Grant:
Well told and laid out story. Unfortunately McCarthur’s indecisive action when he had a 10 hour warning of an imminent Japanese attack post Pearl Harbor stripped the Philippines of its main offensive weapon its long range B-17’s. They were destroyed on the group while refueling after Douglas failed to permit them to attack Formosa as call for in War Plan Rainbow 5.
His mismanagement of the food supply, heavy weapons and supplies caused the troops left in Bataan starving for months on 3/8 rations and little ammo.
His actions in the Philippines paint a very different portrait of a revered American general.
His escape was harrowing no doubt and ordered by Roosevelt. He and George Marshall feared that McCarthur’s capture by the Japanese would destroy morale at home.
Thanks for writing.
Walter