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Battle of Bataan Philippines Facts & Worksheets

The Battle of Bataan was the most intense phase of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.

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During World War II, the Battle of Bataan (January 7 – April 9, 1942) was the most intense phase of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.

See the fact file below for more information on the Battle of Bataan Philippines or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Battle of Bataan Philippines worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Historical Background

  • The Battle of Bataan was part of Japan’s invasion of the Philippines during World War II.
  • It was Japan’s objective to capture the Philippine Islands for they desired to control the Southwest Pacific, as well as the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and the security of its Southeast Asian neighbors.
  • It was the largest military surrender in both American and Filipino history, since the attack on Harper’s Ferry before the Civil War.

Invasion

  • On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier planes struck the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The main bases of the American Far East Air Force near Manila, as well as the headquarters of the US Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines, were also bombed by Japanese aircraft.
  • A large number of American planes were destroyed. The US Asiatic Fleet retreated south after withdrawing its ships from its naval base in Cavite. The only force left to combat the Japanese was the submarine force.
  • Japan seized Batan Island, Aparri, and Vigan City airfields from the 8th to the 10th of December. Army Air Force B-17s attacked Japanese ships. Two Japanese transports, the flagship Nagato, a destroyer, and a minesweeper were all destroyed by US aircraft.
  • The main assault took place on December 22, 1941. The 14th Japanese Imperial Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma, launched an attack.

War Plan Orange-3

  • The Japanese launched a massive assault after capturing the beaches. General Douglas MacArthur, the American commander, knew the beach defense scheme had failed.
  • MacArthur announced on December 26 that War Plan Orange-3 (WPO-3) was now in use. This was supposed to be a plan to only protect Bataan and Corregidor. WPO-3’s mission was to hold off Japanese forces until the US Pacific Fleet arrived in the Philippines.

Fall of Bataan

  • MacArthur’s departure had been badly planned, and he left tons of rice, ammunition, and other supplies behind him. The Battle of Bataan began on January 6, 1942, and the defenders were placed on half-rations almost immediately.
  • The Allied force of Filipinos and Americans held out for 99 days, despite being sick with malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases, surviving on monkey meat and a few grains of rice, and lacking air and naval support.
  • On April 9, 1942, Gen. Edward (“Ned”) King, the US commander of all ground troops on Bataan, surrendered his thousands of wounded, enervated, and starving troops, and the forced march began.
  • The siege of Bataan was the United States’ first major land battle of World War II, and it was one of the most humiliating military losses in American history. The force on Bataan, with 76,000 Filipino and American troops, is the largest army ever surrendered under American orders.

Aftermath

  • The Bataan Death March has become synonymous with the Philippines’ contribution to World War II. 
  • The administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt released details of the march in January 1944, based on information given by a few prisoners who had fled and made their way to Australia. As a result, what became known as the Bataan Death March soon became a legend of the evils of war.
  • Lieut. Gen. Homma Masaharu, the Japanese commander of the Philippine invasion forces, was charged with responsibility for the march and systematic violations at Camp O’Donnell after World War II ended. In January–February 1946, a US military tribunal tried and convicted him in Manila, and on April 3, 1946, he was executed by firing squad.

Battle of Bataan Philippines Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Battle of Bataan Philippines across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Battle of Bataan Philippines which was the most intense phase of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Battle of Bataan Philippines Facts 
  • Battle IG
  • Good or Trash
  • Map of Death
  • Hey Comic
  • American Vs Japanese
  • Historical Event
  • Number Matching
  • Article in the Battle
  • Three Nations
  • Bataan

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Link will appear as Battle of Bataan Philippines Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 7, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.