11th Airborne Division

The 11th Airborne saw its first action on the island of Leyte in the Philippines, but in a traditional infantry role.

In January 1945 the division took part in the invasion of Luzon.

The two glider infantry regiments again operated as conventional infantry, securing a beachhead before fighting their way inland.

The parachute infantry regiment was held in reserve for several days before conducting the division's first airborne operation, a combat drop on the Tagaytay Ridge.

Reunited, the division participated in the Liberation of Manila, and two companies of divisional paratroopers conducted an audacious raid on the Los Baños internment camp, liberating two thousand civilians.

The 11th Airborne's last combat operation of World War II was in the north of Luzon around Apari, in aid of combined American and Philippine forces who were battling to subdue the remaining Japanese resistance on the island.