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. Seventeen Americans and four Canadians died from both friendly fire or booby traps, fifty more were wounded as a result of friendly fire or booby traps, and an additional 130 men came suffered 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
Japanese gun emplacement, left as they were when abandoned.

Twin 25mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Japanese gun emplacement, left as they were when abandoned on the Kiska Volcano.

Canadian Memorial
The Canadians built a monument to their dead to friendly fire, out of captured Japanese 13.2mm cartridges. A few years later, the memoria was broken.

Kiska Volcano
Lat 52.1° N Long 177.6° E Volcano on Kiska Island about 4,000' tall, last eruption 1989.

PBY-5A Catalina Bureau Number ?
Pilot Davis crashed June 14, 1942

B-24D-CO Liberator Serial Number 41-1088
Pilot Todd crashed June 11, 1942 after being hit by anti-aircraft fire

Type-A Midget Submarine
One of three midget subs damaged by demolition charges

Nojima Maru (Nozama Maru)
Damaged by air attack, abandoned at Trout Lagoon, partially salvaged

Borneo Maru
Abandoned exposed in Gertrude Cove

Kano Maru
Damaged by torpedo attack, towed back to Kiska and sunk in Kiska Harbor by air attack.

Urajio Maru (Uragio Maru)
Damaged by bombing and repairs attempted, later abandoned

Nissan Maru
Sunk by bombers off Kiska

Unidentified Subchaser
Unidentified Japanese shipwreck

RO-65 Submarine
Sunk by American bombers

USS Grunnion SS-216
Reportedly sunk 10 miles north-east of Kiska, located in August 2006

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Last Updated
November 27, 2009