Even with a seven hour warning Gen. Douglas MacArthur seems paralyzed by the shocking news from Pearl Harbor. Commander of the air forces in The Philippines, Gen. Lewis Brereton knows how he wants to react, but is unable to get the green light from MacArthur or his chief of staff Gen. Richard Sutherland. Thus the initiative passes to the Japanese invasion force, who happily take up the challenge.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Japanese Empire deciding to invade to the south, the American fighters and bombers, under Gen. Douglas MacArthur's command in The Philippines must be taken out first. Previously, the American defense plan had been to fight a holding action, but MacArthur has changed this to meet the enemy on the beaches of Luzon. Only time would tell if this was the correct course of action.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Gen. William Slim deals with the remains of Burma Corps, the American general Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell also has to find a way out. But the American commander of Chinese forces in Burma has decided he will walk out of the war zone, with his men. If he can make it out alive. Meanwhile Chiang Kai-shek's government feeds the American press false stories of all the Japanese armies Stilwell is defeating...on his way out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. William Slim and Burma Corps finally reach India, as does several Chinese divisions. However the Battle of the Basin has to be fought first. Gen. Joseph Stilwell also has plans to leave Burma, but his route is cut off. As for Burma Corps, their entrance into India is not the reprieve they hoped it would be.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. William Slim and Burma Corps continue their retreat. But as hunger, fatigue and the coming Monsoons press down on the British General, his guard is dropped and the Japanese come rushing in.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The British led forces are retreating from Burma. But first they must get to Mandalay and across the Ava Bridge there, all the while keeping the Japanese at bay. The most Gen. Slim and Stilwell can hope for is to get out of the fighting, mostly intact.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lesley MM Blume joins us to tell of the US Government coverup of the effects of the Atomic Bomb. The book: Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover Up and the Reporter Who Revealed It to the World

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the beginning of the end for the Allied defense of Burma. While Gen. Slim's men are pushed back, their Chinese Allies in the Shan States of Eastern Burma are set upon and scattered.. Their remnants head back to China. Still, Gen. Slim wants to stay and fight and plans to build on Gen. Joseph Stilwell's string of victories, but even these can not alter the course of the wider war.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. William Slim will have to use all his experience and cunning to survive this latest defeat and retreat. In the balance is the entire 1st Burma Division. Fortunately for the Allies, Chinese Gen. Sun Li-jen of the 38th Division had dreamed as a boy that he would win a great victory and bring glory to China. The Sun was about to shine bright!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michel Paradis joins us to talk about his book, Last Mission to Tokyo: The Extraordinary Story of The Doolittle Raiders and Their Final Fight for Justice. A few of the pilots are captured by the Japanese, tortured and sentenced to death. And it will be those Japanese officers connected with this cruelty, that will be tried by the American Government.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices