In January of 1942, just a few weeks after invaders took over Manila and the Japanese Military Administration ran its civilian affairs, Filipino troops under the USAFFE gathered together. These men – wherein half were soldiers and half were volunteer civilians – were ordered to deploy in various parts of the country where Japanese troops were present. The Filipino troops were barely introduced to each other but went into combat as one fighting unit. Most of them were assigned to Bataan where as soon as they arrived, they were welcomed with an engagement with the enemy. Gunfire and artillery explosions became a part of their daily lives.
The USAFFE, with units composed of Filipinos that were commanded by members of class 1941 and 1942, chose to stand its ground in Bataan and fight it out. In the heat of battle, every man of every group also had their own small battle to fight: how to survive exhaustion, sickness, thirst and hunger. Supplies were scarce that they had to improvise on their own. The number of casualties increased every day. There was no time for letup, even for the proper disposal of the dead.
February of 1942, news that other parts of Asia were overrun by Japanese came to them. Despite learning about this and the dire situation they were in, the troops chose to hold the line. This only gave them the courage and strong hearts to face the enemy for the freedom they wanted for themselves and for their country.
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