Commonwealth Army Field Artillery Regiments | ||||
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1Lieutenant Segundo Velasco was chosen as commander of 1st Battalion, 1Lieutenant Jose P. Laurel III for 2nd Battalion but was later replaced by Captain Francisco R. Adriano, and 3rd Battalion was commanded by 1Lieutenant Felixberto Jimenez.[3]
The regiment first saw action when Japanese moved inland after their landings inSan Miguel Bay, inLegazpi, Albay. It provided fire support for 52nd Infantry Regiment under Lieutenant ColonelVirgilio Cordero fighting a delaying action inCamarines Sur andNorte provinces. Japanese landed inMauban, Tayabas and laterAtimonan, Tayabas which General Jones ordered all his units in Bicol Peninsula to withdraw to Tayabas in fear of being cutoff.[4] On December 22, 1941, an order from USAFFE Headquarters to withdraw toBataan as War Plan Orange 3 was in effect. 51st FA along with other 51st Division units arrived in Bataan on January 5, 1942. It was posted in II Corps Area under the formerSouth Luzon Force commander Major GeneralGeorge M. Parker. Due to lack of artillery guns as many were disabled by Japanese fires and captured. 51st FA resorted to fighting as infantry by March 1942 entire 51st Infantry Division is now down to 3,300 strength.[5]
On April 9, 1942, Major GeneralEdward P. King Jr., commander of forces in Bataan, surrendered the entire Luzon Force including 51st FA. Went throughBataan Death March and brought toCapas, Tarlac.[citation needed]