Lockheed A-29 Hudson bombers in flight by Mt. McKinley, AK

June 09, 2013, 2:00pm / 73

The Aleutian Islands campaign was a series of battles in the Pacific theater fought over the Aleutian Islands (part of the then Alaska Territory) beginning in June 1942. A condense force of Japanese soldiers occupied the islands of Kiska and Attu—the aforementioned being closer to Tokyo than to the continental United States—and the fighting dragged on thanks to the remoteness of the islands and the notoriously dangerous weather. It took nearly a year for US forces to dislodge the Japanese from the islands but resulted in the creation of something that US and Canadian citizens both use: the Alaskan-Canadian Highway.

Known as the Forgotten Battle (for being overshadowed by the Guadalcanal campaign), the Aleutian Islands campaign was the only time during the Second World War that the United States territory was invaded.

December 17, 2012, 2:00pm / 54

(Source: kesselschlacht)

July 19, 2012, 2:40pm / 56

American troops, Aleutian Islands, 1943.

It’s weird to think but the farthest island of the Aleutian chain—Attu—is closer to Tokyo than it is to Anchorage, Alaska. I suppose it makes sense the Japanese would attempt an invasion there then.

(Source: kesselschlacht)

July 17, 2012, 12:36pm / 41

This is Attu, the western most and largest island of the Aleutian Island chain in Alaska which on 6th July 1943 was invaded by Imperial Japanese forces that was just a stepping stones away from the North American contientant. Across this valley, above the fog line that obscures the tops of the mountains, lies the passes that lead to Holtz and Chichagof Bay. Right center in the valley, leading back to the mountains, are the strongly held Japanese positions.

During all the Second World War, Attu Island is the only battle field that was located on American soil.

May 02, 2012, 1:33pm / 31