The Fallen Warriors: Bataan Battle

 

                                                    

 

                  Blood, sweat, and tears commonly occurred as our heroes fought for our land. The Battle of Bataan whereas declared as Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) is memorable for all of us. It falls on April 9 which is the national observance in the Philippines to commemorate the fall of Bataan during World War II.

            During World War II, the battle represented the most intense phase of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Following the bombing of the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japanese Army and Navy forces invaded Luzon and several other islands in the Philippine Archipelago in January 1942.   By this time, the Japanese controlled nearly all of Southeast Asia. Despite a shortage of supplies, American and Filipino forces were able to hold off the Japanese for three months, initially engaging them in a combat retreat southward. The delay cost the Japanese valuable time and prevented an immediate victory across the Pacific as the combined American and Filipino forces made a last stand.      

          On April 9, 1942, along with the orders from General Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the commander of the Luzon Force Bataan, Major General Edward P. King Jr. surrendered more than 76,000 disease-ridden and starving soldiers to Japanese troops. Prisoners of war had forced to endure the famous Bataan Death March to Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. A huge amount of soldiers have died from dehydration, heat, and untreated wounds. They were beaten randomly and those who fall behind were usually left to die, so the side of the roads was filled with dead bodies.

       It is important to pay tribute to our fallen heroes who fought for our land. Let us salute them for their heroic actions which lead them to death. Always keep in mind that paying tribute might not be enough to contest their fallen lives but it gives gratitude to every soldier who died. The celebration of  ‘Araw ng Kagitingan’ is one of the best ways to be thankful for every sacrifice that they’ve done.

Sources: 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzjdejvcyBQ/YJfHYHn3-lI/AAAAAAAAAJo/3qErvFEDBiMDvRrZaGWmWVXVslz7UUJDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/f79a04d6f9.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bataan