Westernmost of the Aleutian islands. Over a thousand miles from the Alaskan
mainland and 750 miles northeast of the northernmost of the Japanese Kurile Islands. Attu is about 20
by 35 miles in size,
Today
The US Coast Guard maintains a small Loran station. The island
is protected as part of the National Parks Trust territory and few
people visit the island or area, as it is restricted.
History
Japanese Capture
Occupied on the night of June 6-7, 1942 by the Japanese 301st
Independent Infantry Battalion, that landed on Attu via Chichagof
Harbor. At this time Attu's population consisted of several Blue
Fox, forty-five native Aleuts, and two Americans: Charles Foster
Jones, and his wife. Charels was killed, either by suicide, or by the Japanese.
His wife received medical treatment from the Japanese and sent
on ship to Kiska where they were transferred to another vessel
and taken to Japan. Mrs. Jones and the Attuans spent the rest of
the war as prisoners in Japan, in separate locations. About half
the Attuans died there, of disease and starvation. At the end of
the war, they and Mrs. Jones were returned to the US. But the US
government would not allow the Attuans to
return home. They were taken to another village in the Aleutians and
lost their ancestral home.
Battle of the Komandorskies
On March 26, 1943 a naval engagement occured 150 miles west of Attu's Cape Wrangle. The Japanese Northern Fleet was defeated by US Navy Task Group Mike, and ended Japan's attempts
to gain a greater foothold in the Aleutians. Afterwards, the Japanese
garrisons on Attu and Kiska to fend for themselves.
American & Japanese Missions Against Attu
January 6 - October 13, 1943
Allied Landing
American air and naval bombardment soften up Attu for nine
months prior to its liberation. On May 11th 2,000 US troops went
ashore on the south side of Attu at Massacre Bay. The Japanese had
2,600 men on the eastern end of the island. Fighting lasted until
May 29th, which ended with a suicide charge (gyokusai) by a thousand
screaming Japanese. The casualties incurred during the invasion of
Attu were appalling. The Americans suffered 3829 casualties, roughly
25% of the invading force, second only in proportion to Iwo Jima.
Of these, 549 were killed; 1148 injured; 1200 with severe cold injuries;
614 with disease; and a remaining 318 to miscellaneous causes. On
the Japanese side, 2351 men were counted by American burial parties,
and hundreds more were presumed to be already buried. Total prisoners
taken: 28 (none of which were officers). The Japanese fought to
virtually the last man. The island was declared captured on May 30, 1943.
Japanese 75mm Type 88 Anti-Aircraft Gun
One 75mm AA Japanese gun still remains. Recaptured
by the U.S. in 1943.
155mm & AA Guns
Several 155mm guns on panama mounts located at Chichagof
Point
Holtz Bay
Bay located on the north-eastern edge of Attu. Used by the Japanese as an unloading point and seaplane anchorage.
American Missions Against Holtz Bay
November 7, 1942 - May 1, 1943
Engineer Hill / Japanese War Memorial
A star shaped memorial on the top of Engineer Hill erected a 25-foot,
titanium Japanese War Monument on Engineer Hill, dedicated to
all who lost their lives during the battle and to future world
peace.
Alexai Point / Casco Cove
Located at Massacre Bay and Casco Cove.
Attu Airfield (NAS Attu, Casco Field, Alexai Point)
Wartime airfield, disused today
P-38G Lightning Serial
Number 42-13400
Recovered in 1998, restored and today displayed at McCloud Memorial Park
