Rear Admiral Iwabuchi Sanji, commander of the 31st Naval Special Base Force had the Manila Naval defence numbering 12,500 men and 4500 army personnel under the command of Col. Katsuzo Noguchi and Capt. Saburo Abe. They built defensive positions in the city, including Intramuros, cut down the palm trees on Dewey Blvd. to form a runway, and set up barricades across major streets. Iwabuchi formed the Northern Force under Noguchi, and the Southern Force under Capt. Takusue Furuse. http://malacanang.gov.ph/battle-of-manila/