This segment focuses on how the Japanese took control of the Pacific waters. The Philippines had been promised their independence. Within hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese turned their air attacks onto the Philippines and in less than 48 hours, they had knocked out the entire American Air Force. Their next objective was to destroy the American Army around Manila and then to take the Philippines. General McArthur's plan was to go into the Bataan Peninsula, west of Manila. The Americans were terribly ill-equipped. Because of the Geneva Convention, which had been signed by most nations, it was hoped that the Japanese would honor the basic tenets of that agreement. However, they did not.
This segment focuses on how the Japanese took control of the Pacific waters. The Philippines had been promised their independence. Within hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese turned their air attacks onto the Philippines and in less than 48 hours, they had knocked out the entire American Air Force. Their next objective was to destroy the American Army around Manila and then to take the Philippines. General McArthur's plan was to go into the Bataan Peninsula, west of Manila. The Americans were terribly ill-equipped. Because of the Geneva Convention, which had been signed by most nations, it was hoped that the Japanese would honor the basic tenets of that agreement. However, they did not.
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South Carolinians in World War II Learning Activity
This video series contains graphic descriptions of war as experienced by the WWII veterans and others who had direct, first-hand experiences in the conflict. Their accounts are based on events they...
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