Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense
phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines. The capture of
the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the
Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and
protect its Southeast Asia flank. It was the largest surrender in
American and Filipino military history, and was the largest American
surrender since the American Revolution.
What do you know about the Battle of Bataan?
Try this World War II Trivia quiz. You'll find the answers at the bottom
of the page.
1) As Japanese carrier planes devastated the
United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in the morning of December
7, 1941 (December 8, Manila time), Taiwan-based aircraft simultaneously
pounded the main bases of the American Far East Air Force at Clark Field
in Pampanga, Iba Field in Zambales, Nichols Field near Manila, and the
headquarters of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines at Cavite.
2) General Douglas MacArthur notified his
commanders that War Plan Orange-3 (WPO-3) was now in effect, thereby
reactivating a prewar plan to defend only Bataan and Corregidor in a
delaying action. When did he make the notification?
- December 26, 1941
- January 1, 1942
- February 6, 1942
3) Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the
Philippine Commonwealth, together with his family and government staff
were evacuated to Corregidor along with MacArthur's USAFFE headquarters
on the night of December 24, 1941, while all USAFFE military personnel
were removed from the major urban areas. That same day, Manila was
declared an open city. When did Japanese forces occupied Manila?
- January 2, 1942
- February 2, 1942
- March 2, 1942
4) WPO-3 called for two defensive lines across
Bataan. The first extended across the peninsula from Mauban in the west
to what location in the east?
- Mabatang, Abucay
- Tango, Abucay
- Pearl Harbor Philipines
5) On January 12, amid fierce fighting, a platoon
leader in the 57th Infantry, with uncommon valor, sacrificed his life
when, armed with only a rifle and hand grenades, he forced his way into
enemy foxholes during hand-to-hand fighting, permitting his unit to
retake Abucay Hacienda; for his actions he was posthumously awarded the
Medal of Honor. Who was the platoon leader?
- 2nd Lt. Mark Clark
- 2nd Lt. Alexander R. Nininger
- 2nd Lt. Mark Reynolds
6) Within four days, the Orion-Bagac line was
formed. But the defenders had yet to complete their withdrawal to the
reserve battle position when the Japanese struck again, through a gap
held by I Corps. General Bluemel hastily organized a defense along Trail
2, consisting of 32nd Infantry, 41st Infantry and 51st Division
reinforcements, in time to stop a major offensive and plugged the gap.
7) Japanese troops managed to get through,
however, and held out at some rear sectors of the Orion-Bagac line at
the Tuol River valley behind the 11th Division, and in the Gogo-Cotar
River behind the 1st Regular Division. From January 23 to February 17,
coordinated action by the defenders, to eliminate salients of
resistance. What did the fight become known as?
- Battle of the Pockets
- Battle of the Wallets
- Battle of the Hammer
8) In an attempt to outflank I Corps and isolate
the Service Command Area commanded by USAFFE Deputy Commander Brig. Gen.
Allan C. McBride, Japanese troops of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Infantry,
16th Division, were landed on the west coast of southern Bataan on the
night of January 22. Intercepted by a U.S. PT boat, two barges were sunk
and the rest scattered into two groups, neither of which landed on the
objective beach. What was the PT Boat?
9) On the night of March 12, General MacArthur,
his family, and several USAFFE staff officers left Corregidor for
Mindanao aboard four PT boats. For this and a number of other feats over
the course of four months and eight days, he was awarded the Medal of
Honor, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross and other
citations. Who commanded the PT boats?
- Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley
- Lieutenant John Brickley
- Lieutenant (j.g.) 'Rusty' Ryan
10) When did American & Filipino liberation
forces finally retake the Bataan peninsula?
- February 8, 1943
- February 8, 1944
- February 8, 1945
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