As the Rising Sun expanded across East Asia, the United States Pacific Fleet
laid broken in the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor. The British colonies had also been invaded,
suffering defeat after defeat both in Hong Kong and in the Malayan Peninsula.
But this would not be the end of the Japanese aggression, as the strategic
American possessions in the Pacific were now up for grabs. Today, we are going to cover the
initial landings in the Philippines, as well as the attacks against Guam and Wake Island.
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As we’ve already seen, the United States had neglected the defenses of its Pacific
possessions for too many years since their victory in the Great War. And with the Japanese threat
approaching like dark clouds on the horizon, the effort to prepare for a new war was still minimal,
leading to a considerable weakness for the American forces in the Pacific.
In July of 1941, after the Japanese occupation of southern Indochina, the USAFFE was formed,
including both American and Filipino forces in the region, with Lieutenant-General Douglas MacArthur
as its commander-in-chief. The Philippine Army had thousands of troops, but it lacked modern weapons,
adequate training, and valuable experience, something MacArthur set out to correct from
the get-go, even though he wouldn’t have the time to complete his task. The US Navy also
had a small presence in the region with the old Asiatic Fleet of Admiral Thomas Hart, which is
not to be confused with the Pacific Fleet based on Hawaii. This fleet depended on a few cruisers
and WWI-era destroyers , although it counted with a considerable submarine squadron as well,
albeit not big enough to successfully struggle against the Japanese. The Asiatic Fleet was also
responsible for the defense of Guam, while the defense of Wake Island was under the jurisdiction
of Admiral Husband Kimmel’s Pacific Fleet. In the Philippines, MacArthur counted some
22,532 men, including one fully-American regiment , three well-trained regiments of Philippine
Scouts, two tank battalions , ten inexperienced Philippine divisions, and considerable coastal and
anti-aerial artillery . MacArthur also had at his disposal the Far East Air Force under the command
of Major-General Lewis Brereton, totaling some 218 modern aircraft , as well as the Philippine Air
Corps’ six squadrons of obsolete aircraft ; a very sizable air force to stem the Japanese offensive.
In Guam, although the US didn’t think that the island could be successfully defended,
naval forces were under the command of Captain George McMillin, counting with some 271 Navy
personnel, as well as 153 Marines led by Lieutenant-Colonel William McNulty
and some 246 volunteers of the Guam Insular Force Guard. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, Admiral Kimmel had
noticed the valuable strategic importance of Wake Island since the start of the year,
ordering the construction of naval-base facilities with the objective of turning
it into a stronghold, something that wouldn’t be completed by the end of 1941. Kimmel had the
1st Defense Battalion of marine units for the defense of the American islands in the Pacific,
with the other three battalions assigned to Midway and Hawaii. Two detachments were sent
to the Johnston and Palmyra Islands, while the rest of the battalion remained at Pearl Harbor.
On August 8, a new detachment of the 1st Defense Battalion was sent to Wake, totaling some 422
marines under the command of Major James Devereux. In late November, the defense of Wake was placed
under the command of Winfield Cunningham, while the defenders would be reinforced with
the VMF-211 squadron of Major Paul Putnam, consisting of twelve F4F-3 Wildcat fighters.
As for the Japanese, limited by the war in China and the attacks against the British and Dutch
colonies, they could only count on 2 divisions and a brigade for their offensives against the
American possessions in the Pacific. The rest of the hard work would have to be carried out by the
IJN and their Special Naval Landing Force, the Japanese equivalent to the US Marines.
For the invasion of the Philippines in particular, Tokyo had planned to first
neutralize the American air forces in the Philippines to have full control of the air.
To do this, they would also need to execute several amphibious invasions against the main
American northern airfields to extend Japanese aircraft capabilities. Once air superiority was
assured, they would launch their main amphibious assault against Luzon and Mindanao , then
advancing across the Philippines to occupy their vital strategic locations . The 14th Army of
Lieutenant-General Homma Masaharu, consisting of the 16th and 48th Divisions, as well as the 65th
Independent Mixed Brigade and two tanks regiments, was appointed to carry out this operation, and
they would be supported by the 5th Army Air Force Division of Lieutenant-General Obata Hideyoshi,
consisting of 183 short-range aircraft . The Japanese also appointed Vice-Admiral
Takahashi Ibo’s 3rd Fleet to support the invasion of the Philippines, primarily showcasing a variety
of cruisers and destroyers , and providing some 358 valuable long-range aircraft in the form of
the 11th Air Fleet. Takahashi’s role in the Philippines was to destroy the Asiatic Fleet,
cover and support the naval landings, and then protect Japanese supply lines and reinforcements.
Meanwhile, the 4th Fleet of Vice-Admiral Inoue Shigeyoshi was selected to conduct operations
against the islands of the Pacific Ocean, including the invasions of Wake and Guam.
