The
Legislative Building shows the ferocity of the Battle of Manila. The
City Hall is in the background at far right. After an artillery barrage
commencing on the morning of 24 February, and ending on the morning of the 26th,
the Americans crossed the road. Not until midday on the 28th did they secure the
total wreck of the building. The 4.2 inch mortars in the infantry units were incapable of penetrating the
reinforced concrete, and the 75 or 76mm guns on the tanks and tank destroyers
experienced similar problems.