11 March, 1942
Today in Philippine History
After struggling against great odds to save the Philippines from Japanese conquest, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur abandons the island fortress of Corregidor under orders from President Franklin Roosevelt. Left behind at Corregidor and on the Bataan Peninsula were 90,000 American and Filipino troops, who, lacking food, supplies, and support, would soon succumb to the Japanese offensive.
During his famous speech in Australia, in which he said, “I came through and I shall return,” the general vowed to return which he fulfilled 2 years after on October 20, 1944.
(Ref: History.com; Photo from Corregidor.org)
