Battle of Bataan

[Cygnus]

Map of the Japanese drive to Bataan


Battle of Bataan

The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines, in the early stages of the Pacific War.

Invasion

As Japanese carrier planes devastated the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in the morning of December 7, 1941 (December 8, Manila time), Formosa-based aircraft pounded the main bases of the American Far East Air Force and Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines. From December 8 to 10, scattered but heroic resistance by ground troops and remaining American air and naval forces failed to stop diversionary landings at Batan Island, Aparri, Vigan, Legaspi, Davao and Jolo, preceding the main landings on December 21, 1941 at Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan and Lamon Bay, Tayabas by the 14th Japanese Imperial Army led by Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma. After securing the beachheads, the Japanese launched a massive pincer attack

War Plan Orange-3

The United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) commanded by General Douglas MacArthur were hurled back by the advance of the enemy. In the face of this onslaught, Gen. MacArthur ordered a fighting retreat by all USAFFE units to the Bataan peninsula, whereupon the defending forces, in accordance with War Plan Orange-3, would regroup and make an indefinite stand.

The concept of WPO-3 was to delay invading enemy forces until the US Pacific Fleet could be mustered at full strength and fight its way to the Philippines. At the Bataan peninsula, with its defensive terrain, and backed by artillery from the harbor defenses in Manila Bay and the nearby island fortress of Corregidor, the defenders were expected to hold out until reinforcements arrive. But with the Pacific Fleet having been crippled at Pearl Harbor, no aid would be forthcoming.

Meanwhile, Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Philippine Commonwealth , together with his family and staff were evacuated to Corregidor, as well as all USAFFE military personnel were removed from the major urban areas. On December 24, 1941 , Manila was declared an open city, and Japanese forces occupied it on January 2, 1942 .

The Battling Bastards



Japanese pincer drive after Luzon landings, December 8,1941 to January 2,1942

From January 1-5, 1942 , as the entire USAFFE converged from south and north, delaying actions were fought to allow the struggling withdrawal to Bataan. The bloodiest occurred at the Porac-Guagua line, where the 11th and 21st Divisions, respectively led by Brig. Generals William E. Brougher and Mateo Capinpin with the 26th Cavalry of Col. Clinton A. Pierce in reserve,held the line, mostly on open and unprepared ground, against massive aerial and artillery bombardment,strong tank assaults, and infantry banzai attacks by the Takahashi and Tanaka Detachments. Both sides suffered heavy casualties.

On January 6 , at the first defensive line from Dinalupihan to Layac Junction, the only approach to Bataan, the 31st Infantry Regiment of Col. Charles A. Steel, the 71st Division led by Brig. Gen. Clyde A. Selleck and the 26th Cavalry stood fast against relentless artillery fire and assaults of the pursuing Imai Detachment. In this action, Medal of Honor awardee Sgt. Jose Calugas of the Philippine Scouts voluntarily and without orders, dashed about one thousand yards across the shell-swept ground, and organized a volunteer squad to man a 75mm gun, which they kept firing on the onrushing enemy. After a fighting withdrawal, the Abucay-Mauban line , the USAFFE's main battle position was now finally in place, with equally defensive sectors, held by Maj. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright 's I Philippine Corps in the east and by the II Philippine Corps of Maj. Gen. George M. Parker in the west.



On January 9 , the enemy under Lt. Gen. Susumu Morioka assaulted the eastern flank of the Abucay-Mauban line,and was repulsed by the 91st Division of Brig. Gen. Luther Stevens and Col. George S. Clark's 57th Infantry. Another attack on January 14 at the boundary of positions held by the 41st and 51st Divisions of Brig. Generals Vicente Lim and Albert M. Jones, respectively, aided by the 43rd and 23rd Infantry, stubbornly refused the enemy their left flank. The enemy advanced to the Salian River valley through a gap made by the 51st Infantry's withdrawal. But a patrol discovered the infiltration, and units of the 21st Division rushed to the valley, and repulsed the enemy after a savage encounter.

At another engagement farther to the west, a Japanese force surprised and routed the 53rd Infantry of Col. John R. Boatwright. This force also penetrated deep behind the Abucay-Mauban line along the Abo-Abo river valley. But their advance was held up by combined units of the 21st and 51st Divisions, the 31st Division of Brig. Gen. Clifford Bluemel ,and Col. John H. Rodman's 92nd Infantry at the Bani-Guirol forest area. The 31st Infantry and the 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts of Col. Thomas W. Doyle partially restored the abandoned line of the 51st Division.

On January 15 , the reinforced 1st Regular Division of Brig. Gen. Fidel Segundo , defending the Morong sector came under heavy bombardment, but held the line. The enemy penetrated through a huge gap in the Silangan-Natib area, established a roadblock on Mauban ridge, threatening to cut off the division's rear. Repeated attacks by the 91st and 71st Divisions, and 92nd Infantry failed to dislodge the enemy. The enemy's nightly raids and infiltration tactics became more frequent. Previously, Gen. Parker's II Corps had prevented a similar encirclement at the Salian river battle, but the position of Gen. Wainwright's I Corps was deemed indefensible, and the Abucay-Mauban line had to be abandoned on January 24.


