197: The Doolittle Raid & the Bataan Death March (Spring 1942)
From History That Doesn't Suck by Prof. Greg Jackson
January 19, 2026 · 1h 4m
About this episode
This episode covers the early disastrous days of the US in the Pacific during World War II, focusing on the Doolittle Raid and the Bataan Death March.
“We had been promised relief but none was coming, and all of us in Bataan shared a sense of betrayal.” This is the story of the United State’s earliest—and most disastrous—days of war in the Pacific. Almost immediately following Pearl Harbor, America and the Axis powers exchange rapid-fire war declarations. While embattled Britain breathes a sign of relief to have the US officially in the war, the Japanese Empire’s sun is rising on the Pacific fast—and at great cost to the Philippines. As the Commonwealth’s islands fall one by one, General Douglas MacArthur is forced to beat a hasty retreat. He evacuates to Australia and pledges to return; but what of the American and Filipino forces cornered on a small peninsula on Luzon? Well, they’re not called the “Battling Bastards of Bataan” for nothing. But there’s only so much they can do without outside support. Many thousands of POWs will be murdered or massacred in the post-surrender Bataan Death March of April 1942. Amid these defeats and the ensuing crisis of morale, Washington concludes a successful counterattack on the Japanese home islands just might be the psychological win that America needs. Lieutenant Colonel James “Jimmy”…
People in this episode
Host: Prof. Greg Jackson
Topics covered
- World War II
- Pacific Theater
- Bataan Death March
- Doolittle Raid
- Military History
- American History
Keywords
- Bataan
- Doolittle Raid
- World War II
- Philippines
- Japanese Empire
- Pearl Harbor
- General MacArthur
- POWs
- military strategy
Sponsors
Squarespace
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Philippines, Australia
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