ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
LCT(5)’S AND INITIAL LANDING TROOPS on a stretch of beach along the northwest coast of Kiska. Men can be seen moving along the hillside like ants. At this time it was not known when the enemy would strike since prior to landing no ground reconnaissance had been attempted for fear of informing the enemy of the invasion.
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
VIEW OF THE NORTHERN PART OF KISKA HARBOR, LVT(1)’s in foreground were known as Alligators (top). Captured Japanese machine cannon 25-mm. twin mount type 96 in position to guard the harbor (bottom). U.S. naval forces had encountered heavy fire from enemy shore batteries and planes had met with antiaircraft fire through 13 August 1943. When troops landed on Kiska on 15 and 16 August, prepared for a battle more difficult than that at Attu, the island had been evacuated by the enemy.
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
SOLDIER DRYING HIS SOCKS. Occupation troops on Kiska provided themselves with whatever comforts they could devise. With the occupation of Kiska, U.S. troops had reclaimed all of the Aleutians. The islands then became air bases for bombing the northern approaches to Tokyo.