Extremely rare book entitled ‘I Shall Return,’ specially ordered for print by General Douglas MacArthur, who presented copies to the immediate members of his staff stationed in the Philippines. Printed in Manila in an unknown quantity, the unsigned book, 8.25 x 11, 60 pages, no date [circa 1946], is bound in soft green boards with gilt titling to the front cover. The book, which features a matte-finish 6.5 x 8.5 portrait photo of MacArthur affixed to an opening page, lists the command staff and maps for all major Philippine campaigns between October 20, 1944, and July 5, 1945, in addition to battle plans that were prepared but not executed during the Philippines Campaign.
The book’s foreword reads: “To the members of my staff whose loyal and united efforts made possible our successful return to the Philippines, I dedicate this graphic story of the Philippine Campaign. Some of you left with me from CORREGIDOR and made the long journey back, some of you were with me to form the first headquarters in Australia, others joined along the way, but all contributed towards the whole by which, with the blessing of Almighty God, we were able to keep the faith.
Yours was not always the glory of the battlefield but instead the patient, oft unknown, struggle to fit the force of our arms to where that force could most effectively destroy our enemy with the least destructiveness being wrought upon our own troops. The speedy execution of our campaign, the constant success of each operation, and above all the unprecedented smallness of our casualty lists mark the complete success of your efforts. This shall not be forgotten!” The foreword bears a preprinted facsimile signature. Book condition: VG-/None, with spine cloth detached from binding (but binding intact), and some rubbing and scuffing to boards.
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