General Wainwright's Story

by Jonathan M. Wainwright

General Wainwright details the doomed defense of the Philippines during World War II, the surrender at Corregidor, the Bataan death march, his experiences as a POW of the Japanese, and his final liberation

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Biography, World War II, War, Autobiography, Nonfiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published March 5, 1970

Reviews

[Sivasothi N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collapse of the British to the Japanese in Malaya is well known as an inevitable outcome after digging beneath the propaganda and myths of that time. The collapse of the defense of The Philippines by armies led by the United States of America was almost just as big a historic and dramatic loss.

The invasion was a known scenario commanders had studied, the inevitability of a Japanese invasion was clear months before the invasion, forces were not outnumbered initially, supplies, readiness and preparation were woefully inadequate.

What then can commander and their armies do? How and how do they fight. Do they fight to the bitter end or decide to surrender, and when? General Wainwright was handed all the disadvantages and had to made those decisions. And as a reviewer points out, writes like a General. It is insightful and you will need a map to keep pace.

His account of captivity under the Japanese, as he says is one of humiliation and degradation. That makes his attempt to understand the behaviour of his captors laudable - in a poignant scene, his concern is made clear that his country would not repeat this mistake at the end of war.

He would be an advocate of arming the US to be prepared (oh how that would degenerate!) and of a sufficiently long occupation of Japan.

The difference between the US’ treatment of General Wainwright (who surrendered The Philippines) and the British treatment of Lt. General Percival (who surrendered Singapore) could not be greater. Wainwright was welcomed home by millions.

I read an ex-library copy which I bought off a reseller on Amazon. The feel of the pages resonated well with his voice.

[William J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found no better example of leadership in World War II than that of Jonathan M. Wainwright! "Skinny" Wainwright was a soldier's soldier! He led by example! His courage was second to none! Those familiar with WWII know that it was General Wainwright who surrendered the Philippines and went into prisoner camps in May of 1942 and remained a prisoner until rescued by the Soviet Army in Manchuria in August of 1945. He was older than most leaders in the US Army at 57 when he was assigned to command the First corps in the Philippines in 1940. The military was in his blood. His father was an Army Major who died of a disease in the Philippines. His Grandfather was a US Navy Lieutenant killed during the Civil War. Skinny was his nickname because it was fitting. He was tall and thin. He had been First Captain of the Corps of Cadets of the US Military Academy in 1906. He was commissioned as a Cavalry Officer and served in numerous assignments in his career. He was a typical cavalryman who loved horses, riding, drinking and having fun. He was surprised when he received the assignment to the Philippines but as a good soldier he accepted the challenge and would perform to the best of his ability. Other than mentioning how unprepared the Philippine Army and US Army were for war, there is no need to recount the lead up to the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. When it came General Wainwright fought his fight from the front. His courage under fire and presence helped steady his forces and sustain morale. He stopped a retreating unit and coaxed them to turn and go back into battle. He organized an ad hoc platoon and personally led them into combat against a roadblock. He carried a carbine and used it often even clearing some trees of Japanese snipers. Although he was forward often, he did not neglect his responsibility to control the battle. He made sound decisions realigning his forces and direction counterstrokes. Lack of food and water, disease and casualties with no hope of reinforcement led to the eventual surrender by General Wainwright of the Philippines. He was humiliated by surrendering but that only began the humiliation he would suffer as a prisoner of the Japanese. He was made to bow to all Japanese soldiers regardless of rank. He was beaten and slapped by low ranking guards. Through it all General Wainwright maintained a positive, hopeful attitude that inspired fellow prisoners. His is a truly fascinating and inspiring story to read. Thinking he would be blamed and shamed for his surrender, he was truly overwhelmed by the positive reception he received upon his liberation. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions and in reading this book, the reader should come away with the feeling that there should be a higher award for such and inspiring leader.

[Rebekah Bernheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful historical autobiography on a lesser-known region in WWII's Pacific theater. Incredible story of General Wainright's resilience, intestinal fortitude, and honor in the Philippines despite what proved to be insurmountable obstacles.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written story about duty when things are going wrong—very, very wrong. Doomed before they started, times were hard for the Americans and Filipinos on Bataan, Corregidor, and the rest of the Philippines when promised help did not arrive, the enemy was at the gate, and the only choices were death or surrender. If they had not surrendered, the starving, diseased, ill-equipped, and often ill- trained American and Filipino men and women who fought and served in the Philippines would have reaped the same fate as the Greeks at Thermopylae and the Texans at the Alamo. General Wainwright introduces himself as one “who paid the price of his country’s unpreparedness,” and concludes with a call to stay vigilant and prepared to avoid future international disasters, unnecessary deaths, and galling defeats.