Wake Levelled By
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
Typhoon
A TYPHOON which struck the American Pacific island of Wake without warning on September 16, destroyed practically every building on the island.
Winds up to 140 miles per hour were experienced and high seas which followed washed over the entire island.
Food, medical supplies, drinking water, blankets and tents were flown in by civilian and service planes and almost the whole of the population was later evacuated by air.
Wake, which consists of three islands with an area of only 2,600 acres, has a small population of air line and military personnel.
Before the war it was an im
portant US navy and air base. It was captured by the Japs soon after Pearl Harbour and re-occupied by the Americans after the surrender of Japan. Pan American Airways built up a base there just before the war.
In recent years the US has with drawn most of its Navy men and Wake has lost its significance as a base.
It is situated about 2,000 miles west of Hawaii.