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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Unsung Hero (12/07/06)
Helpless in Bataan

In the early days of World War II, my great uncle, Sgt. Robert E. Witt of the 200th Coast Artillery was captured by the Japanese in April of 1942 after fighting in the Battles of Bataan and Pampanga. During his confinement in a POW camp, Sgt. Witt would have a part in the most inhumane torture known to a prisoner of war. The Bataan Death March was an atrocious act forced upon the starving, sick American soldiers, which took the lives of more than 10,000 prisoners. Following the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, Japan captured more than 140,000 Allied soldiers and forced them into prison camps. During World War II, at least 35,000 of the American prisoners died at the hands of their captors. The Japanese did not limit torture and starvation to the confined barbed-wire camps, but also practiced their cruelty on forced marches through the harsh geography of the Philippines. One of the most infamous and appalling forced marches was the Bataan Death March of 1942. The conditions of the camps could not compare to the horror found by the suffering troops, who struggled to live amongst the beatings and torture from the Japanese, and who competed with strange diseases and the climate of a foreign land.
The POW’s were, in reality, soldiers who surrendered to the forces of Japan during the Battle of Bataan. The Japanese, however, saw no reason to follow the natural rules of humanity in the treatment of their prisoners. While marching the 90-mile trek across unknown land, the allied prisoners were forced to stop by fresh streams of water, but were not allowed to drink. Some ignored the Japanese and threw themselves at the water, only to be executed moments later. Many men only be thankful that Robert missed three years of torture.” Mrs. Witt replied.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
David Huckabay Jr
12/15/06
This was a fantastic setting for this topic. I used to work with a man, Len Dugan, who was also a part of the Coastal Artillery and who also survived the Death March and immprisonment. Many tales of heroism could be found, small and great during that war. Yet, as for the article itself, I felt it a bit short and a little choppy by the end. You quote Mrs. Witt at the end, yet I could not descern where the quote began. I believe this had great potential for a great story. I would put a little more drama into it, unless it is for an straight data essay. Also, proofreading would helk too.
Donna Powers
12/16/06
A wonderful depiction of this horrible experience. My suggestion is to separate your thoughts into paragraph form but I agree that there is a good story in here. Keep writing!