Escape From Bataan By Shermann Summary

Introduction
Different ranks of naval personnel aided the American forces during WWII. One geographical area is the Philippines. A junior naval officer and supply officer, Ross E. Hofmann, contributed to the fight against the Japanese in the Philippines. He recorded his memoir in Escape From Bataan; David L. Snead and Anne B. Craddock are the editors. His memoir provides a unique look at the experiences of a junior naval officer, who survived the harrowing defense of the Philippines, by focusing on his Supply Corps training, service in the Philippines before the attacks, his retreats and resistance in response to the attacks of the Japanese, and his escape of the Philippines.
Supply Corps Training
Ross. E. Hofmann at one point in his life enlisted in the Navy. On Friday, June 13, 1941, a Navy officer told him to report to Harvard University Graduate school of Business since they were going to hold training there. Expecting to be adventurous by traveling on ship, Hofmann appeared to be somewhat disappointed. Since the Navy positioned him as a supply officer, Hofmann did not see any pictures of ships. As a supply

officer, after reading the thick manual The Supply Corps Manuel and learning about the position, Hofmann learned that he would be in charge of making sure that there was a record of everything, namely, every supply that the Navy used. Primarily, he would be doing paperwork. The reason that he had not seen anything about boats in his training was that he would mainly do paperwork on land. Training also taught them that their job might be “interesting or boring.” While he was training, he was lucky to find time to go to outings and dates with a lady that he meant: Dorothy. As the training concluded, Hofmann found out that the Navy is probably going to station him either in Washington or California. In hopes of finding an adventure, he asked to be stationed elsewhere. The Navy subsequently ordered that Hofmann and his friends, Jack and Bud, be stationed in Shanghai, China.
Hofmann’s training experience shows an interesting perspective to the junior naval position. It shows, for instance, that the sense of adventure may cease in training. In addition, it showed that during his training for a supply officer, Hoffman had time to be social.
Service in the Philippines Before the War
The Philippines was supposed to be solely a stop for Hofmann as he commuted to Shanghai. However, in arriving in Manila, the Navy personnel notified Hofmann and his group that no one was to enter China because of the Japanese’ presence there; rather, they were to stay in the Philippines until further notice. This reveals that the Bureau, those who first sent Hofmann to China, was unaware of the circumstances of China. Furthermore, this reveals a unique perspective of a junior naval officer since his perspective reveals that reality of the miscommunications between Washington and the battlefront. Additionally, comrades of Hofmann, such as Swede and Mac, reveal their disgust towards the miscommunication: Washington does not fully understand the circumstances of the Asiatic Fleet. They heard rumors of Japan attacking; however, they felt pretty confident because of their geographical standpoint, skills, equipment, and Japan’s alleged lack of abilities. They presumed that the Japanese did not have superior stamina and strength because of their diet and that their aim was horrible. Although they had presumptions of the weakness of the Japanese, they did have plans to retreat if there was an attack. Hofmann would aid in whatever area he was capable of aiding and anywhere that needed help. He would frequently unload lighters filled with provisions. Hofmann’s experience in the Philippines before the war began uniquely reveals how there was miscommunication; how relaxed they were because of misconceptions; and how he did not, especially in the beginning, have many tasks to do.
The Experience of a Naval Ensign as American Forces Retreated and Resisted the Japanese
Yells woke up Hoffman on December 8, 1941. With a hangover that he had because he drank with a lady, Betty Lou, the night before, Hoffman heard that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The Navy at the Philippines had no opportunity to mourn. They simply went into their stations to be ready if any attack were to take place. It appeared that they could not believe what was occurring. On December 10th, the Japanese began consecutively attacking Manila and military equipment. They also injured and killed residents of Manila. From Cavite and Manila, Hoffman retreated to Mariveles Bay. Looking at the logs, the Japanese repeatedly bombed Mariveles starting on December 27. The account from Hoffman reveals that the U.S. presence in the Philippines was unprepared for these attacks. Since Hoffman was not in a significant high position, Hoffman was less likely to praise the leadership since he was not a part of it. Thus, he frequently frowned upon the leadership, such as MacArthur’s leadership. He mainly felt that there was not sufficient action transpiring. Hoffman participated in a small battle, where he came to the knowledge war is not as glamorous as authors may depict it be, that Hogaboom led and that was the first land battle of the Pacific War that the U.S. had won. From this war, Hoffman concluded that if battles were to continue to be similar to the battle he just had, the Battle of the Points, the war would be a long war.
Hofmann’s Escape From the Philippines
Hoffman retreated once again. This time he retreated from Mariveles to Cebu. At first, Cebu seemed beautiful, peaceful, away from the way. However, by April 7, that changed. Japan was attacking again. Now, Hofmann retreated to Mindanao. The entirety of the Philippines was becoming a battleground; therefore, by plane, Hoffman retreated to a naval base in Fremantle, Western Australia. He did not receive a reward as he arrived; rather, he simply did the work of a supply officer. This reveals that hard fighters such as a junior naval officer may not receive appropriate recognition.
Conclusion
Ross E.

Hofmann provided a unique perspective of a junior naval officer in the Philippines while the Japanese attacked. He, for instance, during his training, revealed that the navy was not as many imagined. Although adventures may occur, it could be boring because it is possible to simply be in charge of paperwork. Furthermore, it is possible to be a part of the navy without being primarily on a ship. In addition, his arrival to the Philippines revealed that there might be miscommunication between the bases and headquarters. His account of the attacks of the Japanese revealed that they were unprepared. Although he fought, risked his life, when he arrived in Australia, he received no recognition of his service and simply did his work of a supply officer. This revealed that there is military personnel who do not receive the recognition for their

work.
Bibliography
Hofmann, Ross E. Escape from Bataan: Memoir of a U.S. Navy Ensign in the Philippines, October 1941 to May 1942. eds. David L. Snead and Anne B. Craddock. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2016.