Categories: Discover the PhilippinesIlocos SurLuzon

Historical Bessang Pass in Ilocos Sur

BESSANG PASS

Photo from: nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com

The Battle of Bessang Pass was a major battle during the Philippines Campaign of World War II. It was fought from 9 January through 15 June 1945 in Cervantes, a municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, located 260 km north of Manila. The area serves as a gateway to the Cordillera mountains and the city of Baguio. Bessang Pass was a stronghold of the Japanese imperial forces under Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya” and conqueror of Singapore. It was part of the triangular defense of General Yamashita in the north, namely the Balete Pass, Villaverde Trail and Bessang Pass, guarding the Ifugao-Benguet-Vizcaya borders. Its fall at the hands of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFP-NL) on June 14, 1945 paved the way for the entrapment of Yamashita’s forces in the Cordillera until the general’s surrender in September 1945. Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bessang_Pass

Photo from: http://twomilesfromhome.com/crossing-the-bessang-pass/

Bessang Pass is located in Cervantes, a municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, more than 260 km north of Manila. The area serves as a gateway to the Cordillera mountains and the city of Baguio.

Bessang Pass was the last stronghold of the Japanese imperial forces under Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya” and conqueror of Singapore. It was part of the triangular defense of General Yamashita in the north, namely the Balete Pass, Villaverde Trail and Bessang Pass, guarding the Ifugao-Benguet-Vizcaya borders.

Its fall on the hands of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines (USAFP-NL) on June 14, 1945 paved the way to the entrapment of Yamashita’s forces in the Cordillera until the general’s surrender in September 1945. Read More: Wikipedia.org

Photo from: http://nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com/2011/11/battle-of-bessang-pass.html

In June 1945, after 5 months of excruciating and bloody battles between our Filipino-American Troops versus the impregnable Japanese Army, victory was tasted 1,500 meters above sea level when the mighty General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his troops were left defenseless and were forced to surrender under the gallantry of our men.
This huge victory for the Philippines is commemorated every June 14th. Read More: https://explora.ph/note/304/battle-of-bessang-pass-commemoration

Photo from: https://allevents.in/ilocos%20sur/bessang-pass-a-year-end-bike-ride/1915484668465694#

Along the way going to the historic Bessang Pass, is this awesome falls.

Photo from: http://lawinthemountainer.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/going-to-historic-bessang-pass-in-ilocos-sur-philippines/enjoying-falls-bessang-pass-08-4x/