Fall+of+the+Philippines

[|navy]   The Fall Of the Philippines. Valiant struggle or Disgraceful debacle?  Even when they could see their own defeat, they still struggle to defeat the invaders. During [|World War II], the [|Japanese] attacked the [|Philippines]. The war was bloody against the Japanese. A lot of people argued, “Is it really a valiant struggle against the [|Japanese] or is it just a disgraceful debacle?” Before the war, the [|American navy] has already discussed that the [|Philippines] would definitely be attacked by the [|Japanese]. An argument whether to create a base in the [|Philippines] was dragged for years to come. It took a lot of years just to decide on where to create the base in the [|Philippines]. The [|navy] even created the [|orange plan] just in case the [|Philippines] was definitely be attacked by the [|Japanese]. The war started after the [|Japanese] bombed [|Pearl Harbor]. One of the famous army generals was [|Douglas MacArthur]. The last struggle of the Filipino-American [|army] against the [|Japanese] was quite gruesome, but they still hold off their opponents to the last breathe.  The [|United States] [|navy] already stated that the [|Philippines] would definitely be attacked by the [|Japanese]. After [|World War I], the [|navy] planners in the [|Joint Board] said that it was certain that the [|Japanese] are a major threat in [|Asia]. The [|Joint Board] is a group of planners from different sections in the military. Advisers from the [|army], [|navy] and [|air force] are here to discuss plans and how to resolve military problems. The [|Joint Board] also tried to make all three branches of the military to work well with one another since they believe that success could be achieve if everyone is working well together. It was then argued in the committee in America whether to create a naval base in the [|Philippines]. There are several arguments about where to create the naval base. Each department in the military are having arguments were to create the base. As a result even when they knew [|Philippines] was in danger of being attacked; they still haven’t created a naval base in the [|Philippines].  The argument where to build the naval base dragged for years. There are several opinions on where the base should be built. The [|navy] wanted to create the base in [|Subic Bay]. While [|Admiral Dewey] wanted the base on [|Manila Bay]. The [|navy] wanted it in [|Subic Bay] since it has some strategic value. The [|navy] wanted [|Subic Bay] since it was quite an advantageous spot for a naval base. The advantages of the [|Subic Bay] was that it is quite well hidden from site. It was also a good spot since because of the environment, they would only need to worry more about protecting it by the sea. The [|navy] argued that [|Manila Bay] was such a bad idea. The bay is quite exposed to several threats. [|Manila Bay] did not have any natural surroundings. It would be quite easy to get noticed and be destroyed. There were no trees hiding the base from any aerial attack. There are several roads leading to [|Manila Bay] which would mean attack by land would endanger the base. Another huge problem of building the base in [|Manila Bay] was that it could also be attack by ships. By just building the base in [|Manila Bay] would really give them a lot of things to do in order to protect it from enemy attacks. While [|Subic Bay] only has one problem which made it easier to maintain and operate. But then the [|navy] noticed another problem that [|Subic Bay] would have to deal with. If the enemy decided to do [|paratroopers], the [|natural environment] that protects [|Subic Bay] would be used by the enemy to do [|guerilla] style fighting. The argument was dragged on even when they see a weak points in the base location.  After several months of arguing, the base location was finally decided. The chosen naval base location was [|Manila Bay]. Even when in theory [|Manila Bay] would be easily surrounded, they still decided to create the base there. The idea of the base being built in [|Subic Bay] was disregarded by the fact that it could be attack from the behind. As well as the environment giving an advantage to the enemies once they penetrated the land. That is why the [|Joint Board] of the military selected [|Manila Bay] as the location for a naval base in the [|Philippines]. But the [|Joint Board] knew well how hard it would be to protect [|Manila Bay] from enemy invasion. As well as there is only a few soldiers stationed in the [|Philippines]. It would be hard for them to fight an army of [|Japanese] soldiers that could flock the country in just the first week of their invasion. This was a huge problem by the [|Joint Board] that needed a solution. All three areas of the military was thinking hard how to counter this problem. How could few thousands of soldiers defeat hundred thousands of soldiers? The [|Joint Board] was in so much chaos. They soon created the plan that would be used if a war with [|Japan] is unavoidable.  