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The Story of Wake Island
military hist, WW II Pacific theater
paperback
First published January 1, 1947
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 6, 2019
Major Devereux give a no-nonsense account of the fifteen days of battle the US Marines, Army, VMF, Navy and civilian force held off a vastly superior enemy, the IJN and IJA. For fifteen days they faced insurmountable odds. The motley force destroyed twenty-nine planes, nine warship and over 5400 of the enemy. All the time they hoped reinforcements would come to their aid and prop up the patchwork defense and hold off the Rising Sun. As we know, it wasn’t to be. The Japanese landed on the night 12-22/23 and started to overwhelm the defenders. Despite the odds, the men fought on until Devereux and Commander Cunningham tallied up the enemy force that had encircled the island, on land and sea, and realized continual resistance would not result in a victory and the loss of more American lives would be futile.
This is a great story of the indominable American fighting man’s spirit in a hopeless situation. The Japanese were shocked when they realized the force they had faced and the stubborn defense they put up.
After reading this I couldn’t help but think if this type of leadership had been in the Philippines, perhaps the Bataan Death March would have never happened. Or the fall of Singapore wouldn’t have been the greatest disaster the British Army endured. I also couldn’t help but reflect on the small groups of soldiers who held off Germany’s final winter offensive, “Wacht on Rhine.”
This is a must read for the novice and seasoned World War Two historian.
This is a great story of the indominable American fighting man’s spirit in a hopeless situation. The Japanese were shocked when they realized the force they had faced and the stubborn defense they put up.
After reading this I couldn’t help but think if this type of leadership had been in the Philippines, perhaps the Bataan Death March would have never happened. Or the fall of Singapore wouldn’t have been the greatest disaster the British Army endured. I also couldn’t help but reflect on the small groups of soldiers who held off Germany’s final winter offensive, “Wacht on Rhine.”
This is a must read for the novice and seasoned World War Two historian.
December 23, 2018
Well written: good pacing, appropriate level of detail (some books get bogged down in details), I found the personal anecdotes from the various participants interesting, and I liked how the book told the story including their experiences in the POW camps (rather than just ending with the battles on Wake).
January 13, 2019
If you are a student of Marine Corps history, you will find this book an invaluable source of information information on the battle for Wake Island. Shortly after the attack on Pearl harbor a tiny contingent of Marines, sailors and civilians were charged with the defense of Wake Island. This book relates the events of that defense. A small group of courageous Americans held off the Japanese onslaught for several weeks until ultimately they were overcome by sheer numerical superiority. Even after their surrender they fought their captors through sabatoge and irrepressible morale. Must reading for every Marine.
Semper Fi!
Semper Fi!
May 21, 2020
A well-crafted account of the attacks and invasion of Wake Island by the Japanese following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were surprised to find such resistance from a desolate island far from friendly forces. The book is more of a blow-by-blow account of the maneuvering and resilience of the troops and civilians on the island against an overwhelming force. It took the Japanese two weeks to defeat the small group of defenders but found it was quite costly for them in losses of lives and equipment.
After the Americans surrender, the author sums up their captivity for the next four years. Touching on the morbid living conditions and the brutality of the guards watching over them. I did find typos in the earlier parts of the book and also duplicated punctuation marks...not sure if this is because of the Kindle formatting or the actual manuscript.
I would recommend the Story of Wake Island for those interested in learning more about individual battles of WWII.
After the Americans surrender, the author sums up their captivity for the next four years. Touching on the morbid living conditions and the brutality of the guards watching over them. I did find typos in the earlier parts of the book and also duplicated punctuation marks...not sure if this is because of the Kindle formatting or the actual manuscript.
I would recommend the Story of Wake Island for those interested in learning more about individual battles of WWII.
November 28, 2018
Excellent historical 1st person account with several myth busting truths
I really enjoyed the factual presentation of this book. The battle for Wake Island was not the one sided affair often quoted in the history books. Sure is was tough, especially for the surviving soldiers and civilians, some of whom were executed by the Japanese when Wake fell back to the Americans. Devereux tells it straight and gritty, with minimal fluff. And no, he did not ask "Send us more Japs". Pure propaganda.
There were minor detail information errors of ships sunk and enemy casualties but other than that an interesting read, especially for historians of this dark days early in the war. Heartily recommended.
I really enjoyed the factual presentation of this book. The battle for Wake Island was not the one sided affair often quoted in the history books. Sure is was tough, especially for the surviving soldiers and civilians, some of whom were executed by the Japanese when Wake fell back to the Americans. Devereux tells it straight and gritty, with minimal fluff. And no, he did not ask "Send us more Japs". Pure propaganda.
There were minor detail information errors of ships sunk and enemy casualties but other than that an interesting read, especially for historians of this dark days early in the war. Heartily recommended.
August 23, 2020
Great telling of the true story of what happened at Wake Island--at least to the men who fought the invasion, held off the enemy for days and days, and eventually succumbed and were taken off to Japanese labor/POW camps to .
Now I need to read about the men who were left on the island and eventually massacred by the Japanese.
