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Bataan Uncensored
After three months in a last-ditch defense of Bataan over sixty thousand American and Filipino soldiers were captured.
What happened next would scar survivors for the rest of their lives.
On 9th April 1942, the prisoners were rounded up and forced to begin marching. This was the beginning of the infamous Bataan Death March.
They were subject to cruel beatings and torture, were not provided with adequate food or water, and were forced to witness summary executions along the dreadful march that went on for over sixty miles. Those who survived with deep physical and psychological trauma.
Yet, Colonel E. B. Miller refused to allow the lives his fallen comrades to be forgotten.
So, even though he risked his own life, he kept notes of what happened. Humiliated by defeat, he obtained affidavits from men who were there, smuggled his history-in-the-making past Jap sentries, hid the notes in Jap prison camps, remembered and recovered them when victory came.
Bataan Uncensored is the result of these remarkable notes that he made through the course of the war.
It is the memoir not of a professional soldier, but instead of a citizen soldier, who as a member of the National Guard, was a commander of the 194th Tank Battalion.
This book begins with how Miller, as a veteran from Mexican Border Campaign and World War One, came to be involved in the Second World War along with his fellow citizen-soldiers of the National Guard.
It then covers the withdrawals into Bataan and how they became an integral part in that heroic siege against the overpowering Japanese hordes.
But the book becomes especially vivid when Miller goes on to describe how he and his men gasped for strength on the Death March, how they elbowed death away in the confines of the hell ships, and how their sense of defeat fought with their American pride through the starvation and abuse of Jap prison camps.
This book is essential reading for anyone interested in this tragic moment in American history and for anyone who wishes to discover how these remarkable men managed to survive and overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds that faced them.
Colonel E. B. Miller had served in the Mexican Border Campaign and the First World War prior to becoming a commanding officer of the 194th Tank Battalion. He was held at Camp O'Donnell and Cabanatuan POW Camps in the Philippines before being sent to Japan. In Japan, he was held at Tanagawa, Zentsuji, and Rokuroshi POW Camps. He was liberated in September 1945. His book Bataan Uncensored was first published in 1949 and he passed away in 1959.
What happened next would scar survivors for the rest of their lives.
On 9th April 1942, the prisoners were rounded up and forced to begin marching. This was the beginning of the infamous Bataan Death March.
They were subject to cruel beatings and torture, were not provided with adequate food or water, and were forced to witness summary executions along the dreadful march that went on for over sixty miles. Those who survived with deep physical and psychological trauma.
Yet, Colonel E. B. Miller refused to allow the lives his fallen comrades to be forgotten.
So, even though he risked his own life, he kept notes of what happened. Humiliated by defeat, he obtained affidavits from men who were there, smuggled his history-in-the-making past Jap sentries, hid the notes in Jap prison camps, remembered and recovered them when victory came.
Bataan Uncensored is the result of these remarkable notes that he made through the course of the war.
It is the memoir not of a professional soldier, but instead of a citizen soldier, who as a member of the National Guard, was a commander of the 194th Tank Battalion.
This book begins with how Miller, as a veteran from Mexican Border Campaign and World War One, came to be involved in the Second World War along with his fellow citizen-soldiers of the National Guard.
It then covers the withdrawals into Bataan and how they became an integral part in that heroic siege against the overpowering Japanese hordes.
But the book becomes especially vivid when Miller goes on to describe how he and his men gasped for strength on the Death March, how they elbowed death away in the confines of the hell ships, and how their sense of defeat fought with their American pride through the starvation and abuse of Jap prison camps.
This book is essential reading for anyone interested in this tragic moment in American history and for anyone who wishes to discover how these remarkable men managed to survive and overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds that faced them.
Colonel E. B. Miller had served in the Mexican Border Campaign and the First World War prior to becoming a commanding officer of the 194th Tank Battalion. He was held at Camp O'Donnell and Cabanatuan POW Camps in the Philippines before being sent to Japan. In Japan, he was held at Tanagawa, Zentsuji, and Rokuroshi POW Camps. He was liberated in September 1945. His book Bataan Uncensored was first published in 1949 and he passed away in 1959.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1949
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2019
I think that some of the detail was a bit much. That said, the detail of some of the treatment was enough to make my blood boil. As a veteran, I understand that our troops have not always acted like choir boys, but not as sadistic as the Japanese were. Good to read that some of the worst were tried and given long sentences or hanged.
