Chapter X


1 Quezon, The Good Fight, pp. 194-98. Present at the meeting also were Col. Manuel Nieto, the President's aide, and Lt. Col. Sidney L. Huff, MacArthur's aide.

2 Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 56; see also ltr, Brig Gen. Constant L. Irwin, ret., to Ward, 13 Jun 51, OCMH. The author discussed the question of the withdrawal with Generals Sutherland and R. J. Marshall and with Colonel Collier.

3 Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 56. The conversation between Irwin and Mallonée took place in the presence of the senior American instructor of the 21st Division (PA), Col. Ray M. O'Day, the division chief of staff, and several other officers. Colonel O'Day did not get the idea of a withdrawal from Irwin, but did say that such a remark was made in reference to the ammunition. Ltr, O'Day to author, 16 Nov 49, OCMH.

4 Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 57.

5 Rad, MacArthur to Marshall, No. 3, 22 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. Although MacArthur stated that he had only 40,000 men on Luzon, an analysis of the units present indicates that the number of troops was actually much higher. The strength of the American garrison, even without the air force, could not have been less than 20,000, including the 12,000 Philippine Scouts. To this figure must be added the strength of seven Philippine Army reserve divisions and one regular division, as well as the Constabulary, inducted into the service of the United States in December. Many of the units were undoubtedly at two-thirds strength, but even at half strength, the total number of troops on Luzon at this time could not have been less than 75,000-80,000. The number of Japanese troops who landed at Lingayen between 22 and 28 December was about 43,000.

6 Ibid.

7 Rad, Marshall to MacArthur, 22 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. This message implied approval of MacArthur's plans by the President, for it contained the statement that the President had seen all of MacArthur's messages.

8 Collier, Notebooks, II, 38.

9 A. Frank Reel, The Case of General Yamashita (Chicago, 1949), pp. 21-22. Most of the Japanese officers who read this volume in manuscript form did not agree with the author that a withdrawal to Bataan by Yamashita would have resulted in a more successful defense. Comments of Former Japanese Officers Regarding The Fall of the Philippines, p. 41, OCMH.

10 Wainwright, General Wainwright's Story, p. 36. Wainwright received the order on the night of the 23d, but General Parker did not get the order until about 1000 of the 24th, when he was ordered to Bataan to organize the Bataan Defense Force. Ltr, Parker to Ward, 16 Jan 52, OCMH.

11 Rad, CG USAFFE to AGWAR, 24 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East. MacArthur mistakenly reported that the Japanese were standing off Nasugbu. No landing was ever made there.

12 Rad, MacArthur to Marshall, 24 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East.

13 Collier, Notebooks, I, 80-81; II, 40.

14 Ibid., 11,42.

15 Ibid., 44; rad, MacArthur to AGWAR, 25 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East.

16 USAFFE-USFIP Rpt of Opns, pp. 33, 40; interv, author with R. J. Marshall, 7 Apr 48.

17 QM Rpt of Opns, pp. 20-21.

18 Interv, author with R. J. Marshall, 7 Apr 48; Carlos P. Romulo, I Saw the Fall of the Philippines (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1942), pp. 68-90.
The first specification in the charge against General Homma when he was tried as a war criminal in Manila in 1946 was the violation of an open city. Since Manila was used as a base of supplies, and since a U.S. Army headquarters was based in the city and troops passed through it after 26 December, it is difficult to see how Manila could be considered an open city between 26 and 31 December 1941. Nevertheless, the charge against General Homma stood. USA vs. Homma, specification of charges.

19 The date was later changed when it was found that North Luzon Force could not hold until the 8th. San Fernando, Pampanga, should not be confused with San Fernando, La Union.

