1. “I shall return…” March 11, 1942

2. 1941 Japan successfully invaded and occupied the Pacific Rim.
Malaya (now called Malaysia).
Hong Kong forcing British surrender (G.B. controlled Hong Kong at the time).
Guam and Wake Island (U.S. territory)
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Invasion of Manila forcing U.S. and Filipino troops into the Bataan peninsula.

3. Siege at Bataan
Filipino and American troops attempted to fight off Japanese invaders, but were overwhelmed by Japans superior firepower (not to mention they had limited rations). It didn’t take long before they had to retreat.

4. Surrender & death
70,000 troops (Filipinos and Americans) surrendered in April of 1942 (largest surrender of an American army ever) –about the size of Soldier field.
Between 5,000 to 11,000 die during “Death March”.

5. Surviving the Death March didn’t guarantee anything.
Life at the internment camps was just as brutal (many became sick from malaria and dysentery) .
Those who escaped joined up with Guerilla forces.

6. Prison Camps
Roughly 2/3 of the soldiers in the Philippines were not alive at the end of the war (many due to life in the camps).
Many more died in “hell ships” being transferred to work as laborers on other islands.

7. Liberation (MacArthur’s Return)
MacArthur began his campaign to return in 1944 with the aid of Guerilla forces; retake P.I. in 1945.
Prisoners in Japan and other islands had to wait for the forced surrender caused by the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki.

8. Long term Effects on the Philippines
Over 1 million Filipinos were killed as a result of WWII, many during the final months.
The islands and many cities were ravaged (especially Manila).
Fighting took place even after the surrender (1974 is when the last Japanese soldier surrendered…).

9. The importance of the promise..
MacArthur’s departure signified Japanese control of Pacific (U.S. used the Philippines as a naval base).
His promise to return gave hope to those he left behind.
His return was a fulfillment of the promise he made.

10. The End