In a gamble, the Japanese tried to outflank the main line by landing a force of 900 men on January 23, 1941, in southern Bataan, followed by another 300 reinforcements four days later.
US and Filipino Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, to include the PACR, fought from fortified beaches hoping to repel the Japanese invasion. US Navy patrol torpedo boat PT-34 sunk two Japanese landing barges. The USS Quail off the coast and tank battalions on the peninsula provided artillery fire, while the few USAAF P-40s prevented the Japanese from landing additional reinforcements on the island.
After three weeks of bitter fighting, the defenders eliminated the Japanese positions. This vigorous defense helped Bataan hold out for two more months.
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