20 USAFFE-USFIP Rpt of Opns, p. 33; Collier, Notebooks, II, 47.

21 Ibid.; ltr, Sutherland to CG 51st Div (PA), 24 Dec 41, sub: Opns Orders, AG 371 Phil Rcds.

22 USAFFE GO 54, 27 Dec 41; SLF and II Corps Rpt of Opns, pp. 16, 19.

23 SLF and II Corps Rpt of Opns, p. 19; USAFFE-USFIP Rpt of Opns, pp. 33-35.

24 Ltr, Maher, formerly NLF CofS, to author, 11 Nov 49, OCMH.

25 Collier, Notebooks, II, 82; NLF and I Corps Rpt of Opns, p. 11.

26 Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, pp. 10-11; ltr, Col Ernest B. Miller to Ward, 31 Dec 51, copy in OCMH.

27 Memo, NLF Engineer for CofS NLF, 1 Aug 42, sub: Orgn and Opns of NLF Engineers 8 Dec 41-6 Jan 42, pp. 1-10, copy made for author by Col Harry A. Skerry, the NLF Engineer, and on file in OCMH. This memo will hereafter be cited as Skerry, NLF Engineer Rpt of Opns.

28 Ltr, Maher to author, 11 Nov 49, OCMH; Collier, Notebooks, II, 82; Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 67; NLF and I Corps Rpt of Opns, p. 14.

29 QM Rpt of Opns, pp. 4-5.

30 Lt. Col. William E. Chandler, "26th Cavalry (PS) Battles to Glory," Part 2, Armored Cavalry Journal (May-June 1947), p. 11; Skerry, NLF Engineer Rpt of Opns, pp. 3, 5, 9.

31 Miller, Bataan Uncensored, pp. 88-91; Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, pp. 10-11; 11th Inf (PA), Beach Defense and Delaying Action, 8 Dec 41-5 Jan 42, p. 19, OCMH. The latter is Part 2 of an unsigned and undated account entitled. The 11th Infantry Regiment (PA). Part I is entitled Mobilization and Training.

32 The plan of withdrawal of the 21st Division (PA) can be reconstructed in some detail from personal papers loaned to the author and on file in OCMH. Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 62, 67-70; O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 10-11; Brief History of 22d Infantry (PA), p. 3; Rpt on Opns of 21st Inf (PA), 7 Dec 41-9 Apr 42, p. 2; Capt Grover C. Richards, Outline of Steps to a POW Camp, pp. 3-4; ltr, [CO, 21st Inf] to TAG PA, 30 Dec 45, sub: Opns of 21st Inf (PA), 7 Dec 41-9 Apr 42, p. 2.

33 O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 11.

34 14th Army Opns, I, 52-53; Answers to Questionnaire on Phil Campaign, 5 Aug 49, ATIS Doc 49692; Statement of Col Moriji Kawagoe, CofS 48th Div, in Statements of Japanese Officials on World War II, II, 126-27.

35 14th Army Opns, I, 53; Col Glen R. Townsend, CO, 11th Inf (PA), Defense of the Philippines, p. 12, OCMH; O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 11.

36 Maj William E. Chandler, An Outline History of the 26th Cavalry (PS), p. 4, OCMH; see also the same author's article, "26th Cavalry (PS) Battles to Glory," Part 2, Armored Cavalry Journal (May-June 1947), pp. 11-12; ltr, Selleck to Board of Officers, 1 Feb 46, sub: Reinstatement of Rank, p. 9, OCMH; unsigned account of 92d Inf (PA), p. 1, OCMH.

37 Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, p. 11 ; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, pp. 89-91; Engineers of the Southwest Pacific 1941-1945, Vol. I, Engineers in Theater Operations (Washington, 1947), p. 6 illustration, and p. 15 n. 24; NLF and I Corps Rpt of Opns, p. 8; 11th Inf (PA) Beach Defense and Delaying Action, p. 19, OCMH; ltr [CO, 21st Inf] to TAG PA, Opns 21st Inf (PA), p. 2.

38 Rad, CG USAFFE to TAG, 26 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East.

39 14th Army Opns, I, 53; Chandler, "26th Cavalry (PS) Battles to Glory," p. 12; ltr, Maher to author, 11 Nov 49, OCMH; rads, Maj Lomuntod to USAFFE, Nos. 29 and 31, 26 Dec 41, AG 370.2 (19 Dec 41) Phil Rcds.

