The book Escape from Bataa

The Second World War and the Events in the Philippines

The Second World War is described in the novel Escape from Bataan, which also includes information about what transpired in the Philippines. Typically, it is assumed that the allied forces, which included US and Russian soldiers, prevailed in the conflict because they were better equipped and more organized than their adversaries. But according to Hofmann’s account, these presumptions are false and ill-conceived because the USA also experienced problems that led to tragedies during the course of the conflict. According to Hofmann, one of the places where the troops ran into problems was the Philippines and Pearl Harbor. Hofmann focuses on the events that happened between 1941 to mid-1942 when the intensity of the war was at its peak. The author identifies the encounters of the junior naval officers that survived a harrowing defense of the Philippines, especially how lack of the naval direction led to damage of military bases occupied by the USA and the Allied troops.

The Training of Naval Officers

One of the most striking things is the type of training that the naval officers underwent. The story begins by Hofmann serving as an ensign in the navy reserve. He was called from the Navy attend a Navy Supply Officer course in Harvard Business School. He met two friends in college, Jack, and Bud. The author does not fail to point out the mistakes that the leaders did, both in training and in the field. Hofmann asserts that while in Harvard, they were trained as supply. Hoffman and his colleagues were trained ferociously, making him believe that paperwork sacred. The training took twelve weeks but they never had an opportunity to climb the real ship despite that they were frequently trained about them. They never did ideal military exercise too. The most strenuous exercise they did was playing football, which is significantly different from both the classical and the modern military training. Presently, most of the training seeks to enhance physical fitness and the soldier. After graduating, they asked for foreign assignment at the school commander’s quarters. The three were ordered to go to the USA naval facility in Shanghai China. While at the stopover in Manila, Philippines they are reassigned to the Cavite navy supply office in Manila bay.

The Japanese Attack and Retreat

In Philippines, he realized all the troops were confident about their quality and quantity as well as those of the Filipino comrades and new equipment from the USA such as P-40 Warhawk and B-17 Bombers. They had more confidence in their ships, which were older than those of the Japanese as well. Japanese made a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor, All the warships and war crafts were neatly arranged prior to the Japanese attack. There as a belief that the armory could facilitate 100% perfect surveillance.

The Consequences of Failed Leadership and Poor Planning

By highlighting his experiences in college, Hoffman indirectly informs the readers that he was not adequately prepared to take on what was in store for him as a military officer. The dawn of reality was when he arrived at Cavite Naval Base in 1941.Two months later, the base was attacked by the Japanese and completely destroyed, making the American soldiers retreat to Bataan. In March the following year he moved to Cebu to run supplies through the Bataan and Corregidor Blockade. Immediately after arriving, the Japanese attacked Cebu and forced the American troops to retreat again. During the ambushes, he was forced to hike through jungles and cross dangerous waters in a craft that was not seaworthy. Fortunately, he avoided capture and reached the base of American troops in Mindanao. Again the Japanese forces attacked Mindanao and he was forced to fly to Australia on a damaged by amphibious aircraft. Hofmann also highlights a case where he and his colleagues worked hastily to fix a plane that had hit a rock when taking off after refueling to escape before the arrival of the Japanese on Lake Lanao. He lays a lot of blame on the leadership of the navy for the successive attacks. He says that Gen. Douglas MacArthur had failed to permit Gen. Lewis Brereton to attack the Japanese airbase earlier before the attacks.

The Importance of the Book

Apparently, the book is more than a memoir because it reminds the readers of the consequences of failed leadership in the USA military that subjected the naval troops to avoidable danger. He laments poor preparation, especially in training soldiers about war. In addition, Hofmann criticizes poor response to intelligence information on the Pearl Harbor that led to the destruction of the aircraft of the Army Air Corps. Other chronicles of Hofmann include the mistakes of logistics planners in the uneven supply of supplies. A lot of supplies were directed to Manila while fewer were directed to Bataan, thereby making the army vulnerable. Some forward supply depots were evacuated while others were destroyed by MacArthur whenever there was a sign that the enemy was advancing, which signifies wastage as a result of poor planning. He also points out the adverse consequences of poor planning by highlighting how thousands of the American soldiers were subjected to starvation. Ideally, the book is important to for that are interested in leadership.

Bibliography

Ross E. Hofmann, Escape from Bataan: Memoir of a U.S. Navy Ensign in the Philippines, October 1941 to May 1942, eds. David L. Snead and Anne B. Craddock (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2016),