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Full Description
U.S. Navy Supply Corps Ensign Ross Hofmann had no idea what was in store for him when he arrived at Cavite Naval Base in October 1941. Two months later, Japanese forces struck the Philippines, destroying the base and forcing U.S. personnel to retreat to Bataan. There, Hofmann joined a makeshift unit of Army Aircorps ground personnel, U.S. Marines, U.S. sailors, U.S. Naval ground battalions and Filipinos to fight a Japanese force that landed nearby.
In March 1942, with the fall of Bataan imminent, he traveled to Cebu to run supplies through the blockade of Bataan and Corregidor. Soon after his arrival, the Japanese landed on Cebu, forcing the Americans to retreat again. Hiking through jungles and crossing dangerous waters in barely seaworthy vessels, Hofmann avoided capture and reached an American base in Mindanao.
He received orders to establish a seaplane base on Lake Lanao. As Japanese troops landed nearby, two seaplanes returning from Corregidor stopped to refuel, one of them hitting a submerged rock on take-off. In a harrowing race against the enemy advance, Hofmann and others worked feverishly to fix the plane and escape before the Japanese converged on Lake Lanao. This memoir recounts Hofmann's experiences in vivid detail.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface (by David L. Snead)
Prologue (by Ross E. Hofmann)
Introduction (by Ross E. Hofmann)
1. Training and Movement Overseas
2. The Philippines, October-November 1941
3. On the Eve of War
4. Time of Destruction, December 8-12, 1941
5. Retreat from Cavite, December 1941
6. Christmas and New Year's at Mariveles
7. The Waiting Begins
8. The Battle of the Points
9. Alarms and Excursions
10. Desperation Before New Orders
11. Welcome to Cebu
12. Retreat Again
13. Mission Complete: Lake Lanao and Australia
Epilogue
Afterword by Anne B. Craddock
Appendix: Hofmann's Address Before the Washington Board of Trade, November 13, 1944
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
