Some time ago, or was it last month, that raid on the Japanese POW prison in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, was featured on the History Channel here. The raid was planned by US Army Rangers but they also gave credit to the Filipino Guerillas for their help. There were some actual footage shown in the program. There's even a book written about it but I forgot the title, I think it's "Ghost Soldiers".

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Some time ago, or was it last month, that raid on the Japanese POW prison in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, was featured on the History Channel here. The raid was planned by US Army Rangers but they also gave credit to the Filipino Guerillas for their help. There were some actual footage shown in the program. There's even a book written about it but I forgot the title, I think it's "Ghost Soldiers".

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Yup. "Ghost Soldiers" by Hampton Sides. Great book. Wonderful read. Got my (now missing) copy at then Page One (forgot the store's new name) at Rockwell. They also made a movie/tele-movie/mini-series in the USA starring that same local Filipino actor who played Jose Rizal and that fishing movie (name escapes me) who plays Juan Pajota. I want to see that production - especially the part where the deaf (or blind?) Brit POW was crapping in a shed all the while the rescue was being done. He was left behind hehehe but was later retreived.

Re: Bataan, USAFFE forces actually won several battles. Had it not been for lack of medicines, USAFFE would've lasted probably into May or even June, rather than April. IIRC, they had lots of ammunition, but what they really lacked was medicines (in the run to Bataan, I heard that they left behind or burned a convoy carrying lots of medicines). Homma was said to have been a bit depressed when he could not punch through the line at Bataan. His troops were weary. I remember a bit of a discussion on this at TankNet a few years ago and IIRC, it was possible that Homma would've actually withdrew (and probably even might've been relieved from command) from Bataan had USAFFE counter-attacked at a particular time. But without air support and transports, the conclusion was still the same - defeat. Still, the stand could've been longer with enough medicines to combat the usual jungle diseases. AFAIK, several amphib assaults by the Japanese were conducted to outflank the USAFFE MLR but these were chopped up by the defenders.

As for the Philippine Army, in general, it was good on paper, but just that - on paper. The really good Filipino soldiers were the Filipino Scouts, but they were IIRC not under the Philippine Army but the US Army. Still, they did very well against Japanese light tanks in the early battles.

They are still good soldiers in my book. I think a lot of the families of PA veterans would disagree with what you said above.

The Philippine scouts were very good soldiers because of their proper training and experience. Experience and training is their advantage. I think after the PA units were bloodied, they rose to the occasion. Still all of them were Filipinos, who suffered, fought and died for what they believed in.

Rumours has it that they're planning to make a movie base on Hampton's novel "Ghost Soldiers" starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Speilberg.

Hey Wanze! You actually have roots in Placer? I was born in Surigao City and stayed there the first 12 years of my life. My parents still live there. My grandpa was a scout during WWII and his area was the northern mountains of Cebu. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was in the infirmary when we declared victory against the Japanese. He moved to Surigao City after the war and met my grandmother at Surigao High. Sadly most of his mementos were lost in a big fire. He had a lot of stories about wrecks around the islands of Surigao. Someday I hope to see some of them.

The American's did not do very well in the whole battle of Bataan. According to El Jefe, some US marine units actually ran away from their positions till the whole was plugged by Filipino soldiers. May they be Philippine Scouts or PA, they still died for their country and it does take quite a lot of courage to do what they did. The PA was under equipped and not ready for the japanese when WW2 started. Once again, you can blame this on the politicians and American policies to the Philippines. Despite lacking material and proper training, they fought with raw courage and better than the Americans in some point.

Actually it was done. It stars Benjamin Bratt as the Ranger commander who led the raid. Our very own Cesar Montano plays Juan Pajota, the guerilla leader. The movie was done entirely in Australia.

The big question now is, when will be released in theatres? Or would we catch it on HBO in the future?

Actually, the title is "The Great Raid." It does star Benjamin Bratt, even Joseph Fiennes and Connie Nielsen but it is not directed/produced by Spielberg(all accdg to IMDB.Com). Its status is post production and probably has a screening date for this year. But I doubt if the movie will showcase Filipinos and their role. Even the Filipino commander isn't played by a Filipino.

Lonewolf,

Joseph Fiennes played the political officer Danilov, while Jude Law played Vassily the sniper. Fiennes also played "Romeo" in Shakespeare In Love. It's true that there are few movies regarding the Philippines' role in WW2. There have been attempts to make one but they all fail in getting producers/sponsors. IPMS-BAC has been approached at least twice to provide the models for digitalization in battle scenes, along with some technical assistance with regards to history(there was an attempt to make Villamor's life into a movie) but funding was always a problem. Maybe someday......

BTW, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are working on a "Band of Brothers" type of project, but this time on the Pacific Theater of Operations. Should be something to look out for.

The problem with the US units in the Philippines was they were ill-prepared for war despite having better equipment. They regard the Philippines more as an R&R station (like Hawaii) that was why they were caught unawares.

MacArthur was aware of the situation which was why he came up with WPO-5. He was hoping they could hold out until reinforcements could arrive but it later turned out it's not forthcoming due to Washington's Europe First policy.

No doubt that the only US unit that performed well were the Philippine Scouts. If the American politicians hadn't pased that Recission Act in 1946, these vets would have been well off and happy now.

Yup that's Ed Harris. And I don't think they could have gotten a better actor to play the German sniper. Sya rin yung renegade general sa "The Rock". Another good role for him.