Last Stand at Wake - The Forgotten Survivors (Ep. 1) 

My great uncle was one of those who were captured when Wake Island fell. He died in a prison camp in Japan in December 1944. My family knew of his fate but had no idea what became of his body; it was a very touchy subject for my grandmother and family members who fought in WWII. Then, a couple years ago, I was watching an episode of The Great War that involved a tour of a AMBC cemetery in France. Intrigued, I checked out the AMBC's website and using their search feature I quickly found that his body had been recovered after the war and was interred in the Manila American Cemetery. The ABMC folks could not have been kinder - they sent us a photo of his grave with the US and Philippine flags. 70+ years later, he is no longer lost to his family and we send flowers on Memorial Day. Sometimes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

One of those taken prisoner was a young marine named Bob Bourquet. He spent the rest of WW2 in various POW camps. I had the pleasure of knowing him for a few years before he passed away at the age of 95. It was a real honor.

If you found this video interesting and really would like to know more, it is covered very well in the book "United States Marine Corps in World War II". The first shots of the coastal artillery, which the Japanese did not know was there, occurred at near point blank range. The 5-in guns that Mark mentions in this video were old guns as he stated. One of them arrived on the island with no sights. They help their fire until the Japanese were lulled into complacency and came closer and closer. Once the Japanese ships were close enough that missing wasn't an option, the Marines opened fire. The first shots from those 5-in guns came from an old gunnery sergeant that was manning the 5-in gun with no combat sights. He bore sighted the gun onto the Japanese destroyer and hit it with the first round.

The Japanese took the island, but it was a very expensive victory. The Marines made them earn every inch of that island

To be completely honest I just automatically give Mark a like every single video because I know I'm going to like it even before I watch it

To my knowledge, the repelling of the first Japanese invasion fleet by the defenders of Wake is the only time a naval invasion in WW2 was foiled by shore-based guns. Go Marines!

"Your great-grandfather gave this watch to your granddad for good luck. Unfortunately, Dane’s luck wasn’t as good as his old man’s. Dane was a Marine and he was killed, along with the other Marines at the battle of Wake Island. Your granddad was facing death, he knew it. None of those boys had any illusions about ever leaving that island alive. So three days before the Japanese took the island, your granddad asked a gunner on an Air Force transport name of Winocki, a man he had never met before in his life, to deliver to his infant son, who he’d never seen in the flesh, his gold watch. Three days later, your granddad was dead. But Winocki kept his word. After the war was over, he paid a visit to your grandmother, delivering to your infant father, his dad’s gold watch." Pulp Fiction, 1994.

I met a Wake Survivor (a civilian) and bought him dinner. He was taken prisoner, and worked in a factory. He said he would have died of starvation if not for the efforts of his guard who "illegally" snuck extra food for his workers. After the war. the guard and his wife flew to the USA to spend time with the Wake survivor, and then the Wake survivor and his wife flew to Japan to spend time with the guard and his wife!

"New Video: One minute ago" What better timing than a good history video to listen to for lunch

Some graves of the defenders of Wake Island have only recently been found after the land was built on at the end of WWII.

Japanese Navy were the worst one of my great uncles was unlucky to be aboard the Lisburn maru ,another hell ship there were only 3 survivors he wasn't one of them . Pvt Leonard French, 1st middlesex

Brave men. Held out for 11 days.

My grandfather, George Rosandick, was a contractor working for the Morrison Knudson company and was captured at Wake. He spent the remainder of the war in a Japanese POW camp. His story defined my families path. His time in Japan was hard and he rarely spoke about it but we know he watched friends murdered and daily abuse. This didn't sour him though and he lived the rest of his life back home in Idaho and raised my mother and her three siblings. His love for his grand kids was never in question and although he passed in 2005 his family remains strong and tightly bound. Thank you for making this video and sharing their story.

Ahh, the Battle of Wake. A sadly forgotten battle, by many so called "arm-chair expert RU-vid commentators". This channel never fails to impress, as it always educates and remembers the "forgotten things" in great detail. Hell, I pretend to know a lot of "forgotten things", but this channel nicely puts me in my place. Cheers Dr. Felton, I always look forward to the next video. (Thumbs Up Emoji and whatnot). P.S. honestly the first time I had ever heard of this battle, was the first time that I watched Pulp Fiction, when I was 12 years old. And the only thing that I got outta that movie the first time around was, "Wait a minute....The Americans fought at Wake?". (And no matter how much time passes, "We" must Never Forget).

