This terrible battle never should have happened. The Allies should have simply bypassed the Philippines. It was no more needed than, say, the island of Formosa was.
But wait. Douglas MacArthur said “I shall return”. So return he must, regardless of the cost.
But wait. Douglas MacArthur said “I shall return”. So return he must, regardless of the cost."
The Philippines were an American territory at the time, so yes, we had to get it back.
Possession of the Philippines denies Japan imports from the Dutch East Indies which is why they went to war in the first place.
The Japanese invaded in 41' to deny the US Clark Field on Luzon and the Navy yard at Cavite.
The last Japanese tanker from the Indies limped into Japan in March 45'.
It had been bombed by B-24's from the Philippines and had to jettison much of it's cargo to make it.
“The Allies should have simply bypassed the Philippines.”
Unlike the rest of the Islands, the Philippines was American territory, and the Filipinos as much Americans as Puerto Ricans - awaiting rescue.
My friend who was imprisoned in the Philippines with her family during WWII would disagree, The thousands of Americans and other nationalities were scheduled to be murdered. Her family was to be killed the day after being rescued as the Japanese prepared to withdraw. They’re traumatized to this day having witnessed three prisoners bound and on their knees before being murdered. The civilians imprisoned never got reparations unlike the Japanese that were held in much better facilities during WWII.