Fall of the Philippines and Japanese Blitzkrieg

• Why did the Japanese invade the Philippines in the first place?

• Why after so much warning, especially after the attack on Pearl Harbor, were the American forces so unprepared to meet a Japanese attack? 

• Why were the aircraft not dispersed?
• Why was there so little American air defense?
• Mac’s belief that Japanese suffered a defeat at Pearl?  Excuse for not acting more aggressively?

-We’ve harangued the Army Air Corps, as they were called then, enough I guess, lets focus on other commands.  What about the Navy?  Where was the Asiatic Fleet?  

-What was MacArthur’s plan to meet the invaders?  What did he want to do?  

-Why would that simply not work?

-Talk about the US tanks that ran out of gas trying to get to Lingayen?  Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk logistics.

-Mac’s change in strategy from War Plan Orange to “defend the beaches, hit ‘em where they ain’t” was ludicrous.  

-He had nowhere near the resources to do this.  Ironically, it was the Japanese that succeeded in “hitting ’em where they ain’t.”

-Needs to be said: Gen Short pilloried for loss of Hawaii with no warning.  Mac had warning and received Medal of Honor.

-Once the Japanese landed on Luzon in their main assault on December 22, they advanced rapidly, running over most resistance they came across.   The largest amphibious invasion in history, to that point, was wildly successful.  Another large landing occurred and now the Japanese had two armies advancing on Manila.  

-With such numbers on the American and Filipino side, why did this happen?

-Admiral Hart was one of the first leaders to publicly say that the Philippines were indefensible. 

Why was this a surprisingly common thought?

- ADM Hart was Annapolis classmate & friend of Mac’s older brother.  Knew Mac well, called him Douglas.  Said “Douglas is certain about a lot of stuff that just ain’t so, and is an effective talker, which leads to danger.”   Maybe hint at our MacArthur episode?

-Let’s talk about the ineffectiveness of the Cavite submarines that were sortied by Hart

-Staring defeat in the face, what did Mac Arthur do next?

-How did the American forces do in the defense of the Bataan Peninsula?

-Despite their very good showing and heavy casualties inflicted on the Japanese, did they actually have any hope of rescue?

-March 11, MacArthur leaves.  By May, the Philippines are surrendered to the Japanese.  Over 90,000 Americans and Filipinos are captured.  

-How is this news reacted to in the US?  

-What does this do to American morale, both in the military and at home?

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