No, unlike Dunkirk where Britain had naval superiority and could contest the air, Japan had Air Supremacy and Naval superiority at Bataan, getting people out could be done, but only a few at a time with a very high risk of lossWould it be possible for the US to send more ships just to evacuate, not re enforce Battan?
Unfortunately, the US didn't really have the men and equipment to do that in 1941/early 42. It took time to build the forces and logistics to liberate the Philippines.
Yes, to both of these. @Crowbar Six of course they didn't have the ability to do what I suggested. But as @wcv215 said, if the US is strong enough to punch ships through to Bataan to evacuate, they're strong enough to punch those same ships through loaded to the gunnels with supplies and more men.If the USN is in a strong enough position to evacuate Bataan, they will also be in a strong enough position to have it not happen in the first place.
The USN sailing to the rescue of the Phillipines was part of War Plan Orange untill the beginning of the '30s(?). ...
I wonder if perhaps they could have kept a couple of old destroyers hidden somewhere near Battan and perhaps used them to evacuate some of the wounded under the cover of darkness late in the campaign ?Unfortunately, the US didn't really have the men and equipment to do that in 1941/early 42. It took time to build the forces and logistics to liberate the Philippines.