The Japanese learned that fighting Marines tends to end poorly for you. The lesson would be driven home hard from Guadalcanal to Okinawa.

I love Mark's channel because it gives me such nostalgia of history shows from when I was younger

My grandfather survived the Bataan death march. He made sure I knew what the Japanese did to the prisoners. Until the day he died he never owned anything made by the Japanese. That was how much he hated them.

My husband's uncle, Robert O. Arthur was one of the marine corps pilots who fought and fought and fought (even while wounded) until they were finally either killed in battle, beheaded or taken prisoner. Uncle Bob Arthur unbelievably survived only to be tortured in various POW camps for four years. Again, he survived until the end of the war, was released and lived a long life.

I hope many more learn of this. Japanese people , I suppose, will not be very interested, but there are lessons for all men here

Mark. I have a book written by a survivor from my hometown titled “The Story of Wake Island”. He only made a couple (especially since he self wrote it and didn’t publish it) as it served as a remembrance for survivors so that they may never forget and honor their fallen brothers. It has his (Chaplain Frank Mace’s) first Hand accounts, Sketches made by prisoners from their time as POW’s to the island fight and beyond, as well as a photographer list of every Marine on the island. Let me know if you would like to get access to this!

I have never once watched Felton's video and told myself: " I wish he would cover ice truckers daily lives".

Woohoo! ANOTHER Mark Felton video today! Outstanding! Also Remember the cruelty of the Japanese military in WWII. One example is found in this video.

I am so deeply impressed by the bravery and gallantry of the civilian contractors who fought and died on Wake. As civilians, they likely had some idea that their treatment by the Japanese, would not be kindly. I am also immensely affected by the defensive battle put up by the Marine defenders. I have had the honor of serving as a Devil Dog, and sharing their most storied reputation as a US Marine. God bless all the Americans who defended Wake, civilian and military. Rest in Peace my brothers. Semper Fidelis. USMC veteran. Active service from '67 to '71.

my grandpa was a flamethrower operator and fought from guadalcanal to iwo. he died when i was 6 so i didnt get to know him much, but he never bought anything that said made in japan, and to this day we still have some gold teeth in our safety deposit box.

Thanks Mark. I know the fate of those that were left on Wake and still look forward to episode 2.

The best content creator on RU-vid! Thank you Mark!

These sorts of stories are sickening. There's no excuse for that sort of behavior towards POWs. And VMF-211's squadron colors still fly today as VMA-211 flying the F-35B. Semper Fidelis.

Funny, those who talk about upholding honor, are usually without.

WW2 ended thirty five years before i was born but im a little raw over stories like these. My grandpa was a radioman and told me stories about facing down Banzai charges. He was a giant to me.

These cowards spoke so highly of their Bushido code and their "honorable" Samuari ancestors. Yet they acted like slighted school children when they didn't get their way. There is not one of them who has the slightest bit of honor. They don't know the meaning of the word. The greater crime lies at the feet of the militarists who pumped them up with false doctrine and thuggish pride. Honor indeed.

Thanks as always for these Mark!

Great story as always, sir. Thank you so much for telling it.

Appreciate you making this video. Few are familiar with the defense of Wake island, fewer are familiar with what happened to the remaining defenders after the battle. Can't wait for part 2!

I’m glad this story is getting told. I wish they’d teach this story in our HS across America

My uncle was one of the civilians captured on Wake. Survived slave labor in Japan but passed away in 1957 from all his abuse while in captivity.

Thank you Dr. Excellent as always.

I was going to sleep, but stayed up to listen to this instead-always interesting presentations from Dr. Felton!

This is great. An episode I’ve been wanting to hear for awhile.

One of my favorite stories of the war AMAZING WORK AS ALWAYS

and a few Army personal that manned the radios

I'm guessing those civilians were farmboys who learned how to shoot before they could read and write.

I remember the black and white movie of " Wake Island" on tv in the late 1960's.

