This is the story of a group of 514 prisoners of war from the Bataan Death March and how they were rescued near the end of the war. The reason this was so important is that the Japanese high command was ordering the execution of all prisoners when it appeared that the camps were soon to be liberated. So, in the case of this camp, it meant a covert operation well behind enemy lines in order to get to the guys before it was too late. The episode consists of many, many interviews--including several living POWs, a Philippino partisan, members of the assault team, their second in command and some historians. Most of these folks were quite elderly and its great this was done as a record of their lives.
As usual, this is a top-notch episode of "The American Experience". It is well written, very compelling (especially when you see these old guys choke up as they describe the Japanese atrocities) and interesting. My only complaint, and it's very small, is that this has to do with 514 guys. How did the other approximately 11,000 Bataan POWs get liberated? This is never mentioned and seemed like a bit of an omission.
As usual, this is a top-notch episode of "The American Experience". It is well written, very compelling (especially when you see these old guys choke up as they describe the Japanese atrocities) and interesting. My only complaint, and it's very small, is that this has to do with 514 guys. How did the other approximately 11,000 Bataan POWs get liberated? This is never mentioned and seemed like a bit of an omission.
