By mid-1944, American forces were only 300 miles southeast of Mindanao, the southernmost island in the Philippines. Allied forces had advanced across the Central Pacific taking the Gilbert, Marshall and Caroline Islands. Carrier based planes were already conducting strikes against the Philippines. American and Australian ground forces under General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Southwest Pacific Area, had isolated the Japanese in mainland New Guinea, and then isolated the huge Japanese base at Rabaul by capturing and creating air and naval facilities across the Southwest Pacific theater. The stage was set for a return to the Philippines.
Because of the close relationship between the Philippines and the United States since 1898, the decision was made to advance the date for the long-awaited return to the Philippines. The new date would be 20 October 1944. (Stock Scenario)
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