Seniram

Interview with Ed Walsh (Knobby). Joined National Guard at fourteen and two years later joined Marine Corps 1945. Served in China then Korea, wounded 1951. After Korea served as Drill Instructor MCRD San Diego.  You might consider Knobby to be a Marine’s Marine.

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The Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands in Alaska as a diversion to draw American attention away from their naval force which was en route to Midwayin the Pacific.

This story is excerped from A Portrait of the Stars and Stripes, By Bud Hannings. Seniram Publishing, Glenside, Pennsylvania. 1991.

Also, in addition to the story, there is also a podcast on the invasion. Here is the shortcut:

http://usmilitaryhistory.com/podcast/aleutian.mp3

June 1st 1942-August 15th 1943 – (North Pacific-Alaska)–The Japanese Diversionary Force, intended to distract the U.S. from the primary Invasion Force, nears the Aleutians. Enemy Scout Planes have been observed at Cold Bay, Kiska and Kodiak. In addition, Japanese Seaplanes are spotted at Dutch Harbor and at Seattle. The total of American Submarines at Dutch Harbor numbers six; the S-J8, S-23, S-27, S-28, S-34, and the S5-35. In addition, the Aleutian Force has a contingent of 169 Planes, 11 Destroyers, five Cruisers and smaller Ships. The Japanese threat is a force of two Carriers, the Ryuju and the Hayataka accompanied by three Destroyers, two Heavy Cruisers and Auxiliary Vessels, with two Invasion Forces in their wake. The Armada maintains its course and hopes to draw the American Carriers into the net, leaving Midway with insufficient Aircover. but the Carriers of Spruance and Fletcher stay put, within reach of Midway and praying the Code-breakers are right in their assessment that the Japs will concentrate their full power against the Pacific bastion.

As the hours pass on the first of June, the tension continues to build, not only in the Pacific, at Midway, among the Commanders, but in the Aleutians and the American mainland as well. The suspense begins to unfold on the following day, when U.S. Scout Planes locate the enemy Task Force, closing fast behind a violent storm, against the Aleutians. The Land-based Planes are restrained from taking off on the 2nd, as the enemy sails within 150 miles of Unalaska, where a couple of Squadrons of Japanese Planes ascend from the Carriers, on a mission intended to harass the Americans and inflict some damage to the facilities. The enemy Pilots receive a new lesson about flying in Alaska, when they bump into intense fog, prompting many of the Planes to return to the Carriers, but others make the trip and strike Dutch Harbor installations. In addition, the Japanese Planes attack Fort Mears before returning. U.S. Guns are able to knock out one of the attacking Planes and inflict severe damage to another.

The Japanese receive some Allied offense on the following day, when the weather clears, allowing American and Canadian Planes to assault the enemy Carriers simultaneously, as the Japs make another strike at Dutch Harbor and Fort Glenn. The Japanese Carriers avoid noticeable damage and fade into the night air, moving steadily toward Kiska and Attu. Four of the Japanese Planes are shot down. Dutch Harbor, the furthest northern outpost of the U.S., coincidentally the closest to Japan, had incurred damage. Although the invasion forces had been turned back, the troops are diverted to Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian chain, where they land unopposed on the 6th and 7th, posturing themselves as a visible threat against the United States West Coast.

However; the stunning American victory at Midway (early June) lessens the severity of the landing in the Aleutians. Japanese Carrier Forces are cut down to the two that had been in the North Pacific for this invasion. Prompt action by the U.S. Navy and Land-based Planes, will quickly neutralize the presence of the Japanese and make their stay temporary, but uncomfortable. Agile American Destroyers set up their lines to hold the horizon against any further intruders. These formidable Vessels, will be augmented by the intrepid PT-Boats, diminutive, but lethal. These PT-Boats are a breed of their own, and proud of their unique contributions to the defeat of the Japanese. In yet another step to control the enemy, the Silent Service continues to build its complement of spirited Submarines to thwart the Japs. Dutch Harbor, situated at about an equal distance from both Pearl Harbor and Washington state, can use both points for supply and reinforcement. The siege has commenced, but the one solitary and most oppressive factor is the weather, which will constantly impede the eviction of the Japanese.

