Caption: U.S.S. Canopus
U.S.S. Canopus 

Part Two-The Naval Battalion

Series: The Tragedy of Bataan
From: Jan Thompson
Length: 00:07:05

This segment is about the Naval Ground Battalion that was created using sailors from the U.S.S. Canopus. The Imperial Japanese had started to land at several locations along thinly defended beaches. This group of sailors joined the Fourth Marines and other "volunteers" to fight the enemy. However, the sailors were not dressed or experienced for typical jungle warfare. Interviews are with Frank Bigelow, Ernie Irvin, Jerry Munson, Cordell Bing, Melvin Routt and Chuck Holden. Diary excerpts from Capt. Albert Brown. Read the full description.
Playing
Part Two-The Naval Battalion
From
Jan Thompson

Canopussmall_small This segment is about the Naval Ground Battalion that was created using sailors from the U.S.S. Canopus. The Imperial Japanese had started to land at several locations along thinly defended beaches. This group of sailors joined the Fourth Marines and other "volunteers" to fight the enemy. However, the sailors were not dressed or experienced for typical jungle warfare. Interviews are with Frank Bigelow, Ernie Irvin, Jerry Munson, Cordell Bing, Melvin Routt and Chuck Holden. Diary excerpts from Capt. Albert Brown.

Part Two-The Naval Battalion | 00:07:05

Privacy
To hear the full audio, sign up for a free PRX account or log in.

More from Jan Thompson

Caption: Philippines bombed by the Imperial Japanese

Part One-The Beginning of the End (00:06:43)
From: Jan Thompson

This segment begins with the attack on the Philippine Islands shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the beginning of the outbreak of the war the majority of the ...
Caption: Wounded Eating at Jungle Hospital on Bataan, Credit: National Archives

Part Three-New Protein Sources (00:05:27)
From: Jan Thompson

Segment Three Background Info: This segment goes into detail about how the food situation became so bad in the Philippines that the troops had to butcher the Horse Calvary ...
Caption: General Douglas MacArthur (left), Credit: MacArthur Memorial

Part Four-The Escape of General MacArthur (00:06:54)
From: Jan Thompson

The segment goes into detail about the departure of General Douglas MacArthur to Australia. The American-Filipino troops had to start a retreating further down the Bataan ...
Caption: American Troops Surrendering

Part Five-The Night Before The Surrender (00:06:38)
From: Jan Thompson

The final segment describes the fall of Bataan and those who were able to escape to Corregidor Island. Interviews are with: Art Campbell, Ralph Levenberg, Nurse Eunice Tyler, ...

Piece Description

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

Today we continue with our radio special documentary series, The Tragedy of Bataan (buh-tan). Narrated by Alec Baldwin and Produced and written by film maker Jan Thompson. This segment recounts the role of the U.S.S. Canopus Sailors during the early months of World War II in the Philippines.

OUTRO:

(Alec's outro: "Join us tomorrow as we continue the story of The Tragedy of Bataan.")

Additional Files

Additional Credits

Sound Design by Kelly Caringer

Sign up for PRX

Log in

Piece Statistics

  • Bought by...no one yet.
  • Average rating:

Actions

Topics

Tones

Playlists