Vintage Military - Part 18

WWII - Aleutian Islands

Everyone knows about the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in World War II.  Not many people know about a second attack by Japan on U.S. soil – the Aleutian Islands.

The Aleutian Islands, part of Alaska, are a string of islands extending westward toward Siberia.  In June, 1942, the Japanese attacked the Aleutians and occupied the islands of Kiska and Attu.  Some historians think the attack on the Aleutians was a diversion from the simultaneous Japanese attack on Midway Island.  Others think it was an attempt to secure Japan against being attacked from the north.

Many in the U.S. were worried that Japan would continue to advance across the Aleutians and down the West Coast.  In response, the U.S. built an air base on another Aleutian Island, Adak.  From this base, the U.S. bombed the Japanese on Kiska and Attu.  These photos of the Adak base were taken by LIFE photographer Dmitri Kessel.

Most of Kessel's photos show activity around the base and the bleak, treeless Aleutian landscape.  But he also took some photos of indoor activities, like these soldiers taking baths in improvised bathtubs, above.

The U.S. finally recaptured Attu and Kiska from the Japanese in May and August, 1943, but the base at Adak remained to guard against further Japanese activity.  Kessel took these photos in December, 1943.

In addition to the baths, there were showers, above.

Another shower room photo.

And here's a view of a shower room from outside.  Based on the notices giving hours for enlisted men and officers, it appears that this was a busy place.

I'm guessing from their sunglasses that these men are being subjected to a sun lamp treatment.  There's not much sunlight in the Aleutians in December, when these photos were taken.

And a final little luxury (or perhaps a medical treatment): a massage.