The Bataan Death March, 1942 The war came to the Philippines the same day it came to Hawaii and in the same manner – a surprise air attack. In the case of the Philippines, however, this initial strike was followed by a full-scale invasion of the main island of Luzon three days later. By early January, the American and Filipino defenders were forced to retreat to a slim defensive position on the island's western Bataan Peninsula The American and Filipino forces fought from an untenable position until formally surrendering to the Japanese on April 9. The Japanese immediately began to march some 76,000 prisoners (12,000 Americans, the remainder Filipinos) northward into captivity along a route of death. When three American officers escaped a year later, the world learned of the unspeakable atrocities suffered along the 60-mile journey that became know as the Bataan Death March. The Bataan Death March, 1942 AmericanHeritage.com / The Trial of General Homma
A Brief History of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery The 200th Coast Artillery, better known as “The Regiment,” was inducted into federal service on 6 January 1941, supposedly for one year of active duty training. For eight months the Regiment underwent hard and rigorous training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Not only did these former “horse soldiers” have to learn new skills and techniques, but they had to absorb into their units hundreds of untrained Selective Service inductees. At one time the Regiment numbered over 2300, more than 400 above war strength figures. On 17 August 1941, the Regiment was notified that it had been selected for an overseas assignment of great importance and that the choice had been made because of the high satisfactory state of training which had been attained. The reward for all the hard work performed in Federal Service was to have the 200th named officially as the best Anti-aircraft Regiment, (Regular or otherwise), then available to the United States Armed Forces for use in an area of critical military importance. By 26 September 1941, the entire Regiment reached the Philippines and then immediately moved to Fort Stotsenberg, some 75 miles north of Manila. On 23 November, all batteries were placed in combat positions for the protection of Fort Stotsenberg. The training program was to provide the greatest possible amount of experience under simulated war conditions. A Brief History of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery An incredible story about the the troops on the Bataan Death March Amazon.com: Beyond Courage: One Regiment Against Japan, 1941-1945: Dorothy Cave: Books
No doubt about the ruthlessness and callousness of the Japanese towards a defeated enemy. These similar events and worse were not forgotten by the Allied military or their governments.
