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Location
Large island in the Aleutian chain near Attu Island. Offshore to the east is Little Kiska Island off Kiska Harbor.
Prewar
The US Navy maintain Kiska Station as a small installation with
weather detachment
of ten men led by a Lieutenant and their pet dog.
Wartime History
On June 6, 1942 a force of 500 Marines of the No. 3 Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) landed on Kiska. They attacked the US Navy weather detachment
of ten men, killing two. The other eight were sent to Japan as prisoners.
One American escaped and was able to evade capture for fifty days. Starving, thin,
and extremely cold he finally surrendered to the Japanese.
During the Japanese occupation, the Japanese Navy developed the area around Kiska Harbor, known as "Main Camp". A seaplane base was established on the edge of the shore. A submarine base was established with a ramp and pens for several mini submarines. Anti-aircraft guns defended the installation.
On August 27, the Japanese begin to transfer their garrison from Attu to Kiska,
an operation completed by which is completed by September 16. On July 23, 1943 the entire Japanese
garrison of 5,183 troops and civilians was evacuated from Kiska by the Japanese Navy under the cover of fog. Despite massive American air and naval power in the vicinity, the evacuation
force was not detected.
American missions
against Kiska
June 8, 1942 - August 17, 1943
Unaware the Japanese had withdrawn, the Allies landed on Kiska on August 15, 1943. Although there were no Japanese on the island, there were 17 fatalities and roughly 200 casualties from accidents, friendly fire and enemy booby traps. An additional 130 men suffered cases of trench foot.
Today
Kiska 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.
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, debris and aircraft
wreckage.
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.
Trout Lagoon
Located off Kiska, Nozama Maru
Gertrude Cove
Located on the southern coast of Kiska, Borneo Maru
Quisling Cove
Located on the northwest coast of the island. The 1st Special Service Force landed at Quisling Cove onto Lilly Beach (Beach 9-Blue). The main landing by the 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, and with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group.
Kiska Volcano
Lat 52.1° N Long 177.6° E Located on the northern tip of the island, roughly 4,000' tall. The last eruption was during 1989.
PBY-5A Catalina Bureau
Number ?
Pilot Davis crashed June 14, 1942
Kiska Harbor
Located on the eastern edge of Kiska. Japanese submarine and seaplane base
Kiska Harbor Seaplane Base
Located at Kiska Harbor
Kiska Harbor Submarine Base
Located at Kiska Harbor
Kiska Airfield
Japanese construction, never completed
Main Camp
Area on eastern Kiska bordering Kiska Harbor. Japanese forces established their main base area.
North Head
Feature that borders Kiska Harbor and Main Camp to the south, North Pass to the east and Salmon Lagoon to the north.
140mm Naval Gun Type III
Japanese gun emplacement on the southern coast
Twin 25mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Japanese gun at the edge of Kiska Volcano.
Canadian Memorial
After the battle, Canadian forces built a monument to their dead to friendly fire from Japanese 13.2mm shell cases. A few years later, the memorial was damaged.
Type 95 Ha Go
Captured during the battle, transported to United States for evaluation
B-24D Liberator 41-1088
Pilot Todd shot down by anti-aircraft fire on June 11, 1942
B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9126
Pilot Marks MIA August 28, 1942
USS Grunnion SS-216
Likely sunk July 31, 1942 10 miles north-east of Kiska, reportedly located August 2006
P-40 piloted by Levi
Shot down by anti-aircraft fire July 24, 1943 pilot's body buried by the Japanese
Oboro
Sunk October 17, 1942 by B-26 roughly 30 miles northeast of Kiska Island
B-26 Marauder 40-1478
Pilot Pebworth shot down October 16, 1942 north of Kiska attacking destroyers Oboro and Hatsuharu
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Last Updated
January 23, 2012
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