Battles of the Points and Pockets

Within two days, the Orion-Bagac line was formed. But the defenders had yet to complete their withdrawal to the reserve battle position when the enemy struck again, through a gap held by I Corps. Bluemel organized a defense along Trail 2 consisting of 32nd Infantry, 41st Infantry and 51st Division reinforcements, in time to stop a major enemy offensive and plugged the gap. The remaining enemy troops held out at some rear sectors of the Orion-Bagac line at the Tuol River valley behind the 11th Division, and in the Gogo-Cotar River behind the 1st Regular Division. From January 23-February 17, coordinated action by the defenders, to eliminate these salients of resistance, became known as the Battles of the Pockets. Of the 2,000 Japanese soldiers engaged, only 377 were reported to have escaped.

The Japanese were getting desperate, and in an attempt to outflank I Corps and isolate the Service Command sector of Brig. Gen. Allan C. McBride, crack enemy marines were landed on the west coast of southern Bataan. Battles were fought ferociously at the Lapay-Longoskawayan points from January 23 - 29, at the Quinawan-Aglaloma points from January 22 - February 8, and at the Silalim-Anyasan points from January 27 - February 13. Out of the 2,000 enemy troops committed to these battles, only 34 wounded returned to their lines. These engagements were named the Battles of the Points.

After the battle of the points, pockets and Trail 2, which were splendid victories by the USAFFE, the defenders dug in along the line, used the interlude in battle to train and to improve their positions. Food and medicine were urgently needed, but none was forthcoming. With all attacks on the allied line stalled, Gen. Homma ordered a general withdrawal from the frontline on February 8, 1942 to regroup and wait for reinforcements.

The Fall

On March 12 , General MacArthur, his family, and several USAFFE staff officers left Corregidor on four PT boats for Mindanao, and were eventually flown to Australia where he broadcast to the Filipino people his famous "I Shall Return" promise. MacArthur's departure marked the end of the USAFFE and by March 22, the defending army was renamed United States Forces in the Philippines (USFIP) and Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright was placed in command.

The Japanese High Command reinforced Gen. Homma's 14th Imperial Army and toward the end of March, the enemy prepared for the final assault. On April 3, the entire Orion-Bagac line was subjected to incessant air and artillery bombardment, which turned the Mt. Samat stronghold into an inferno. The Japanese 4th Division and 65th Brigade spearheaded the main attack at the left flank of II Corps. Everywhere along the line, the gallant but starving defenders were driven back by masses of Japanese tanks and infantry. The enemy launched a drive into the center, penetrated into flanks held by the 22nd and 23rd Regiments of the 21st Division and by April 6, Mt. Samat was captured.

All along the battle front, units of I Corps together with devastated remnants of II Corps, crumbled and straggled to the rear. Other units disappeared into the jungle, never to be heard from again. In the last two days of the defense of Bataan, the entire Allied defense progressively disintegrated and collapsed. By April 8 , the senior US commander on Bataan, Maj. Gen. Edward P. King , saw the futility of further resistance, and put forth proposals for capitulation.

The next morning , April 9, 1942, King met with Maj. Gen. Kameichiro Nagano and surrendered the weary, starving and emaciated American and Filipino defenders on the battle-swept Bataan peninsula.

Outcome and Historical Significance

The surrender of Bataan would hasten the fall of Corregidor, a month later. More than 15,000 American and 60,000 Filipino prisoners of war were forced into the infamous Bataan Death March, perhaps the most heinous of war crimes ever committed by a modern military power.

American liberation forces finally retook the Bataan peninsula on February 8 , 1945.

The Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar , Bataan was erected as a war memorial featuring a cross standing about 311-ft or 90 meters high.

The United States Navy Wasp Class Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) , commissioned on September 20 , 1997 , is commemorated those who served and sacrificed in the Philippines in the name of freedom in the Pacific.

The Bataan Death March Memorial Monument, erected in April , 2001 is the only funded monument by the US Federal Government dedicated to the victims of the Bataan Death March during World War II. The Memorial was designed and sculpted by Las Cruces artist Kelly Hester and is located in Veterans Park along Roadrunner Parkway, New Mexico .



http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?...%20of%20Bataan

[Scipio vs Dumbo]

My grandfather was there. He was a crew chief turned infintryman. Killed a lot of Japs. Was shot in the head with a wooden bullit. Split his skin from his eyebrows to the back of his head. He got patched up and back in the fight. Did the March and the Hell Ships then worked in Japan at a steel mill. The Japs left the camp and a P-51 flew over the camp ala Empire of the Sun, waving and all. He was 98lbs when he got on the ship home. 155lbs when he steped off. Bronze star and purple heart. Great guy and a great grandfather. He died last year.

[Cygnus]

My grandfather was there. He was a crew chief turned infintryman. Killed a lot of Japs. Was shot in the head with a wooden bullit. Split his skin from his eyebrows to the back of his head. He got patched up and back in the fight. Did the March and the Hell Ships then worked in Japan at a steel mill. The Japs left the camp and a P-51 flew over the camp ala Empire of the Sun, waving and all. He was 98lbs when he got on the ship home. 155lbs when he steped off. Bronze star and purple heart. Great guy and a great grandfather. He died last year.

