During the Battle of Manila in the Pacific War, the body of a Japanese soldier killed by American forces collapsed onto a city street in Intramuros on February 23, 1945.

　　During the Battle of Manila in the Pacific War, the body of a Japanese soldier killed by American forces collapsed onto a city street on February 23, 1945. The American assault on Intramuros, Manila's oldest district with walls built by Spain in the 16th century, began at 7:30 AM on February 23. American infantry breached the walls between Quezon Gate and Parian Gate and attacked Japanese forces. They crossed the Pasig River and engaged Japanese troops near the Government Mint. 

　　On February 3, 1945, American forces liberated over 3,700 Allied prisoners of war held at the University of Santo Tomas. The Battle of Manila erupted. By March 3, 1945, the fiercest urban combat of World War II erupted as U.S. forces seized the Legislative Assembly and Treasury Department buildings in downtown Manila. Street-by-street, building-by-building urban warfare raged throughout Manila. Manila's urban center was reduced to ruins. In the Battle of Manila, 1,010 American soldiers were killed and over 5,500 were wounded. Over 100,000 Manila civilians also lost their lives in the battle for the liberation of the Philippine capital, caught in the aftermath of the fighting between the occupying and recapturing forces. At least 16,000 Japanese soldiers were killed in action.

　　U.S. forces employed tanks and artillery to destroy structures with direct fire at close range. Engineers carrying explosives and infantry armed with flamethrowers, grenades, bazookas, and other small arms supported the advance. Once inside buildings, flamethrowers and small arms fire were used to secure them. In areas south of the river where Japanese forces held out, systematic massacres occurred, targeting men, women, and even children. The Battle of Manila also highlighted the dangers and sacrifices faced by civilians caught in the crossfire.