<Ul> <Li> Kantokuen </Li> <Li> Manchuria (1945) </Li> <Li> Mutanchiang </Li> <Li> Sakhalin Island </Li> <Li> Kuril Islands </Li> <Li> Shumshu </Li> </Ul> <Li> Manchuria (1945) </Li> <P> The Philippines Campaign (Filipino: Kampanya sa Pilipinas or Labanan sa Pilipinas) or the Battle of the Philippines, fought 8 December 1941--8 May 1942, was the invasion of the Philippines by Imperial Japan and the defense of the islands by United States and Filipino forces during the Second World War . </P> <P> The Japanese launched the invasion by sea from Formosa over 200 miles to the north of the Philippines . The defending forces outnumbered the Japanese invaders by 3 to 2, however they were a mixed force of non-combat experienced regular, national guard, constabulary and newly created Commonwealth units . The Japanese used first - line troops at the outset of the campaign, and concentrating their forces, enabling a swift overrun of most of Luzon during the first month . </P>

Which battle led to the american recapture of the philippines apex
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