For the attack on Wake Island, Inoue planned to conduct three days of aerial bombardment,
followed by naval landings on Wilkes Island and Wake proper. The invasion force, designated as
“COMDESRON 6” and commanded by Rear-Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi, consisted of a covering
and support force of cruisers and destroyers , 34 bombers of the 24th Air Flotilla, an occupation
force , and 450 SNLF marines. For the assault on Guam, Inoue assigned the South Seas Detachment of
Major-General Horii Tomitaro, mainly counting with 4886 men from the 144th Infantry Regiment . To
support the naval landings on Guam, the Japanese would also appoint the 6th Cruiser Division
of Rear-Admiral Goto Aritomo, consisting of four heavy cruisers, four destroyers, and 370 SNLF
marines . Inoue also planned to occupy the Gilbert Islands and to conduct bombardments of the Howland
and Baker Islands. For this operation, he created a supporting group under the command of Captain
Miyazaki Shigetoshi, consisting of two minelayers, two destroyers, and a gunboat, to escort the 51st
Naval Garrison Unit in its invasion of the Gilberts. At the same time, the 24th Air
Flotilla was placed in charge of the bombardment of the Howland, Baker, and Gilbert Islands.
As we’ve seen, on December 2, the order to “Climb Mount Niitaka” was given,
setting up the final preparations for the Japanese offensives to be launched on December 8.
Three days later, Homma’s men departed Haha-jima en route to Guam, with the objective of landing at
Tumon Bay, on the southwest coast near Merizo, and on the eastern shore of Talofofo Bay. The
other invasions, however, would have to wait first for the air attacks to be successful.
Around 03:00 on December 8, the American commanders in the Philippines were informed
of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although the US thought that the Philippines were a lost cause
and only wanted to execute a limited resistance for reinforcements of the Pacific Fleet to arrive,
MacArthur had planned to do a more active defense, trying to defeat the Japanese on the
beaches before they could establish a foothold. Thus, he established three main defense forces,
the North Luzon Force of Major-General Jonathan Wainwright; the South Luzon Force of Major-General
George Parker Jr.; and the Visayan-Mindanao Force of Brigadier-General William Sharp. MacArthur
also believed that the combined strength of the Asiatic Fleet and his air forces were capable
of destroying any Japanese fleet; something Admiral Hart opposed, believing it would be
best for his forces to retreat south and join a combined fleet with the British and the Dutch.
General Brereton wanted to prepare a retaliatory B-17 bombing strike against Formosa in accordance
with the Rainbow 5 war plan. At 05:30, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, General George Marshall,
ordered MacArthur to execute the existing war plan, Rainbow Five, but MacArthur did nothing.
General Brereton proceeded three times time to ask permission and was denied until he
personally spoke to MacArthur at 11:00 finally obtaining permission. This procrastination of
a preemptive attack would cost them dearly. Meanwhile, at Wake, the American defenders
were informed of the attack on Pearl Harbor around 06:00, quickly rushing to man the
islands’ defenses. Four Wildcats were also sent to patrol around Wake, with the rest being prepared
for lift-off. Around 07:00, Japanese aircraft took off from Formosa, heading towards the Philippines
and then striking Tuguegarao and Baguio at 09:30. At this point, army bombers returned to Taiwan,
leaving the Americans feeling like the attack was over, even though it had just begun.
34 bombers had also taken off at dawn from Roi island towards Wake, while from Saipan, Japanese
aircraft struck Guam, destroying one of their minelayers . At the same time, Japanese bombers
from the Marshall Islands shelled Nauru, Howland, Baker, and the Gilbert Islands. As a result,
airstrips and infrastructure in the islands were damaged and Howland lost two of its four cruisers.
Meanwhile, troop transports from the Marshalls also began to embark en route to the Gilberts.
They would arrive on December 9, with SNLF marines landing on Makin and Tarawa unopposed and starting
the construction of seaplane bases there . Two days later, the Japanese would also take control
of Little Makin and Bokati, completing their invasion of the Gilbert Islands.
And back to the main action, Japanese navy bombers caught the Americans unaware at 12:30, bombarding
the Iba airfield and destroying a flight of P-40s and its radar station. They then headed
to Clark Field, where they managed to destroy most of the American aircraft on the ground,
leaving only 17 B-17s operational. By afternoon, half of the Far East Air Force was shattered,
assuring Japanese air superiority for the rest of the campaign. Douglas MacArthur's procrastination
of Brereton's requests cost them dearly. At the same time, Japanese bombers at Wake
managed to slip through the American patrols, then bombarding the airfield and destroying the eight
Wildcats on the ground. They also struck the American camps, defenses, and seaplane facilities,
causing considerable damage before returning back to the Marshall Islands.