The U.S. makes fast use of obscure Military bases in Alaska. Although the Americans are not presently in an attack position, strong measures will be taken to ensure that the enemy is held in check with Planes, Surface Vessels and Submarines, until the Army is strengthened enough to reclaim the islands. These Forces will be bolstered as Summer comes and the complement of Subs will then include the USS Growler, arriving during late June, followed during early July, by the Finback, Triton, Trigger, Grunion and Galo. In addition, the Tuna and Halibut arrive a little later. More S-Submarines will also arrive during July and August, when the S-3/, S-3, S-33 and last but not least, the S5-30, moving in during August to augment the Land Forces. The initial Air Assaults do not strike Attu, which for the time being is out of range for the available Planes. The Navy plans to begin bombardments of the enemy positions, during July, but the usual terrible weather conditions postpones the initial attack until August 7th, the same day the Marines storm Guadalcanal. When Task Force 8 strikes, there is no confirmation of damage, because of the poor visibility. The U.S. selects Adak, in the Aleutians, as the designated location for an Airfield, from which to strike Kiska and troops will land there on August 30th, without incident. The Japanese on Kiska receive their first major attack on the 14th of September, when 28 Fighters and 12 Heavy Bombers drop quite a few tons of bombs on their positions, to keep them awake. The Japanese troops, which had landed on Attu, begin to move and join the Invasion force at Kiska and will complete the transfer, by the middle of September. Toward the end of October, the Japanese move back to Attu.

Before the end of the month (September), the Japanese will pull off a couple of small raids against Adak, but they are preoccupied with the threat of air raids. They are still unaware that there is no imminent plan, for the Americans to take the ground back. During December, on the 18th, a Reconnaissance Squad lands on Amchitka to determine if the terrain is suitable for a landing. The intelligence leads to a subsequent landing in mid-January, by troops commanded by General Lloyd E. Jones, who hit the beach unopposed. The Japanese soon initiate Air Raids against the Americans, but they are not a genuine threat. In the interim, the Yanks begin construction of another Airstrip to be quickly utilized against the Japanese on Kiska. Fighter Planes will land at the new facility on the 16th of February and from that day, the Japanese halt their Air raids. Two days later, Admiral McMorris, who had relieved Admiral W. Smith as Commander of Strike Group, Task Force 8, on January 4th, moves his Strike Group close to Attu, to open fire on the Japanese. They had been unscathed, since June of last year. Bad weather prevents the Navy from determining results of their raid.

Admiral Kinkaid recommends and receives authorization for an invasion of Attu. Kinkaid’s Task Force 16 (previously Task Force 8), will transport the Invasion Force, which is designated to be the U.S. 7th Division. The fighting 7th is trained hard for assault. However, all its training was for the torrid conditions of mechanized war in a North African desert. The invasion is set for May 7th. The 7th Division begins embarking to their Alaska operation and will come in as different contingents, at Dutch Harbor and Adak. In the interim, the Navy helps the Air Force keep things warm for the Infantry The Navy Surface Vessels give the Japanese a second greeting on the 26th of April when Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor are bombarded. As the Assault Convoy arrives at Cold Harbor on the 30th of April, allowing one week before jump off. The weather in Alaska has not cooperated with the Yanks, since the coming of the Japs and now is no exception.

The U.S. troops, waiting impatiently on Adak, are anxious to get the operation over with too. They are stationed on an island which provides nothing but water; everything else must be shipped into the base. The Engineers have constructed the Airfields out of the most forbidding of terrain. The Airstrips are actually placed in a once-shallow lagoon, with its water channeled into the sea. The Planes will land on a steel Airstrip, compliments of the U.S. Infantry, who have been given the task of putting it in place, after the Engineers have graded the lagoon. The Planes fly through all types of weather and must become familiar with landing in water that is sometimes more than a foot deep. At times the Planes resemble speed boats moving through a channel and at other times. They resemble a disoriented bird making its first landing. The Pilots can’t tell what the weather will be like, from one hour to the next, but missions must be flown on a twenty-four hour basis to keep the enemy in check. Many Pilots lose their lives to enemy fire during the endless flights. Each mission, in addition to bombarding enemy positions, is used to gather intelligence information with cameras. These observation Aircraft locate hangars, underground rail systems and the Bombers and Fighters harass the enemy on a daily basis. The Flights to harass the enemy will be ceasing soon and other flights will be covering the ground troops as they make their invasion.

