One of the Most Brutal War Crimes in History

After the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese military invasion of the Philippines began on the 7th of December 1941. The defenders failed to keep the Japanese from getting to the shore of the Lingayen Gulf. By the end of December 22, the Japanese were able to secure the central plain. On December 26, the capital of the Philippines, Manila was declared to be an open city which means that no defenses or forces were left in Manila. This gave the Japanese an opportunity to capture the capital of the country meanwhile American and Philippine soldiers retreated to the Bataan Peninsula. For three months, a grueling battle ensued between the Japanese and the combined forces of Filipino and American soldiers. Eventually, because soldiers had less than half of their supplies and many were either sick or injured, United States General Edward King Jr. had to surrender an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 American and Filipino soldiers to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, most being fatigued and malnourished.

The Japanese had each surrendered soldier checked for valuables. Those who were found with Japanese souvenirs and money were shot to death. Soldiers quickly got rid of any Japanese possession they had for fear of getting killed if they were found with them. Thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were forced to walk approximately 60 to 69 miles under the scorching heat of the sun, and in the pouring rain while being deprived of food, water, and medical supplies. The soldiers started from Mariveles, heading north to San Fernando. The whole march lasted about ten days.

During the march, soldiers were tortured in many different ways. They were forced to undergo the “sun treatment”, meaning they had to sit in direct sunlight without anything like cloth or helmets that covered their head. The soldiers were subjected to brutal beatings. Others were told to strip naked. Some were demanded to sit near fresh water without getting permission to drink from it. Those who asked for water were shot dead without question. Those who fell over due to exhaustion or fatigue were run over by trucks. Some were randomly stabbed by bayonets. Many were disemboweled. Numerous were decapitated. Hundreds were amputated. Even as diseases rapidly spread among the marchers, medical care was not provided by the Japanese. United States medical personnel had no choice but to tend to the sick with very limited supplies.

Upon arriving in San Fernando, at least 100 soldiers were stuffed in each of the six or seven scorching hot box cars for the hour-long trip to Capas, under 43-degree Celsius or 110-degree Fahrenheit heat. When they arrived in Capas, they continued walking the remaining 9 miles to Camp O’ Donell with around 54,000 soldiers. 26,000 additional perished at the camp itself by continued torture and executions.

In the aftermath of the war, many were indicted for war crimes committed by the Japanese military. General Masaharu Homma, Major General Yoshitaka Kawane, and Colonel Kurataro Hirano were all sentenced to death. Masanobu Tsuji escaped capture even if he was who directly ordered the killing of the soldiers. In 2010, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada personally apologized to six former American Soldiers who were held as prisoners by the Japanese. Not only that but they and their families were also invited to visit Japan, fully paid for by the government.

As a Filipino myself, I remember learning of this when I was an elementary student. When I first learned about it, I was horrified and disgusted that people dare to be that ruthless. It made me feel bad that my people had to fight a war against another country just because they thought they would get independence if they did. I was grateful for the soldiers that defended my country. I greatly respected those who to the very end, even with limited supplies, fought valiantly.

Looking back, it’s dark that the country would let elementary students learn about such gruesome history. However, I understand that young people should know about the history of their country. I believe it would make them respect what their ancestors have done to bring the country to where it is now. It would make them love their country more.

I am glad that there are efforts done as a consequence of all the pain and torture committed in the war. I just wished that Filipinos were credited more since most soldiers who fought in Bataan were Filipinos. Approximately 66,000 were Filipinos and 10,000 were Americans. Most soldiers who died were also Filipinos. It makes me feel a bit cheated that another race is memorialized more than the race that lost more. Even if the United States had ownership over Filipinos at that time, more Filipinos perished in the war. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the United States or Japan. I just want my people to get more recognition for what they did.

This piece of history is sadly not the only horrifying experience that my country has been through. I would read about other people talking about how they have never learned of what happened to my country so I will continue to write more articles like this because I believe that the world should know about them. I hope through me, you learn more about the country that I love and fall in love with as well.

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