Battle of Bataan

The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines.  The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast Asia flank.  It was the largest surrender in American and Filipino military history, and was the largest American surrender since the American Revolution.

What do you know about the Battle of Bataan?
Try this World War II History Made Easy Quiz.
"Check Your Answers" at the bottom of the page.

1) As Japanese carrier planes devastated the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in the morning of December 7, 1941 (December 8, Manila time), Taiwan-based aircraft simultaneously pounded the main bases of the American Far East Air Force at Clark Field in Pampanga, Iba Field in Zambales, Nichols Field near Manila, and the headquarters of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines at Cavite.

• True or False?

2) General Douglas MacArthur notified his commanders that War Plan Orange-3 (WPO-3) was now in effect, thereby reactivating a prewar plan to defend only Bataan and Corregidor in a delaying action.
When did he make the notification?

1. December 26, 1941
2. January 1, 1942
3. February 6, 1942

3) Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Philippine Commonwealth, together with his family and government staff were evacuated to Corregidor along with MacArthur's USAFFE headquarters on the night of December 24, 1941, while all USAFFE military personnel were removed from the major urban areas. That same day, Manila was declared an open city.
When did Japanese forces occupie Manila?

1. January 2, 1942
2. February 2, 1942
3. March 2, 1942

4) WPO-3 called for two defensive lines across Bataan.
The first extended across the peninsula from Mauban in the west to what location in the east?

1. Mabatang, Abucay
2. Tango, Abucay
3. Pearl Harbor Philipines

5) On January 12, amid fierce fighting, a platoon leader in the 57th Infantry, with uncommon valor, sacrificed his life when, armed with only a rifle and hand grenades, he forced his way into enemy foxholes during hand-to-hand fighting, permitting his unit to retake Abucay Hacienda; for his actions he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Who was the platoon leader?

1. 2nd Lt. Mark Clark
2. 2nd Lt. Alexander R. Nininger
3. 2nd Lt. Mark Reynolds

6) Within four days, the Orion-Bagac line was formed. But the defenders had yet to complete their withdrawal to the reserve battle position when the Japanese struck again, through a gap held by I Corps. General Bluemel hastily organized a defense along Trail 2, consisting of 32nd Infantry, 41st Infantry and 51st Division reinforcements, in time to stop a major offensive and plugged the gap.

• True or False?

7) Japanese troops managed to get through, however, and held out at some rear sectors of the Orion-Bagac line at the Tuol River valley behind the 11th Division, and in the Gogo-Cotar River behind the 1st Regular Division. From January 23 to February 17, coordinated action by the defenders, to eliminate salients of resistance.
What did the fight become known as?

1. Battle of the Pockets
2. Battle of the Wallets
3. Battle of the Hammer

8) In an attempt to outflank I Corps and isolate the Service Command Area commanded by USAFFE Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Allan C. McBride, Japanese troops of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Infantry, 16th Division, were landed on the west coast of southern Bataan on the night of January 22. Intercepted by a U.S. PT boat, two barges were sunk and the rest scattered into two groups, neither of which landed on the objective beach.
What was the PT Boat?

1. PT-34
2. PT-134
3. PT-234

9) On the night of March 12, General MacArthur, his family, and several USAFFE staff officers left Corregidor for Mindanao aboard four PT boats. For this and a number of other feats over the course of four months and eight days, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross and other citations.
Who commanded the PT boats?

1. Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley
2. Lieutenant John Brickley
3. Lieutenant (j.g.) 'Rusty' Ryan

10) When did American & Filipino liberation forces finally retake the Bataan peninsula?

1. February 8, 1943
2. February 8, 1944
3. February 8, 1945

Battle of Bataan
[Answers]

1) True 2) A. 3) A. 4) A. 5) B. 6) True 7) A. 8) A. 9) A. 10) C.