Philippines 3rd Anniversary of the Liberation of Manila by General Douglas MacArthur - 1948

PHILIPPINES on 3 February 1948 issued a First Day Cover marking the 3rd anniversary of the Liberation of Manila, by General Douglas MacArthur. The stamps depicting MacArthur were engraved by American Bank Note Company (ABNC). FDC postmark originated from Manila.

The Battle of Manila, 3 February to March 1945, was a major battle of the Philippine Campaign in 1944–45, during the Second World War. It was fought by forces from both the United States and the Philippines against Japanese troops in Manila.  

The month-long battle, which resulted in the death of over 100,000 civilians and the complete devastation of the city, was the scene of the worst urban fighting in the Pacific theater.   Along with massive loss of life, the battle also destroyed architectural and cultural heritage dating back to the city's founding, and Manila became one of the most devastated capital cities during WW II, alongside Berlin and Warsaw.

The battle ended the almost three years of Japanese military occupation in the Philippines (1942–1945). The city's capture was marked as General Douglas MacArthur's key to victory in the campaign to liberate the Philippines.