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Alaska and the North Pacific www.akhistorycourse.org Fig. L.3 |
Essential Questions
- Explain how Alaska's location was considered 'strategic' during World War II. What were the war activities/events that supported the perspective of 'strategic' Alaska?
- The conduct of war presents incredible challenges as well as opportunities. These impact the economy of the country as well a the daily lives of all participants. Describe the challenges and opportunities unique to Alaska during World War II.
- Describe the legacy of World War II for Alaska. What happened in Alaska after the war that is largely attributable to WW II? What are Alaskans living with today that is attributable to WW II?
ENGAGE
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| Japanese Attack on Dutch Harbor, June 3, 1942 VILDA ASL-P233-Vii4 |
Many newcomers to Alaska are surprised to learn of the degree to which Alaska was involved in the war. They are shocked to learn that the U.S. was attacked in June 1942 with the Japanese bombardment of Dutch Harbor and the occupation of the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska. (This invasion was only the second invasion by foreign forces on American soil, the first being the British invasion during the War of 1812.)
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| Lt. Gen. DeWitt and Brigadier Gen. Buckner, WW II in Alaska - VILDA AMRC b00-10-13 |
Given that most people know so little about it today, were the World War II events in Alaska known by the public at the time?
The answer is "yes", if coverage in one popular magazine of the time, Life magazine, is any indication. Numerous articles about the building of the "Alaska Highway" and the Aleutian campaign appeared in Life during 1942 and 1943.
In fact, Alaska's strategic location on a Great Circle route from the west coast of North America to Asia was well known. Its proximity to the islands of Japan was of great concern to the U.S. as the world watched Japan build up its military capability and invade China.
As early as the 1920's, the U.S. government had been planning the building of a defensive line that would run from Panama to Hawaii to Alaska. A build-up of fortifications and coastal defenses in Alaska was started in the late 1930's - a few year before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Once the Japanese had threatened the United States with the Dec. 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the June 1942 attacks in the Aleutians, real war came to Alaska. The Aleutian Campaign of winter/spring 1943 restored the Aleutians to American control. The fighting was fierce, the conditions were abominable, and the loss of life on both sides was high.
The answer is "yes", if coverage in one popular magazine of the time, Life magazine, is any indication. Numerous articles about the building of the "Alaska Highway" and the Aleutian campaign appeared in Life during 1942 and 1943.
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| Great Circle Routes Great Circle Mapper 2012 |
As early as the 1920's, the U.S. government had been planning the building of a defensive line that would run from Panama to Hawaii to Alaska. A build-up of fortifications and coastal defenses in Alaska was started in the late 1930's - a few year before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
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| U.S. Attack on Japanese Base,Kiska, June 1942 VILDA ASL-P233-V109 |
So, what pushed WW II and Alaska off the front pages to the extent that so few people know about it today?
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| Writing On a Bomb, Umnak Island, 1941 VILDA ASL-P172-095 |
Certainly the war continued to have a major impact on Alaska, but once the threat of further Japanese occupation was over, public attention moved more to the other theaters of war - in Europe and the Pacific. That's where the dramatic action was, and Alaska became, from the U.S. perspective, a military backwater.
War related activities continued in Alaska right through the remainder of the war. The impact on Alaska was profound. This impact rivals that impact of the late 19th-early 20th century gold rushes and the later oil rush of the 1960's-1970's.
Indeed, much of the 20th century in Alaska can be bench marked by circumstances prior to World War II, and circumstances post-war. It became a pivotal point in the history of the territory, and impacted events leading to statehood.
Indeed, much of the 20th century in Alaska can be bench marked by circumstances prior to World War II, and circumstances post-war. It became a pivotal point in the history of the territory, and impacted events leading to statehood.
While the high school history teacher in Iowa or New Jersey can get away and might be excused for not bringing out the Alaska details in World War II , it is part of Alaska history and heritage, and thus essential for a thorough understanding of who we are.
The stories of World War II in Alaska are filled with dramatic events, and colorful and sometimes heroic characters. Consider the Aleutian campaign, the building of military bases and the Alaska Highway, the Aleut internment, the Alaska Territorial Guard and Muktuk Martson's Eskimo Scouts, the Lend-Lease Al-Sib project, the dozen Russian pilots buried in the cemetery at Fort Richardson, and the wartime construction and population boom. Intrigued?
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| Territorial Guards March in Sitka 1944 VILDA UAF-1970-11-93 |
Alaska's current military installations have roots in the military build-up during World War II, with the subsequent expansion during the Cold War justified using the same rationale about Alaska's strategic location.
As you move through this module, continue to look for links to past events as well as to events that occur after the war.
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| Buy War Bonds 1942-45 VILDA ASL-P338-0590 |
Consider the impact of the federal spending on the Alaska economy.
Consider the strong presence of the AK National Guard and the high enlistment rate among Alaska Natives.
Take a look at former Senator Ted Steven's career which included World War II service and staunch support for a strong military in Alaska.
EXPLORE
1. A good place to start is to look at the website World War II in Alaska, A Resource Guide for Teachers and Students. This guide was published by the National Park Service and provides an excellent overview of Alaska and the World War II experience.
The maps and photos are outstanding, and the bibliography of references (hard copies, museum/libraries, websites) will lead you to wherever you want to go as you explore this topic. Spend some time browsing this site.
2. For a comprehensive look at World War II in Alaska, the best source available is the compiled papers from an international conference on the subject which was held in Anchorage in 1993.
The papers were published by UAF Press in 1995 and 2008 in book form - Alaska at War 1941-1945 The Forgotten War Remembered. The book was edited by Fern Chandonnet. This book is well worth adding to your home library. The good news is that I found it online at Google Books -
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| www.amazon.com |
Nearly every paper from the conference and the book is on the site; take a look at the table of contents to find what you want. The listing is by topic and is extensive; each article includes maps and photos. It is well worth your time to look at this site while working on this module.
EXTEND
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| ALSEC (Alaska Sector) World War II VILDA ASL-P338-0768 |
Next time you are cruising near Excursion Inlet in Southeast Alaska, look for remnants of the German POW camp that existed there during World War II.
Where are there other former World War II sites in Alaska? Are there any near your community? What happened in your area during World War II?
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| U.S. Navy PBY "Catalina" ca. 1942-45 VILDAASL-P390-123 |
Next, let's take a look at the Aleutian Campaign and the Lend-Lease Program (the Alaska-Siberia Project).
What's Next?
