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North Pacific pages: Alaska Attu and Kiska
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bigpigeon.us webpage WWII Japan > North Pacific > Attu & Kiska, © 2025 by Robert A. Christiansen, updated by RAC 2 Jun 2025
The Japanese Attack on the Aleutian Islands
The Japanese Attack on the Aleutian Islands
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As a diversion from the Japanese approach to Midway in June 1942, Japanese forces had occupied Attu and Kiska islands in the western Aleutian Islands and launched air raids on the US base at Dutch Harbor further to the east.
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The Aleutian Islands in WWII
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Attu, 1943
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On 11 May 1943, elements of the United States 7th Infantry Division invaded the Japanese-held island of Attu. As the campaign was nearing completion on 29 May, a front-line US infantry company temporarily left its positions for a hot meal. During its absence, the remaining Japanese on Attu launched a banzai charge which swept through some rear-line positions before being halted.
All together on Attu, the United States lost 549 dead, including Major Jack Siddens from Council Bluffs, killed during the Japanese charge. |
Searching for War Dead in Siddens Valley, Attu 2009
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Kiska, 1943
In August 1943, American and Canadian forces invaded Kiska, only to discover that Japanese forces had already evacuated Kiska. Nevertheless, 92 Allied soldiers and sailors died from mined waters, booby traps and friendly fire.
Sources for Big Pigeon's WWII Japan > North Pacific > Attu & Kiska webpage:
Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - WWII Japan > North Pacific > Attu and Kiska:
† Bock, Vernon Lawrence, SN 37-112-420, US Army, Carroll Co. (St. Paul's)
- The page header image The Attu Cemetery is courtesy of the World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The Aleutian Islands in WW II is courtesy of history.army.mil.
- The Searching for War Dead in Siddens Valley, Attu, 2009 was found at https://www.army.mil/article/27076/alaska_engineers_further_wwii_recovery_effort_on_attu_island.
Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - WWII Japan > North Pacific > Attu and Kiska:
- Access full individual records through bigpigeon.us > WWII Dead > Roster Records.
† Bock, Vernon Lawrence, SN 37-112-420, US Army, Carroll Co. (St. Paul's)
- 32nd Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div.; KIA 29 May 1943 Attu, Aleutian Islands, Alaska.
- WWII Japan > North Pacific > Attu & Kiska @ Battle of Attu
- Commanding Officer, 3rd Bn., 17th Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div.; KIA 29 May 1943, Attu, Aleutian Islands, Alaska Territory.
- WWII Japan > North Pacific > Attu & Kiska @ Battle of Attu