The Los Baños Raid: The 11th Airborne Division's Greatest Rescue Operation in World War II
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- “If anybody can do it, the 11th Airborne can.” - General Douglas MacArthur
The 11th Airborne Division's raid on the Los Baños Internment Camp on February 23, 1945 has been called the textbook operation of World War II.
As Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh, Jr. wrote in 1989, “That raid, deep behind Japanese lines, ranks among the most daring and successful in our nation’s history…”
One of the greatest prison rescues ever, over 2,1000 prisoners of war were liberated from behind enemy lines by the 11th Airborne Division "Angels", the 672nd Amtrac Battalion, various guerilla groups and the 65th Troop Carrier Squadron.
Internee Robert Wheeler wrote of his rescuers:
“They were and are a special breed, those men who came that day. Superbly trained, thank God-men who went home after they served-going on with their lives-not complaining, humble, proud that they served. When I meet one of my ‘Angels’ for the first time, I take his hand and say, ‘Thank you for my life.’ To a man, they immediately insist, ‘I was just doing my job. You guys were the heroes.’”
PFC Delbert P. Schwab of HQ1-511, who came across Laguna de Bay in the Amtracs, told his family decades later, “It was something I’d willingly die for, saving innocent civilians, from being slaughtered.”
To share the story of this amazing operation, the Douglas MacArthur Memorial hosted 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm, author of WHEN ANGELS FALL: FROM TOCCOA TO TOKYO, THE 511TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT IN WORLD WAR II and the two-volume series DOWN FROM HEAVEN: THE 11TH AIRBORNE DIVISION IN WORLD WAR II.
In this video, Jeremy will cover the Angels' rescue operation step-by-step, including using never before seen photos, quotes from Angels he personally interviewed, maps, and more.
This lecture originally aired in February of 2021, but is presented here in full-resolution. For more information please visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today.
I'm here from the Fat Electrician's video about the Los Banos raid.
Same.
Yea, great channel buddy.
Same
Same. Hellava history lesson
Yuppp
Fat Electrician sent me to learn about some "gangster shit"
The Angels are full of that lol
The Fat Electrician sent me and I must say, thank you for keeping this history alive not only to honor these men but to also teach so many valuable lessons to us younger folk!
60 thousand people just learned about the 11th airborne and your channel. And its only been up for an hour. There's over a million more who will be hearing about your work for the first time in the next few weeks.
He was great to work with! It is always a pleasure to tell the Angels' story, especially their raid on the camp
@@jeremycholm Sir I had no idea. I haven't been to the McArthur memorial since I was a very young man. I certainly didn't know anything about this raid or any of the 11th Airborne. I hope there are still some survivors to see that they are not overlooked any longer. The video you helped him create was getting over a 1000 views a minute. I'm going to be bingeing on your videos this evening but I need a moment to compose myself. It was the first TFE video I watched that had me in tears at the end. Very powerful stuff. Thank you for all your work to preserve you Grand Father's and his compatriots legacies.
I’m glad I’m not alone on Nick’s video. This is a great video to watch too.
@@foxmustang80 They are indeed both great videos to watch but they do leave me with one question. Does the 11th Airborne chew nails and spit razor blades or chew razor blades and spit nails?
Here from fat electrician's video about this raid, really wish i knew about this earlier
My dad was with Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 511th and was assigned to raid on Los Banos because additional machine gunners were needed. I heard stories growing up about the 11th airborne island hopping through New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, and landing in Japan. He talked about how low they jumped at Los Banos and that he was on the ground shortly after his chute opened. He also spoke about the condition of the people in the camp. He said they were walking skin and bones. My dad would appreciate seeing that the Pacific fighting stories are being told and not forgotten. At times he would look at me and say that if "the bomb" hadn't been dropped on Japan I wouldn't be here, because he and many others wouldn't have survived the invasion of Japan. My dad and mom went to many 11th Airborne reunions over the years and enjoyed being with close friends. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 70, to soon. He walked with a cane his last 8 years because of broken ankle complications from a combat jump years before.
I'd love to chat sometime about his stories!
this next month is going to be hectic. After that I will try to set aside time to talk about my dad.@jeremycholm
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
The chubby electron guy sent us. great video
Lol he certainly picked a memorable and hilarious handle! Welcome to the channel
Heard about you from a The Overweight Electrictian, I want to say thank you for helping to keep the memory of the 11th Airborn alive.
