Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March
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After Tatum surrendered to the Japanese during their attack on Clark Fields, he became part of the forcible transfer of over 77,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war: the Bataan Death March. This march began on April 9, 1942, traveling sixty-five miles to reach Cabanatuan POW camp: POW Camp Nos I and II at Cabanatuan, Luzon, Philippines. During this march, the POWs faced unrelenting brutality, theft, and even knocking out teeth for gold filings. The Japanese had nothing but disgust and hatred for these POWs. These prisoners received little food or water, and many died. They were also subjected to physical abuse, including being beaten and tortured. “Sun treatment” was a common form of torture the prisoners faced. The Prisoners were forced to sit in direct sunlight without any covering. Anyone who asked for water were shot dead. Trucks drove over the fallen prisoners who were succumbed to fatigue. Around five thousand to ten thousand Filipino and about six hundred Americans died during the march.
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