40 14th Army Opns, I, 53; 5th Air Gp Opns, p. 39; Statement of Gen Kawagoe, ATIS Doc 62707, Statements of Japanese Officials on World War II, II, 128; Answers to Questionnaire on Phil Campaign, 5 Aug 49, ATIS Doc 49692; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 95.

41 14th Army Opns, I, 53; 11th Inf (PA) Beach Defense and Delaying Action, pp. 19-20, OCMH; 2d Lt Louis I. Bentz, Jr., 82d Inf (PA), p. 1, Chunn Notebooks; O'Day, 21st Div (PA), I, 4. Brougher, Notes on Withdrawal of 11th Infantry from Agno River Position, pp. 1-2, copy in OCMH.

42 Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 97.

43 Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, p. 11; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, pp. 97-98; ltr, Miller to Ward, 31 Dec 51, OCMH; Weaver, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 13, OCMH. Miller claims he was given no authority to withdraw earlier if necessary. He also claims that no holding orders were issued to the 192d. Weaver stated that his orders were given to both battalion commanders. The 192d has prepared no reports and efforts by the author to secure additional material on this question from the battalion commander have been unsuccessful. Colonel Miller intimates that General Weaver was keeping the tanks in a "rat trap." There is no direct evidence other than Colonel Miller's published statements to substantiate such a view.

44 Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, p. 12; ltr, Weaver to Wainwright, 20 Nov 45, OCMH; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 98.

45 Miller, Bataan Uncensored, pp. 97-102; GO 10, Hq Prov Tank Gp in the Field, 14 Feb 42, copy given the author by General Weaver and on file in OCMH. Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, p. 12; ltr, Miller to Ward, 31 Dec 51, OCMH; Weaver, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 14, OCMH.

46 Miller, Bataan Uncensored, pp. 102-03; GO's 5 and 10, Hq Prov Tank Gp in the Field, 13 Jan and 14 Feb 42.

47 Bataan Uncensored, pp. 103-04, 108- 09; Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, p. 12; Capt Jack C. Altman, 194th Tank Bn, p. 3, Chunn Notebooks; Weaver, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 15, OCMH. During an interrogation at the end of the war General Homma stated that the 9th Infantry had reported the capture of twenty-three tanks stranded north of a river above Paniqui after the bridge had been blown. Interv, Col Walter E. Buchly with Homma, Manila, Mar 46, copy in OCMH.
There was an investigation of the blowing of the bridge and the loss of the tanks in prison camps in Formosa and Manchuria in 1944 and 1945. It was then shown that Company D had reached the Moncada bridge fifteen hours after the last tanks of its battalion headquarters and fourteen hours after the last infantry elements had crossed. No tank guides from either Company A or Battalion Headquarters, 194th Tank Battalion, had been left behind to direct the withdrawal of Company D. Comments of Col Skerry on Draft MS, Comment 4, OCMH.

48 Bentz, 92d Inf (PA), pp. 1-2, Chunn Notebooks.

49 O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 12; Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 82; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 107; Weaver, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 16, OCMH.

50 14th Army Opns, I, 50, 53-54.

51 Col Alexander, Narrative Rpt of QM Activities at Fort Stotsenburg, pp. 1-2, App. A to QM Rpt of Opns.

52 Ibid., pp. 2-3; Col Alexander, Personal Recollections of Bataan and Later, pp. 48-50, copy in OCMH.

53 Collier, Notebooks, II, 84; III, 2. See also ltr, Lt Col John E. Olson to author, 10 Jan 52, OCMH. In his comments on this manuscript, Colonel Alexander insisted that the supplies had been evacuated and that nothing was left behind. Ltr, Alexander to Ward, 25 Dec 51, OCMH.

54 QM Rpt of Opns, p. 22; see also Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 108; O'Day, 21st Div, I, 12-13; Drake, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 8, OCMH.

