Originally Posted by T. A. Gardner

First on the list is that the 2 SCR 286 radar stations on northern Luzon are put on 24 hour alert and have a good established communications line with Clark Field. This means that any Japanese raid coming from Formosa will be detected about an hour out giving plenty of time for a good fighter response. With something half approaching the British CH efficency the Japanese are at least going to meet a stiff resistance to any raid.
The P-40 pilots are instructed to go for the escort while the P-35s go for the bombers. All fighter pilots are made aware that stopping the bombers is the priority. With altitude advantage the US should be able to break up a fairly large raid without too much in the way of casualties.

Second, is that the two M 3 light tank battalions and one of the two 75mm SP half track battalions are seconded to the Philippines Scout Cavalry regiment forming a composite mobile reserve. A GHQ quartermaster truck company is assigned to move fuel and ammunition to these units.

The US Navy is asked to use its Patrol Squadron of PBYs to fly searches to the north and west of Luzon to detect the approach of a Japanese invasion fleet.

Two B-17 are immediately directed to fly armed reconnissance over Formosa and bomb Japanese airfields there. This will have little effect but, might stir the hornet's nest a bit delaying a Japanese air strike.

Aircraft on the ground are to be dispersed and camoflauged immediately to minimize losses in the event of an air attack.

The other B-17's etc. are initially instructed to fly patrol flights over the South China Sea to find any Japanese invasion forces coming from that direction. These aircraft are to be armed for attacks if they find the Japanese and it looks like they can manage such.

It is suggested that the US Navy sail from Cavite as soon as possible, particularly their tenders. These are to make for Australia or Java under destroyer escort (DesRon 59). All naval stores are to be moved using other transport as possible. The submarine forces are to take up positions off Luzon as pickets to intercept an invasion force (there are 26 in Philippine waters).

The initial goal is to not be surprised by a Japanese attack by air or sea.

All civilian vehicles are to be commandeered for military use. Initially just round them up and get an inventory. The freighter that brings in 60 Bren carriers (diverted to the PI when they heard war stated and was originally embarked for Singapore) is unloaded and these vehicles are used to form a composite mechanized infantry force to supplement the tanks and cavalry.

With 40 more P-40 days away at sea, along with 2 bombardment groups of A-24 (Dauntless dive bombers) following a day or two later and more ground troops coming the primary thing the Philippines forces need to do is delay or stop an invasion of Luzon. If necessary, these aircraft can unload in Mindinao and then fly north to reinforce Luzon.

In the end, a siege on Bataan will eventually result in a US defeat. Whether it takes weeks or months, the US cannot reinforce once they lose control of the air. Any invasion force needs to be attacked vigorously preferably before it begins landings. The US has sufficent means in the Philippines to make a go of stopping the Japanese. What they lacked originally was the competence to do so.