South Luzon Force was a

corps Corps (; plural ''corps'' ; from French , from the Latin "body") is a term used for several different kinds of organization. A military innovation by Napoleon I, the formation was first named as such in 1805. The size of a corps varies great ...

-sized unit of the US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) active in the

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

between 1941 and 1942. Created along with other 3 commands under the USAFFE, it was officially announced on November 4, 1941, and BGen. (Later MGen.) George S. Parker was appointed to command, making him responsible for the defense of

Southern Luzon Southern Tagalog ( fil, Timog Katagalugan, also known colloquially as ''Rehiyong Timog Tagalog''), designated as Region IV, was an administrative region in the Philippines that comprised the current regions of Calabarzon and Mimaropa, the provi ...

of any invasion. General Parker established his headquarters in Fort William McKinley in Rizal province. He selected Col Stuart MacDonald as his Chief of Staff along with Major Arthur Christensen and LCol. Arthur Shreve as his intelligence and operations officers. Initially assigned combat units are 41st Division under BGen. Vicente Lim ''(formerly Philippine Army Vice Chief of Staff)'' covering Southern Tagalog region, 51st Division under BGen. Albert Jones covering Bicol Peninsula, and 71st Division (unit from Visayas) under Col. (BGen) Clyde Selleck as reserve. However, 71st Division was transferred to North Luzon Force in late November as its Force Reserve. At the start of hostilities in December 1941 additional units was assigned to support. 2nd Provisional Group under LCol. David Babcock equipped with 75mm SPM, Provisional Field Artillery Battalion from 88th Field Artillery, 515th Coast Artillery (AA), and Provisional Infantry Brigade under BGen. Simeon De Jesus, composing of Philippine Constabulary units. 1st Regular Division of Philippine Commonwealth Army under BGen. Fidel Segundo was reactivated as its reserve but got engaged to repulse Japanese landings in

Mauban Mauban, officially the Municipality of Mauban ( tgl, Bayan ng Mauban), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 71,081 people. It lies southeast of Manila and some ...

and

Atimonan Atimonan, officially the Municipality of Atimonan ( tgl, Bayan ng Atimonan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 64,260 people. It lies on the eastern shore ...

beaches.

War Plan Orange (WPO-3)

General MacArthur ordered General Parker to go to Bataan to make all preparations as he is to implement WPO3, all forces will withdraw to

Bataan Bataan (), officially the Province of Bataan ( fil, Lalawigan ng Bataan ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga while Mariveles is the largest town in the province. Occupying the enti ...

. The command of South Luzon Force was temporary passed on to BGen. Albert Jones commander of 51st Division. After the withdrawal is completed both officers reverted to its old command. South Luzon Force is now renamed to II Philippine Corps.

Surrender

II Philippine Corps surrendered on April 9, 1942, along with other forces in Bataan after General Edward King commander of Luzon Force surrendered to Japanese 16th Division. All marched from Mariveles, Bataan to

San Fernando San Fernando may refer to: People *Ferdinand III of Castile (c. 1200–1252), called ''San Fernando'' (Spanish) or ''Saint Ferdinand'', King of Castile, León, and Galicia Places Argentina *San Fernando de la Buena Vista, city of Greater Buenos ...

Pampanga Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...

under the heat of the sun without food or water later known as Death March.

Order of Battle November 1941 to January 1942

* Headquarters, South Luzon Force * 41st Division - BGen. Vicente Lim * 51st Division - BGen. Albert Jones * 1st Regular Division - BGen. Fidel Segundo * 51st Provisional Infantry Brigade (PC) - BGen. Simeon De Jesus, PA * Provisional Group (SPM) - LCol. David Babcock * 515th Coast Artillery (AA) - LCol. Henry Peck

Order of Battle January to April 1942 (Renamed II Philippine Corps)

* Headquarters, South Luzon Force * 41st Division - BGen. Vicente Lim * 51st Division - BGen. Albert Jones * 91st Division - BGen. Luther Stevens * Provisional Group (SPM) - LCol. David Babcock * 515th Coast Artillery (AA) - LCol. Henry Peck * 57th US Infantry Regimental Team (PS) * Provisional Field Artillery Brigade - Col. Albert Ives

References

*{{cite book, last=Morton , first=Louis , title=Chapter IV: Prewar Plans, Japanese and American (in) The Fall of the Philippines United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific , url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-PI/USA-P-PI-4.html#4-2, publisher=

Center of Military History The United States Army Center of Military History (CMH) is a directorate within the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. The Institute of Heraldry remains within the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Arm ...

, United States Army , place=Washington DC , date=1953 (p70) Military history of the Philippines during World War II Military units and formations of the Philippine Army in World War II