6 JAN – 9 APRIL 1942
01 The perilous peaks
With the Japanese 14th Army steam-rolling down the plains of Central Luzon in late December, War Plan Orange comes into effect and the Bataan Peninsula is fortified, with its mountains serving as natural barriers.
02 Corregidor HQ
On 23 December General Macarthur decides to abandon Manila and relocate USAFFE’S HQ to Corregidor. The underground bunkers in the Malinta Tunnel serve as the command and control nexus for General Wainwright’s orchestration of the battle for Bataan.
03 Main battle position
The defence-in-depth strategy for Bataan involves layers of trenches. The main battle position immediately comes under attack on 6 January, but General Homma’s exhausted forces are repulsed. The main battle position’s ‘wings’ would finally collapse by 4 April.
04 Rear battle position
The secondary defensive layer, or rear battle position, is manned by rear echelon units and reserves meant for reinforcing the main battle position. During the 3 April offensive, however, it too would be broken by Japanese forces.
05 Parker’s II Corps
Totalling 32,600 men, the II Corps controls the eastern half of the Bataan Peninsula and bears the brunt of Japanese air and artillery bombardment. Its structure combines American and Filipino divisions.
06 King’s I Corps
I Corps is tasked with protecting the Bataan Peninsula’s western half. Its divisions have to make do with less, as much of their equipment has been lost in battles across the plains of Central Luzon.
07 Attack from the sea
On 23 January, General Homma directs his best troops to launch an amphibious attack on the Bataan Peninsula’s western shore. Sailing from Subic Bay, these forces land on three coves and get bogged down by intense machine-gun fire.
08 A town called Moron
The coastal town of Moron is used as a staging area throughout the struggle for Bataan. The amphibious landings in latejanuary are launched from here.
09 Mount Samat
On 4 April the 14th Army’s divisions have broken II Corps and reached Mount Samat. With his command in disarray and supplies running short, General King negotiates a surrender on 9 April, ending the struggle for Bataan.