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Location Sitka is located on the western edge of Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island in the Alexander Archipelago (Alaska Panhandle) in Alaska in the United States. Borders the North Pacific Ocean to the west. Wartime History In 1942, the U.S. Army construction around Sitka began to speed up when in 1942 the United States learned that Japan was planning to attack Alaska. The construction costs in Sitka exceeded 30 million dollars. There were at one time 10,000 personnel stationed at Sitka. The U.S. Army emplaced three 6" gun batteries and two 90mm anti motor-torpedo Boat batteries plus a twin 155mm GPF battery supported by numerous fire control stations, searchlights, radar stations, and other smaller anti-aircraft defense. It would take the Army a few years to construct all the necessary defenses, some were never completed. Today The current population of Sitka is roughly 8,000. Many wartime fortifications and sites remain and have been well documented in an excellent websites specifically related to Sitka, Alaska: Sitka's WWII page by Mathew Hunter with photos of many of the sites described below. Sitka Seaplane Base (NAS Sitka) Built 1937 used by the U.S. Navy during the Pacific War. Fort Ray Located at the causeway built to connect Alice Island and Charcoal Island. Fort Ray was the support camp for all the U.S. Army service men and batteries that formed the defenses for the harbor and installations in the area and to support Sitka Naval Air Station. Sitka National Cemetery Located at Sika with World War II American burials. Fort Babcock / Battery 290 Located at Shoals Point, Under Mount Edgecombe, On Kruzof Island. Abandoned when construction was 88% complete. Had many fire control stations and large support camps abandoned with them. These guns became operational in March/April 1942 Fort Peirce / Battery 291 Fort Peirce (Battery 291) was located on Biorka Island. This battery was 98% completed when abandoned for 6" guns plus fire control stations and support camps. Base End Station Located at Ataku Island. It has a large fortified tower for Battery 291 and several other buildings in lesser condition. Fort Rousseau / Battery 292 On Makhnati Island. Construction was completed by late 1944 and included a 6-inch Battery. Anti Motor Torpedo-Boat Battery Located at Watson Point. Today located at the Sea Mart parking lot. 90mm Anti-Aircraft Batteries Located on Whale Island and at Watson Point. 155mm GPF Howitzer Batteries During World War II, a pair of 155mm GPF Howitzers in Panama mounts were emplaced on Makhnati Island. These guns were the first and only coastal defense guns until 6" guns with greater range were added Today, both gun batteries are heavily overgrown. Concrete Bunkers and Foundations There are foundations and concrete bunkers scattered around the town and surrounding islands. Fire Control Station Located on Kayak Island. Fire Control Station and Radar Site Located on Abalone Island. Island Causeway The U.S. Army built a two-mile-long causeway connecting eight islands to Japonski Island and worked on the other defenses. Japonski Island was also connected to two smaller islands: Alice Island and Charcoal Island. These islands and the causeway is where Fort Ray was established. The remains on the causeway and surrounding islands are virtually all there. There has been erosion and some vandalism but the structures are standing. Contribute
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