Japanese invasion of Batan Island

The Japanese invasion of Batan Island (Filipino: Paglusob ng mga Hapones sa Isla ng Batan) was the first step in their invasion of the Philippines, an American commonwealth territory. The US had acquired the former Spanish colony half a century earlier, when it defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War. The objective of the invasion was to seize local airstrips that could be used as forward operating bases for fighter aircraft to be utilized in further assaults in the Luzon mainland. The attack on Batan Island was the first of several other advance landings; with other landings taking place in Aparri, Vigan, Legaspi, Davao, and Jolo Islands.