Shannon Stirnweis (American, B. 1931) "Fall of Manila to Japanese Forces" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 50c Fall of Manilla to Japanese Forces stamp issued January 2, 1992. Manilla the "Pearl of the Orient," served as the focal point for America's Far East military operations and planning. As pre-war tensions between the U.S. and Japan heightened, American military leaders developed war plan Orange, a strategy designed to keep control of the port city until the arrival of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from Pearl Harbor. Japan's rapacious attack on Pearl Harbor knocked war plan Orange askew, and General Douglas MacArthur began withdrawing all material and personnel to Bataan and Corregidor. On December 26, 1941, MacArthur declared Manila an open city, and the next day Japanese aircraft initiated a series of heavy attacks against the port and area military targets. On January 2, 1942, unopposed Japanese forces entered Manilla. Image Size: 22.25 x 15.5 in. Overall Size: 25.5 x 18.75 in. Unframed. (B13525)