Summary
Highlights
In July 1941, Japan's move into Southern French Indochina prompted a sharp US response, freezing Japanese assets and imposing an oil embargo. General MacArthur was appointed commander of US Army forces in the Far East, as reserve officers were called to duty and training commenced amidst awaiting equipment shipments to the Philippines.
On December 8, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, followed by bombing raids on Baguio and Davao in the Philippines within six hours. This immediately drew the US and the Philippines into World War II.
Cadet officers were assigned to frontline infantry companies. Thousands of volunteers, many without military experience, rushed to enlist, driven by a sense of duty. Despite a lack of weapons for some, defensive positions were built on beaches where Japanese landings were anticipated.
Filipino-American defenders faced immediate disadvantages, with most US planes destroyed in surprise attacks on Clark and Iba Fields. Japanese planes also destroyed the US Navy base at Cavite. Japanese forces, equipped with modern weapons, landed virtually unopposed in various locations to seize airfields and prepare for a large-scale landing in Lingayen Gulf.
After Japanese forces established beachheads, MacArthur implemented War Plan Orange, calling for a withdrawal of all Luzon troops to the Bataan peninsula. The plan aimed to deny the Japanese access to Manila and its harbor, with forces expected to hold out until reinforcements arrived. However, MacArthur did not anticipate the influx of 40,000 civilians seeking security in Bataan. Manila was declared an open city to prevent further civilian casualties.
By New Year's Day 1942, all USF forces in Luzon entered Bataan, confident of eventual reinforcements. However, Commander Masaharu Homma, tasked with conquering the Philippines, knew his mission depended on overcoming the resistance in Bataan and Corregidor. Filipino and American forces set up delaying lines to slow the Japanese advance, engaging in heroic delaying tactics.