Bataan Death March
April 9, 1942
60,000-80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war are forced by the Japanese to march 65 miles from Bataan to San Fernando, Philippines. It's estimated that 2,500 Filipinos and 500 Americans died during the march due to starvation and maltreatment by the Japanese. Those too weak to walk were executed. From San
Fernando they were transported by overcrowded rail cars to Camp O'Donnell POW camp. Many more died due to the hot and crowded conditions on the rail cars. Another 26,000 Filipinos and 1,500 Americans died at Camp O'Donnell. Of the 22,000 Americans captured by the Japanese on the Bataan Peninsula, only about 15,000 returned to the United States.
The commander of the Japanese invasion forces in the Philippines Lieutenant General Homma Masaharu was held responsible for the death march and was executed by firing squad after the war.
The commander of the Japanese invasion forces in the Philippines Lieutenant General Homma Masaharu was held responsible for the death march and was executed by firing squad after the war.
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