[1] Training went ahead for both regiments when the war in the Philippines commenced on December 8, 1941, when Clark Air Base and other military installations in Luzon were bombed.

On January 4, 1942 the Visayas-Mindanao Force (VMF) commander, Brigadier General William F. Sharp, ordered both the 73rd and 61st Infantry Regiments to transfer to Mindanao Island via Iligan.

[2] Due to his failing health, General Bradford Chynoweth ordered Hilsman to Cebu to become his chief of staff and access medical services.

On orders of General Chynoweth, Hilsman was transferred to Cebu to become his chief of staff in late March.

Among them were Philippine Commonwealth Army Chief of Staff Major General Basilio Valdes and the President's family.

On March 15 Chynoweth, commander of the newly-created Visayan Force, passed through Negros to establish a headquarters in Cebu.

The incident gave proof to Hilsman's concern for the President and his party to leave the island as soon as possible for safety.

This did not sit well with the President, who "went berserk" on Chynoweth, but the trip had already been arranged with United States Forces in the Philippines coordination.

Due to the hastily arranged departure and limited space on the PT boat, some of the luggage was left at the port in Dumaguete.

[3] Hilsman arrived on the island on February 8, 1942, from VMF Headquarters to take command, and immediately reorganized the Negros Force.

On April 9, 1942 the Japanese Kawaguchi Detachment left Lingayen Gulf for Cebu with 11 transports escorted by 3 destroyers and 2 cruisers.