So many questions about why the base wasn't reinforced, why it was the island and its men were abandoned to their fate, and what exactly happened after the occupation when the island had been cut off. Did we not know there were Americans still on the island? Could that have made a difference?
Now I need to read about the men who were left on the island and eventually massacred by the Japanese.
So many questions about why the base wasn't reinforced, why it was the island and its men were abandoned to their fate, and what exactly happened after the occupation when the island had been cut off. Did we not know there were Americans still on the island? Could that have made a difference?
August 5, 2019
I'm sure that I have read this book before, probably a half century ago. Major James P.S. Devereux gives a first hand account of the defense and surrender of Wake Island from his perspective as the Commander of the Marine Defense Battalion assigned to the island. It is an impressive tale of a small force of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and civilians who managed to inflict terrible casualties on the Japanese forces that attacked them before finally surrendering. And then, their experiences in POW camps for the balance of the war.
February 28, 2020
A spare, matter of fact story by a great leader. No theatrics, not jammed with jargon. Says much about the outlook and attitudes of “old breed” marines when shipped to the ends of the earth, and ordered to hold their ground.
Clearly an important goal of the author to see, shortly after the war ended, that the families of his men knew what happened to each, as all records were destroyed, and the remaining garrison shipped into years of brutal captivity.
A book that belongs on the USMC Commandant’s reading list.
Clearly an important goal of the author to see, shortly after the war ended, that the families of his men knew what happened to each, as all records were destroyed, and the remaining garrison shipped into years of brutal captivity.
A book that belongs on the USMC Commandant’s reading list.
October 29, 2020
A story of the historic defense of Wake Island against the Japanese juggernaut. Over whelmed and under gunned and staffed, the men on Wake held and inflicted heavy losses to the Nippon aggressors. Although eventually over whelmed by sheer numbers, they maintained a defense that helped keep American morale alive during the early dark beginning of the Pacific theater. A fairly comprehensive retelling of this epic battle and siege by one of the U.S. Marine commanders on Wake Island. A must WW II read for historical review.
March 17, 2021
Simple and Effective
This book is one in a long line of first-person tales of war that I find incredibly powerful and valuable. it is a shame that sometimes the so-called professionals turn up their noses and eyewitness accounts like this. The men who fought at Wake Island are living, breathing realities for the author, and the perspective of someone who truly was "in the room where it happened" can't be replicated by any amount of scholarship. I was so glad to find this book alongside so many other veterans' reminisces.
This book is one in a long line of first-person tales of war that I find incredibly powerful and valuable. it is a shame that sometimes the so-called professionals turn up their noses and eyewitness accounts like this. The men who fought at Wake Island are living, breathing realities for the author, and the perspective of someone who truly was "in the room where it happened" can't be replicated by any amount of scholarship. I was so glad to find this book alongside so many other veterans' reminisces.
June 30, 2017
Holy smokes, this was a bland and uncreative history book. I get that the author was career military and that the goal of the book was to retell his role in the Battle of Wake Island. I also understand that this book was written before the rise of non-fiction written as fiction, but wow this is a dry book. There is little enthusiasm, and drive to the story and a review of the Wikipedia entry is a better use of time, even if not as accurate.
December 8, 2020
Different views
I read this book after I saw a program on Wake Island on tv. Six prisoners from Wake told a different version on some of the events before and after the surrender. They were 5 enlisted and 1 civilian and the person writing the book was a officer. I can not judge because I was not there. These men were in their 80's and memories fade even when bad. All I can say is read the book and watch the program on Utube and then decide for yourself.
I read this book after I saw a program on Wake Island on tv. Six prisoners from Wake told a different version on some of the events before and after the surrender. They were 5 enlisted and 1 civilian and the person writing the book was a officer. I can not judge because I was not there. These men were in their 80's and memories fade even when bad. All I can say is read the book and watch the program on Utube and then decide for yourself.
October 30, 2021
This is an awesome piece of history. A small, ill-equipped contingent of Marines held out for fourteen days against overwhelming odds. It is a very enjoyable read. The author was the commander of the garrison on Wake Island when war broke out in the Pacific. This is his story, he focuses on the activity on the island that the author knows about. This account was written five years after the battle.
October 29, 2018
I chose to read severely story because we were the low bidder for San Clements but another bidder undermined
In 1939, I was a cost estimator making bid estimates for an engineering contractor. We bid on several jobs for the 11th naval district, including structures at San Clemente and wake islands.
In 1939, I was a cost estimator making bid estimates for an engineering contractor. We bid on several jobs for the 11th naval district, including structures at San Clemente and wake islands.
December 30, 2018
Read-Enjoy-Learn
First it's a good read,but above all it is a true report of the small detachment of US Marines who held off the Japanese invasion of Wake Island in WW2. Hero's all their leader can give you the full details really happened. Not a long read but well worth your time.
First it's a good read,but above all it is a true report of the small detachment of US Marines who held off the Japanese invasion of Wake Island in WW2. Hero's all their leader can give you the full details really happened. Not a long read but well worth your time.
