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This Day in History, Jan 30 – Raid on Cabanatuan “The Great Raid”



Article audio is made possible by CAST11 Prescott Podcast Network. A Talking Glass Media production.

It was 74 years ago today on January 30, 1945, when men of the 6th Ranger Battalion, with the aid of Filipino guerrillas and Alamo Scouts rescued 552 Americans and others from the Japanese prisoner of war camp at Cabanatuan. Often called the Great Raid, this true to life story of heroism saved hundreds of lives, proved the effectiveness of special forces units, and struck fear into the Japanese military while also moving towards Filipino independence.

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Japanese prison camps were notoriously brutal, with a basic lack of everything, American and allied prisoners also had to contend with an atrocious climate. The Japanese had a tendency to kill prisoners at the slightest pretext of resistance. As the United States Army, led by General Douglas MacArthur, began liberating the Philippine islands, there was concern that the Japanese would kill all of their prisoners on the islands, including those at Cabanatuan. Immediately, the Americans set about to free these men before the Japanese could commit mass murder.

It was a daring raid, with a lot of flare. To distract the Japanese guards, a P-61 Black Widow performed an aerobatic show while the Rangers sneaked up for the assault. The Japanese guards and traveling soldiers who slept at the camp that night suffered heavy casualties, estimates range from 500 to 1,000. Two Americans died, as well as a few prisoners. Others were injured in the fighting to take the camp and during the rearguard action as the Japanese tried to attack the column of weak prisoners and their rescuers. On the same day, Camp O’Donnell, with thousands of U.S. and Filipino prisoners was also liberated. The raid was a massive success, saving the lives of hundreds which, arguably, would have been executed. On the way back to American lines at Talavera, the Americans utilized the local livestock, as well as carts to bring home the weakened prisoners. As the prisoners reached safety, tales of horror, especially that of the Bataan Death March, began to surface, adding only more determination to the American war effort.

About the Author

Ronald G. Mayer Jr. is a Native of Arizona and a graduate of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. He teaches history at Liberty Traditional School in Prescott Valley where he resides. He looks forward to a career as a Professor of History.


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One response to “This Day in History, Jan 30 – Raid on Cabanatuan “The Great Raid””

  1. Rogelio Cruz says:

    Thanks for your great account of this event. I was 12 years old then when this special forces passed by our town on their way

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