Japanese
Capture
On the 6th of June, 1942, the Japanese
No. 3 Special Landing Party and 500 Marines went ashore at Kiska.
The Japanese captured a small American Naval Weather Detachment
consisting of ten men, including a Lieutenant along with their dog.
One member of the detachment escaped for 50 days. Starving, thin,
and extremely cold he finally surrendered to the Japanese.
Allied Liberation
The
island was bombed for 2 1/2 months after Attu
Island liberation.
Thousands
of US and some Canadian troops landed on August 15, 1943. The Japanese
garrison of 5,183 troops and civilians were evacuated from the island on July
23 under the cover of fog. Despite massive US air power, the evacuation
slipped by unnoticed. Allied casualties during the invasion nevertheless
numbered close to 200, all from friendly fire, booby traps set
out by the Japanese to inflict damage on the invading allied forces,
or disease. There were seventeen Americans and four Canadians killed
from either friendly fire or booby traps, fifty more were wounded
as a result of friendly fire or booby traps, and an additional
130 men came down with trench foot.
Missions
Against Kiska
February 13, 1942 - October 7, 1942
Today
The island is considered a National Historic Landmark (the
highest level of recognition accorded to historic sites in the US,
and is protected). Around the harbor, is one of the best preserved
historical scenes anywhere. The slow erosion processes on the tundra
have had little effect on the bomb craters still visible on the
hills surrounding the harbor.
Equipment
Dumps
Dumps of US and Japanese material are numerous. Right-hand drive
Japanese truck frames are piled up, along with zero engines and
other evidence of Japanese occupation. Extensive support structures
are in place, such as a water hydrant. Evidence of US troop occupation
remains in both standing structures and collapsed ones. US; dump
sites containing numerous 3-inch shells and other debris; and aircraft
wreckage, one of which may be a B-17. Much additional survey and
documentation work needs to be done.
Tunnels
Some of the most dramatic remains are the numerous tunnels from
the extensive Japanese underground system, some concrete reinforced.
Many are still sound and contain Japanese material.
Kiska Harbor Seaplane Base
Located at Holtz Bay Japanese seaplane base
140mm Type III Naval Gun
Twin 25mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Canadian Memorial
