World War II in Alaska
Timeline:
- 1942: 'African Americans sent to Alaska from the deep South. Pioneer service road built (Mirelez). Dutch Harbor is bombed by Japan.
- 1943: Took back both Kiska and Attu Island.
- 1944: The mine in Juneau shuts down. Sunk Japanese submarine off of Kodiak Island.
Summary:
In 1942, it was decided that to help build a 'pioneer service road' Alaskans were going to need to bring in more men seeing as most of their work men had been sent out to war. So men from the deep south, African Americans, were sent to Alaska to help. This very same year Dutch Harbor was bombed by an aircraft carrier from Japan. It had been aimed for Fort Mears and the Navel Base in Dutch Harbor. After which the Japanese then took over both Attu and Kiska Island just two days after the bombing. It wasn't until the next year that a plan had been formulated to take back both islands. The Castnear's Cutthroats, men who had been recruited from Alaska, were to invade the Attu Island and take back what was rightful their's. With more then 3,929 casualties on the U.S.'s side; some of which who had died from disease, Japanese booby traps, and just from the war front; they had won back the island. Leaving one more island to retrieve. Kiska Island was breached by 34,426 troops, some were from the Castnear's Cutthroats but most were the 7th Infantry Division and Canadians. When they reached the island though, it was empty. Some still died on the island, most from frostbite, left over booby traps, and/or friendly fire. Leading to 313 casualties. The war for Alaska wasn't over yet, the effects were still bound to come. Furthermore in 1944 the mine in Juneau was forced to shut down because they had barely any men to work it and the ones working the mines were asking for a raise. Unable to afford such a thing, it shut down and the company owners then moved onto selling utilities. Luckily, this same year, a Japanese submarine was sunk that happened to be off of Kodiak Island. Thus then causing the end of the war involvement in Alaska in 1945.
In 1942, it was decided that to help build a 'pioneer service road' Alaskans were going to need to bring in more men seeing as most of their work men had been sent out to war. So men from the deep south, African Americans, were sent to Alaska to help. This very same year Dutch Harbor was bombed by an aircraft carrier from Japan. It had been aimed for Fort Mears and the Navel Base in Dutch Harbor. After which the Japanese then took over both Attu and Kiska Island just two days after the bombing. It wasn't until the next year that a plan had been formulated to take back both islands. The Castnear's Cutthroats, men who had been recruited from Alaska, were to invade the Attu Island and take back what was rightful their's. With more then 3,929 casualties on the U.S.'s side; some of which who had died from disease, Japanese booby traps, and just from the war front; they had won back the island. Leaving one more island to retrieve. Kiska Island was breached by 34,426 troops, some were from the Castnear's Cutthroats but most were the 7th Infantry Division and Canadians. When they reached the island though, it was empty. Some still died on the island, most from frostbite, left over booby traps, and/or friendly fire. Leading to 313 casualties. The war for Alaska wasn't over yet, the effects were still bound to come. Furthermore in 1944 the mine in Juneau was forced to shut down because they had barely any men to work it and the ones working the mines were asking for a raise. Unable to afford such a thing, it shut down and the company owners then moved onto selling utilities. Luckily, this same year, a Japanese submarine was sunk that happened to be off of Kodiak Island. Thus then causing the end of the war involvement in Alaska in 1945.