The war came to the Philippines with a surprise air attack. In the case of the Philippines, however, this initial attack was followed by a full-scale invasion of the main island of Luzon three days later. Then the United States and the Philippines were forced to retreat to the island's western Bataan Peninsula. American and Philippine forces fought until surrendering to the Japanese on April 9. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Japanese immediately began marching 76,000 prisoners, of whom 12,000 were Americans, the rest were Filipinos, traveling to captivity along a path of death. Soon after, the world learned how severely the 76,000 men suffered during the 60-mile trek that became known as the Bataan Death March. Japanese murder, disease, exposure to the scorching sun, death shortages, and lack of water caused the deaths of approximately 5,200 Americans along the route. Many prisoners were stabbed, shot, beheaded, or simply left to die on the side of the road. One survivor reported, "A Japanese soldier took my canteen, gave the water to a horse, and threw the canteen away." furthermore one stated: "The stronger were not allowed to help the weaker. Then we heard gunshots behind us." They forced prisoners to sit for hours in the scorching sun without water. It was also stated that "Many of us went mad and many died. The march lasted from five to twelve days depending on who the person is. The Japanese were not prepared for the large number of prisoners, the brutality stemmed from the Japanese attitude that a soldier should die before surrendering. In Japan when a warrior surrenders he gives up all rights to treatment as a human being. Finally, when the prisoners reached a clearing, they were introduced to something called Eastern Solar Treatment Japanese forced captured people to sit in the sun for hours on end. Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. This would weaken people spiritually and mentally Once they reach the camp of captivity in San Fernando, they were shown further oriental solar treatment. The prison yard was filled with sick, dying and dead American and Filipino soldiers. They were scattered in the dirt and insects that covered the ground. Virtually all of them had dysentery or other fatal diseases. There were also other tropical diseases that I had never even heard of.