Japanese invasion of Batan Island

The Japanese invasion of Batan Island was the first step in their invasion of the Philippines. The invasion was launched from the Japanese ports of Takao and Hozan on Formosa, which was under Japanese control at the time. Japan started the invasion just hours after its attack on Pearl Harbor. The goal of the invading forces was to establish an airbase. The attack on Batan Island was one of several other advance landings; the other landings took place at Aparri, Vigan, Legaspi, Davao, and Jolo Island.