The Thousand-Mile War : World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians

Author: Brian Garfield
Publisher: New York New York
Edition: First
Cover: Soft
ISBN: 0-553-27527-5
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 a powerful story of the battles of the United States and Japan on the bitter rim of the North Pacific, has been acclaimed as one of the great accounts of World War II.

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Synopsis: Brian Garfield provides a comprehensive account of the often-overlooked Alaska and Aleutian Islands campaign during World War II, documenting this unique theater's challenges and strategic importance. The book examines the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands and the subsequent American campaign to recapture these remote territories, highlighting the extreme environmental conditions that made this one of the war's most difficult campaigns. Garfield details the strategic context that led to Japanese operations in Alaska, including the relationship between the Aleutian campaign and the Battle of Midway, showing how these operations fit into broader Pacific strategy. The narrative covers the initial Japanese attacks on Dutch Harbor and the occupation of Attu and Kiska islands, examining the tactical and strategic implications of extending the war into the North Pacific. Aviation operations receive particular attention, as weather conditions and remote locations created unprecedented challenges for both sides. The book documents the development of airbases in Alaska and the Aleutians, showing how engineers overcame extreme weather, difficult terrain, and logistical challenges to create operational airfields. Combat operations are covered in detail, including the bitter fighting on Attu Island and the elaborate deception operation that preceded the invasion of abandoned Kiska. Garfield examines the human cost of operating in one of the world's most hostile environments, where weather and terrain were often more dangerous than enemy action. The work includes extensive documentation of the logistical challenges involved in supplying and supporting forces in remote locations with limited infrastructure and extreme weather conditions. Naval operations in Aleutian waters are thoroughly covered, including the challenges of operating surface vessels in rough seas and limited visibility. The book addresses the impact of the Aleutian campaign on indigenous populations and the long-term environmental and social consequences of military operations in this region. Post-war developments and the strategic legacy of the Alaska campaign are examined, showing how this remote theater influenced Cold War military planning and infrastructure development.

The Thousand-Mile War : World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.