Biggest Banzai Attack and Other Facts About Japanese Invasion of Alaska

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Many believe that World War II was fought in Europe and the South Pacific Islands. This is true, but many forget that for about a year, from 1942 to 1943, the Imperial Japanese army occupied the Attu and Kiska islands near Alaska. This occupation shocked and frightened all of North America, and the subsequent events gave rise to unexpected historical expressions.

1. These were the only North American lands lost by the United States during World War II

On June 6, 1942, the Japanese Northern Army took control of the remote volcanic island of Kiska (Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska). The next day, exactly six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese captured Attu Island (also in the Aleutian Archipelago). This attack was the first and only land invasion of North America during the entire war, and at the time it was considered extremely significant, despite the fact that today this occupation was almost completely forgotten in history.

2. Canadian troops

The Canadian government mobilized soldiers to free Attu and Kiska. Although there were several cases of desertion before leaving for Alaska, many Canadians proudly traveled to the Aleutian Islands to fight alongside their American allies. However, many of the Canadians sent to the Aleutian Islands never faced fighting as the Japanese retreated before their arrival.

3. During the Battle of Attu, one of the largest "Banzai attacks" occurred

The so-called "banzai attacks" were used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II in the event of impending defeat to "die with honor." The Japanese, instead of capitulating, rushed at their enemies with a bayonet, trying to inflict as much damage as possible. This strategy, while ineffective against numerous Allied soldiers, struck fear in the hearts of many people, as it showed how dedicated the Japanese were to their cause and that they sacrificed themselves in order to inflict as much damage on their enemies as possible, rather than be captured. On May 29, 1943, realizing that the Battle of Attu was on the way to defeat, Japanese commander Yasuyo Yamasaki ordered one of the largest Banzai attacks in the Pacific War, sending almost all of his remaining men into hand-to-hand combat against the Americans. The Americans, who had never seen this kind of "madness" before, were stunned, and the Japanese quickly broke through their ranks. But this victory was short-lived, as the Americans quickly rallied and were able to repel the Japanese counterattack. Of the approximately 2,300 Japanese soldiers who occupied Attu, fewer than 30 survived and were captured.

4. The harsh climate claimed the lives of many soldiers

Considering the location of Kiski and Attu (in the far north of the Pacific Ocean), the islands experienced terrible weather conditions that disturbed both the Japanese and the Americans. Initially, it was assumed that the Battle of Attu would last for several days, so the Americans did not bring very many supplies and special uniforms with them. As a result, many soldiers developed frostbite, gangrene, and trench feet. In addition, food shortages began, which added to the difficulties in liberating the islands.

5. First official case of Gyokusai

Gyokusai is a type of mass ritual suicide committed by Japanese soldiers in the name of Emperor Hirohito. This was done in order to prevent capture, which at that time amounted to a loss of honor in Japanese society. During the Battle of Attu, when it became clear that the Allied forces would take over the island, about 500 Japanese soldiers detonated themselves with hand grenades, pressing them to their stomachs. This shocking incident was the first official example of a gyokusai. This type of mass suicide and others like it became common in the subsequent years of the war, as Japan lost more territory and defeats became more frequent.

6. No one knows why the Japanese captured Kiska and Attu

You might think that the only ground battle in North America during World War II should be well documented, but this is not the case. The most popular theory as to why the Japanese invaded Kyska and Attu was to divert the attention of the American navy from Japanese interests in other parts of the Pacific. But since the US Pacific Fleet was in a deplorable state, and American generals paid more attention to the war in Europe, it is likely that the Japanese hoped to avoid drawing US attention. Another common theory is that the occupation was intended to prevent the invasion of Japan by American troops through the Aleutian Islands. However, with the exception of a few bombings of Attu at the end of the war, the islands did not serve any strategic purpose in American military strategy. A third theory suggests that this was done to gain a foothold for a full-scale invasion of Alaska. However, the exact reason why the Japanese invaded Kyska and Attu is still a mystery.

7. Only Attu had to be freed

During World War II, there were countless occasions when Japanese soldiers fought to the end and then committed suicide when they realized that defeat and capture were inevitable. It was believed that it was a shame for the family to surrender in battle. Therefore, the Japanese did their best to win and rarely surrendered, and some soldiers even continued to fight for decades after the end of the war. However, in the case of Kiska, the Japanese surrendered without a fight. Seeing the massacre and loss of life on Attu, the Japanese commanders on Kisk considered that there was no chance of maintaining control of the island. Therefore, when the weather was favorable, the Japanese left the island under cover of fog, allowing the Allied forces to quickly capture Kyska. This is one of the few examples of Japan's surrender during World War II.

8. On Attu, the entire population disappeared

Before the Japanese invasion, the population of Attu was 44, almost all of whom were from Alaska. During the Japanese occupation, the entire population was captured and sent to Japanese camps. In these camps, about half of the people died due to the harsh conditions. The rest were returned to the United States after the war. However, they were not returned to Attu due to the high costs of rebuilding the settlement on the island. Most of the survivors settled in other Alaska Native communities, and the descendants of the Attu Natives returned to the island only 75 years later, in 2017.

9. The battle also took place at sea

Few historical books and records mention the Attu and Kiski campaigns, and even fewer records of naval operations preceding the liberation of American territories can be found. In March 1943, a few months later, the US Navy, led by Rear Admiral Thomas Kinkade, blocked Attu and Kyska in an attempt to cut off supplies to Japanese forces. On March 26, 1943, the American fleet attacked Japanese ships carrying supplies to the Japanese occupation forces at Attu and Kiske. In the so-called Battle of the Commander Islands, Japanese forces were able to inflict serious damage on the American fleet, but ultimately retreated due to fear of American bombers. The Japanese no longer attempted to deliver supplies by ship, only occasionally using submarines. This weakened Japanese control over Attu and Kiska and allowed the Allies to better control the situation.

10. It was the last battle on American soil

Many Americans believe that the mid-19th century US Civil War ended conflicts in the United States. However, the above facts show that this is not the case. The campaign to liberate the Aleutian Islands was the last battle in the United States. Although she claimed thousands of lives, she is not as well remembered as other American battles, such as the Battle of Gettysburg or Valley Forge.