Around noon, 27 Japanese land-based bombers attacked. The defenders had little time to react. Eight planes were destroyed on the ground. The Japanese bombers then withdrew before the airborne patrol could intercept them. The air raids meant to destroy the island's defenses continued daily until 11 December.
Unknown to the defenders, a Japanese task force of three light cruisers, six destroyers, two transports that had been converted to destroyers, two regular transports and two submarines was on its way to the island. Japanese planners felt that 450 soldiers of the Special Naval Landing Force, Japan's equivalent of the Marines, would be sufficient to seize Wake Island.
Lookouts on Wake Island spotted the ships approaching and alerted the
Unknown to the defenders, a Japanese task force of three light cruisers, six destroyers, two transports that had been converted to destroyers, two regular transports and two submarines was on its way to the island. Japanese planners felt that 450 soldiers of the Special Naval Landing Force, Japan's equivalent of the Marines, would be sufficient to seize Wake Island.
Lookouts on Wake Island spotted the ships approaching and alerted the