81st Infantry Regiment (PA)
81st Infantry Regiment is a military unit and formation of the Philippine Commonwealth Army
activated in August 1941 and fought in Mindanao during early stage of World War II. It was put under the command of 81st Infantry Division based in Cebu but was transferred to Leyte when 91st Infantry Division was ordered transferred to Luzon. Together with 93rd Infantry Regiment and Leyte Provisional Regiment, they formed the Samar-Leyte Brigade under Colonel Ben-Hur Chastaine.
Background
The regiment was formed in Cebu with recruits mostly from Cebu and Bohol islands. It was brought to Tubigon, Bohol for training and cross to Leyte island. It was initially under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ruperto Kangleon, who is a graduate of PC Academy in 1914. In December when hostilities started Lieutenant Colonel Arden Boellner arrived became its senior military instructor. The regiment was issued with M1917 Enfield.30 caliber bolt-action rifles with same issue with other regiments, encountering broken extractors and pins. Lack of ammunition that the soldiers of the regiment was not allowed to fire their rifles during training.Regimental staffs are S1, S2 - Captain Marcos Soliman, S3, S4, Signal Officer, Quartermaster, JAG. Captain Soliman would be known as a guerilla leader and Director of NICA years after the war.
Battalion commanders were 1st Battalion, Captain Luis Dator, 2nd Battalion under Captain Segundo Velasco, and 3rd Battalion under Captain Tiburcio Bancaras upon its activation.
By January 1942,In Agusan sector 1st Battalion is now under Captain John S. Miner, 2nd Battalion under 1Lt. Perfecto Mabugat, and 3rd Battalion is now under Major Joseph Stensland.
Deployments to Samar and transfer to Mindanao
Samar
When 91st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Luther R. Stevens was ordered to transfer to Luzon Island in September 1, 1941, only its last regiment the 93rd Infantry was left in Leyte as it is still being activated and organized from the reservist. USAFFE decided to transfer to 81st Infantry Regiment to bolster its defense. Together with 93rd Infantry Regiment they, comprised the Samar Brigade. Training was continuous when World War II started in December 8, 1941.Mindanao
In January 1942, it received an order from General Sharp the Visayas-Mindanao Force commander to transferred the Samar Brigade to Mindanao via Surigao. Along with 93rd Infantry Regiment and Provincial Battalions of Surigao and Agusan they were tasked to defend the Agusan Sector, which included coasts of Agusan, Surigao, and Northern Davao Provinces. The brigade commander Colonel Ben-Hur Chastaine also served as sector commander with its headquarters at Anakan Lumber Co., Compound near Ginoog, Misamis Oriental.The regiment was resorted to guarding the coastline, gathering supplies, and retrieving supplies and mines dump by supply ships from Australia. On February 20, 1942, 93rd Infantry Regiment was ordered to transfer to Bukidnon to be the Force reserve, leaving only 81st Infantry Regiment defending entire Agusan sector. Back on January 13, 1942, to prevent Japanese infiltrating northward from Davao City, Colonel Chastain ordered 1st Battalion, 81st Infantry to moved to Monkayo, Davao sharing a headquarters with PC in Camp Kalao. 2nd Battalion was ordered to reinforce 1st Battalion, leaving 3rd Battalion along with PC units to defend Butuan City.