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All the United States Alaska Aleutians West Kiska Island

Kiska Island

The site of one of Japan's very few American occupations during World War II still holds the relics of a roundly disastrous campaign.

Aleutians West, Alaska

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Rob Reidburn
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Kiska Island   Kim F on Flickr
Kiska Island   Kim F on Flickr
Kiska Island   Brian Hoffman on Flickr
Kiska Island   Brian Hoffman on Flickr
Pier in Kiska harbor.   bluerain42 / Atlas Obscura User
Japanese anti aircraft gun over Kiska harbor.   bluerain42 / Atlas Obscura User
Ship bombed during the Aleutians Campaign during WWII on Kiska Island   bluerain42 / Atlas Obscura User
Shoes in the caves on Kiska Island   bluerain42 / Atlas Obscura User
Japanese anti aircraft guns over Kiska Harbor   bluerain42 / Atlas Obscura User
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During World War II the Japanese attacked and held Kiska Island off the coast of Alaska for over a year. By the time any resistance forces arrived, the Japanese had already fled -- but this did not stop blood being spilt. 

Kiska Island is a small landmass among the Rat Islands in the trailing Alaskan horn. After the Battle of Dutch Harbor, the Japanese navy took on the small island encampment in June 1942 and established what was one of the only cases of Japanese occupation on American soil in all of WWII. They also attempted to establish a presence on another nearby island but were quickly routed. However when allied forces (U.S. and Canadian) attempted to take back Kiska in August 1943, they approached in an extremely dense fog and unknowingly fired on each other.

The Japanese forces had actually abandoned Kiska just days before, learning from their previous defeat and using the same thick fog as cover. Before leaving the island, the Japanese left behind a number of booby traps which ended up inflating the body count above the already devastating friendly fire. In the end, almost 200 men were killed in the operation. 

Today the occupation site has been marked as a national historic landmark, despite any formal monument. There are still some wrecks of Japanese ships and ruined piers, as well as other miscellaneous debris such as rusting artillery guns and bullet casings littering the abandoned island.

Related Tags

Islands Abandoned Military History World War Ii Military

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Only accessible from sea

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Added By

The Albatross

Edited By

Molly McBride Jacobson, EricGrundhauser, bluerain42

  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • EricGrundhauser
  • bluerain42

Published

July 14, 2014

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Occupation_Site,_Kiska_Island
  • http://www.adn.com/node/1380741
Kiska Island
Aleutians West, Alaska
United States
52.060208, 177.57356

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Alaska

Alaska

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Places 102
Stories 45

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Alaska

Alaska

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Places 102
Stories 45

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