Corregidor: The American Alamo of World War II

by Eric Morris

Book Overview

Based on interviews with forty American and Filipino survivors who-battling hunger, dysentery, malaria, and rapidly encroaching Japanes-were the untested but brilliant defenders of General MacArthur and Wainwright's tiny island fortress.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0815410859
• ISBN13: 9780815410850
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

History with a personality!

The author has personally interviewed a number of veterans and others who were involved in this historic tragedy. He interwinds their remakable individual experiences within the context of the events that took place. Readers learn what dailey life was like, in this place of luxury, during the terrible depression era, for both officers and enlisted men. (What history books cover menus, prices, fashion, and the personal tastes of those involved: we learn about one officer who purchases a "34" Pasckard covertible sedan, in peace time, and in the end, when the two depart, the reader is as sad as the proud owner!) This book actually puts the reader in the scenes, and one can feal the heat, the thirst and the hunger, and the frustration of men as they slowley give up the hope of rescue that thay have clung to so long. The reader frustratingly learns how early, and who made the decision to completely sacrafice this huge fighting force, for "the bigger" fight in Europe! The local bad "tactical decisions" that accelerated the destruction of this army are covered within the context of who knew what - when! Some good leaders, who most have never heard of, shine through, like General Drake, who as Quartermaster, directly circumvented MacArthur's direct orders to get as much food and equipment directly to "his" fighting troops. A book of this nature, acquainting the reader with the actual personalities of those who experienced this great betrayal by both their local commanders, and their country, leaves the reader with a deeper understanding of the battle, and a bitter sadness for both those that died, and those who survived. Joe Maxwell

Corregidor

Excellent read for any one trying to understand the truth of the Battle of Corregidor. As the son of a Corregidor veteran I found this book very helpful to understanding the Battle of Corregidor. My father like, like many veterans, struggled with his experiences at Corregidor and as a P.O.W. (May 6, 1942 until liberated in Japan September 1945) and found it difficult to talk about. This book and others like it honor the Philippine Campaign Veterans.

Timely reminder to: "Be Prepared"

"Corregidor" is a true-to-life "Winds of War" about the early stages of WWII for America. "Corregidor" traces memories of actual participants and research illustrating peacetime from mid year of 1941 to the fall of Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines from December 1941 to May 1942. Great adventure depicting a true-to-life drama. Illustrates the strong heart of the American and Philippine troops who fought the battles and the failure of an unprepared military leadership. Many lessons of military and national leadership are demonstrated. In an age when the American military is searching for meaning and redefinition this is a must read for those interested in a properly prepared military.