Escape from Bataan is a personal account of Ross E. Hofmann. He tells his story of serving in the Supply Corps during World War II. The editor, David L. Snead, believes that this memoir “provides a very unique look at the experiences of a junior naval officer who survived the harrowing defense of the Philippines.” I agree with Dr. Snead that this memoir is accurate and believable. Hofmann proves his reliability by talking about Supply Corps training, service in the Philippines before the war, the experience of a naval ensign as American forces retreated and resisted the Japanese, and his escape from the Philippines. First, Hofmann proves his validity by describing Supply Corps training. In his memoir, Hofmann received a call one day and was …show more content…
One morning in December, Hofmann woke up to explosions. By the end of the attack, many things were destroyed. After retreating, they ended up in Mariveles not far from Manila. Everything in Mariveles was relatively peaceful except for one instance where a U.S. friendly boat accidentally got hit by a mine and exploded. Most of the people survived. Within a few days though, the Japanese were moving inland and coming for Manila. Naval leaders declared that Manila “would be made an ‘open city’ and that they army would be retiring to Bataan, rather than defending the town." Shortly after, they retreated to Cebu. While in Cebu, they fought the Battle of the Points, which was a seven-day battle of resisting Japanese advances. They were victorious, but soon retreated again because the Japanese came back with more military power. Hofmann and his friends were looking for a way out of the Philippines into Australia. Hofmann had two choices. He could go with his friends or go with Kelly to another island. Hofmann said, “Something deep inside of me, something I could not explain, said I had to go Mindanao.” So with that, Hofmann and Kelly headed off in a banca towards …show more content…
When Hofmann and Kelly arrived in Mindanao, Kelly got a ride out, but Hofmann went to Lake Lanao for another mission. When he arrived, he was told “On the night of April 28 two PBYs would fly to the lake from Australia. They were to be hidden near an island in the lake during the daylight hours of the 29th, and that night, they would fly to Corregidor. They would then turn around and immediately fly back to Lake Lanao. They would remain hidden for the day and then that night would fly back to Australia.” Hofmann secured a spot for the planes to land, and gathered gasoline. The planes finally came in and went off to Corregidor. The next morning, news came that the Japanese were bombing Corregidor. This worried Hofmann, but fortunately, the planes arrived back in one piece. As the Japanese drew closer, the planes took flight for Darwin, Australia. One plane made it up, but the other hit something on take-off. After repairing the plane, Hofmann was climbed aboard to Australia. He arrived safely, and served the rest of his time in
For training, the author shares the difficult task involved in the training and that went into preparing the American solider for battle in World War I from multiple levels including from Brownies’ perspective. The author gave clear and concise examples to strengthen his claim concerning the overwhelming task of training an inexperienced army. As the Snead explains, “Historians, journalists, and others have written numerous books
The Tran-Atlantic slave exchange established the framework for present day entrepreneurship, creating riches for business endeavors in American and Europe society. The exchange added to the industrialization of a numerous continents’ surrounding the Atlantic area. Several of the areas where located in northwestern Europe, also the western part of Europe, the North, and South, and the Caribbean Islands. According to assign readings and observing other resources providing, the slave trade revealed deceptive inequity toward the people in America and European. There was other culture considered besides black that was residing within the domains of these state and continents. If an individual was not considering white, it is believed that the
Stewart R. W. (2005). American Military History (Vol. 1). The United States Army and the
army out of harms way. The author briefly discusses the troubles at Kip’s Bay and Fort Washington.
Frustrated by the commissioning programs of the time, Sledge begins his journey by resigning from the officer candidate program in an effort to more quickly reach combat. He subsequently volunteers to be a sixty millimeter mortar-man and joins Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment (K/3/5) of the First Marine Division. It is within this command framework that Sledge experiences two of the bloodiest campaigns of the Second World War...
This book is essentially different from any other that has been published concerning the 'late war' or any of incidents. Those who have had any such experiences as the author will see its truthfulness at once, and to all other readers it is commended as a statement of actual things by one who experienced them to the fullest. (O'Brien Prologue)
"There are not enough Chinamen in the world to stop a fully armed Marine regiment from going where ever they want to go" (Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, military-quotes.com/chesty-puller). The men of Fox Company 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division claimed their place in history 1950 during the Korean War. For their heroic actions that day on a small hill overlooking a narrow road many lives were saved. They have been immortalized in the stories that are passed down from one generation of Marine to the other. This is their story.
Initially, Japanese strategists assumed that the tiny island would be overwhelmed in a matter of hours. However, they underestimated the fighting spirit of the military personnel and civilians stationed on the island. For sixteen days these brave men fought against overwhelming odds, but demonstrated both to the Japanese and to their fellow Americans back at home that the Americans could and would put up a courageous fight.
Cressman, Robert J.; et al. (1990). "A Glorious page in our history", Adm. Chester Nimitz, 1942: the Battle of Midway, 4–6 June 1942. Missoula, Mont.: Pictorial Histories Pub. Co.ISBN 0-929521-40-4.
After the United States captures the beachhead and settles down, Captain Miller and his seven soldiers begin their mission. The dilemma is Private Ryan, in the 101st airborne, was miss his drop zone away from the original plan. Command thinks he is in a nearby town swarming with German soldiers. Miller’s squad goes through towns, forests, and enemy occupied areas searching for Private Ryan. Sadly, two out of the eight men are killed during the search diminishing the morale. The captain mentally suffers from the burden of losing his men. When they finally locate Ryan, he is defending one of the most strategic towns in the beginning of the war. The town has one of the only 2 bridges across the river that will collect the Allies to the Eastern front. Private Ryan does not want to leave his men guarding the bridge because he feels that it is unfair to leave his fellow soldiers. So Captain Miller and the squad decide to make a last stand ...
5. Margiotta, Franklin D., Ed. “Brassey’s Encyclopedia of Military History and Biography”, Washington: Brassey’s, Inc. 1994
In his book, My Fellow Soldiers, Andrew Carroll tells the story of World War I through the eyes of the American participants. He uses quotes, personal letters and diaries, from an array of characters, to depict a day in the life of a WWI warrior. Though, he narrows his focus on the untold story of General John J. Pershing, a US army leader. He uniquely talks about the General's vulnerable and emotional side. "Pershing was notoriously strong-willed, to the point of seeming cold, rigid, and humorless, almost more machine than man" (p.XVIII). Pershing is commonly recognized for his accomplishments during the war and remembered for his sternness. He was "…especially unforgiving when it came to matters of discipline" (p. XVIII). Nicknamed "Black Jack" due to his mercilessness towards his soldiers, in this book, Pershing is portrayed as a General with much determination and devotion to his troops, family, and close friends.
At the beginning of chapter seven, the Second Company is taken further back to a depot for reinforcements, and the men rest. Himmelstoss wants to get on good terms with the boys and shows them kindness. Paul starts to respect him after seeing how he carried Haie Westhus when he was hit in the back. Tjaden is won over too after he learns that Himmelstoss will provide extra rations from his job as sergeant cook.
Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, through dedication to his mission and the welfare of his marines, was a visionary leader even by today’s standards. In his youth, Chesty attempted to join World War I before he had reached the required age. He attended Virginia Military Institute, but dropped out after one year to satisfy his urge to experience combat. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a private and remained enlisted for only a year before his commissioning as a lieutenant. Unfortunately, the war ended before he was able to experience combat. When a force reduction ensued after the end of the war, Lt Puller was sent to the reserves and given the ...
“The Captain” America in WWII. America in WWII, Web, 2013. Retrieved on February 11, 2014 from http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/the-captain/