 Thus, except for the airdrome itself, the base was spared the ravages of war.When the American counterattack on Stotsenburg began in late 1944, the Japanese made the decision to defend the base at all costs.From beginning to end, the defense lasted more than a month, and even after the base itself had been captured, hold out Japanese troops remained in the foothills of the Zambales Mountains and had to be flushed out one by one.