106th Infantry Regiment, is a reserve unit of Philippine Commonwealth Army activated in January 1942 to augment the forces in Mindanao. It was attached to Zamboanga Force under Lieutenant Colonel William F. Dalton and later Lieutenant Colonel Alvin T. Wilson.[1]
| 106th Infantry Regiment (PA) | |
|---|---|
| Active | January 1942 - May 1942 |
| Disbanded | May 12, 1942 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Allegiance |  United States Army Philippine Commonwealth Army |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Role | Army Reserve |
| Size | 500 |
| Part of | Zamboanga Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Pilar, Zamboanga |
| Equipment | M1917 Enfield Rifles M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles M1923 Thompson Submachineguns |
| Engagements | Battle of Zamboanga |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major Jose Garcia |
Background
editUnits raised in Zamboanga was transferred to Central Mindanao 101st Infantry and 102nd Infantry by January 1942 only the Provisional Battalion, 43rd US Infantry (PS) was left to defend the sector as 2nd Battalion, 102nd Infantry under Major William Baldwin was transferred to Cagayan Sector. Colonel Dalton the sector commander raised another regiment from students and volunteers in the city.[1]
In late January 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry under brought by Major Alvin T. Wilson for a refresher training. However, General Sharp Mindanao Force Commander ordered Colonel Dalton and the Provisional Battalion, 43rd US Infantry under Major Allen Peck to transfer to Bukidnon to setup a training school with the Philippine Scouts as instructor, leaving only 1/102nd Infantry, 2 PC Companies, and trainees in the sector.[2]
The trainees are organized to a battalion and named 1st Battalion, 106th Infantry under Major Jose D. Garcia as its commander. The soldiers of this battalion are mostly coming from the city and there main mission is to secure Wolfe Field so it will be use as another use as bomber base. However, before the completion of its construction the Japanese landed in mid February 1942 and captured the field. This prevented the regiment to organize another battalion to expand the regiment.[1]
Japanese Landing
editAlong with 1/102nd Infantry and PC Company under Captain Juan Crisologo, PC the 1st Battalion, 106th Infantry comprises the Zamboanga Force under Lieutenant Colonel Alvin T. Wilson, later Major Lawrence Pritchard was sent from Mindanao Force Headquarters to became its Executive Officer. Preparation are on going and defensive plans are based on preventing the capture of Wolfe Field, but the lack of weapons, ammunition, and artillery made this impossible tasks.[1]
On February 26, 1942 Japanese 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet under Vice Admiral Fugiyama Rokuzo appeared in the coast of Zamboanga. Landing force under Rear Admiral Infune Naosaburo landed in the beaches. With no artillery the Zamboanga Force opted not to meet the invaders at the beach. Zamboanga Force troops was ordered to retreat to the hills.[3] On March 2, 1st Battalion, 106th counterattacked an almost succeed in retaking the city, however with Naval and Seaplanes support repulsed them. The battalion was relegated to do raiding to secure supplies the rest of the War before ordered surrendered on May 11, 1942.[1]