1. Alaska and World War II

2. Aleutian Islands American internment of Unangan people 1942; 900 Unangan people are relocated to Southeast Alaska for 3 years. Link & Reference –http://www.nps.gov/aleu/historyculture/unangan-internment.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/aleu/historyculture/unangan-internment.htm

3. Japanese Offensive Dutch Harbor bombed June 3-4, 1942 Invasion of Attu & Kiska on June 6-7, 1942. Captured by Japan: –Naval weather crew on Kiska –Entire village on Attu Possible diversion from Midway Island campaign Shattered Sword; Jonathan Parshall & Anthony Tully argue it was not merely a diversion

4. Attu Japanese cut off from their naval forces May 11, 1943 (nearly a year after Japanese invastion) American recapture begins Uncontested landings; use of difficult terrain Banzai charge on Massacre Bay Dead –549 Americans –2,351 Japanese –Only 28 Japanese captured

5. Kiska Nearly 35,000 U.S. troops marshalled to invade. (compared to 12,500 of Attu) Dense fog allows Japanese escape Photos http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/findaids/docs/photos graphics/AleutianIslandsinWWIIPHColl604.xmlhttp://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/findaids/docs/photos graphics/AleutianIslandsinWWIIPHColl604.xml

6. Alaska-Canada (Alcan) Highway Built from 1942-1943 Connected Alaska with the “lower 48.” Construction: –Army troops –African American troops –“permafrost” & “muskeg” –Muncho Lake –Completed ‘43; opened to public in ‘48

7. Anchorage Area Elmendorf Air Force Base –June 8, 1940 Fort Richardson –1940 @ Elmendorf –1947 relocated 5 miles away