Corregidor & Bataan

Bataan and Corregidor; Forever linked together in the tragic defeat and brutal treatment of American Forces at the hands of the Japanese Military, these battles will always be remembered for the fierce defense by American and Filipino troops, fighting side by side against overwhelming odds. The well-coordinated Japanese campaign, spread across great reaches of the Pacific, progressed with astonishing rapidity. The small U.S. Army and Marine garrisons on Guam and Wake surrendered on 10 and 22 December, respectively, and the British forces in Hong Kong on 26 December. Singapore, the supposedly impregnable British bastion on the Malay Peninsula, capitulated on 15 February 1942. Following lightning amphibious landings in Thailand and Burma, Japanese forces pushed to the northwest, threatening India. Only in the Philippines did the combined U.S.-Filipino units mount a prolonged resistance, holding out with grim determination for five months. Highly relevant today, the battles in the Philippines have much to teach us, not only about the profession of arms, but also about military preparedness, and global strategy.
Some of the reflections from the ride will be:

• Hubris based on past success
• Policies and sociocultural understanding
• Developing the Team
• Inspiring others to action
• Individual and team success
• Managing Risk
• Putting a crisis in context
• Creating conditions for successManagement and leadership during chaos
• Decision making under pressure
• Effective Communication
• Importance of intelligence
• Missed Opportunities
• Relationships and trust
• Knowledge Management
• Unlikely Leaders
• Small Units Make a Difference
• Innovation from below

Day one begins with airport pick and travel to our lodging at the famous Manila Hotel where MacArthur had his headquarters in 1941. Dinner will be at one of the hotel’s exclusive restaurants and a discussion about the Philippine campaign. Day 2 begins with a fabulous breakfast buffet followed by a 1 hour boat ride to Corregidor Island. We have several different options for touring the Island and battle sites; traditional tram tour, historical walking tour or a biking tour. We will visit Port, McArthur Statue, Malinta Tunnel, Filipino Heroes Memorial, Japanese Memorial Garden, Kindley Airfield, Middleside Barracks, Hospital, Milelong Barracks, Cine Corregidor, Pacific War Memorial, Eternal Flame Monument and finally the Spanish Lighthouse. We will break up the day with lunch at the Corregidor Inn. Day 3 we travel by private bus or van to Mount Samat where the Filipino and American soldiers put up a valiant stand before retreating to the Bataan Peninsula. We will take the trip 74M up the memorial cross where you will see a magnificent view of Bataan, Corregidor and Manila. We will follow the route of the Bataan death march to the National Shrine in Capas. Day 4 will start with a visit to the National Cemetery in Manila in the morning followed by lunch with final AAR and departure.

Costs associated with this event include:

• Pick up to/from Ninoy Aquine International Airport
• World class staff ride facilitated by Boardroom to Battlefield former senior military officers who are all combat veterans with extensive knowledge of history, tactics and battlefield leadership.
• Three nights Luxurious accommodations at Manila Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotel or other 5 star accommodations.
• A reception cocktail hour, dinner and briefing the night before staff ride
• Breakfast prior to departure on ride
• Beverages & snacks throughout the day
• Transportation from hotel to/in and around the Battlefields and return
• A reception, dinner and After Action Review (AAR) following the ride
• Read ahead packet
• Memento gift of ride