The Invasion Force’s departure, is delayed because of terrible weather and after the Force embarks, additional inclement weather and rough seas further impede the invasion of Attu. The lousy conditions force another postponement until the 11th of May. The Japanese on Attu, are informed of a possible invasion by the Americans during the first week of May, but they haven’t seen any Yanks since they occupied the island and it appears to them, that none will be coming. So on the last days before the assault, the Japanese loosen up their defenses.

D-Day finally arrives on the 11th of May, 1943. Again, the weather is terrible, but the 7th Division makes a successful two pronged landing, under restrained Naval guns, and without the assistance of Aircover. The Northern Force strikes in the vicinity of Holtz Bay, while the Southern Force makes its primary landing at Massacre Bay. By the afternoon, this surprise landing permits the Yanks to drive north, towards Jarmin, situated on Massacre Holtz Bay. A smaller contingent, consisting of Platoon F, 7th Reconnaissance Troop, hits the beach at Alexai Point and moves without incident to join with the Main Force at Massacre Bay. Intense enemy fire repulses the advancing Southern Force at about 1700 hours, when they near the high ground covering the valley. In conjunction with the Southern Force’s drive, which has them moving north, the Northern Force grinds its way south in an effort to hook up with the Southern Force. The drive pushes effortlessly until the troops are less than a thousand yards from their original objective, Hill X. A contingent of the 7th Reconnaissance

Troop and I Scout Company, attached to the Northern Force, had come ashore in the early morning hours, landing at a position designated Beach Scarlet, situated west of Holtz Bay. It advances inland, without opposition, heading for Jarmin Pass. The Commanding Officer, General Albert E. Brown, prepares an attack against the enemy holding the pass for the following day; again. mother nature will play her part and paralyze the vehicles.

On the 12th, Naval Guns burst the morning silence with a massive bombardment. In concert, are the throngs of American Planes, giving Air support to the ground forces of the 7th Infantry, advancing against Jarmin Pass. The Japanese, holding the high ground and the surrounding area are in good position to punish the advancing Yanks. The two sided assault receives intense enemy resistance, at Hill X, but the undaunted 7th, claws its way forward, against vicious opposition and attains control of a portion of the crest of the hill. The Southern Force, assaulting in a direct frontal attack, is repelled at Jarmin Pass.

The night soon passes and on the 13th, the vicious fighting to take Jarmin Pass resumes with incessant firing by both sides and minimal gain. The most gruesome fighting occurs to the north, where the Japs attempt to repulse the attempt to seize Hill X; tenacity on the part of the 7th, gives them a solid piece of the hill by the time darkness arrives. Additional troops come ashore during the day to further fortify the Holtz Bay contingent, and although the weather is typically awful, the ground troops receive as much Naval and Air support as possible. The Americans are paying heavily, for their efforts to dislodge them. On the following day (14th), the ever-increasing intensity of battle continues to rage, but the Japanese retain possession of the pass.

The morning of the 15th has the 7th Division up and ready to take another shot at the Japs holding Jarmin Pass. They awake to a day of heavy fog, which impedes their Air support. The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry, advances against heavy resistance. Artillery supports the determined attack, but the assault is repulsed. The Holtz Bay Force, unable to move earlier because of the impenetrable fog, readies an attack at about l100, just as the mysterious fog lifts. Not only has the fog lifted, but the enemy has abandoned its positions and pulled back. The Holtz Bay force eagerly pursues close behind until running into fierce enemy fire, pouring down from the heavily fortified heights. In addition, during the heavy day of combat, the ground troops get stung by an unsuspected source, when their Air support, intending to aid their quest, mistakes them for enemy troops and bombards their positions.

