Malaybalay City During World War II Chapter 2 Sayre Highway
Posted by Delbert on July 22nd, 2007
Sayre Highway
Malaybalay City During World War II
“This photo of a section of the Sayre Highway was given to me but I don’t recall by whom. This was a dangerous road because of slick, muddy hairpin curves through mountains and jungle. Also it was imperative that you be on the alert for an enemy ambush, sniper or land mine.
At a section of the Sayre Highway the Japs had well fortified and put up the strongest defense. Unfortunately our Foot Soldiers arrived at this point without Artillery support because of blown up bridges. On the first day of this battle our Regimental Chaplain Father Thomas Colgan was killed while giving last rites to a fallen soldier. That’s Father Colgan on the right and with him Bill Fitzpatrick who gave me this picture. This fight lasted about a week until the Artillery arrived. Our Regiment lost 69 men killed and 177 wounded in this fight. It became known as “Colgan Woods” and will live in the hearts and minds of those who were there forever.
South PHILIPPINES - In U.S. Army’s X Corps area, 1st Bn of 34th Inf, 24th Div, attacks heights N of Bancal, making slow progress against entrenched strengthened enemy . 3d Bn joins Co K in Guma area to strengthen efforts against bypassed pocket there. 31st div patrol moving N along Sayre Highway finds enemy force disposed to hold woods N of Lake Pinalay, later dubbed Colgan Woods for Capt A.T. Colgan.
This town has just been liberated. Unfortunately I don’t recall the name but perhaps some viewer will recognize it from this photo.
Pushing the Japs back up the Sayre Highway. Note the Foot Soldiers with their rifle walking, along the roadside. This section of the Sayre Highway was in good shape that day.
An extinct volcano – Musuan Peak in Maramang
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