Welcome to the channel! And it really is a labor of love, so I appreciate all the support
the fat electrician sent me. :D
The fat electrician sent me looking forward to Watching your entire catalog.
Welcome to the channel!
Hey brother here from TFE let's get your channel to blow up brother!
Thank you, and welcome to the channel!
Here from The Fat Electrician! Thank you for doing this! My mother is from the Philippines and as a kid she told me stories what my Grandfather and Uncles did in WW2. When I got older I pieced together they were hunting Japanese Soldiers and may have taken part in this.
Did she ever say what guerilla group they were a part of?
The "Gravitationally Challenged Electrician" sent me here as well. I knew a little bit about this raid, but it's good to get all of the details behind the history. As a Marine I'm saddened that the 11th AB's raid remained mostly unknown because of the flag raising on Iwo 23 Feb. 1945 because these men deserved as much recognition as my Corps received. Kudos to your Grandfather Jeremy and my condolences.
Marines are always welcome here, and thank you for the condolences. The Angels truly were an elite group of men and I agree, their story deserves to be told and retold
Thank you liberator of the Philippines. Thank you for your retelling of this rescue and thank you for your Grandfather and his group of rescuing angels.
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
Fat Electrician gave a great summary of the events, but in the end recommend we visit an expert. New sub gained🎉
That's high praise coming from him! Welcome to the channel!
Shout out to The Fat Electrician for sending me here. May your grandfather rest in peace and im sure i speak for everyone when i say we are thankful for his service.
Thank you so much, and welcome to the channel!
Yet another incomer from The Fat Electrician.
Id heard of this unit but never knew of anything they had done.
All i can say is wow, what a unit what a raid, what a worthy mission to be on.
Straight up legends and badasses every single one of them. I dont have words enough to do these heroes justice, the sight of the internees must have been horrifying when they breached the camp.
Thanks to all of them for the job they did and thank you for keeping the memory alive.
I just dont have the words, nothing i could say would do them justice. Heroes and legends to a man.
Welcome to the channel! I actually just interviewed one of the last living internees and she talked about how emotional they all were once they reached friendly lines. She got choked up just talking about it
@@jeremycholm very glad to be here, I've subbed and signed the little bell so I don't miss any more of of these legends exploits. Once again thank you for keeping the memories alive. Love the content I've seen so far and no doubt I'll truck my way through it all soon enough.
I can imagine the emotions ran very deep among those who suffered in those camps, and I just don't think anyone who hadn't lived that experience could truly fathom just how bad it could have been.
Labelled the greatest generation. Definitely the generation of their time. What a great innings 99. He may be gone but the legend lives forever. P.S. you're a gifted storyteller.
Thank you so much, I appreciate that!
Salute to your grandfather and his band of brothers. I have read of this raid in multiple venues. TRUE HEROES! Jumping at 400 feet had to be INSANE. Not enough time to get full deployment of chutes in some cases I imagine. Hard landings in some cases. Outstanding report sir.
Thank you so much, Dennis! 400 feet meant no reserve, the guys didn't bother wearing them. They said it was all worth it, though, to see the smiles on the internees' faces. True heroes indeed!!
My father in law was mentioned by name in the film. He was one of the paratroopers in B Company who jumped on the Los Banos raid. I'm fortunate to have heard so many of these accounts first hand. Thx for honoring their memory and sacrifice!
Hi Robert, who was your father in law?
@@jeremycholm Jim Holzem
@@Robertkentg Jim was such a great man, I always enjoyed chatting with him
second time watching in a row damn you made me cry now do something abour the guys on the death march from Bataan
Excellent job, Jeremy! My dad was in the 101st and used to say that he had immense respect for those who served in the Pacific. I am going to write a story on this in my blog and attribute you and your book - which I am going to buy as soon as I finish writing this comment. Thanks for putting this great story together. Dan Hoffman
The Fat Electrician sent me!
