Tragedy of Bataan (watch from start until 10:30)

1. What were the hardships and disadvantages faced by American / Filipino troops –
provide three specific examples from the video.

The Japanese had modern weapons compared to the weapons that the American/ Filipino troops
who continued to use weapons from World War I. Medicines were in short supply, malaria and
dysentery ran rampant, illness and disease became commonplace. The troops had run out of
food, they were forced to slaughter their horses and mules.

2. General Douglas McArthur (What role did he play? How did the soldiers feel about him?
Give examples.)

General Douglas McArthur sent dispatch to the soldiers fighting in the Philippines to hold out for
reinforcements. McArthur was ordered to escape to Australia by the President. McArthur had not
fought on the frontlines with his men. Such behavior was resented by the soldiers he directed to
continue fighting in this war, he himself was not a part of, they taunted him with nicknames and
songs criticizing his behavior and pointing out their own suffering and starvation.

3. The video includes the words to a song sung by the soldiers

“We’re the battling bastards of Bataan

No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam

No aunts, no uncles, no nieces,

No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces

And nobody gives a damn,

Nobody gives a damn.”

What does this song tell us about how the soldiers felt toward the U.S.? Be specific in telling me
what they were complaining about in this song. Make sure you explain the parts I have
underlined.
 The soldiers felt like they had been forgotten by the U.S. (“no Uncle Sam”), betrayed by the
country they fought for. The soldiers in Bataan had no reinforcements coming, supplies were
dwindling, they were starving and disease was rampant, as along with food there was a shortage
of medicine. The reinforcements (“no pills, no planes, no artillary pieces”) that had been
promised were not coming and they were dying because of it.

4. When did the U.S. and Filipino soldiers surrender?

U.S. and Filipino soldiers surrendured on April 9th , 1942, after four months of fighting in
Bataan.

5. What did the U.S. Army do with its ammunition and weapons before surrendering?
Why?

The U.S. Army was directed to blow up any weapons that they could not empty and expend thier
ammunition toward the North Star, it was calculated that the shells would fall on a concentration
of Japanese soldiers.

6. Why did the U.S. and Filipino soldiers fear surrendering to the Japanese?

The Imperial Japanese soldiers were notroiously violent with their prisoners, as exemplified by
those they captured in China. The Japanese were notably not a part of the Geneva Convention.