In the summer of 1943, American and Canadian forces launched an amphibious assault on the north Pacific island of Kiska. Codenamed Cottage, the operation was intended to seize the last enemy stronghold on North American soil from Japanese occupiers. The assault began in the predawn hours of August 15 with a heavy coastal barrage by an armada of nearly 100 Allied warships. Intense fire support was followed by a chaotic but successful ship-to-shore movement of over 34,000 U.S. Army and Canadian combat infantrymen. For 2 long days, the invasion force slugged its way inland through thick fog and against the constant din of machinegun and artillery fire.
By the time the island was declared secure, over 300 Allied soldiers lay dead or seriously wounded. Japanese casualties? There were none. The Japanese had abandoned the island almost 3 weeks prior.
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The more I've researched WW2, the more cynical I've become.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Murmansk convoys to Soviet Union are well known, a slightly more tonnage was given to Moscow through Iran.
More than those two combined were shipped from the West Coast past Alaska to Vladivostok.
Attu and Kiska were recovered in part to protect FDR's gifts to the communists.
Mark in PA