Why Wasn’t Wake Island Reinforced?

Wake Island is an atoll consisting of three islands with a lagoon, annexed by the United States as a result of victory over Spain in May 1898.

After the first Japanese attack of December 8, 1941, a relief convoy (Task Force 14) was dispatched from Hawaii 2300 miles away.  On December 23 the Japanese launched a massive attack against Wake’s limited defenses. Realizing the island was almost certainly lost, and reluctant to lose any more capital ships in a futile engagement, Admiral Pye, acting commander of the Pacific fleet recalled the convoy.

 

 

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