Fall Of The Philippines 1941-42

THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WERE ONE OF TWO MAJOR US BASES IN THE PACIFIC, THE OTHER BEING PEARL HARBOR. THE JAPANESE CONSIDERED THE CAPTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES CRUCIAL FOR ITS EFFORTS TO CONTROL RESOURCE-LADEN SOUTHEAST ASIA. AS OPPOSED TO ITS ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, THE JAPANESE INTENTION WAS TO INVADE AND OCCUPY THE PHILIPPINES IN A CAMPAIGN THAT WAS TO LAST FIVE MONTHS.