To learn more about The Angels who saved my family in the Philippines 😇✨💖✨😇
My mom was born 1/27/45, and they were near Santo Tomas. She nearly got a bullet in the head, but my grandmothers arm relaxed holding her and the bullet hit granny’s watch…
My Aunt Teresita was interned in Santo Tomas
Thank you for this🙏🤗
You're very welcome, and welcome to the channel! The Angels never really get proper credit for their fighting around Santo Tomas, which paved the way for the rescue there. So thank you for sharing your family's story with us!
I have many stories from the Philippines, pre occupation through post liberation.
Those war stories gave me a ton of perspective, and humanities resilience.
The atrocities committed were so horrific, but the stories of survival in a group of 20 are incredible.
It saddens me most people don’t know Real Life Angels saved a country!
Makes me wonder why the Pacific theatre of war is not common knowledge as much as we talk about WWII…especially since Japan hit us not Germany 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you for educating this new generation on uncommon truths🙏🙏🙏✨🇺🇸✨🙏🙏🙏
@tdstellar5218 it's an honor to get to share the story of the Angels, and I'd love to hear some of your stories sometime
I watched the Fat Electrician and wanted to learn more!
Welcome to the channel!
Man... that opening gave me chills
I worked hard to get it right, the Angels deserve it!
I wish more books about 11th airborne existed.
I think more will come. I've published three books now on the Angels in World War II and with the Division's reactivation in Alaska I think the 11th will become more of a focus
@jeremycholm yeah. I have all your books! Manila or the ridge battle outside Manila or the 2nd jump made by 11th. Great books!
My Dad John C. Jones was at Los Banos with 457th PFAB D Battery lots of good stories. I have his Samurai Sword and Japanese Flag he got in Leyte. Thank you for doing these Videos. He would enjoy these. He passed away in 2009
@BobJones-in7dt my uncle had all my grandfather's medal in a nice case. Someone stole it
@@BobJones-in7dt Its a privilege to honor the Angels with this channel and our books. What did your dad say about the raid?
💯 percent pinay but I've never heard the los baños raid. Stunning video. May God bless you more 🙏
Thank you so much! Mabuhay!
Here from the Fat Electrician video about this
7:55 I wonder if there was a Fort Worth resident there that gave the rest of the camp that name. Los Baños is now an unofficial sister city to mine. Also here from TFE, thank you for the additional context!
Got sent here by some electrician. Subscribed due to the quality of your videos and story telling
Welcome to the channel!
Hey new subscriber here! Thank you for retelling this fantastic story! Got here via the fat electrician!
Welcome to the channel!
The Fat Electrician sent me. But your story kept me here! Wonderful job! New subscriber.
Suzanne, welcome to the channel! T.F.E. does great work. Thanks for joining us here, lots of 11th Airborne history to enjoy!!
@@jeremycholm I am a ww2 enthusiast but a 101st ABN nut. Was married to a 2nd 506 co E veteran. Vietnam veteran that is. I watch everything airborne that I see
Sparky Big Bones sent me over here! Thanks for helping him out!
He did a great job with his video, always happy to help tell the story of the Angels. Welcome to the channel!
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
Great video thanks for posting
Thank you!
I would like to thank your Grandfather for helping liberate my family and make this first gen American a reality.
Without their bravery, my husband would not have his son, and my son would not be alive. Nor would I.
Thank you, American Military in all branches, but especially these brave men who cared so much for humanity 🙏😇🙏
Thank you for sharing your family's story with us! All the Angels I've ever talked to said the raid was a risk worth taking, and they were willing to give their lives to rescue the internees
Fat Electrian forced me to subscribe to your channel because he's a gangster. 😅😊
You've gained a subscriber Sir. Great video, no ego, no bravado, just straight facts given in an even and amazing tone very similar to Dr Mark Felton. Thank you. Also, the obese sparky sent me here and Ill be keeping an eye out for your book, have already made a space available next to my copy of Band of Brothers for it.
Thank you, and welcome to the channel!
Yeah. Subscribed because of the Fat Electrician's endorsement. Good work.
My dad had a Battle Star for Luzon & was awarded a Phillipine Liberation Medal, though, like most never recieved it.
I never knew about this regiment till today.
Love ya information. I was referred by The Fat Electrician. Keep up the great work
Thank you, and welcome to the channel!
Thank ya sir All The Way from an former 82nd Paratrooper
Here from The Fat Electrician... well done sir
Fat Electrician sent me! God Bless and keep it up!!! HM3 FMF USN
Welcome Pastor!
