The surrender of bataan
On April 9th, 1942 American general Edward P. King surrendered to Japanese forces in fear of losing more men.
On that single day, about 75,000 soldiers became prisoners of war. Around 12,000 Americans and 63,000 Filipinos (army.mil)
On that single day, about 75,000 soldiers became prisoners of war. Around 12,000 Americans and 63,000 Filipinos (army.mil)
frazier: prisoner of war
Glenn D. Frazier was a proud soldier of the US army and one of the unfortunate people who was involved inside the Bataan Death March.
" The surrender of Bataan was a mistake. It would've been better just to fight to the death than surrender to the Japanese and undergo the death march" (Frazier.com)
" The surrender of Bataan was a mistake. It would've been better just to fight to the death than surrender to the Japanese and undergo the death march" (Frazier.com)
Richard Gordon
" If today I had a choice between surrendering or fighting, I would've chosen fight to the death instead of going through that march all over again." (pbs.org)
Alfred X. Burgos
"Well, when Bataan surrendered, they gathered all of us in Mariveles, Bataan, and they told us that we had to march all the way to San Fernando Pampanga because we were all going to be accounted for and taken to prison camps. I don't want to experience that again" (pbs.org)
What happened next?
At first, the prisoners expected to be treated fairly. Although they didn't expect to get a feast but still expected some food and shelter to make life livable.
They were wrong.
The POWs did not get any food or shelter. They did not get to rest or sleep unless the Japanese allowed it. The only thing they could do was march, and march, and march. This event after the surrender was known as the infamous: Bataan Death March
They were wrong.
The POWs did not get any food or shelter. They did not get to rest or sleep unless the Japanese allowed it. The only thing they could do was march, and march, and march. This event after the surrender was known as the infamous: Bataan Death March