A Struggle of the Doomed: Japanese Invasion of the Philippines 1941 - Part 3

Summary

The transcript details the initial stages of the Pacific War, focusing on the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. After devastating air raids on the Philippines and the destruction of the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese successfully landed in multiple locations, capturing critical airfields. Despite fierce air resistance, the U.S. forces struggled to mount effective counterattacks, and the Japanese secured a strong foothold in Luzon and Mindanao. The failure to prevent these landings marked the beginning of a series of overwhelming setbacks for the American and Filipino defenders, with dire consequences on the horizon.

Takeaways

• 😀 The United States Army forces in the Far East were in a precarious position after Japanese air raids on the Philippines, which severely damaged the American Air Force and Navy.
• 😀 The Japanese successfully neutralized key American assets, including the destruction of the Far East Air Force and the majority of the fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor.
• 😀 Admiral Thomas C. Hart of the United States Asiatic Fleet ordered most of the fleet to move south, leaving behind a small force of submarines and PT boats to harass Japanese forces.
• 😀 The Japanese launched a multi-pronged invasion of the Philippines, beginning with small, advanced detachments tasked with capturing key airfields on Luzon.
• 😀 Despite minimal resistance, the Japanese managed to capture several strategic airfields, including those at Apari, Vigan, and Legaspi, by December 12, 1941.
• 😀 The first American air response came from B-17 bombers, led by Captain Colin Kelly, but their attacks failed to disrupt Japanese landings.
• 😀 By December 11, 1941, the Japanese had firmly established a foothold on Luzon, and their detachments began pushing southward to link up with each other for further operations.
• 😀 The Philippine Army, poorly equipped and lacking coordination, struggled to mount effective counterattacks against the advancing Japanese forces.
• 😀 As Japanese forces secured airfields and coastal towns, rumors spread among the Filipino civilians about more impending invasions across the archipelago.
• 😀 By December 20, 1941, Japanese forces had successfully taken control of several key locations, including the Mindanao region, and had effectively neutralized American and Filipino defenses in the region.

Q & A

What was the primary reason for the United States Army's precarious position in the Pacific at the start of the war?

The United States Army's position was precarious due to the destruction of their primary air and naval forces. The Japanese Air Raids on the Philippines crippled the Far East Air Force, and the bulk of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was destroyed at Pearl Harbor, leaving the Philippine garrison isolated and vulnerable.

How did the Japanese forces plan their invasion of the Philippines?

The Japanese forces launched a multi-phase invasion plan, with three task forces landing at different locations on Luzon to capture strategic airfields, including those at Aparri, Vigan, and Legaspi, which were to be used as advanced bases for air operations.

What was the significance of the landings at Aparri and Vigan on December 10th, 1941?

The landings at Aparri and Vigan marked the first steps of the Japanese invasion, aiming to capture key airfields in northern Luzon. These actions were part of a broader strategy to secure the Philippines for further operations and to gain air superiority.

Why did the Japanese invasion force encounter minimal resistance during their landings?

The Japanese invasion force faced minimal resistance because the American and Filipino forces were dispersed, with many of them retreating to consolidated positions in anticipation of the main invasion. The American response was limited to air strikes, which were largely ineffective due to the overwhelming Japanese air superiority.

What role did Captain Colin Kelly play in the early days of the war in the Philippines?

Captain Colin Kelly was one of the first U.S. Air Force heroes of the war. On December 10th, 1941, he attacked a Japanese fleet and was credited with hitting a large warship (mistakenly identified as the battleship Haruna) before being shot down. His bravery earned him the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously.

What impact did the Japanese capture of airfields at Aparri, Vigan, and Legaspi have on the situation in the Philippines?

The capture of these airfields allowed the Japanese to establish operational bases for their air forces, giving them control of critical locations in northern Luzon. This significantly diminished the ability of the U.S. and Filipino forces to resist the invasion and limited their operational capabilities.

How did the Japanese forces overcome the challenges posed by weather during their landings?

Despite poor weather conditions, such as rough seas and strong winds, the Japanese forces adapted by landing in areas where the conditions were somewhat more favorable, allowing them to secure key locations and establish footholds on Luzon.

Why did General MacArthur and General Wainwright not attempt more aggressive counterattacks against the Japanese task forces?

General MacArthur and General Wainwright focused on consolidating their forces in anticipation of the main Japanese invasion. They correctly identified the landings at Aparri and Vigan as diversionary tactics and sought to position their defenses around Lingayen Gulf, where they expected the main Japanese forces to land.

What were the consequences of the evacuation of the Far East Air Force's B-17 bombers to Australia?

The evacuation of the B-17 bombers to Australia in mid-December significantly weakened the Far East Air Force, leaving only 20 operational fighters on Luzon. This loss of airpower further limited the ability of the American forces to challenge the Japanese invasion and defend key positions.

How did the Japanese operations in the southern Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, contribute to their broader strategic goals?

The Japanese landings in Mindanao, including the capture of Davao, were part of a broader strategy to secure the southern Philippines and establish bases for further operations, including the eventual invasion of Borneo. This operation expanded the Japanese foothold in the region and cut off potential reinforcements for the Philippine defense.