RIP

I salute to your grandfather, the Battling Bastards of Bataan were tough fighters. Much of Asia has fallen while the fighting continued in the Philippines Bataan, Correigedor, Cebu and Panay.

My greatgrandfather died two years ago, he served [like most of the population during the war] with the group known as Andersen's Guerilla.

[kuneho]

There will be a movie (Beast of Bataan) filmed in 2006 based on the Japanese general's war crimes including the death march. Hopefully this will inform most people of what happened. Many Americans died in Bataan, and it's ashame that most Americans I know didn't have a clue they had troops there in WWII.

I was in Bataan last May 2005. I also visited the Corregidor Island. The views from the island was breathtaking. It's so peaceful up there, and you'd never imagine that so many years ago how it was like being bombed from the face of the earth.

My grandfather, Amadeo Garcia, was a battery commander (Battery James) in the island. Their battery faced the Bataan peninsula. He told us they fired on Bataan hitting targets. He also hinted that they may have fired on some friendly forces who have been captured and put into truck convoys. I have not seen their battery, and I'm not sure if it even had the range to hit targets in Bataan. I wish I could provide real accurate information, but my grandfather died several years ago in the Philippines from Aneurysm in the heart. I wish I learned more about what happened back then, but I'm sure it will bring him nightmares.

I salute those who fought. RIP to the fallen. Thanks to those who keep memories alive.

[Cygnus]

There will be a movie (Beast of Bataan) filmed in 2006 based on the Japanese general's war crimes including the death march. Hopefully this will inform most people of what happened. Many Americans died in Bataan, and it's ashame that most Americans I know didn't have a clue they had troops there in WWII.

I was in Bataan last May 2005. I also visited the Corregidor Island. The views from the island was breathtaking. It's so peaceful up there, and you'd never imagine that so many years ago how it was like being bombed from the face of the earth.

My grandfather, Amadeo Garcia, was a battery commander (Battery James) in the island. Their battery faced the Bataan peninsula. He told us they fired on Bataan hitting targets. He also hinted that they may have fired on some friendly forces who have been captured and put into truck convoys. I have not seen their battery, and I'm not sure if it even had the range to hit targets in Bataan. I wish I could provide real accurate information, but my grandfather died several years ago in the Philippines from Aneurysm in the heart. I wish I learned more about what happened back then, but I'm sure it will bring him nightmares.

I salute those who fought. RIP to the fallen. Thanks to those who keep memories alive.

RIP, I salute your grandfather. I'm not sure if thier guns do hit the Bataan region. If ever you are here try to watch IBC13 they have this program [documentary] about the Stand of Bataan and Correigdor. Of the USAFFE forces only 10% are American [whites], being under the US every Filipino born before 1947 is American Citizen. The Philippine Scouts are under the US Army not part of hte Philippine Defence Forces [Philippine Constabulary & Philippine Army].

http://corregidorisland.com/guns.html

[Yaberdaber]

Aaah, days of old. Well, my grand uncle was part of the Army Air Corps. He was KIA during the initial attack, but fought brave though.
RIP

[socom6]

My heart is with all who fought in the defense of Luzon and Bataan. I honour the brave Filipino forces who fought to defend their homeland and gave the Japanese hell in guerilla warfare. Respect to all US combatants who fought and died there, RIP to the fallen. RIP to those Filipino and US forces captured and brutally murdered. Honour to those who are still living and went through hell on earth there.

[chardson67]

My Great Grand Father is still alive and well.... he always tells me he is 90 years old since like the 5 years ago, in fact he is 95 now, he still tells stories and is so fluent speaking English, he fought and did not surrender but later was captured, he stand 4'10 very small and was a young filipino boxer on his time, his name is "Sixto Mosqueda" and now resides in Nevada in the USA. His son was sent to vietnam as an MP. The family is now huge in the USA, I believe many of my 2nd cousins continued the bloodline and went to the disciplinary and armed forces. shooshhh what a story huh?

[Sand Man]

A bit off topic but...

Heck, I could tell you tons of stories about my lolo (grandfather) when he served with the Americans here during WWII. When the Japs occupied our town they went up the mountains where the Japs dared not go.

Occassionally, they'd sneek down and be snipers at a hill we call "Don Antoy" nowadays. That hill is quite far-off from the center of our town but overlooks it a bit. They'd pick out one Jap patrolling the streets for every sniper and fire in unison. Hit or miss, they exfil back to their camp.

If there was an officer, the sniper that kills the officer has a night on the soft bed they had in their camp. Most of them slept on the ground or in bamboo floors.

[USGRANT64]

My cousin was with the 31st Infantry regiment (US) on Bataan. He enlisted at the age of 15 (lied about his age). He only arrived in the Philippines in September 1941 and was barely trained in infantry combat when war broke out in December.
Taken prisoner in April 1942 and made the "Death March" and died at Camp O'Donnell POW camp.
Few in the USA are aware the Filippinos that were butchered by the Japanese because they tried to provide food and water for the Americans!