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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 21:53:47 GMT 8
I am teaching a course on the Pacific War and I've set aside a week to study the Philippines in WWII. I'm looking for a documentary on Bataan and/or Corregidor that would show, accurately, what happened. I'm curious to see what members of this forum would think would be appropriate and what would be the best representation.
Thanks Scotisle
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Post by armyjunk on Dec 3, 2015 1:21:19 GMT 8
I have a copy of BATAAN, The Harrodsburg Tankers put out by the Kentucky National Guard in 2007, It might be what your looking for. The National Guard PR folks in Frankfort might get you a copy. If not and you are in the States I could attempt to make you a copy...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2015 3:05:48 GMT 8
Is this the trailer?
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Post by chadhill on Dec 3, 2015 3:18:21 GMT 8
"The Tragedy of Bataan" by Jan Thompson is pretty good, too. Includes survivor interviews, and Japanese newsreel footage on post-surrender Corregidor. "The Bataan Death March" by The History Channel is good, also.
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Post by armyjunk on Dec 3, 2015 3:47:06 GMT 8
scot thats it
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Post by cbuehler on Dec 4, 2015 2:24:18 GMT 8
Scotisle, The defeat in the Philippines and surrender on Bataan is considerably more complex than what is presented by the vast majority of sources. As an amateur historian, as we all are on this forum, I recognize what is critically lacking is the Japanese account of the battles and surrender of Bataan, and for that matter, most of the Pacific battles. Without that, a total picture can never be attained, and unfortunately in this instance, it will likely never be. The surrender in the Philippines was a massive failure and even embarrassment on the part of the United States, resulting in much that was not well understood, with many half truths and even outright false history that is still presented today. While modern day historians are getting away from the "dastardly sneak attack" concept of Pearl Harbor, the same cannot yet be said regarding the defeat in the Philippines. Many of my own views may be interpreted by some as revisionist, but I have gotten a sense that all is not quite right with the general view of what happened. Virtually all of what we know today was gleaned during the post war trials of General Homma, which occured nearly five years after the fact, and post war accounts by survivors themselves. The trial provides us with information regarding the overall view of the situation (command situation, logistics, etc), while personal accounts provide the eyewitness testimony. Both are not without inaccuracies or bias, and this is not necessarily the fault of those who present it. I want to make it clear that in no way do I denigrate or deny the horror of what subsequently happened after the surrender. But I do know that what happened was more of a combination of circumstances, much of which was beyond Japanese control, resulting from failures on both sides, to meet the circumstances which presented themselves at the time. I recommend reading some of the accounts written in the immediate post war era, particularly those of US military officers. They often had a more balanced view, which I attribute to a military professionalism that was not always present nor to be expected from others.
CB
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Post by chadhill on Dec 4, 2015 13:01:22 GMT 8
Cbuehler, you make many good points. I, too, have been very disappointed at the lack of translated Japanese works available on the campaign. There also seems to be a somewhat limited number of quality books by Filipino authors, "Bataan's Own" by Lieutenant Colonel Ambrosio Pena being a notable exception. Perhaps my states-side residence restricts my exposure to that market. I agree with your recommendation to read the immediate post war accounts of US military officers. "Bataan Uncensored" by Colonel E.B. Miller is a fine example. Miller's memory was very keen, he wrote in great detail, and was quite frank in his opinion about the performance of certain other officers.
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