The fall of the Philippines / by Louis Morton
Title
The fall of the Philippines / by Louis Morton
Subject
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines.
Description
This is the official US Army history, originally published in 1953, detailing the campaign to defend the Philippines in 1941-1942.
Published just over a decade after the defeat took place, and when many key officers were still alive, this work sought to answer the question of why the Americans lost. Written by a professional historian, the book provides a careful and balanced narration of the military campaign, from the highest decision-making levels to conditions at the front line.
Dr. Morton utilized sources from both US and Japanese sides to present an objective history. Since most of the papers had been destroyed by war (deliberately or otherwise), the author had to resort to a variety of other sources to try to make the picture as complete as possible – diaries, interviews and correspondence.
Unfortunately, the book is weak on the Philippine side of the story – the Filipino soldiers or officers are only briefly mentioned, and not all in a very positive light. Morton includes sections on planning in Washington DC, the attempt to bring supplies in by submarine and other means, and also the Visayas and Mindanao fronts.
The volume ends with the formal surrender of the USAFFE forces and does not deal with the Prisoner of War experience and the Death March, since these were not military operations. (In the "US Army in World War II" series, there is no volume on operations in the Philippines between the fall of Corregidor and MacArthur’s return to Leyte). As an official history, the research, writing and publication were all paid for by the US; a board of editors (including generals) went over the drafts before final publication.
Although published over fifty years ago, Morton’s book is still the best work to consult regarding the Philippine defense campaign in 1941-1942; it is a very important, classic work which has not been superseded. Understandably, there is little on the naval and air side of the campaign.
Published just over a decade after the defeat took place, and when many key officers were still alive, this work sought to answer the question of why the Americans lost. Written by a professional historian, the book provides a careful and balanced narration of the military campaign, from the highest decision-making levels to conditions at the front line.
Dr. Morton utilized sources from both US and Japanese sides to present an objective history. Since most of the papers had been destroyed by war (deliberately or otherwise), the author had to resort to a variety of other sources to try to make the picture as complete as possible – diaries, interviews and correspondence.
Unfortunately, the book is weak on the Philippine side of the story – the Filipino soldiers or officers are only briefly mentioned, and not all in a very positive light. Morton includes sections on planning in Washington DC, the attempt to bring supplies in by submarine and other means, and also the Visayas and Mindanao fronts.
The volume ends with the formal surrender of the USAFFE forces and does not deal with the Prisoner of War experience and the Death March, since these were not military operations. (In the "US Army in World War II" series, there is no volume on operations in the Philippines between the fall of Corregidor and MacArthur’s return to Leyte). As an official history, the research, writing and publication were all paid for by the US; a board of editors (including generals) went over the drafts before final publication.
Although published over fifty years ago, Morton’s book is still the best work to consult regarding the Philippine defense campaign in 1941-1942; it is a very important, classic work which has not been superseded. Understandably, there is little on the naval and air side of the campaign.
Creator
Morton, Louis
Publisher
Washington, D.C. : Center of Military History, United States Army, 1953, 2004
Date
1978 (Reprint)
Format
26 x 18 cm.
Type
Hardbound
Call Number
D 767.4 M89
Accession Number
16129-16130
Series
United States Army in World War II. War in the Pacific.
Pagination
xvii, 626 p.
Illustration
ill., maps
Notes
2 copies
Files
Collection
Citation
Morton, Louis, “The fall of the Philippines / by Louis Morton,” FHL-Roderick Hall, accessed December 6, 2025, https://fhl.omeka.net/items/show/479.