[Alaska]. [World War II]

[Five Photographs of Japanese Soldiers During the Occupation of Attu, Alaska]

[Attu, Ak. ca. 1942-1943]. Five original photographs, most 8 x 10 inches, one smaller. Light wear and dust soiling. Contemporary ink stamps and manuscript captions on blank versos. Very good. Item #6240

The Japanese Army occupied Attu in the far western Aleutian Islands on June 7, 1942, and remained on the island for almost a year. It was the most significant occupation of American territory during the war. The Battle of Attu lasted for eighteen days until the final banzai charge on May 29, 1943. These photographs were developed from film found after the Americans regained possession of the island at another American base further east in the Aleutians, Naval Air Station Adak, and are stamped as such on each verso. A large group photo is captioned, "Jap aviation personnel on Attu. Third from right in standing row is supposed to be a German." The one single portrait is captioned, "Col. Yamashita, commanding officer on Attu." The other three are of small groups, including a "Jap anti-aircraft fire control group." Important visual evidence of this little-known Japanese occupation of American territory during World War II.

Price: $950.00