The quest to regain the Philippines was paramount. In early January 1945, the U.S. Sixth Army was moved by transports through Surigao Strait and into the Mindanao and Sulu seas. After three days of bombardment by sea and air, the Americans stormed ashore at Lingayen and Luzon on January 9. Again, the Japanese defenders resisted fiercely, but were forced to retreat to the mountains in the north and east. The pace of the U.S. advance continued as additional landings were made in western and southern Luzon. All U.S. columns now converged on Manila. On March 4, the battle for Luzon ended with the final clearance of Manila by American forces. Meanwhile, U.S. parachutists dropped on Corregidor and took the fortress. On July 5, General MacArthur announced that the campaign for the liberation of the Philippines was ended.