55 Col Lawrence, Tarlac Advance QM Depot Rpt of Opns, p. 6, App. A to QM Rpt of Opns.

56 Ibid.

57 Qm Rpt of Opns, p. 22.

58 Lawrence, Tarlac Advance QM Depot Rpt of Opns, pp. 7-8, App. A to QM Rpt of Opns.

59 QM Rpt of Opns, p. 66.

60 This order is quoted in Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 90. See also O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 12. The author has been unable to find the original of this order. It is entirely possible that the change in mission of North Luzon Force was initiated by MacArthur's headquarters.

61 NLF and II Corps Rpt of Opns, p. 12.

62 Prov Tank Gp Rpt of Opns, p. 13; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 111.

63 Rad, CG USAFFE to TAG, 28 Dec 41, AG 381 (11-27-41 Gen) Far East.

64 14th Army Opns, I, 55-56.

65 Interrog of Col Nakajima, 25 Apr 47, Interrogations of Former Japanese Officers, I, Mil Hist Div, GHQ FEC.

66 Interrog of Col Motoo Nakayama, Apr 47, ibid.

67 Ibid.; 14th Army Opns, I, 56-57, 61-64.

68 14th Army Opns, I, 60-61, 83; Statement of Gen Kawagoe, ATIS Doc 62707, Statements of Japanese Officials on World War II, pp. 128-30.

69 Bentz, 92d Inf (PA), p. 2, Chunn Notebooks; Skerry, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 6, OCMH. The 192d Tank Battalion was in the area, but there is no information on its position or employment at this time.

70 The American sources for this action are sketchy and vague as to times and places. Where doubts exist or where the records are irreconcilable, the Japanese account of the action has been used. 14th Army Opns, I, 63, 83. Ltr, Luther R. Stevens to Capt Edwin B. Kerr, 30 Dec 52; ltr, Col John H. Rodman to Maj Gen Orlando Ward, 1 Feb 52, both in OCMH.

71 Interv, author with Col Volckmann, May 48; Maj W. J. Lage, Opns of 3d Bn, 11th Inf (PA) at Zaragoza, 28-29 Dec 41 (paper prepared for Advanced Infantry Officers Course, 1947-48, The Infantry School); Weaver, Comments on Draft MS, Comments 18 and 19, OCMH. Major Lage's account is one day off, and the author has made necessary corrections.

72 14th Army Opns, I, 83.

73 Lage, Opns of 3d Bn, 11th Inf (PA), p. 16. Another explanation of these events is to be found in the report of the 11th Engineer Battalion, a portion of which is quoted in Skerry, Comments on Draft MS, Comment 10, OCMH.

74 O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 12-13; ltr, [CO, 21st Inf] to TAG PA, Opns of 21st Inf (PA), p. 2; Brief Hist of 22d Inf (PA), p. 3; Hist of 21st Div (PA), pp. 18-19. This last document was obtained from General Capinpin and like the others is on file in OCMH.

75 Interrog of Gen Maeda, 10 May 47, Interrogations of Former Japanese Officers, Mil Hist Div, GHQ FEC, I.

76 Ibid.; 14th Army Opns, I, 60-61.

77 O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 13; Richards, Steps to a POW Camp, p. 6.

78 14th Army Opns, I, 63; Interrog of Gen Maeda, 10 May 47, Interrogations of Former Japanese Officers, Mil Hist Div, GHQ FEC, I; USA vs. Homma, p. 3055; Mallonée, Diary, I, 100; Brief Hist of 22d Inf (PA), p., 3.

79 Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 101-02; O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 13-14; separate, unsigned one-page history, entitled 194th Tank Battalion, OCMH; Miller, Bataan Uncensored, p. 111. The identity of the tanks is not clear in the sources.

80 Mallonée, Bataan Diary, I, 105; O'Day, 21st Div (PA), II, 14.

81 Mallonée Bataan Diary, I, 105, quoting Lt Col William A. Wappenstein, CO, 21st Infantry.

82 14th Army Opns, I, 64.

83 Collier, Notebooks, II, 83.


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