2. Introduction
The Bataan Death march took place in 1942, which was
during World War II and took place in the Phillipines. It
consisted of 75,000 American soldiers and Phillipino
prisoners from war. It was an actual march that occured
after the Battle of Bataan and they marched 60 miles.
3. As the prisoners were forced to walk for hours a day people
were killed. To stop walking was a way to get killed and you
were killed either by Beheading, throat-cutting, and shooting
which were common causes of death. Other causes of death
were bayonet, rape, disembowelment, rifle-butt beating, and
dehydration. If prisoners stepped off to the side to get water
they were immidiately shot and were often teased by the
Japanese when they were aloud to get water full of maggots.
4. The world learned about the things that
had happened through three officers
who had escaped the march. The
treatmeant of the soldiers were
inhumane and were the worst that
anyone had ever done. General
Masaharu Homma was the commander
of the Jappanese troops in the
phillipines and was later on executed
for the things that had happened.
5. The number of prisoners who passed away on the
Bataan Death March isn't completely known, but
historians have estimated that 6,000 to 11,000 men
died. This is considered one of the Japanese war
crimes. Today there are many places around the
world that have memorials for the people who died
during this event. In New Mexico there is an event
every March known as the Bataan Memorial
Death March and people go on a marathon that is
15 miles long and they also carry things on their
back. It took until 2009 for a formal apology on
behalf of Japan to the United States for the things
that happened to the U.S. soldiers.
6. Importance
This event had an impact on the countries who were
involved in the march. It gave some countries better
relationships and others bad, but over time things
became neutral. Veterans still hold grudges against
Japan though because they were actually involved in it
and witnessed what the Japanese did. Also, it gave the
U.S. and the Filipino's time to prepare for the upcoming
battles. These battles were the Battle of Coral Sea and
The Battle of Midway.
7. Impact
The Bataan Death March didn't really have an impact
on World War II and probably mainly because many
people weren't aware as to what was going on. It was
only one of the many things that was going on during
the time and could only anger other countries even
more.
