The Aleutians Campaign June 1942-August 1943

The Japanese invaded Attu and Kiska during the Midway campaign of 1942, indicating that they sought to use the Aleutian Islands as a line of advance for operations against the North American mainland. However, the severe climate and the increasing attention given to other areas of the Pacific meant that their strategic value was diminished and the Americans reoccupied Attu and Kiska in May 1943. After that the Aleutians campaign became relatively inactive. Attu and Kiska were the only U.S. territories in the Western Hemisphere to fall to the enemy therefore their reoccupation was a matter of national pride and of great symbolic value to the Americans. This is one of a series of combat narratives republished by the Naval Historical Center to commemorate the 50th anniversary of World War Two. Charts and illustrations of the campaign are included.