Battle of Tirad Pass

Overview

The Battle of Tirad Pass, sometimes referred to as the Philippine Thermopylae, took place during the Philippine–American War on December 2, 1899, in northern Luzon in the Philippines. A 60-man Filipino rear guard commanded by Brigadier General Gregorio del Pilar succumbed to more than 500 Americans, mostly of the 33rd Volunteer Infantry Regiment under Major Peyton C. March, while delaying the American advance to ensure that President Emilio Aguinaldo and his troops escaped.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Tirad Pass took place during the Philippine–American War as American forces pursued Philippine Republic President Emilio Aguinaldo through northern Luzon. A 60-man Filipino rear guard under Brigadier General Gregorio del Pilar held the pass against a force of more than 500 Americans, primarily of the 33rd Volunteer Infantry Regiment under Major Peyton C. March. The rear guard was overcome, but the delay it provided allowed Aguinaldo and his troops to escape. The action prolonged Aguinaldo's flight and sustained Filipino resistance at a critical moment in the campaign. Del Pilar's stand at Tirad Pass has since been remembered in Philippine national memory as an act of sacrifice analogous to the defense at Thermopylae, a comparison reflected in its common epithet 'the Philippine Thermopylae.'

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)