MANILA, Philippines - Today, the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Leyte Landings, a memorial marker will be dedicated in honor of the 92 Australian service personnel who gave their lives to the Liberation of the Philippines.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell, and officials from the Department of National Defence, Office of Veteran’s Affairs, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defence Force will be present for the unveiling of the memorial at the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, in Palo, Leyte.
From 1941-45, some 4,000 Australians participated in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation and approximately 100 Australian servicemen died.
Few people today would be aware of the extent and diversity of Australia’s contribution to the campaign, from the escaped Australian prisoners who fought alongside Filipino guerrillas through to Australian warships that endured the terrifying ordeal of Japanese Kamikaze attacks.