World War II in the Philippines

During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army attempted to take the Philippines from the US. The first invasion, in May of 1942, resulted in a quick victory by the Japanese over the combined American and Filipino forces, led by American General Douglas McArthur. However, General McArthur returned in 1944 to defeat the Japanese and retake the Philippines. Two atrocities committed by the Japanese during occupation are the Bataan Death March and the Manila Massacre. During Bataan Death March, which occurred immediately after the Japanese victory, 80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war were marched from the Bataan Peninsula, in the Philippines, to a prison camp 105 kilometers to the north. 110,000 people died during the march, due to abuse, malnutrition, harsh climate conditions, and disease. The Manila Massacre occurred three years later, in 1945, when Japanese troops were ordered to withdraw from Manila, also in the Philippines, and disobeyed. Instead, the Japanese army ruthlessly murdered at least 100,000 civilians and soldiers, both in and out of battle.