National Museum of the U.S. Navy

1942 January-April:   Battle for Bataan

During January-April 1942, at this stage of the Philippine Campaign, the Japanese controlled all of the Philippines, though the Bataan peninsula while Corregidor Island remained under Filipino and U.S. Forces.   Bravely fighting for three months, the eventual surrender on April 9, resulted in the Bataan Death March, where 60,000 to 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war were forced to transfer to Camp O'Donnell, near Capas, Tarlac.  

Image:  NH 73558:  Philippine Invasion, 1941-1942.  American prisoners of war under guard by Japanese troops, after the surrender of Bataan, April 1942.  U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.