The Basic Story As Told So Far

By all Accounts Given, Between the 9th and 12th April 1942, following the surrender of the American and Filipino troops
in Bataan, Philippines, officers and NCO's of the 1st, 11th,71st and 91st divisions, numbering between 350 and 400 men were
tied with telephone wire, and lead to a place near the Pantigan river. There at the river they were addressed by a Japanese officer,
and then put to death by Bayonet, sword, bullets, and clubs.

This account is only a brief outline on what happened and later in the blog accounts from survivors, will explain more in depth that fatal day.

There are so Many questions Unanswered

What was the Exact number of Men Massacred?
Was this the Only Massacre at the River?
Was it just Filipino Soldiers Killed or were Americans Killed Too?
Who Authorized the Mass murder of Surrendered Troops
Where is the exact location of the massacre on the river?
Where are the remains of the Massacred soldiers?
Are all accounts correct?


41st Infantry Division




The 41st Infantry Division (Filipino) played a major part in both Battles of Bataan and served like so many other regiments and divisions in holding up the Japanese advance, but for the purpose of the project, the 41st play a major part in the second Battle of Bataan as they were the main Division facing the 65th Japanese Brigade on Trail 29, along the Pantingan River, forming II Corps boundary with I Corps.

There are many accounts of the Divisions operations in and around the river, which might give a clue on what happened, as many say the actions of the 41st lead to the massacre due to the operations the 41st carried out on the night of  5th April 1942, which was prior to the counter attack operation on the 6th April 1942.

Brief Operational Notes:

3rd April 1942: The Japanese 65th Brigade moved down Trail 29 the 41st retreated back to their reserve lines.

4th April 1942: The 41st reach their reserve lines at 0930hrs, the 65th Brigade push their advantage and pushed the 41st first back by 600 yards, then push them another 1000 yards down the trail, where they take up a semicircular defense just short of Trail 29.

5th April 1942: Shortly after midnight 300 men of the 41st moved out of their position on the west bank of the Pantingan River, as part of the Counter attack to secure Trail 29.
They climbed the 300ft bluffs of the river struck east toward Trail 29, and about 200 yards below Trail 29 and 429

They were to hold that position securing the junction so the scouts of the 45th Infantry could advance the next morning.

5th April 1942: At 0200hrs the 41st reached their former bivouac area which was occupied by
Japanese Troops of the 65th Brigade who were resting, the 41st overrun the position pushing the
Japanese back and Bayoneted those who were asleep, then the 41st pushed onto trail 29 where they were met and halted by elements of the 65th Brigade, and push back towards a defensive line above the River.

The 41st hoped that the 45th attacking along Trail 29 would arrive as the 41st were now cut off on the
high bluffs of the river, and this was the last report stated regarding this action, indicating they were
either wiped out or captured.

To Solve within the Project:

  •  301 is marked on the Dis internment map of 1947 could this be the 41st remains of the 5th April 1942 as then there is an arrow pointing to another area. This can only be determined with a site visit.  
  • In the Pantingan River Massacre it does not state any of the 41st being murdered which is a question in itself as the 41st were active in this area and part of II Corps and faced the 65th Brigade who is alleged to carrying out the Massacre.
  • It states that the Massacre was a revenge operation by the 65th for what the 41st had done, but findings from other reports, which I will later add to the blog may show a different case altogether.



















                                                           

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)