May 1, 2019
A true story of the defense of Wake
As a veteran, I can state that I wish I was half the man of those who faught against overwhelming odds and then endured torture at the hands of the Japanese. The tactical situation is well described. One would benefit from some maps to aid in the understanding of the troop movements.
As a veteran, I can state that I wish I was half the man of those who faught against overwhelming odds and then endured torture at the hands of the Japanese. The tactical situation is well described. One would benefit from some maps to aid in the understanding of the troop movements.
September 7, 2019
A GREAT BOOK
As a young boy during WW2 my favorite movie was Wake Island seeing it often. I will enjoy it more with the descriptions provided by James Devereux. Wow the detail described made it so real to me. Thanks to the author and all his brave men who held out against unbelievable Jap forces so gallantly. Again, thanks.
As a young boy during WW2 my favorite movie was Wake Island seeing it often. I will enjoy it more with the descriptions provided by James Devereux. Wow the detail described made it so real to me. Thanks to the author and all his brave men who held out against unbelievable Jap forces so gallantly. Again, thanks.
October 11, 2018
World War I I Story
This is a fairly good book. It tells the story of the futile defense of Wake Island. For the first time I got an answer to the question of why the men asked for "more Japs." It also explains the defense of the island when there was no hope.
This is a fairly good book. It tells the story of the futile defense of Wake Island. For the first time I got an answer to the question of why the men asked for "more Japs." It also explains the defense of the island when there was no hope.
November 10, 2018
An account of the islands Japanese occupation.
A beautifully written account by a marine officer who was stationed there, with actions by military and civilian personnel during battle and subsequent imprisonment.
A beautifully written account by a marine officer who was stationed there, with actions by military and civilian personnel during battle and subsequent imprisonment.
November 19, 2018
Bob.
I really was made aware of the hero's forgotten by circumstances beyond their control. The fact any survived was, Divine Providence, never realized the Red Cross was effective in helping our POW's. Very.interesting to.me.
I really was made aware of the hero's forgotten by circumstances beyond their control. The fact any survived was, Divine Providence, never realized the Red Cross was effective in helping our POW's. Very.interesting to.me.
November 25, 2018
Couldn’t put it down
Great book,made me proud to be a Marine. Would recommend it be read by students in high schools so they have an appreciation of what happened in the past so they have freedom.
Great book,made me proud to be a Marine. Would recommend it be read by students in high schools so they have an appreciation of what happened in the past so they have freedom.
April 9, 2019
One man’s experience
A personal account, although newer research , Urwin’s Facing Fearful Odds, provides a more detailed and accurate overall account, you cannot discount an individuals own experience.
A personal account, although newer research , Urwin’s Facing Fearful Odds, provides a more detailed and accurate overall account, you cannot discount an individuals own experience.
May 1, 2019
Read in high school many years ago and again just now.
A good book providing straight dope about American heroes in very tough times . Not overly sentimental or emotional, but full of truth
A good book providing straight dope about American heroes in very tough times . Not overly sentimental or emotional, but full of truth
May 24, 2019
An Engaging Military Story
Written in first person witn details of every event of Wake Island before the war started. Star as it complied Japanese invasion, and how the Marines saught to confuse their invasion. Engaging, detailed and surprising easy read.
Written in first person witn details of every event of Wake Island before the war started. Star as it complied Japanese invasion, and how the Marines saught to confuse their invasion. Engaging, detailed and surprising easy read.
August 14, 2019
Valuable read
In these days of mudslinging and rule of the most vocal, this book reminds us of our proud heritage. It also details the little known battle for Wake Island and the unbelievable heroism it entailed.
In these days of mudslinging and rule of the most vocal, this book reminds us of our proud heritage. It also details the little known battle for Wake Island and the unbelievable heroism it entailed.
February 5, 2021
A history all of us should be aware of
Though I would guess the author was not a professional writer he did a good job of explaining this historical event. Few people, even in war, have endured so much.
Though I would guess the author was not a professional writer he did a good job of explaining this historical event. Few people, even in war, have endured so much.
September 22, 2021
The courageous marines of Wake Island
A terrific Accounting of how a small force of marines and dedicated civilians caused the Japanese navy to expend unbelievable amounts of material and manpower to capture this small island.
A terrific Accounting of how a small force of marines and dedicated civilians caused the Japanese navy to expend unbelievable amounts of material and manpower to capture this small island.
October 8, 2021
Good book of a first hand account point of view. A map of island and its locations would have been nice. I am sure the authors sees the locations clear in his mind but google earth doesn’t have those points listed. Have recommended it to my friend who enjoys history.
August 7, 2022
Best book I've read in a while
This book is written by someone who lived through it. The only thing I could ask more of was what did those who made it back did after the war and what happened (if anything) to the backyard prison guards.
This book is written by someone who lived through it. The only thing I could ask more of was what did those who made it back did after the war and what happened (if anything) to the backyard prison guards.
October 17, 2018
Wake Island Heroes
This is a great read. One of the best WW2 accounts of fighting marines and survival in a Japanese prison camp.
This is a great read. One of the best WW2 accounts of fighting marines and survival in a Japanese prison camp.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews