Philippine Joint Strike Force

HEADQUARTERS
SIXTH UNITED STATES ARMY
APO 442
23 JANUARY 1945

OPORD 2-45 (Reconnaissance – PKL POW Camp)
(U) Operation Liberty’s Grace – Phase I
Time Zone: Local (Philippine Time)

1. Situation
   a. Enemy Forces
   • The Japanese Imperial Army maintains control of the PKL POW Camp, called “Kampo Kamatayan” (Death Camp) by locals, housing an estimated 15+ Allied prisoners, mostly American officers from the Bataan Death March.
   • Estimated 200–250 Japanese troops in and around the camp, with additional elements in surrounding towns outside the main battle area.
   • Enemy patrols active along the river town axis. Reinforcements from nearby units possible within 24–36 hours once alerted.

b. Friendly Forces
• 6th Ranger Battalion: Staging in Camp Franco, deep in the jungle west of the river, standing by for direct action contingent on successful recon.
• Filipino Guerrilla Forces: Operating under Capt. Montano (east of river).

c. Attachments & Detachments
• No attachments authorized. Guerrilla support for navigation.

d. Terrain and Weather
• Hills and triple canopy jungle dominate area around camp. Risk of detection is relatively low.
• Moonlit nights increasing visibility; vegetation provides moderate to high concealment.

2. Mission
   The Alamo Scouts will infiltrate Japanese-controlled territory and conduct covert reconnaissance of the Cabanatuan POW camp no later than 26 JAN 1945. Mission objectives include confirming camp layout, enemy positions, guard routines, and viable approach/extraction routes to enable a follow-on rescue operation.

3. Execution
   a. Commander’s Intent
   To obtain timely and actionable intelligence for the successful planning and execution of a precision raid to liberate American POWs held at Cabanatuan, without alerting the Japanese garrison.

b. Concept of Operations
• Infiltration by Alamo Scout with guerrilla guides via jungle from Camp Franco.
• Establish concealed Observation Posts (OPs) within 300–500 meters of the POW camp perimeter.
• Conduct continuous surveillance to record enemy routines and defensive positions.
• Scouts will exfiltrate and report directly to 6th Ranger CO and XO at forward staging area.

c. Tasks
Identify the following:
• Number and placement of sentries and MG positions
• Shift changes and lighting conditions.
• Possible weak points in fencing and patrol gaps
• Any anti-personnel defenses (mines, booby traps)

d. Coordinating Instructions
• Maintain absolute silence and light discipline.
• Civilians may be engaged for passive support only via guerrilla intermediaries.
• No engagement unless discovery is imminent.

4. Sustainment
   a. Supply
   • Scouts to carry rations, full camouflage, compasses, maps, and writing materials.
   • Comms: No radios to avoid detection. All reports by courier or in person.
   • Emergency extraction coordinated with Filipino guerrilla units; fallback point west of the river.

b. Medical
• Each team to carry minimal medical kit.
• Any casualties to be treated and extracted via guerrilla-held villages under cover.

5. Command and Signal
   a. Command
   Overall: Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger, Commanding Sixth Army
   G-2 Operations Oversight: Col. Horton White
   On-Site: Alamo Scout Team Leaders report to 6th Ranger CO and XO at staging area on completion

b. Signal
• No radio communications authorized during recon phase.
• Codeword upon successful return: “EMBER.”
• If compromised, exfiltrate immediately and report status using codeword: “SCORCH.”

ACKNOWLEDGE

Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger
General, U.S. Army
Commanding, Sixth Army