His view of the future, almost 60 years ago was spot on. Too bad not enough people listened to him.
His view of the future, almost 60 years ago was spot on. Too bad not enough people listened to him.
September 14, 2019
Battan survivor
An unaltered account of the fall of Battan and Corregedor and the subsequent treatment, torture and outright murder of the prisoners of war. It goes to explain the facts leading to the defeat in the Philippines, those responsible, the death marches and treatment by the Japanese, and who is responsible afterword. Written by a National Guard commander who walked every step with his men and made and hid copious notes to the same. Hard facts from a wittness to failures and atrocities.
An unaltered account of the fall of Battan and Corregedor and the subsequent treatment, torture and outright murder of the prisoners of war. It goes to explain the facts leading to the defeat in the Philippines, those responsible, the death marches and treatment by the Japanese, and who is responsible afterword. Written by a National Guard commander who walked every step with his men and made and hid copious notes to the same. Hard facts from a wittness to failures and atrocities.
September 3, 2018
Excellent account of the suffering and torture of those taken prisoner at Bataan.
Col. Miller's account is almost like being there in person. I was drafted during the Korean war, sent to Germany. While there met a friend who really had been there in person. He never spoke of it. I wondered, now I know.
Col. Miller's account is almost like being there in person. I was drafted during the Korean war, sent to Germany. While there met a friend who really had been there in person. He never spoke of it. I wondered, now I know.
January 8, 2019
My rating will probably receive some reproach for its lower rating, but it's more to do with how this book was written and the timeline rather than the material or subject. Col. Miller was in the 194th Tank Battalion and was sent to the Philippines. He was forced on the Bataan Death March and placed in a P.O.W. camp before being held prisoner in Japan. He was released in September 1945 and this book was originally published in February 1949. It's written in a way that is almost like one of those horror camera point-of-view movies where you only get the jerkiness of what is happening in the moment instead of the overall arc of an entire scene. It is written as a way of dealing with what happened to him and the other men in Bataan as it expresses anger with politicians not believing what was happening or providing funding, with the American public at large for being apathetic to the events, and with the Japanese for the horrors they inflicted. At the same time, there is a big boost of patriotism, especially in the introduction, which I found a bit awkward as the editor for the Minneapolis Tribune came across as if he was working himself into a frenzy on the patriotism of this book. Small tangent: the Colonel really loved exclamation points.
If you are already a buff in the area of the Pacific Theater and specifically Bataan, this will be an excellent contemporary viewpoint of events, but not really for diving into this specific area.
If you are already a buff in the area of the Pacific Theater and specifically Bataan, this will be an excellent contemporary viewpoint of events, but not really for diving into this specific area.
December 20, 2020
This book is a great work of history. The author cites many instances where his account, the media's account, and the military's account of an event all differ. He describes the lack of training, the lack of equipment, and the lack of planning leading up to and during the Minnesota National Guard's defense of the Philippines resulting in their hopeless situation and capture. He also places the blame on Congress for enacting legislation that isn't monitored, and can thus fail with no repercussions and makes a strong case for state's rights at the end of the book.
Those captured at Bataan spent three and a half years under Japanese internment.
"It was a strange thing to observe just how each individual was affected by malnutrition. Some died rapidly; some lingered on - living in death; others should have died, but didn't. Two men living side by side, and under the same identical conditions, would have different symptoms."
"Each group of prisoners had good and bad among them. When faced with adversity, some had no code of ethics. Others were weak. We found that education and our higher civilization did not help much, as far as honor was concerned..."
Those captured at Bataan spent three and a half years under Japanese internment.
"It was a strange thing to observe just how each individual was affected by malnutrition. Some died rapidly; some lingered on - living in death; others should have died, but didn't. Two men living side by side, and under the same identical conditions, would have different symptoms."
"Each group of prisoners had good and bad among them. When faced with adversity, some had no code of ethics. Others were weak. We found that education and our higher civilization did not help much, as far as honor was concerned..."
March 28, 2021
This book should be read by every military officer in the US because it details what can happen when lethargy and complacency take root. Many were accustomed to playing golf and taking siestas. Even though they had ample warning due to the attacks at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese were able to wipe out most of the airplanes that were lined up like sitting sucks on the airfield. It was a devastating blow. But even after that they failed to take advantage of a lapse before the main attack. Many supplies that could have been moved were not. As a result the US never had a chance.
