Greetings from Bataan

[Bob Dedmon]

death march1.jpeg

To Filipinos that is pronounced Bata on. Visiting CinC House's uncle on Bataan I had a chance to view the terrain looking at it with a tactical eye. I really only got to see the north ease quadrant. If they had been able to get all the supplies stocked in Manila allowing for Japanese air superiority I think they could have held out for several more months. The terrain excludes use of armor, the ravines are impossibly steep, the grass is over 6 feet high in most places and the trees would provide excellent cover. The Japanese end around is the only real thing that enabled them to defeat the FilAm forces. If the Allies had adequate supplies I think they could have stopped that move cold. Based on aircraft specs the Japanese would have won air superiority eventually regardless of failing to destroy the AAF on opening day. I also saw a mile post identifying distance covered on the Death March. I will attempt to get the photo of it tomorrow as some in the party were in a hurry...I informed them the marker was important to me so we'll see if I can get it done.

[jemhouston]

Bob thanks for the info.

It sounds me if anyone in command other than Douglas MacArthur would have been better.

BTW, he's on my list of less favorite WW2 Generals.

[MikeKozlowski]

Bob thanks for the info.

It sounds me if anyone in command other than Douglas MacArthur would have been better.

BTW, he's on my list of less favorite WW2 Generals.

Jem,

If you haven't read American Caesar by William Manchester, sit down with it. It's a very much warts-and-all bio of MacArthur, and he pulls no punches. Even if you don't take into account civilian casualties, MacArthur probably was responsible for pulling the plug on more friendlies than any other US general.

Mike

[jemhouston]

Bob thanks for the info.

It sounds me if anyone in command other than Douglas MacArthur would have been better.

BTW, he's on my list of less favorite WW2 Generals.

Jem,

If you haven't read American Caesar by William Manchester, sit down with it. It's a very much warts-and-all bio of MacArthur, and he pulls no punches. Even if you don't take into account civilian casualties, MacArthur probably was responsible for pulling the plug on more friendlies than any other US general.

Mike

I might have read it, but since it's not in my current library I can't confirm. I'll keep it mind.

[Rocket J Squrriel]

"Corregidor: The American Alamo of World War II " by Eric Morris is a good one. Does a set-up of the pre-war situation, the initial attacks, Bataan, and Corregidor.

I loved one little story in it about Gen. Wainwright's naval aide while he was commander on Bataan. The aide was about to be evacuated on a sub but gave the general a bottle of Scotch he had 'liberated', with a few other things, from the naval O-club when it was bombed. Wainwright was know to be a bit fond of the drink, but during the campaign he was stone sober. He took just one swig from the bottle and passed the rest to his staff. He was an old cavalry officer so it must've broken his heart to order the horses to be slaughtered for food. He ordered that his personal mount be the first killed.

Damn good soldier who was ill treated by 'Big Mac'.

[Bob Dedmon]

photo added