BATAAN DIARY,1942

On April 5, the USAFFE forces were on full retreat. At least, a semblance of order was made at the 2nd line of defense. The reserve forces, not until the 1st of April has not been engaged are now facing the advancing Japanese forces.

But without artillery support and tanks, they were about to be steam-rolled by the newly arrived veteran Japanese forces. Slowly, the 2nd line of defense has to break and give up their trenches as the day goes along.

They have to withdraw to their last line of defense where the rear are composed of the hospitals, ammunition depots. the headquarters and more than 26,000 civilians are located,

General Edward P. King, USAFFE Commander in Bataan is in a bind.To fight is to invite a massacre but the order was clear-no surrender. He has to decide before the Japanese reach the last line of defense.

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