In a single day, the Japanese air forces had repeated their success at Pearl Harbor,
leaving the American presence in the Pacific severely weakened. Furthermore, some 490 SNLF
marines had already landed in Batan Island, taking control of its small airfield to further execute
air operations. This convinced Admiral Hart to order the bulk of the Asiatic Fleet to withdraw
and join the British and the Dutch on the Borneo, just as he had planned. More aerial bombardments
over the remaining American airfields would follow in the next few days, destroying most of the
remaining aircraft and leaving only a handful of P-40 and B-17 unscathed. Thus, MacArthur was left
without naval or air forces, alone to defend the Philippines with his ground divisions.
Wake and Guam were also hit again on December 9, although this time the American defenders
were prepared to brace the Japanese attack, so they didn’t suffer much damage. More air attacks
would follow on December 10, but this day would also see the first major fighting in the Pacific.
Around 02:00, Goto’s 370 SNLF marines landed on Agaña Bay , quickly engaging the men of
the Guam Insular Force Guard and overtaking their positions with their superior firepower.
They subsequently advanced towards Sumay and the Marine barracks, while Horii’s South Seas
Detachment landed at its objectives practically unopposed and then started its advance across the
island. Some fighting ensued on Agaña’s Plaza de España, and soon Captain McMillin saw that
further resistance was pointless, calling a ceasefire. Around 06:00, he would finally
surrender his forces, making Guam the first American territory to fall into Japanese hands.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the situation was also very grim. At dawn, three Surprise Attack
Forces, carrying around 2000 Japanese soldiers each, started their operations, with the first
one landing at Aparri. This was a very important target, as its airfield could allow army aircraft
of the Japanese to conduct attacks all across the Philippines. Despite this, the Japanese landed
unopposed and could capture Aparri, Gonzaga, and the Camiguin Island in a matter of hours. At the
same time, the second force disembarked at Vigan, but was met with an intense B-17 and P-40 attack
that forced some Japanese soldiers to retreat back to the transports. They would return the
following day, landing four miles to the south and taking the town of Laoag, while the rest
of the detachment had already secured Vigan and its airfield. MacArthur was livid when he heard
about the naval landings, blaming Wainwright for his incompetence in MacArthur’s planned
active defense, not even offering any resistance. The last Japanese surprise force , coming from
the Palau Islands, also disembarked on Legazpi unopposed on December 12, then taking the city and
its airfield. At this point, Japanese forces had also taken the Tuguegarao airfield to the south
of Aparri, threatening the last major American airfield at Del Monte. This prompted Brereton
to ask permission for the remaining aircraft to be transferred to Darwin, Australia, and as
MacArthur agreed, the remaining B-17s had escaped by December 19. Homma then ordered his forces in
the northern Philippines to concentrate at Vigan to assist the main offensive against the Lingayen
Gulf, which we will cover in the future. In the meantime, we are going to return to Wake Island,
where hell was going to let loose on December 11. Early in the morning, Kajioka’s invasion force
arrived in the vicinity of Wake and proceeded to take positions for the landing of his troops.
He subsequently ordered to start the bombardment of the American positions on the beaches.
In response, Deveroux quickly ordered his forces to track their objectives and to hold their fire
for the Japanese ships to get in range of their batteries. Around 06:00, as Kajioka’s flagship,
the Yubari, reached Peacock Point, Deveroux knew that it was now or never, and so he
gave the command to open fire. Immediately, a rain of fire fell upon the Japanese warships.
From Peacock Point, Battery A opened fire over the Yubari, hitting her four times on her port
side. As Kajioka’s flagship turned to starboard while engulfed in smoke, a destroyer swept in
and tried to protect her, getting hit once without much damage before Kajioka’s escape.
At the same time, Battery L on Wilkes Island opened fire over the destroyer Hayate, hitting
it three times. The destroyer then exploded, broke in two, and finally sank; the first Japanese
vessel to sink in the Pacific War. Battery L then targeted another destroyer, hitting it once, but
at this point, most of the Japanese vessels had already gotten off range from the American guns.
Meanwhile, Battery B on Peale Island exchanged fire with three destroyers and two cruisers,
giving and receiving considerable damage without major losses on any side. With the retreat of the
invasion force back to the Marshall Islands, the Japanese had been defeated; although this
was not the end. Major Putnam’s four remaining Wildcats soon pounced on the retiring ships with
guns blazing. They managed to explode another destroyer and to severely damage one cruiser
before the Japanese were out of range, with only one of the Wildcats receiving some damage.
Yet despite the great American victory, the Japanese immediately retaliated with an air
bombing run over the batteries on Peale Island, which had been pinpointed by Kajioka’s forces.
Deveroux would then change the location of these batteries to the east end of Peale to avoid more
losses. Nonetheless, this was the first time the Japanese behemoth had been stopped, and
amidst the many failures the Allies had already suffered in the East, it brought hope back to the
defenders in the Pacific. But this was hardly the end, as the Japanese would come back once
again to take the island in the following weeks. Once again, thanks to the Rise of Kingdoms for
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Next week we are going to cover the continuation of the Japanese advance across the Pacific
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