When we were working on Rising Sun, one of the alternative scenarios we included was the hypothetical relief of Wake. Historically, a relief force was actually formed and sent, but for reasons still debated, was recalled before it could reach the island. The force included reinforcements carried on board the seaplane tender Tangier (AV-8). While some details of Tangier loadout were available, I couldn't find a complete manifest until I obtained a copy of the Marine Corps Monograph The Defense of Wake (long out of print). Tangier loadout consisted of: Three complete sets of FC equipment for the 3 inch AA batteries already on the island, plus tools and spares. Spare parts for the 5 inch coast defense guns, and replacement fire control gear. Vast amounts of five-inch and three-inch ammo, plus millions of rounds of small arms ammunition and engineering tools. The 3 inch ammunition was a newer design and would allow the guns to reach the High altitude band. The older ammunition then used only allowed them to fire into the Medium altitude band. An SCR-270 air search radar and an SCR-268 fire control radar for the 3 inch guns. Battery F, 4th Def Battalion, with four 3 in AA guns Battery B, 4th Def Battalion, with two 5 in/51 guns Machine gun teams and service and support elements of the Fourth Defense Battalion. VMF-221 Detachment (the planes were embarked on Saratoga) There is no mention of any troop reinforcements. The biggest change to the scanty dam in Rising Sun is the SCR-268 fire control radar, which would have greatly increased the effectiveness; of the 3 inch guns. All fire control and maintenance problems with the 5 inch and 3 inch guns would also have been corrected, and the number of guns increased as well. In addition to these changes to the hypothetical relief, reduce the AA strength of a four-gun 76mm/50 battery from 1 .0 to .75, based on the use of old ammunition, and reduce its ceiling to Medium altitude. If you can find a copy of The Defense of Wake (very expensive for an original copy) or the reprint volume The Defense of Wake/Marines at Midway, they give a clear and exceptionally detailed account of the battle. BT Back to The Naval Sitrep #5 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1995 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history and related articles are available at http://www.magweb.com