1. Why did MacArthur's defensive plans for the Philippines fail?
How was a numerically inferior Japanese force able to defeat
him?
During his time in the Philippines MacArthur’s was not ready
for because he was waiting on convoy that never made it (1).
While awaiting his convoy and the attack on Pearl Harbour
made it confusing on best way to attack. After, the attack on
Pearl the Japanese government had planes already in the air
moved their attack towards the Philippines where they had the
best advantage. Even though Japan had fewer forces the
element of surprise and the distraction pearl gave them the
upper hand. The Japanese government understood that they
couldn’t win a straightforward attack, so they divided the
forces (2). This here made MacArthur retreat out Milian and
moved his forces away, since they were able to take their air
support. His plans were based on help from the convoy and
having full air regimen available to fight against but since they
were taking by Surprise, he was not able to respond. This
foothold in the south Asai made it harder for the allied forces
to respond back since the attack it was on heel on major
blows. This mindset of being protected was because months
prior the U.S made big wins Japanese forces and they felt as
the Japanese were bold enough for another attack (3). This
false sense of security probably did not help there posture in
the Philippines, but it did go back to help was suppose to
come never made.
1-Foot, M. R. D. “The Oxford Companion to World War II.”
Oxford Reference,
2014.
https://www.oxfordreference.com/abstract/10.1093/acref
/9780198604464.001.0001/acref-9780198604464
.
2-Foot, M. R. D. “The Oxford Companion to World War II.”
Oxford Reference,
