McArthur made a big error in the Philippines, and it hasn’t got anything to do with B-17’s or the air force. On the other hand its hard to see what he could have done differently. His big contribution was to convince both the Americans and the Filipinos that the Philippine Army (a conscripted citizen army at the time) could be made effective with the pathetic budgets, few cadre and derisory training time available. I suspect this was based on his rather limited experience with leading a US National Guard Division in WWI. The “Rainbow” division was combat effective and had high morale, even when it was inexperienced. This confidence in such troops was not warranted when it came to the Philippine army. The first major action at Lingayen made it painfully clear that the Philippine Army was nearly useless in maneuver battle and probably would remain so without months more of training and combat experience. That put an end to any idea of protracted resistance.
What do you believe that error to have been?
On the other hand its hard to see what he could have done differently. His big contribution was to convince both the Americans and the Filipinos that the Philippine Army (a conscripted citizen army at the time) could be made effective with the pathetic budgets, few cadre and derisory training time available.
The promised money and material for the Philippine Army never materialized.
I suspect this was based on his rather limited experience with leading a US National Guard Division in WWI. The “Rainbow” division was combat effective and had high morale, even when it was inexperienced.
In his "limited" time with the Rainbow division, MacArthur became the most decorated American in that war.
This confidence in such troops was not warranted when it came to the Philippine army. The first major action at Lingayen made it painfully clear that the Philippine Army was nearly useless in maneuver battle and probably would remain so without months more of training and combat experience.
The green Filipino troops losing their nerve on the beaches was crushing but give them credit for quickly regrouping and badly mauling the Japanese on Bataan.
That put an end to any idea of protracted resistance.
FDR elevating Wainwright to commander of all forces in the Philippines is what put an end to any idea of protracted resistance because when Wainwright surrendered at Corregidor, not only did he surrender the little island fortress, he surrendered all forces in the archipelago.