Unraveling the Mysteries of the Battle of Attu, the 'Forgotten Battle' of World War II

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/unraveling-the-mysteries-of-the-battle-of-attu-the-forgotten-battle-of-world-war-ii-180984846/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&spMailingID=50099331&spUserID=NzU3Njg4NDk0NTQS1&spJobID= [login to see] &spReportId=Mjc2MjI4Mzg0MwS2
In June 1942, Japanese forces captured Attu, a small island at the western tip of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. They destroyed the homes and villages of the Unangax̂ people, then held them as prisoners of war in the city of Otaru. Nearly half of the Unangax̂ from Attu died, and survivors were not allowed to return to their home island.

When American troops arrived in 1943, they fought to regain control of Attu. Over the course of 18 bloody days, American forces successfully expelled the invaders. But the campaign came at a high cost: The Battle of Attu claimed the lives of 2,351 Japanese soldiers and 549 American soldiers.