WWII Aleutian Islands Aleutian Islands In the Pacific

WWII Aleutian Islands

Aleutian Islands In the Pacific Off the Alaskan Peninsula Small Japanese force occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska Took nearly a year for the U. S. to get rid of them

Strategic Value Whoever held it controlled the Pacific Great Circle routes U. S. could use it to attack Japan could build a base and attack the West Coast Known as “The forgotten battle” Some feel it was a diversion from the Battle of Midway

Dutch Harbor Where “Deadliest Catch” is filmed out of June 3, 1942 Bombed by Japan Less then half of the planes hit their mark Bad weather hampered the attack

Kiska and Attu June 6, 1942 Kiska June 7, 1942 Attu Very little resistance Locals forced out mainly before attack 144, 000 U. S. soldiers 8, 500 Japanese

Battle of Attu U. S. went to take back the island Harsh environment Had to enlist local scouts to aid in the battle Castner’s Cutthroats Did not fight the U. S. landing

Attu Continued The Japanese dug in Hard fighting, lots of hand-to-hand combat Only 28 Japanese prisoners taken Used mass suicide 3, 900+ U. S. casualties 579 Killed 318 miscellaneous deaths Booby traps Friendly fire 1200 cold related injuries

Castner’s Cutthroats Alaskan Scouts Mostly Aleutian natives Plan landing zones Knew the terrain How to survive Spy on Japanese planes Keep U. S. soldiers alive

Kiska No Japanese remained They disappeared off the island in the fog 34, 000+ troops Still 313 soldiers died Booby traps Friendly fire Weather related