The Bataan Death March

On April 10, 1942, approximately 78,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war were forced to march nearly 65 miles under brutal conditions during the Bataan Death March. Starving, ill, and exhausted, many were executed if they could not keep pace—making the journey one of the most harrowing ordeals of World War II.

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Bataan completely occupied by Japanese

The invading Japanese controlled the Philippine media, which portrayed imperial forces as helpful liberators. In reality, the Japanese were committing brutal war crimes like the Bataan Death March. This front page claims that Japanese occupation will bring peace and tranquility to the Philippines. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Bataan Death March

Prisoners of war on the Bataan Death March. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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The Bataan Death March

"Their ferocity grew as we marched ... they were no longer content with mauling stragglers or pricking them with bayonet points. The thrusts were intended to kill."
- Capt. William Dyess, 21st Pursuit Squadron commander

With few aircraft left, United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) personnel fought as infantry to hold the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. Although they suffered from malnourishment and disease, these men battled valiantly until they were ordered by their commander to surrender on April 9, 1942.

Then followed the barbarity of the Bataan Death March, during which their Japanese captors tortured, starved, and killed thousands of US and Filipino prisoners of war (POWs) during the 65-mile forced march. Worse still, the majority of those who survived the march later perished in POW camps or in transit on "hell ships" to Japan.

Click on the following links to learn more about the Bataan Death March.

The Cost of Being Unprepared: The Last Days on Bataan
Buying Time in the Pacific: The Battle of the Points
Desperate Defenders: The Provisional Air Corps Regiment
One Man Scourge: William E. Dyess
The End in Bataan
Bataan Death March
The Aftermath
Angels of Mercy
Master Sgt. Charles B. Causey
Makeshift Uniform

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Yesterday's Air Force: Bataan Death March (Air Force TV) (00:03:10)

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The Bataan Death March

Bataan completely occupied by Japanese

Bataan Death March