Buhay Bangkok

Sixty two years ago, Manila south of the Pasig River convulsed with the wrath of war. American forces, come to liberate the capital, slugged it out with thousands of die-hard Japanese Marines and sailors. The month-long battle left 100,000 Manilenos dead, with the city lying in ruins, said to be—after Warsaw, Poland—the second most devastated city in the world during WW2. Here are four books that will make us remember. 

1. By Sword and Fire by Alfonso Aluit 

This was published by Bookmark in the mid-90s; hopefully it’s still in circulation. Aluit must be commended for piecing together a blow-by-blow account of the month-long battle. His sources include transcripts from the war crimes trial of Gen. Yamashita; journals and diaries, and oral accounts of survivors and their relatives. Somehow, the printed word can prove to be more graphic than video. Definitely this book is not for the squemish. You just have to read slowly though, as the mass of material (and the dozens of participants’ points-of-view presented) can make you dizzy.  
 
 
2. The Battle for Manila by Richard Connaughton, John Pimlott, and Duncan Anderson

For history and military buffs, this is the book for you. If Aluit’s book is gut-wrenching and full of human drama, this book coldly analyzes not only the battle but also the political situation before WW2.  
 
Of interest are the detailed accounts of the battle from the points-of-view of the combatants themselves. Worth noting is the way the book describes the fierce street fighting to retake Manila and how the Japanese established their defenses (very in-depth, several layers, with government buildings used as strong points and various ship guns and anti-aircraft guns of various calibers [salvaged from damaged Japanese ships off Manila Bay] used as main defense weapons [can you imagine AA guns with bigger calibers than the German 88s firing point-blank at Sherman tanks? Argh!]). In fact, this battle has been made a textbook case study for urban warfare in US military schools (both West Point and those offering advanced courses). It also criticizes the American strategy for capturing Manila. 
 

3. These Hallowed Halls by Bro. Andrew Gonzales 

Yes, this was the book written years ago by the late DLSU president and former DECS Secretary. It details the massacre of several La Salle Brothers and families (who earlier sought refuge inside the campus) by deranged Japanese soldiers right inside DLSU’s halls, classrooms and even the chapel. Slash and dice with the occasional decapitation. Blood bath inside the chapel. Gore and gunfire. No wonder, many still swear they see a headless La Salle Brother stalking the halls of the university during quiet nights. May the souls of these innocent victims rest in peace.

 4. Manila, My Manila by Nick Joaquin

This superb book by the late National Artist for Literature makes history a delight to read. Among the best chapters are those describing the battle. Joaquin’s accounts of the destruction of his beloved city are based on eyewitness accounts. Short and poignant. Bookmark re-released a hardbound edition a few years ago. I still have a copy of the original paperback, launched in 1992 in my alma mater, with the author’s autograph, no less.