I flew missions out of wake in 1990

A Mark Felton double upload? Work can wait a little while...

Is there no end to the disgusting way the Japanese treated their POWs? The fact they've never paid for any of these cowardly acts sickens me. Never forget, never forgive.

Cool, your cover pic is one of my very favorite paintings from WWII. I first saw it one a book printed in the '70's by Playboy publishing when I was a kid. It's just an amazing picture that catches the terrible fight on Wake. Thanks for covering this all but forgotten battle Mark!

Hell yea. I've been wanting Dr. Felton to cover Wake island for forever.

If someone were to make an entire movie set in World War II from the beginning in 1939 and end in 1945. There needs to be more forgotten battles that happened like this, Borneo, Southern France, etc.

the japanese have never acknowledged or apologised for the war crimes they committed

Mark you never fail to impress us.

Thank you Dr. Mark!

So much for taking a nap 😴 💤 more marvellous Mark Felton productions! HuZZaH!

I'm french and my father was children(10 years olds) in Indochina during WW2.He related me the same story

Outstanding video and presentation

Well explaind Dr.Mar Felton interesting history ive come to learn so much through following your channel. Im from New Zealand i read books about the Maori battalion in Al Alamein.There story was never presented on screen. Would be an honor to hear you present them if you agree.thanks for all your research of world history

The Battle of Wake Island was also known as the "Alamo of the Pacific". I had the honor of meeting and spending a few months working with William Taylor, one of the contractors who was on Wake when it was attacked. He managed to escape the Japanese by successfully jumping off a transport train in China. He spent 10 weeks with Chinese communist forces, working his way to an American airbase.

It's a point to remember that the massacre of Manila was also done by IJN Naval troops, and that was three years later.

the Wake prisoners..Bataan Death March..Unit 731..it's amazing so few Japanese were ever considered for war crimes.

You are awesome Mark! Thank you for all the war stories. Mark, i think it would be super interesting if you interviewed a WW2 Vet, and shared their story. Have you done this before?

Very good story Mark. Very good indeed.

In the early 1980's I was a member of a US Navy Reserve P3 Orion crew making a one plane detachment to Okinawa, the Philippines, and Guam and we had to land at Wake to look at a "chips light" on one of our engines. While we were there we got to look at some of the island and buy a few souvenirs. I got a T-shirt from Wake Island University and some other stuff. We were there only a few hours but we were there. On the same tour we also went to Midway, so I got to see two very historical islands from WW II.

Thank you!

Outstanding enough said. Semper Fi.

September? Nope. A new Mark Felton video. It’s Christmas!

It's probably true that the Japanese considered surrender a big dishonour but they did not always treat surrendered soldiers badly. The German garrisons in Asia who surrendered to the Japanese in WW1 were treated with incredible curtasy and respect. During both world wars it seems the Japanese view of the German was extremely positive...

Note to RU-vid- We are all immune to the ads, please stop wasting their money. Great video, Mark.

This was a goddamn rollercoaster of emotions

GREAT TOPIC - “none of them had any illusions, they knew they weren’t coming back, just like all the other marines on Wake Island” - Christopher Walken as Major Coombes to young Butch (Bootch - Griselda “tell me what it is like to keel a man wit yor barrrr hands” Cab Driver Villalobos) on his childhood living rooms’ floor. Since watching Pulp Fiction I have always wondered about that reference. Now, I am looking forward to learning all about it thanks to the wonderful Mark Felton, hero of all fellow RU-vidrs.

This was very well done(no surprise) Another excellent presentation of the Wake battle can be found in a documentary "Wake Island: Alamo of the Pacific" which features testimony of the few survivors who are left. Very enlightening. Can I suggest one of your presentations for a future topic, the ordeal of prisoners on the "Hell Ship" Ōryoku Maru in 1944? Most gripping.

Another great WW2 epic tale of bravery, even when they knew that the situation was hopeless. The enemy was particularly vicious throughout the war.

Thank you..!

"Well, thank the son of a bitch!" Deserves to be amongst the bravest words ever said.

My marine corps SMI way back In High school, told us about this story, and we read the book by the commanding officer on wake, Major James Deveraux, and after hearing, seeing, and reading, this was one of my favorite resolves in WW2.

