Aleutians

The Battle for the Aleutian Islands

Japan had occupied the Aleutian islands of Attu and Kiska in June 1942, putting them within 1,000 miles of Alaska and raising American concern about bombing runs to California. In June 1943 the United States retook Attu and isolated Kiska to such an extent that the Japanese were forced to evacuate in August. The west coast of the U.S. was thus secured from air attack, but the Aleutians had little strategic significance otherwise.

The Aleutians. Japanese seizure of Attu, Kiska, and Agattu of the Aleutian Islands in June 1942 was strategically unimportant, but the occupied islands did provide the Japanese with a base for raiding Alaska and limiting air and sea operations in the North Pacific. At the time of the seizure, the United States did not have available ships, planes, and troops to recapture the islands, but advanced airfields were established on Adak and Amchitka, in August 1942, from which American bombers attacked Kiska and Attu.

Plans were made in the spring of 1943 to recapture Kiska and Attu. The operation was under the overall command of Vice Admiral Thomas E. Kinkaid, Commander, North Pacific. Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell commanded the assault force, and Maj. Gen. Albert E. Brown (who was replaced during the operations by Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum) commanded the Army forces making the landing. It was eventually decided to bypass Kiska, and landings were made on Attu on 11 May 1943. Air and naval units supported the operation. The Japanese on Attu defended their position desperately, but they were destroyed almost to a man, and the fighting ended by 30 May.

On 15 August 1943 a powerful Allied amphibious force, including a U.S. infantry division and elements of the Royal Canadian Army commanded by Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett and a naval escort commanded by Admiral Kinkaid, assaulted the island of Kiska, where the Japanese had developed their largest base. To the surprise of the Allies, they found that the island had been secretly evacuated by the Japanese under cover of heavy summer fogs which had prevented aerial observation or interception. The Japanese had drawn their perimeter once more back to the Kuriles, and the Allies had opened another possible axis of advance toward Japan.

Below is a letter to the crew from Capt. Cravens, prior to bombardment of Kiska.

USS NASHVILLE

July 21, 1942.

From the Captain to All Hands.

In the next fan days we should be in action. It will be the first time for most of us; so

perhaps some of us are beginning to worry a little. I remember a humorous but helpful

philosophy of the last war, and probably of earlier wars too. It's purpose was to help prevent

worry, on the excellent theory that worry can do no good but only harm, It ran about like this:

"Why Worry?"

"Either you will be killed or you wont; and if you are killed you won't know anything about it."

"If you are not killed, either you will be wounded or you won't, If you are wounded you will

suffer, but suffering Is the natural lot of man, and it seems to be good for the soul, the

important thing is that either you will die, in which case you are merely anticipating the natural

course of events; or you will live."

"If you live, it won't be because you worried, but in spite of it. So don't worry! "

Perhaps some of us, in isolated stations like the crow's nest or Steering Aft, may feel a bit

lonesome and unprotected. Let these men have confidence in the other members of the team,

Trusting those who are handling the ship to dodge torpedoes and bombs and perhaps

salvos of shells, trusting those who man the guns to destroy attacking aircraft and ships,

trusting in their own individual insignificance to safeguard them from those few missiles which

do hit the ship, and trusting in God.

Each of us is a member of a team, and in teamwork it is imperative to do your own part

and count on the others to do theirs. Your part may prove vital to us all, so forget everything

else; throw aside all nervousness and other thoughts not related to your job; put all your energy

and all your mind and all your character into that. All the rest of us will be with you!

                                                                        F. S. Craven,
                                                                       Captain, U. S.Navy,
                                                                       Commanding.