I like how the author holds people accountable, including name and rank. Douglas MacArthur was definitely part of the problem. I always felt, "I shall return," should have been, "We shall return." What an ego.
I like how the author holds people accountable, including name and rank. Douglas MacArthur was definitely part of the problem. I always felt, "I shall return," should have been, "We shall return." What an ego.
May 10, 2019
From the States to Bataan and Japan
A National Guard officer's detailed description of his pre-war year and service in the Philippines which culminated in the Battle of Bataan. Following the surrender of the Armed Forces, the book turns to his experience during the Death March and interment as a POW in both the Philippines and Japan. The author is vocal in apportioning blame on the US citizen, the Congress and the Army leadership for the loss of the Philippines and the loss of so many. It was a tragedy that the reader sees unfold in real time.
A National Guard officer's detailed description of his pre-war year and service in the Philippines which culminated in the Battle of Bataan. Following the surrender of the Armed Forces, the book turns to his experience during the Death March and interment as a POW in both the Philippines and Japan. The author is vocal in apportioning blame on the US citizen, the Congress and the Army leadership for the loss of the Philippines and the loss of so many. It was a tragedy that the reader sees unfold in real time.
August 15, 2018
World War 2 Story
This is an interesting and evovcative book,explaining well what men who were captured as POWs in the Pacific went through. However, the author spends a great deal of time explaining how each of his superiors made stupid mistake after mistake but he never S celebrations that he might have been wrong
This is an interesting and evovcative book,explaining well what men who were captured as POWs in the Pacific went through. However, the author spends a great deal of time explaining how each of his superiors made stupid mistake after mistake but he never S celebrations that he might have been wrong
April 3, 2019
Every one should read this book. There are many hero's and we need to remember what the author said in the beginning and not let our country become lazy
as we were when the second world war began
Many thanks to the author, his bravery in bringing this account to us as readers God bless you Col. Miller.
as we were when the second world war began
Many thanks to the author, his bravery in bringing this account to us as readers God bless you Col. Miller.
September 8, 2018
What hero's are made of
Every high school student should be required to read this book and realize the sacrifices that are made to secure their freadom!
Every high school student should be required to read this book and realize the sacrifices that are made to secure their freadom!
December 23, 2019
Bataan uncensored
The story was truly fascinating to me for several reasons. 1, I found three places col. Miller referred to a captain Jack Altman whom I thought might've served in ww2. His oldest daughter has since told me she thought he had been in the seabees which fit with what I know of him, a very successful businessman in the roofing industry when he died. Second, I spent some time in that part of the world and had not seen much evidence of the war and wanted to learn what it looked like at war,s end. It wasn't at all what I expected, either in person or the book. I certainly gained a different perspective thru the book.
The story was truly fascinating to me for several reasons. 1, I found three places col. Miller referred to a captain Jack Altman whom I thought might've served in ww2. His oldest daughter has since told me she thought he had been in the seabees which fit with what I know of him, a very successful businessman in the roofing industry when he died. Second, I spent some time in that part of the world and had not seen much evidence of the war and wanted to learn what it looked like at war,s end. It wasn't at all what I expected, either in person or the book. I certainly gained a different perspective thru the book.
December 14, 2017
This is a must read for any WW II buff. I am not a military minded reader and have not read much in this area. So why did I read this book? I visited a military memorial/museum in Brainerd MN and picked up this book since the author was from the area. The edition I read is the 2nd ed. 1991 by the Military Historical Society of MN.
What a gripping account by the top ranking military officer who led the first armored tank mobilization (the 194th Tank Battation) from the continental US in Sept. 1941. Exciting, maddening, intelligent, humorous and sad are some of this book's characteristics. This is not a white washed glorification of war; it is a gritty behind the scenes look at ordinary men exposed to extraordinary situations. The heroes are the men in the muck who fought with little, were supplied with little and who were given little information. Other heroes were the officers who learned how to get around some of the upper echelon military in order to make better decisions on behalf of their men. Much of the debacle of Bataan did not have to happen, according to Miller. Written in 1949 at the end of his military career Miller spoke out publicly about the unpreparedness and ego driven upper crust military that contributed to the Bataan tragedy. The end of the book includes his recommendations for what changes need to be made. Sadly, not much has changed.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews