Registration opens:
April 07th, 2025

World at War Forum

Fall of the Philippines and the End of Empires

Steve Pettyjohn and Ted Prasse will discuss the campaigns and the role of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the loss of the Philippines and its subsequent retaking.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was just the opening note in an unprecedented campaign of conquest. During the first six months of 1942, Japan created an empire that spanned almost 3,000,000 square miles. During this “Pacific Blitzkrieg,” Japan destroyed three European empires that had been created by Britain, France and Holland in south-east Asia. They also inflicted on America it’s most humiliating defeat capped by the largest mass surrender in American History when almost 70,000 American and Filipino troops surrendered on April 9, 1942, on Bataan in the Philippines. This was followed on May 6, when the American fortress of Corregidor surrendered with another 15,000 prisoners. However, the fact that American forces held out longer than their European contemporaries, was a source of hope, pride, and the creation of heroes. One being General Douglas MacArthur. Join us on May 6, 2025, for a look at how and why this happened. Steve Pettyjohn and Ted Prasse will discuss the campaigns, the role of General Douglas MacArthur [known as “Dugout Doug” to his troops on Bataan], myths, legends and legacies of these seismic events.

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