Infantry Operations in the Aleutians: The Battle for Attu

During the early stages of World War II, as strategic planners grappled with how to defeat the forces of Nazi Germany, another group of strategists was deliberating on the best way to conquer the Pacific Ocean area. The Imperial Japanese Staff, following the British model for colonialism, began the initial moves in a strategic offensive that would lead to the invasion of U. S. territory. While the Aleutian Islands were U.S. territory, very little was known about the region and Alaska was low on the priority list for defense. The Doolittle raid from the carrier Hornet, on April 18, 1942, placed the Aleutians very high on the Japanese priority list for attack. Their conclusion was that the long island chain, only a few hundred miles away, had been the base area for the Doolittle raid. Information was gathered by historical review of a variety of reference materials and through analysis of maps, photos and personal notes of those who served at Attu. The lessons of Attu, related to the preliminary stages of the battle and combat operations, can be applied today in the same area of operations and others.