"With its tail quite literally between its legs". C'mon, Mark, you're better than that.

Mark, I have binge-watched your videos several times during the COVID plague, and must say, they took me to another time quite effectively, if only for awhile. Thank You! As far as a suggested topic for future, I was wondering if you might be able to piece together the story of supplying the D-Day forces with petrol. I heard there was a hose unrolled across the channel to supply the enormous need for tanks, jeeps, trucks, etc. In other words, vital supply for the effort to keep the Allied war machine pushing the Germans back all the way into Germany. What say you?

Thank - you .

Mr Felton, the F4F Wildcat was certainly not an outdated aircraft. The Wildcat achieved a 4:1 ratio during the war, and when adopting the Thatch weave were quite effective against Japanese Zeroes. They were also quite immune to the7mm rounds from Japanese fighters, forcing Japanese pilots to rely solely on their 20mm cannons which their aircraft did not hold a great deal of. Japanese ace pilot Saburo Sakai details this in his autobiography Samurai!

Woah, Mark, the F4F Wildcat was not an outdated aircraft in 1941 and it proved its effective throughout the war even after superior fighters later replaced it. It's official kill to loss ratio was 6.9 to 1. That may be slightly inflated, but it does show it was a very effective fighter.

Great documentary

Rest In Peace Captain Tom McInnis and Chief Mate Ralph Van Valkenberg of the tug Justine Foss. Heinously and cowardly murdered by the Japanese on 5 October 1943, along with 96 fellow civilian and military prisoners of war enslaved by the Empire of Japan on Wake Island.

Your channel is criminally under-subscribed.

This channel is one of the very few places that will discuss the Japanese-American War.

100000 abonnees 😍😍😍 Congratulations

Their justification was “ The Emperor Wills It” Blind obedience!🤔

Audio only is just fine. If I am listening while I am doing another task, I don't feel like I am missing anything.

"Last stand" stories are always most dramatic but always touching... Westerplatte, Wizna, Brest Fortres

It's very important to remember what happened in Wake.

I still remember the Demo for Battlefield 1942. Never heard the history behind that map though.

Everytime I hear something about the Japanese in WW2 it makes me angrier and angrier that many of them went unpunished

I have read that U.S. Navy PBY Catalina flying boats made several missions to Wake in the intervening period between the initial failed invasion and the surrender of the island offering to take civilians off the island. Almost to a man, they refused to go. Very brave indeed.

Darkly ironic that the country so obsessed with honor consistently behaved as some of the most dishonorable soldiers in a world war devoid of honor. One could argue that they had a vastly different definition of "honor" but I'd like to see the mental gymnastics used to justify torturing and killing prisoners as "honorable"

I don't think I can watch much more RU-vid videos. The number of ads per episode is just crazy. Hopefully, somebody starts another platform for quality content like this.

Stayed there many times. The Visitor Quarters rooms are named after famous Marines from the battle.

Hi again Mark would you have anything on the Royal Ulster Rifles 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion?

I remember the old film with Brian Donlevy, like all the movies from those early days of the war they were sometimes 99 percent propaganda full of tall, handsome all american and British heroes fighting the dirty axis. I had always been fascinated with history since I first learned to read so I was about seven when my mother bought me this big, fat old book about the war in the pacific and had read all about the atrocities on wake but when I saw the film I was very disappointed that they ended the movie without showing what really happened. Later on i understood why. Today seventy years later they can tell the true story but back then it would have been bad for morale. They needed young guys to enlist and old guys to buy war bonds and showing some 400 brave guys being beheaded and tortured would not have gone over well to some, but I think I would been more eager to enlist or buy bonds if I had seen the real thing. Love your stories will be waiting for part 2

Very nice

The F4F Wildcat was the current fighter used by the US Navy and Marines at the time. It was NOT outdated. It’s performance was somewhat inferior to the Zero, but overall, Wildcat pilots held their own. Suggest you read John Lundstrom’s excellent books, The First Team and The First Team in the Guadalcanal Campaign.

May those that abandoned these men on the island know eternal shame

If those men had know what waited for them after surrendering they would of fought till the last man fell.

These stories remind us how richly Imperial Japan deserved its nuclear bombing.