In Behind the Lines, there are many main characters. The beginning story focuses on the Captain Wendell Fertig, who is known in history for establishing and running a successful guerrilla campaign in the Philippines after General McArthur leaves. He sets up a guerrilla base consisting of Philippine natives and many Absent Without Leave soldiers. Because he technically would not have any authority due to his low rank, he takes the initiative of promoting himself to general in command of the Philippines. Two men, Sergeant Everly and Lieutenant Weston are his main aides, having escaped from the approaching Japanese invasion. He then contacts the US via radio, and after extensive testing they find he is genuine. However, they run into a serious problem politically, as General McArthur has just announced that it is impossible to have a guerilla operation in the Philippines, and he is very influential politically. As the section ends, another US general, Fleming Pickering, is planning how to help Fertig out.
So far, I don't think the action has really gotten started yet. Not all the main characters are introduced and it mostly consists of short, informative messages and build-up of the various characters. I just hope that more exciting events occurs soon. I can predict that some kind of relief party will be sent and will face many dangers politically and militarily. The climax will be when they finally arrive, battered, but safe and sound.
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I have a question about this. When you say that Captain Wendell established a guerilla campaign in the Philippines after the departure of General Douglas MacArthur, what do you mean? Did the Philippines not have a government? I thought they were under the control of the United States until sometime after World War II, after we won them in the Spanish-American war. So my question is essentially what side was the campaign on? Were they attempting to help the US government in something, as implied by how MacArthur says that the U.S. cannot have a guerilla campaign in the Philippines, or are they fighting for Filipino independence, as implied by the fact that it is a band of AWoL soldiers and Filipino natives? I hope to see the answers in your next post! I find the Second World War a fascinating subject, and I would love to learn more about the Philippines!
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