The Battle of Bataan was fought by the United States and the Philippine Commonwealth against Japan during World War II. The battle represented the most intense phase of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II. In January 1942, forces of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy invaded Luzon along with several islands in the Philippine Archipelago after the bombing of the American naval base at Pearl Harbor.
Japanese troops occupy Manila, as it is declared an open city to avoid its destruction, January 2, 1942.
WWII First Line of Defense Memorial (Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines)
Defense of the Layac Junction approach to Bataan January 2–6, 1942
Historical Marker (January 6, 1942)
Commonwealth of the Philippines
The Commonwealth of the Philippines was an unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States that existed from 1935 to 1946. It was established following the Tydings–McDuffie Act to replace the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands and was designed as a transitional administration in preparation for full Philippine independence. Its foreign affairs remained managed by the United States.
President Manuel Luis Quezon of the Philippines
March 23, 1935: Constitutional Convention. Seated, left to right: George H. Dern, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel L. Quezon visiting Franklin D. Roosevelt in Washington, D.C., while in exile
General MacArthur and President Osmeña returning to the Philippines
