Battle for Attu
Attu Hourglass Volume
1-Number 17, July 1, 1943
Attu Hourglass Volume
1-Number 18, July 2, 1943
History
| The casualties incurred during the invasion
of Attu were appalling. The Americans suffered 3829 casualties, roughly 25% of the
invading force, second only in proportion to Iwo Jima. Of these, 549 were killed;
1148 injured; 1200 with severe cold injuries; 614 with disease; and a remaining 318
to miscellaneous causes. On the Japanese side, 2351 men were counted by American
burial parties, and hundreds more were presumed to be already buried. Total prisoners
taken: 28 (none of which were officers). The Japanese fought to virtually the last
man. There were numerous "firsts" experienced by the U.S.Forces in the Aleutians. The American 7th Division had embarked on the first Allied sea-borne invasion of enemy-held territory. The 7th had trained in the Mojave Desert, expecting eventually to fight the Germans in North Africa. Soon after the defeat of the German Army in North Africa, the 7th began to practice amphibious landings on San Clemente Island. As the 7th left San Francisco, they swung north and headed for the Aleutians. The GIs were finally told where they were heading. Cold weather uniforms were then issued to the men, including leather boots that would prove useless in the wet snow and mud soon to be encountered on Attu. |
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Pictures below sent home to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Smith, from their son, George.
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