Bataan Fallen Hero's: The Second Battle of Bataan

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?

Troop Dispositions 15th March to the 9th April 1942

There were Two battles of Bataan and both were so important to holding up the Japanese advance, but on this page we will mainly concentrate, on the second Battle, as the troop movements, play a major part,in what division was where, and Why?

Report of Operations of USAFFE and USFIP Annex V & VI Revision by OCE, GHQ,AFPAC

The Map above was based on the Engineer divisions at the time as they are the divisions that built most of the defensive lines, during the retreat after the 1st Battle of Bataan. The main important factor of this map is it shows the Trails that are mentioned in all accounts from various resources, and how the Japanese used this trails to advance into the USAFFE & USFIP held positions.

Trail Description

Trails Through II Corps Sector:

North South Trails 2 and 4 on the East Slope of Mt Samat
The west Trails 6 and 29
Trail 429 was a communication Trail made by the engineers and completed the 14 January 1942, linking Trails 4 and 29 and linked 7 and 9 in the west with Trail 8 in the East.

3 comments:

GREAT MILITARY BATTLES15 January 2016 at 10:14
Warfare is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.

Your article is very well done, a good read.
GREAT MILITARY BATTLES15 January 2016 at 10:14
Warfare is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.

Your article is very well done, a good read.