The plan that would protect the [|Philippines] from the [|Japanese] invasion. The navy planners in the [|Joint Board] have already long before decided that once [|Japan] attacks the [|Philippines] it would fall quickly. It would not even stand a chance against the onslaught of the [|Japanese] army. They decided to create a plan that would be followed by every military personal in the [|Philippines] whether you are in the [|army], [|n avy] or [|air force]. The plan soon to be called The [|Orange Plan]. It was called orange since the [|United States] gave color to each country they decided would be dangerous in a war time situation. They gave [|Japan] the color orange which means that in the eyes of the [|Joint Board], [|Japan] is a dangerous country that [|America] should be worried about. The plan discusses about what the military personnel posted in the [|Philippines] should if the fight between [|Japan] is unavoidable. According to the [|Orange Plan], the [|army], [|navy] and [|air force] would try all their might to protect [|Manila Bay] naval base until reinforcements arrives. They needed to protect the naval base since the only reinforcements that the [|American] military can give them is by sea. If the naval base is destroyed, it would be hard to fight the [|Japanese] off the [|Philippine] land. The plan was extremely ridiculed since this would mean that the personnel in the [|Philippines] would just wait and protect the base to their doom until reinforcement comes. But this was the final decision of the [|Joint Board] which means even if they did not like the idea, they can not change what the board have decided. But would the plan really protect the [|Philippines] from the [|Japanese] invasion?  The United States of America was dragged to the Second World War after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. it was quite a shocking event in American history. Who would have thought that the Japanese would bombed the Pearl Harbor? And how was this even possible without the Americans knowing? After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the air force stationed in the Philippines was eager to counter attack. But they were given an order not to attack the Japanese what ever might happen. Several hours later after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese air force attacked the naval air base in Cavite. The whole military stationed in the Philippines was in chaos. They knew that this would turn out badly against them. They were attacked by the Japanese in land, sea and air. It was turning quite badly for the military personnel stationed in the Philippines. The Orange Plan was quickly enacted in the war. All of the forces in the Philippines quickly looked at General Douglas MacArthur.  General Douglas MacArthur was the General of the American Army stationed in the Philippines. He quickly ordered the Orange Plan to be put on top priorty for all forces in the Philippines. They tried to quickly garrison the surroundings of Manila Bay. But the Japanese forces are quite over whelming. There was a problem with the Army stationed in the Philippines. They are not supplied well enough by America since a problem occurred in the country. The citizens have argued that the government of America wanted to protect another country than their own. That is why expenses in the Philippines was cut drastically. Another problem was that there are only a few soldiers stationed in the Philippines actually experienced war before. Almost a lot of them are just beginners in war. The advantage of the Japanese army was that they are quite armed with the newest technology in warfare. As well as that they have a lot of soldiers in their arsenal to be send quickly in the Philippines for a quick sweep of the coountry. They could not even last a very long battle against them. They have nothing to do but to retreat and return for Manila Bay in a later time. General Douglas MacArthur decided that they should retreat to Bataan to reunite all forces in one place and try to push the Japanese Army.  The last stand of the glorious Philippine-American Army. The retreat to Bataan was a dangerous road to the military forces in the Philippines. Since they are already in a bad situation going to Bataan would be harder. Since they have already fewer soldier than what they have from the beginning. There is a problem as well about the weapons left for them to use. There is only little hope for them even if they are to come to Bataan. But General Douglas MacArthur still pushed his forces to Bataan. Not only the environment going to Bataan was harsh, they also needed to watch out for the Japanese Army since they could get ambush any minute. The only thing that connects Bataan from the Main Island was a bridge. A lot of the military forces have already crossed the bridge. But they still waited for the remaining units to arrive. They waited quite a long time for the remaining units that they even thought about blowing the bridge already. But General Douglas MacArthur still ordered them to wait for the possibility that a few more remaining units would come. They grew weary of waiting. As the last unit came into the bridge, they questioned them if they saw remaining units coming this way. All they answered was that they did not even know if some are still alive. General Douglas MacArthur then ordered to blow up the bridge to buy them some time to reinforce themselves as well as to