First Battle of Wake Island
Wake Island, an American territory approximately 2000 miles west of Hawaii, was captured by the Japanese in December 1941, but not without a substantial battle over two weeks. It was recaptured in 1945 in the Second Battle of Wake Island.
First attack
On 11 December, it was attacked by a Japanese force under Rear Admiral Sadamichi Kajioka, with a light cruiser, six destroyers, and 560 landing troops — was thrown back by a small United States Marine Corps garrison under Major James Devereux, and other island defense forces under Commander Winfred Cunningham, USN. They had a small Marine air squadron with a few fighters.
The Japanese started with three days of bombing, which caused significant damage. Two U.S. submarines, covering the island, spotted the reinforced invasion convoy and gave warning, but their torped attacks had no effect.
As the convoy approached, Marine shore batteries responded, sinking the destroyer IJN Hayate and damaging others. Light bombs dropped by a Marine F4F Wildcat sunk another, IJN Kisaragi.
Attempt at relief
After being pleasantly surprised Wake at held, the Pacific Fleet staff looked at their alternatives. Japan was still bombing the island, and it was uncertain when a new invasion could be launched, or what heavy surface ships might be in the area.
Just after the Battle of Pearl Harbor, Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher headed a task force with the mission of reinforcing the U.S. garrison at Wake. [1] The relief was called off, and a variety of conflicting reasons have been given.
Second relief
References
- ↑ John B. Lundstrom (2006), Black shoe carrier admiral: Frank Jack Fletcher at Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal, U.S. Naval Institute, pp. 28-47}}