The Yanks, temporarily stymied on Attu, see their Commanding Officer, General Brown, replaced by General Eugene Landrum today (15th). He is directed to make some fast progress. During the heated hours of ensuing combat, the Holtz Bay force fights its way to the northern portion of the Holtz Valley Ridge, seizing a hold on the fringe, then taking the entire ridge. The Japanese, now facing assault from the rear and a probable thrust from the front, take advantage of the cover of darkness and withdraw to Chichagof Harbor, where they have decided to make their final stand. By the following morning, the Massacre Bay force finds no enemy opposition and it occupies Jarmin Pass, in conjunction with the Holtz Bay Force, which finds no enemy troops around the Bay.

The two Forces push further, with advance Patrols on the points, to hook the two forces together. By dawn of the 18th, contact is made, permitting a double strike against the bastion at Chichagof Harbor. Reinforcements have been coming in consistently and the control of Holtz Bay eases the supply problems. The Japs have withdrawn, but they have taken their tenacity with them. The fighting on the 19th, is fierce during the struggle to seize a strategic pass, standing between the Yanks and the Harbor. The coveted pass will subsequently be named Clevesy Pass in honor of a Lieutenant attached to Company H, 32nd Infantry.

The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry, earns its pay as the grinding battle to take the pass rages non-stop, falling to the Yanks by nightfall. Unfortunately, the Japanese still control the heights. As the contest spills blood at every turn, the Northern Force advances through intense enemy fire, fighting its way to secure the Holtz-Chichagof Pass, another enemy stronghold in the heights. The Americans push tenaciously against the entrenched resistance throughout the next several days, but the climb to take the high ground is brutalizing. Determined to maintain its progress, the Southern Force fights relentlessly, reaching the enemy positions which control Chichagof Valley, seizing the entrance, by the early morning hours of the 22nd.

In the meantime, the Northern Force, which has been fighting non·stop for control of Fish Hook Ridge, remains where it is, to regroup. On the 23rd, the Southern force attacks Fish Hook Ridge, but is pinned down by incessant fire, while the Northern Force is repelled at the Holtz·Sarana Pass. The Japanese positions have become compressed, but their fury has not been diminished. The 7th Division, fighting a literal uphill battle since the invasion, inches closer to the harbor.

Communications between the two American forces is initiated today, giving them stronger coordination for the final drive to seize Chichagof Harbor. The struggle to seize Fish Hook Ridge continues for the next couple of days, against Japanese, entrenched in a vast tunnel chain, located just under the top of the ridge. The prolonged fight for Fish Hook Ridge culminates, on the 27th of May when the remnants of its defenders are mopped up by elements of the 7th Division. Other contingents close against the final stronghold of the Japanese Invasion Force, which had originally numbered about 2,500 men.

The Japanese, squeezed into Chichagof Harbor, make a valiant attempt to break out on the 29th, after having disregarded airdropped suggestions to surrender. The attempt is futile and now it is the newly entrenched American guns which pour fire from the high ground directly into the Japanese as they make their break. The resistance evaporates as the enemy troops simply break off contact, fading away into smaller contingents. The Harbor is taken on the 30th, without opposition and in coordination with the operation, another force of U.S. Army troops, commanded by Brigadier General John E. Copeland occupies Shemya Island without incident.

With Attu in possession, the Americans set their sights on Kiska. Troops are being specially trained in the states, in addition to others being readied in the Aleutians. The Air force will pummel the area for a long period of time, before the actual invasion date, scheduled for August 15th, 1943. The weeks pass quickly and the Japanese manage to evacuate Kiska without detection. When the Invasion Force, numbering over 34,000 troops, hits the beach, it finds no opposition. The elusive Japs had been retrieved and sent back to Japan. The Japanese that did occupy Kiska were so severely punished by the Air force, that they spent most of their time hibernating in their underground lodgings.