@@jeremycholm I'm an avid and voracious history student. I look forward to exploring your channel!
I live in Calamba which is just a jeepney ride away from Los Baños so to hear that my province has a story to tell from WW2 is news to me.
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
@@tonyfalcon8041 I also learned that the grounds of the camp is now known today as the University of the Philippines Los Baños Campus. I've been there several times (although I wasn't a student), unaware that it was a site of so many horrors.
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
Not sure if he was part of the Los Banos inturnies, But one of our neighbors, Ray Pasco, Had been through the batan death March. His heart had never fully recovered and he died in 1976.
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
@@tonyfalcon8041 Well, before the Spanish American war, The islands were under control of Spain. Los Banos In spanish, Translates literally to "the toilet".
How pleasant things must have been there, eh?!
@@billt6116 Los Baños is derived from Spanish for "the baths", also referring to the hot springs. It was named as such in 1589 when Fr. Pedro Bautista built public baths in the present-day town.🤪
@@tonyfalcon8041 well, say where's "the pooper" in spanish, See how it comes out..? ( Probably kind of spicy, And on the express..😄) que esta los banos?
I am strongly looking to join the 11th.
Is there any way to increase my chances of being stationed in Alaska?
Passed MEPS/Airborne Physical already, awaiting a waiver which will pass for certain.
Are you the secret behind The Fat Electricians research?
I only helped with his Raid video, he does a ton of research and work behind the scenes for all his videos
"The Fat Electrician" sent me!
Thought id be here from Dr. Felton...! Maybe he will cover it next
Fat electrician sent me to learn some extracurricular gangster shit like how to strategically transfer equipment to alternate locations.
The Angels were absolute masters at that lol "General Swing's 8,000 Thieves"
Guessing my feed popped you up after I watched TFE video.
I was NOT sent by #TheFatElectrician... but by the Osprey Publishing book about the raid, which was part of their "Raid" series.
The Los Baños Internment Camp is now part of the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture campus. BTW, the tree that bore witness to these events is still there, as are several buildings there, like the gym.
I read on that Osprey book that, some of the internees were disappointed that their rescuers were Army paratroopers, not Marines (yeouch!)
Actually only one of them was, her name is Patty Stevens and we just had a delightful chat about her time in the camp last week. She laughed and said the Paratrooper was almost insulted when she asked if he was a Marine lol
@@jeremycholm hehe, poor guy, he probably was thinking "What!? Who does this lady think I am, one of those jarheads?"
@kristoffermangila exactly! The Paratroopers looked down on the Marines lol
The Fat Electrician sent me! 23 yr Paratrooper and Combat Medic!
Welcome to the channel, Doc!
@jeremycholm I'm humbled. You're done a great thing ever!
Los Banos raid is unknown event compared to The Great Raid in Cabanatuan
Very true and we are working to change that
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
Like everyone, I’m here from day electrician
TFE sent me and im here to stay
Fat electrician sent me as well haha
My father in law went through airborne training during WWII and was deployed to Europe ultimately to finish up with the 82nd Airborne Division by war’s end. He was in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. For unknown reasons has individual photo, in dress uniform, taken when he graduated jump school shows him wearing the 11th Airborne patch on his sleeve. Any ideas why this happened?
What was his name, I can check our records and rosters
Some from the 11th went over to ETO and yes were assigned to 517th
@@jeremycholm PFC Robert Alton Pitts
@@jeremycholm thank you very much that’s good to know.
Quack-Bang-Out!
Ahhhh I see, so the Sparkie copied you eh!
Haha I wouldn't say copied, more like followed my outline jk. Nick does fantastic work. He had my full support to use my resources
I thought it was Rángers
No, that was Cabanatuan
😊😢
The sandakan aussies pows not so fortunate.a raid was planned
But aborted due to higher
Authority's blunder!
Very sad.🇺🇸🇦🇺
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators
Respect when respect is deserved sir. I’ll be making my way through all your videos. Here from TFE 🫡
Thank you, James, and welcome to the channel!
Konishi escaped. He returned a few days later with a force of men, but by then the camp was empty. The Japanese massacred some 1,500 men, women, and children in adjacent towns which they suspected of collaborating with the liberators