Negros Force

Negros Force was activated by USAFFE on September 1, 1941, to May 12, 1942. The force did not fought during the war but played in organizing units deployed to different sector. The force also continued to fight as a guerilla after the surrender. Although the two provinces was never united due to different affiliation of the commanders.

Background
It was organized after 71st Infantry Division was ordered transfer to Luzon. The only remaining combat unit remained in the island is the 73rd Infantry Regiment under Major Robert H. Vessey. USAFFE Headquarters ordered 61st Infantry Division to transfer 61st Infantry Regiment to Negros Island in October 1941 to take the defense of Negros Occidental. Having two infantry regiments in the Island seems formidable but the lack of weapons, ammunitions, no artillery pieces.

Training went ahead for both regiments when war in the Philippines commenced on December 8, 1941, where Clark Air Base and other military installations in Luzon was bombed. On January 4, 1942, Visayas-Mindanao Force commander Brigadier General William F. Sharp ordered both 73rd Infantry and 61st Infantry Regiments transfer to Mindanao Island via Iligan route. These regiments left for Mindanao on January 5, 1942. Only trainees and PC Companies for Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental province was left on the island.

Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Gador of the Philippine Army commander of the 7th Military District assumed command and took action in organizing two infantry regiments 74th Provisional Infantry Regiment and 75th Provisional Infantry Regiments.

Order of battle, January 1942

 * 74th Provisional Infantry Regiment – Major Sam Jones
 * 1st Battalion – Major Benjamin Roque
 * 2nd Battalion – Major Francisco Gomez
 * 3rd Battalion – Major Ernesto Mata
 * 75th Provisional Infantry Regiment – Lieutenant Colonel Tiburcio Ballesteros
 * 1st Battalion – 1Lieutenant Feliciano Señeres
 * 2nd Battalion – 1Lieutenant Antonio Romero
 * Negros Occidental PC Company - Lieutenant Colonel Mantilla
 * Negros Oriental PC Company – Lieutenant Colonel Balolong
 * 7th Military District – Major Salvador Abcede | Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Gador

Commanders
When 71st Infantry Division the island has no single commander although Colonel Eugene Mitchell was the senior officers in the island he is only authorized to command 61st Infantry which covers Negros Occidental and Major Robert H. Vessey commanded 73rd Infantry which covers the southeast part of the island. Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Gador assumed command when 73rd Infantry and 61st Infantry left for Mindanao, however he was ordered to move to Mindanao and VMF sent Colonel Roger Hilsman to command on February 8, 1942. Due to his failing help General Chynoweth ordered Hilsman to Cebu to become his Chief of Staff and avail medical services. Chynoweth ordered Colonel Carter McClennan from Panay to move to Negros to take command. A day after Hilsman moved to Cebu the Japanese invaded Cebu and after two days the command was lost. Hilsman crossed back to Negros to assume command. Colonel McClennan being the junior slid to being executive officer and by the time Visayan Force surrendered it was McClennan who acted as commander.

Staff
Hilsman assembled his staffs for Negros Force, appointing Major Salvador Abcede as his S2 Intelligence Officer, Major Francisco Gomez as Operations G2.

President and vice president stop-over
The most important event that took place in the island was President and Vice President of the Philippine Commonwealth stop over in Negros island from Corregidor island. President Manuel Quezon aboard Princess of Negros docked in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental on March 14, 1942. Followed by Vice President Sergio Osmeña on March 15. The stopover created a fuzzed among commanders due to the safety of these dignitaries and their parties. Among them are Philippine Commonwealth Army Chief of Staff Major General Basilio Valdes and President's family. No one bothered to advise the president to leave the soonest to Mindanao as Japanese activities in Visayan waters has intensified not even the island commander Colonel Hilsman. In March 15, Brigadier General Bradford Chynoweth the newly appointed commander of newly created Visayan Force passed through to Negros to established headquarters in Cebu. Hilsman met him at Pulupandan port and brought the matter to Chynoweth on President's presence in the island what it brought immense worries. Chynoweth promised to message the president after reaching Cebu.

In March 16, just as Chynoweth off board from a ferry in Toledo, a cruiser appeared and shelled both Toledo, Cebu and San Carlos, Negros Oriental. President's ship Princess of Negros was docked in San Carlos was captured by the Japanese. The incident gave a proof on the worries of Hilsman for the President and his party to leave the island the soonest for safety reason. Chynoweth sent a message from Cebu to Hilsman to be conveyed to the President to leave the island the soonest. This did not sit well with the President Quezon and went berserk on Chynoweth but the trip was already arranged with USFIP coordination.

The President and his party crossed to Mindanao using PT Boats of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 6 under Lieutenant Bulkeley. Due to the hastily arranged departure and limited space of PT Boat some of the luggage was left at the port in Dumaguete. The President and his party landed in Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental the following morning. This gave a relief for Colonel Hilsman and his troops to continue training and preparation.

Order of battle, February 1942

 * 74th Provisional Infantry Regiment – Major Sam C. Jones
 * 1st Battalion – Major Angel Okol
 * 2nd Battalion – Major Francisco Gomez | Major Salvador Abcede
 * 3rd Battalion – Major Ernesto Mata
 * 75th Provisional Infantry Regiment – Major Roque
 * 1st Battalion – Major Pulong Arpa
 * 2nd Battalion – Major Benjamin Ignacio
 * Negros Occidental PC - Lieutenant Colonel Mantilla, PC
 * Negros Oriental PC – Lieutenant Colonel Balolong, PC
 * 7th Military District – Major Salvador Abcede | Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Gador

Colonel Roger Hilsman arrived in the island on February 8, 1942, from VMF Headquarters to command. Hilsman commanded the Defense force in Davao City on mid-December 1941. He immediately reorganized the Negros Force, Lieutenant Colonel Gador was ordered to Mindanao by VMF, Major Salvador Abcede, PA took over command of 7th Military District.

Japanese invasion of Visayas
On April 9, 1942 Kawaguchi detachment left Lingayen Gulf for Cebu with 11 transports escorted by 3 destroyers and 2 Cruisers. On April 16, 1942 Kawamura detachment left Lingayen to secure the island of Panay. When Cebu island was secured 10th Independent Garrison took over as well as Panay for Kawamura and Kawaguchi detachments free for the island of Mindanao operations.

Surrender
The Japanese commander in Cebu sent emissaries to Negros discuss surrender but Colonel Hilsman rejected. However, order to surrender received at the Negros Force headquarters from Visayas-Mindanao Force on May 12, 1942. All commanders were ordered to surrender along with his men but Major Salvador Abcede and Captain Ernesto Mata did not surrender. Escaped to the mountains and continue to fight as guerillas.