create a plan to stop the Japanese army in the Philippines. General Douglas MacArthur was ordered to leave the country to a safer country for now. This order was given to him by the Joint Board. He did not want to leave the military now that they are in such a bad situation. But he did not have any choice since the decision came from the Joint Board. Before he left the Philippine Islands, he made his most famous line in Philippine history. It was “I shall return.” Everyone thought that now that the bridge was destroyed they could find much more peace time, but they are wrong. Soon afterwards they are attacked by the Japanese army both by sea and air. They even dropped paratroopers as well as made a soldier drop by sea. They quickly tried to run away from the impending doom but there is only little thing they could do. Even though they know their deaths have come, they still have fought to the last breath. They finally surrendered and what is known the “Philippine death march” would soon start.  Could it really be the fault of the argument about where to build the base destroyed the Philippine Army during the war? Or could it be that even when navy planners already predicted the impending doom they still did not do what was necessary for this not to come into reality. The Orange Plan was a big failure in the Philippines. It was more likely to be never used in a war ever again. Soon later the famous general Douglas MacArthur returns to the Philippines to gain their freedom from the Japanese army. But this would not be soon after he had left the Philippines. The last stand of the Philippine-American army was quite gruesome. But in my point of view it was a glorious fight to protect the freedom of the people living in the Philippines. Works Consulted   ·  “Generalship of Douglas MacArthur.” History in Dispute, Vol. 4: World War II, 1939-1943. Dennis Showalter, ed. St. James Press, 2000. Reproduced in History Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/History/ <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">This source is quite useful if you’re going to add MacArthur in your research. It is also a good idea to add MacArthur in your paper since he is quite an important person during the war in the Philippines. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Hayama, Kaoru. “Battle of Philippine Sea.” Japan An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Kodansha. Tokyo. Kodansha ltd. 1993. Pg.1201 <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">This is quite a good book to read. It tells quite a lot of significant facts during the war. How the Japanese used their naval power against the Americans. It also a good source to use since it is quite descriptive. This is a good resource for people who would use topics like Japan sea tactics in World War II. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">“Bataan-Corregidor Campaign.” Dictionary of American History. 7 Vols. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1976. Reproduced in History Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/History/ <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">This resource is quite good since it is accurate. Some sources are quite bad since their information has conflict with other website. While this website did not even had any conflict. As well as that they are a group that can only be access if you’re a member. Which means they put all their effort to bring forth all real information. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Spector, Ronald. “Eagle against the sun.” New York: The Free Press, 1985. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">This book is quite a good book. Not only was the book entirely about the Philippine and the Japanese, it show some historical events on it as well. It shows some hard to find information that not everybody knows about. Like the escape of the Filipino-American army to Bataan. I got quite a lot of good information out of this book. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">“Filipinos’ Unique History in America.” American Journey Online: The Adian American Experience. Primary Source Microfilm, 1999. Reproduced in History Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">This is quite a good article to read for my research paper. It shows how the Filipinos work with the Americans during the war. It also shows some important battles fought together by both forces. I recommend this source to anyone whose topic is in the range of showing how well the Philippine army fought with the Americans together. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Hayama, Kaoru. “Philippine and Japan.” Japan An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Kodansha. Tokyo. Kodansha ltd. 1993. Pg. 1200-1201 <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">This is a good part of the encyclopedia. It has quite a lot of good information about the invasion of Japan to Philippines. How its military conquered the Philippines. It shows how the Filipino and Americans work together to fight off the invaders. I recommend this book to anyone who is writing about Japanese war tactics as well as how the Philippine-American Army tried to hold of the invaders.