Review on Ghost Soldiers - Essay Example

Ignorance remains an integral reason as to why people remain clueless about the experiences of soldiers engaged in war (Shlachter, 2001). In addition, the traumatized soldiers’ training expects them to remain resilient and not break under pressure. As a result, many of them suffer in silence from the traumatic experiences. They avoid recounting to their family and friends about what they went through during the deployment periods (Shlachter, 2001). Therefore, Hampton Riley’ Ghost Soldiers’ provides an exhilarating tale of the lives of US soldiers engaged in a dangerous mission during World War II.

This novel provides insightful information for people possessing extremely limited knowledge on the experiences faced by soldiers at war (Shlachter, 2001). The setting of Hampton‘s novel is in January 28, 1945 during the World War II. He gives a narration of the experiences of the 121 hand-picked troops chosen to form the 6th Ranger Battalion (Riley, 2002). Their mission was to slip behind enemy lines in the Philippines and try to rescue the 513 Prisoners of Wars (POWs) of British and American descent.

Their captors subjected them to inhumane conditions during both the time of the Bataan death march and the three year captivity period at a camp near the city of Cabanatuan (Riley, 2002). The 6th ranger battalion thought they would be dealing with only a few dozen prison guards. However, as they continued to advance deeper behind the enemy lines, it became clear that Cabanatuan had become a significant transshipment point for the Japanese soldiers. As a result, the 6th Ranger soldiers would have to face as many as 8,000 soldiers (Hoover, 2001).

Hampton gives a detailed, gruesome narration of what the soldiers had to endure in order for their mission to prove successful. In his account, he applauds the leadership tactics employed by Lt. Col Henry Mucci; leader of the 6th Ranger Battalion (Riley, 2002). Hampton intricately combines three different stories meshing them into one tale. The first tale revolves around the atrocities committed by the Japanese (Riley, 2002). Hampton delves into the details of the fundamental differences in culture.

He also addresses the errors in Judgment, for example, there existed an assumption that only 25,000 American and Filipino troops were available to take part in the Bataan Death March; the actual number was 100,000. Hamptons diverges from the exploits of the soldiers providing an entirely different outlook of ‘high pockets’; individuals who risk their lives to become spies for the US (Riley, 2002). Claire Phillips rises into prominence in Hampton’s accounts of these risk takers. She pretends to be of Italian descent and starts the Tubaki night club despite the fact that she is a GI’s wife.

She manages to spy on the Japanese soldiers supplying the information gathered to the local guerillas (Riley, 2002). The High Pockets’ run comes to an end when the Japanese secret police manage to capture them. The final story revolves around the 6th Rangers Battalion’s mission to rescue the POWs. Hampton provides details on the choosing of the 121 soldiers to form the Battalion. The detailed information provided in the content affirms his dedication to his work; the research done proves impeccable (Riley, 2002).

Hampton provides an epic end to his book through the successful rescue of the POWs. The warm welcome of the captives in San Francisco leaves readers heart lifted after the previous heartbreaking stories narrated in the book (Riley, 2002). Ghost Soldiers; is a thrilling battle saga in which author Hampton explores the mystery of human behavioral traits when faced with extreme, stressful conditions (Shlachter, 2001). His first take was on the POWs