World War II: The U.S. 32nd Infantry Division Battle to Control the Villa Verde Trail in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.

 World War II: The U.S. 32nd Infantry Division Battle to Control the Villa Verde Trail in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.


VILLA VERDE TRAIL
This is a sub category of North Luzon Category. The Villa Verde Trail was used by the 32nd Infantry Division to break thru the Salacsac Passes of the Villa Verde Trail in WWII.

It was a savage battle with many casualties on both sides. 

Before that it was a foot trail used by the people to communicate between the Pangasinan and Nueva Viscaya Provinces.

In 2017 a serious effort was started to build a two lane highway thru the two provinces.

The Battle of the Villa Verde Trail was fought along the trail and thru the Salacsac Pass joining SAN NICOLAS in PANGASINAN and Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya across the Caballo Mountains.

It was fought by the 32 Division from February to May 1945.

Many Filipino residents from the SAN NICOLAS area helped in many ways.

The Japanese lost 5,410 at Salacsac Passes.

The Battle of Villa Verde Trail, or the Battle of Salacsac Pass, cost the American 32nd Division, 825 killed, and 2,160 wounded.

For both, the Battle of the Balete Pass and the Villa Verde Trail, the casualties among Filipino Commonwealth regulars, Constabulary and guerrillas were 285 killed and 1,134 wounded in battle.

The Japanese 10th Division and 2nd Tank Division were finished as effective combat units.

What a history!📜

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