Hello, and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast, Episode 256,

Massacre on Wake Island.

Last time, rear admiral Kajioca of the Imperial Japanese Navy came at Wake Island with his

flotilla. Believing perhaps too much, the stories his bombers told him of their destruction

of the Marine's defensive works, or perhaps it was his aggressive nature that won over

any sense of planning or moderation. Either way, by December 11th, he and his were retreating

from Wake with no specific destination or orders given. Just get the hell out of there.

Number 12 was to open up for the Japanese with a pre-don raid on the Marines by six Kalanishi

flying boats operating out of Majuro of the Marshall Islands, some 900 miles or 1,448 kilometers

to the southeast. But, rain squalls prevented any accuracy. Still, the flying boats went

up, and the Marines sent up Pilot Frank Tharin, but the two could not find each other

over Wake. The Japanese released their bombs right over the lagoon to the north of the

air strip, but Tharin couldn't find the enemy until they flew away from the island to

clearer skies. It was then that he sent one of them into the water, along with its

nine member crew, and there were no survivors. It was either the loss of this plane or

the clouds hanging over Wake that kept the Japanese from attacking for the rest of the

day. Still, the Marines could not know this, so kept improving their defenses. Also on

this day, their 80 dead comrades thus far were laid to rest.

As previously mentioned, the defenders were down to two wildcat fighters that is until

second Lieutenant John Kinney managed to salvage a third. This was done by him working

through the night, so once the plane was operational, Kinney passed out in a nearby bunker.

Zooming out a bit while the Marines waited for the next attack, they were being helped

...