The 33rd Infantry Division served in New Guinea and Morotai in 1944, the 123rd Infantry Regiment deploying to Maffin Bay on September 1 to patrol the Wakde airdrome and Toem–Sarmi sector. The division assembled at Morotai in December 1944 and staged for the Philippines before landing at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon on February 10, 1945, relieving the 43rd Infantry Division.
On February 19 the Prairie Division began its drive into the Caraballo Mountains toward Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines and the location of Japanese headquarters in northern Luzon. The division seized Questionmark and Benchmark Hills after heavy fighting on February 22. The 130th Infantry Regiment took Aringay and its bridge intact on March 7 and pressed on toward Baguio, while the 136th Infantry Regiment maintained pressure along Kennon Road. The 130th Infantry captured Asin on April 12, but an extensive Japanese tunnel complex blocked further advance; close-assault reduction of the Asin Tunnels resumed on April 21. The 123rd Infantry pushed slowly up the Pugo–Tubo Trail as Allied forces converged on Baguio, which was entered in late April 1945.
The division remained engaged in operations across northern Luzon until Japan's surrender, conducting sustained combat in rugged terrain against an enemy determined to hold every ridge. Its campaign reflected the methodical Allied advance through the mountains of northern Luzon in the final months of the war.
(A) = attached
Sources and notes can be found on the Sources page.
View sources →