[Milsurplus] Philippine Guerilla ops

[BSugarberg]

Wendel Fertig
-------------

Wendell Fertig (b.1900 - d.1975) was an American civil engineer in the 
Philippines, who became a leader of a guerrilla force in the 
Japanese-occupied Southern Philippine island of Mindanao during World War II.

Fertig was commissioned as a Captain (reserve) in the United States Army 
Corps of Engineers at the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific 
theater (1941). Promoted twice by April 1942, Fertig - by then a Lieutenant 
Colonel - was sent from Bataan to Mindanao by General Edward P. King (Luzon 
Force Commander) to assist General William F. Sharp (Mindanao Force 
Commander). After the Philippines were surrendered to the Japanese in May 
1942, Fertig decided to continue the fight.

Over the next two and a half years, Fertig created and commanded the "United 
States Forces in the Philippines" (USFIP), recruiting escaped POWS, Filipino 
natives, rival guerrilla groups, and soldiers who had refused to surrender. 
This was done despite Fertig having no formal military training (he was 
direct-commissioned into the military). Between 1942 and 1944, USFIP 
conducted numerous raids against the Japanese Occupation Forces on Mindanao 
in order to both sustain his operation with captured supplies, and to carry 
on a harassing operation against the Japanese. Fertig's forces were able to 
repel Japanese attempts to recapture territory held by the guerrillas. In 
order to be able to lead, Fertig had to promote himself to Brigadier General 
as he knew that no Filipino would follow a Lieutenant Colonel in a guerrilla 
operation. This self-promotion did not endear him to General Douglas 
MacArthur or his staff, but MacArthur did send logistical support to Fertig 
throughout 1943 and 1944. This was not done earlier because MacArthur did 
not know whether such a force existed, as there was immense difficulty in 
communicating with Fertig and his group. He also felt that recognizing 
Fertig as a guerrilla commander would be dangerous if the Japanese were to 
capture him and and score a propaganda coup.

 From humble beginnings, USFIP became one of the best equipped and effective 
irregular units operating in World War II. In fact, when the submarine USS 
Narwhal went to Mindanao in 1944 to deliver supplies, they were met by the 
uniformed band of USFIP playing "Stars and Stripes Forever". In 1945, 
Fertig's forces participated in the Battle of Mindanao that effectively 
ended organized Japanese resistance in the region.

Fertig was promoted to full Colonel by MacArthur and awarded the 
Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts. After the war ended, Fertig 
resumed his career as a civil engineer. He is widely regarded as a hero by 
the people of Mindanao, and was a highly respected figure among the U.S. 
Special Forces. He helped found the Army Special Warfare School at Fort 
Bragg, North Carolina.

Some military scholars are of the opinion that the failure of the military 
to promote Fertig to the rank of General was a travesty perpetuated by 
MacArthur's staff. Through his efforts in establishing USFIP, Fertig ended 
up by 1944 commanding a force totalling approximately 38,000 effectives, 
(the equivalent of an Army Corps).

John Keats' biography They Fought Alone describes Fertig's guerrilla 
operation. W. E. B. Griffin's novel Behind the Lines is based on the 
beginning phases of Fertig's operation and the top-level political 
maneuvering surrounding it.