The fall of the Philippines, 1941-42
By: Clayton Chun ; illustrated by Howard Gerrard
Contributors: Gerrard, Howard
Series: Campaign -- 243; Osprey military campaign series -- 243.
Publisher: Osprey
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Oxford; Long Island City, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 96
ISBN-13: 9781849086097; 9781849086103; 9781780963921
Subjects: Campaigns; World War, 1939-1945; Aerial operations; Amphibious operations
Description: The Philippine Islands stood in the way of Japanese expansion in the Pacific, and were therefore an immediate target when war broke out in December 1941. Defended by a mixed Filipino-American force under the flamboyant Douglas MacArthur, the islands were hit by surprise Japanese aerial attacks that all but wiped out the American air forces in the Philippines. An amphibious assault followed. Despite desperate attempts by the US and Philippine armies, they were unable to halt the Japanese advance and Manila was lost with the beleaguered defenders retreating to Bataan and Corregidor. Here they made their last stand on May 9, 1942. Although the campaign ended in an American defeat, and for the US prisoners of war the horrors of the Bataan Death March and years in Japanese captivity, the heroic defense had inspired the Americans to return in 1944.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 94) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction. Japan and the United States : opposing powers in the Pacific; title: Japanese interests and motivations for war; title: The Philippines : America's Far Eastern outpost; title: Chronology; title: Opposing commanders. US commanders; title: Japanese commanders; title: Opposing forces. US and Philippine forces; title: Imperial Japanese forces; title: Orders of battle; title: Opposing plans. Japan's move to war; title: American defense of the Philippines; title: The battle for the Philippines. Japanese air superiority and the bumbling nincompoops; title: The Japanese invasion of Luzon; title: The Japanese strike south; title: Defending northern Luzon; title: The Lingayen Gulf landings; title: "WPO-3 is in effect"; title: The Japanese strike at Lamon Bay; title: The retreat to Bataan; title: Bataan : the final refuge; title: The Japanese break the Abucay and Mauban lines; title: The Battle for the Points Homma retreats north; title: MacArthur's last stand on Corregidor; title: The final assault and fall of Bataan; title: The Bataan Death March; title: Corregidor falls; title: Southern Philippines operations; title: Final surrender; title: Aftermath; title: The battlefields today.