Wake Island

December 23, 1941

In the last months of 1941, a Marine contingent and a large group of civilian construction workers occupied Wake Island. Their purpose was to convert it into a fortress. It would serve as a fueling point for aircraft in the Pacific. The atoll lies in the central Pacific Ocean and consists of three small islands called Wake, Wilkes, and Peale. It is a rather remote, desolate place. The only indigenous inhabitants are sea birds and a unique species of rat. The United States took possession of it as a by-product of the Spanish-American War.
The coming of the age of aviation gave Wake new importance in the vast Pacific. It was a point for aircraft to refuel and continue their journey. For military purposes, it was an ideal location for resupply for naval forces as well. By 1941 it was evident that war with Japan was imminent. For that reason the island was garrisoned and major construction began to take place. The 1st Marine
Defense Battalion, under the command of Major James Devereux, spent day after day setting up defenses. Marine discipline was strictly enforced. On December 4th, 1941, Wake received its own air element. Squadron 211 (VMF 211) left the carrier Enterprise and landed on the new airstrip. On December 8th (the 7th in the United States), word was transmitted that Pearl Harbor was under attack by Japanese aircraft. At 8:00 AM the colors were hoisted on Wake; the flag would continue to fly to the very end. Many of the construction force, although not obligated, volunteered to fight. Most were used to take over the more mundane tasks and leave the Marines free to fight the enemy. That same day, a bombing attack was nearing Wake Island. Rain squalls hid its approach and caught the Wildcat fighters on the ground. Seven of the airplanes were lost with 23 of the personnel of VMF losing their lives. Interestingly enough, the bombers spared the airstrip, undoubtedly counting on using it themselves once the island was conquered. That afternoon the bullet riddled Pan-Am clipper lifted off, and the last physical connection with the free world soon disappeared in the distance.
Air raids continued daily, and took a steady toll on supplies and defensive positions. By December 11th the Japanese invasion armada was in place. At 5:00 AM the shelling of Wake had begun. The island's 5 inch batteries held their fire. As the warships moved in closer for more accuracy, Battery A opened up. The first salvo missed, but the second was right on target. The cruiser Yubari, hit by two 5" shells, began belching smoke and pulled out of line. A destroyer attempting to down a smoke screen to protect the retreating cruiser was struck with a direct hit on its bridge and also limped away. A final kiss from Battery A took out her forward turret. Battery L did even better. Firing at the destroyer Hayate, the third salvo hit her amidships, breaking her back. She went to the bottom in just minutes. Battery B fired on three destroyers, striking one, and caused them to retreat. By now Admiral Kajioka had had enough and he ordered his battered force to withdraw.
The transports had already begun disembarking their troops, and their re-embarkation proved disastrous under the U.S. fire. Many Japanese troops were drowned trying to get back on board. The report sent to Hawaii to inform the U.S. of the situation has been misunderstood. The phrase, "send us...more Japs," was part of the gibberish included in a coded message. It was a great propaganda item, but the reality was that the last thing the beleaguered defenders needed were more Japanese. The victory at Wake was the first good news the Allies had received since Pearl Harbor, and it was well received.
A relief force was sent toward Wake Island, but the new commander in the Pacific, Admiral Pye, sensed the danger of losing what few ships he had, and had them withdraw. A smaller force with the transport Tangier was to continue on to evacuate the force at Wake. By the time they were about 200 miles from the atoll, they received the message, "Enemy apparently landing." With great reluctance they also turned away from Wake. In the darkness on the 22nd, over 1000 Japanese troops of the 2nd Special Naval Landing Force got on shore. On Wilkes Island Captain Wesley Platt's detachment of seventy Marines charged landing Japanese troops with rifles, bayonets, and hand grenades. Over 100 Japanese were killed in four hours of hand-to-hand fighting. The Japanese quickly spread across the island, assaulting one strong point after another. That same day, another message was received from Wake, "Enemy on island - issue in doubt." On December 23rd, more enemy ships were driven back by Battery A. The other two gun positions were ominously silent. Devereux and Commander Cunningham had no way to communicate with their own forces. Early that morning, Japanese fighters roared in. strafing at will. The last Wildcat fighter had long since been destroyed, and there was nothing to stop the attackers from the air. An assault was made on Battery A, but was driven back. A 3" gun position that had been taken by the Japanese was overrun by a converging attack of civilians and Marines. Finally Cunningham and Devereux received word that no relief would be coming. Ignorant of conditions at the other strong points, the garrison prepared to surrender. Devereux, with a Japanese escort, went from position to position to order his men to lay down their arms. Wake, an oasis of victory in the desert of defeat, had finally gone down. The battle for Wake Island will live forever as a tribute to American resolve in the face of desperation and long odds.