Interesting story but was put off by the author's use of hyperbole. Also found myself wishing that some specific sources had be given, sepically for the emotions that he states that individuals had. All in all a good picture of an fogotten mission, but not the "most dramatic" mission of the war. ( )

A popular historical account of a WWII rescue mission / prison camp break at the onset of MacArthur's return to the Philippines, Sides interleaves stories of life in the prison camp with the buildup to the coordinated rescue mission on part of U.S. Rangers, Alamo Scouts & Filipino guerrillas. In doing so, he recounts the stories of three groups of U.S. and allied soldiers held by the Japanese Imperial Army on the Philippines:

Group 1: those left in Cabanatuan because too weak / ill to be useful, and threatened with massacre when Camp overrun by MacArthur’s advancing troops.

Group 2: those split off from main camp and shipped off Philippines during strategic defense / retreat of Imperial Army (late 1944-45).

Group 3: those who passed through Cabanatuan prior to 1945 and at time of Rangers mission either dead or in other camps. This group by far the more numerous, but their story is told only as reflected in story of Groups 1 & 2. (On the other hand, this group is the focus of other published personal accounts or histories.)

The alternating story lines means the narrative hops between the raid (occurring over 3-4 days in 1945) and what led up to the raid: Bataan Death March, daily life in prison camp, Group 1 in camp, Group 2’s travel to Japan (a span of years, essentially late 1941 - 1945).

Sides's story is itself a reflection of the strange relationship between Filipinos and (U.S.) Americans – as it focuses on the U.S. Rangers and the U.S. prisoners, yet far more Filipinos were on the March and in the camps; and about twice as many Filipino guerillas (2 bands & leader names) participated in the raid led by the U.S. Rangers. Sides does provide numerous examples of the disparity in this, and makes clear the Filipinos remain loyal and aligned with the U.S. (except for the Huk guerillas at very end). Legacy of colonialism.

The origin of U.S. Rangers is also referenced – this raid being the first real mission (?) but overshadowed by later events in WWII, so seemingly “forgotten” now. (C Company and F Company, 1 platoon)

Sides also takes up the Japanese account of motivations and intentions with respect to Bataan Death March; taking Corregidor; treatment of prisoners. The peculiar challenge faced by the Imperial 6th Army, needing to take Corregidor in order to secure access to Manila Bay and its natural harbor, but the masses of retreating U.S. / Filipino forces being forced into a corner that directly impedes the Imperial Army's later objective in laying siege to Corregidor. However, Sides does pretty much take up the Japanese perspective in Chapter 3, rather than weave it throughout his narrative.

Sideline stories of High Pockets, Siege of Corregidor, Puerto Princesa Prison Camp (Palawan, PHilippines) in prologue that was massacred in Dec 44, demonstrating the real danger faced by the men held at Cabanatuan. There are many great examples of gallows humour, typical of concentration camps and other places of horror. It's also amazing (though perhaps it shouldn't be) how much ingenuity the prisoners had: building a radio, making fake pills resembling the actual pharmaceuticals to sell to their guards for STDs, a full-blown black market.

Very readable, provides a nice thumbnail sketch of the Philippine role in WWII and its place in the Pacific theater. ( )

A great historical work besides just being an exciting read. My husband and I were both really impressed with this book, even before we realized that Capt. Prince was my father-in-law's old friend, Bob. ( )

This is a quite exciting book about one of the prison breaks of WW2. It begins by telling the story of the men of Bataan and their surrender and death march, and the mass killings of American POWs by the Japanese. It then switches between the Rangers and their story of planning a rescue and stories of life in the prison camps.
A harrowing tale! One wonders if the Rangers will get there in time to save the American POWs from vengeful Japanese guards... good read. ( )

(posted on my blog: http://davenichols.net/ghost-soldiers...)

Ghost Soldiers is an outstanding and fast-paced account of the Raid at Cabanatuan, Philippines during WWII. This raid, conducted by 6th Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and local Philippine guerilla forces attempted to rescue hundreds of American and other Allied soldiers held in the prison camp. Many of the prisoners were survivors of the Bataan Death March and had been held there for 30 months at the time of the raid. Fearing a massacre at the hands of Japanese guards as the American advance moved toward Manilla, especially following similar massacres in previous weeks, the US Army determined to rescue the prisoners before they could be slaughtered. Using stealth, guts, and incredibly timely local help and resources, the Rangers and company took part in an amazing rescue combat action.

The book does great justice to the events and the men involved , and is fantastically written for any level of military history reader. Sides' narrative is well developed, with just enough personal touches of the men to bring their stories to life, and his descriptions of conditions and activities at the camp are harrowing and very well constructed. I could not put this book down. Sides interweaves the stories of the rescuing Rangers with the desperate, hellish, nightmarish existence of the prisoners in the months leading up to the raid. Excellent book, amazing mission, my only complaint is that the author did not include a full sourcing of his research. Highly recommended, four and one-half stars. ( )