Aleutian Islands campaign
In 1935, U.S. General Billy Mitchell told Congress that whoever holds Alaska will hold the world. He called it the most important strategic place in the world. This warning set the stage for events that would unfold seven years later. The Japanese reasoned that controlling the Aleutian Islands would prevent American and Soviet forces from joining together. They also feared a future attack on their mainland via the Kuril Islands. The United States held similar fears about air raids on West Coast cities like Seattle or San Francisco. These geopolitical calculations drove both sides to fight over a chain of remote islands. The campaign became the only military operation of World War II fought on North American soil.
On the 3rd of June 1942, Japanese planes began a two-day aerial bombing of continental North America for the first time in history. Seventeen Japanese planes found the naval base at Dutch Harbor, with the first arriving at 05:45. As pilots looked for targets, they came under intense anti-aircraft fire. They soon faced Eleventh Air Force fighters sent from Fort Glenn. Startled by the response, the Japanese quickly released bombs and left to return to carriers. On June 4, the Japanese returned to Dutch Harbor. When the attack ended that afternoon, oil storage tanks were burning and the hospital was partly demolished. A beached barracks ship suffered damage. Although American pilots located the Japanese carriers, bad weather caused them to lose contact. The weather also forced Japan to cancel plans to invade Adak with 1,200 men.
Over 880 Unangax residents were embarked on military transport ships following the attacks on Dutch Harbor. Unangax civilians received less than 24 hours notice and were allowed only one suitcase or minimal personal items. Transport vessels like the USAT Delarof were severely overcrowded and lacked basic infrastructure including drinkable water and medical care. Disease ran rampant on these ships. In one documented case, a government doctor refused to enter the ship's hold to provide assistance. Haretina Kochutin gave birth under these conditions without help. Her newborn daughter, Dela, died three days later. About ten percent of the interned population perished before resettlement after the war. Approximately forty percent of Attuan prisoners died in captivity due to starvation and malnutrition when transported to Otaru, Hokkaido.
On the 11th of May 1943, American forces commenced Operation Landcrab to recapture Attu. The invasion force included the 17th and 32nd Infantry regiments of the 7th Infantry Division. A shortage of landing craft and unsuitable beaches made it difficult for Americans to exert force against Japanese positions. Soldiers suffered from frostbite because essential cold-weather supplies could not be landed. Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki had his forces dig into high ground far from shore. This resulted in fierce combat with total U.S. casualties reaching 3,829. Five hundred forty-nine soldiers were killed while another 1,200 suffered severe injuries from cold weather. On the 29th of May 1943, remaining Japanese forces attacked near Massacre Bay. Recorded as one of the largest banzai charges of the Pacific campaign, the Japanese penetrated deep into U.S. lines. Only 28 Japanese soldiers were taken prisoner, none of them officers.
On the 15th of August 1943, an invasion force of 34,426 Canadian and American troops landed on Kiska. The force included about 5,300 Canadians mostly from the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade. It also included the 1st Special Service Force, a 2,000-strong commando unit formed in Montana. Allied forces encountered no opposition that day. However, their total casualties would number 313 due to friendly fire, vehicle accidents, booby traps, disease, and frostbite. Main Japanese forces likely left Kiska on the night of July 28 when its radio became silent. During the subsequent two weeks, Army Air Force and navy bombed abandoned positions. The battle marked the first time Canadian conscripts were sent to a combat zone in World War II. The government had pledged not to send draftees overseas but defined the Aleutians as North American soil.
Ground attack missions flew from new island bases starting with P-38s and P-40s before bombers joined in. Targets included radar installations, parked aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery positions, railways, submarine bases, and moored vessels. Bombings further reduced Japan's ability to supply its bases. Navy submarines and surface ships patrolled the area. Kiska Harbor served as main base for Japanese ships where several were sunk. On the 12th of May 1943, the Japanese submarine I-168 was sunk in a surface action with destroyer USS Monssen northeast of Chichagof Harbor. At least three Japanese submarines were sunk near Kiska in June 1943. A cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Charles McMorris met the Japanese fleet in March 1943. One American cruiser and two destroyers were damaged while seven U.S. sailors were killed. Two Japanese cruisers suffered damage with 14 men killed and 26 wounded.
In spring 1944 surviving residents of the Pribilofs were allowed to return home while remaining villagers moved back in spring 1945. Of the 831 Unangax relocated to camps in Southeast Alaska, 85 perished from poor conditions. The government did not allow communities of Attu, Kashega, Biorka and Makushin to return because restoration costs were deemed too great. They were forced to amalgamate into other Unangan communities. In 1988 the U.S. Government passed the Aleut Restitution Act which acknowledged failure to provide adequate care. It provided $12,000 for each survivor plus a $5 million trust fund for descendants. Public hearings began in 1981 when Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians conducted studies. The report condemned government indifference citing crowding, rotting buildings, lack of furniture, clean water, electricity, medical care and supervision.
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Common questions
What was the only military operation of World War II fought on North American soil?
The Aleutian Islands campaign became the only military operation of World War II fought on North American soil. This conflict involved Allied and Imperial Japanese forces fighting over a chain of remote islands in Alaska.
When did Japanese planes begin bombing continental North America for the first time in history during the Aleutian Islands campaign?
On the 3rd of June 1942, Japanese planes began a two-day aerial bombing of continental North America for the first time in history. Seventeen Japanese planes attacked the naval base at Dutch Harbor starting at 05:45.
How many Unangax residents were forcibly relocated following the attacks on Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands campaign?
Over 880 Unangax residents were embarked on military transport ships following the attacks on Dutch Harbor. These civilians received less than 24 hours notice and were allowed only one suitcase or minimal personal items.
Who commanded the Japanese forces that dug into high ground during the Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands campaign?
Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki had his forces dig into high ground far from shore during the Battle of Attu. This strategy resulted in fierce combat with total U.S. casualties reaching 3,829.
What was the outcome of the Allied invasion force landing on Kiska on the 15th of August 1943?
Allied forces encountered no opposition when an invasion force of 34,426 Canadian and American troops landed on Kiska. Main Japanese forces likely left Kiska on the night of July 28 when its radio became silent.