Army Air Force First Engineer (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Poor. No Jacket. Aerial photographs by the 11th Air Force. Battle photographs by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Terrain feature photographs by Captain Drummond, "assisted by Private First Class A. E. Johnson, 50th Engineer Regiment. (illustrator). 1st Edition. A collection of short accounts by the officers and men of all ranks who fought on Attu, the westernmost island of the Aleutians. This string of islands, "acquired by the United States in 1867 as part of the Alaska Purchase," extended some one thousand miles west from the mainland of Alaska. Only about 600 miles from Siberia and about 650 miles from a Japanese base in the Kurile Islands, Attu had a grand total in population some 45 native Aleuts and two mainland Americans. The climate here was described as unpleasant: Engulfed in fog most of the time, which could usually not be dispersed by the frequent high winds. The terrain here was described as a nasty combination of "steep, jagged crags, knifelike ridges," and "boggy tundra." All of these elements together arguing against the use of aircraft and vehicles. To top off all of that physical description, "One writer has called Attu 'the lonesomest spot this side of hell.'" As if all of the foregoing were not enough, American forces were faced off against the tough and experienced Japanese in armed combat. This little book testifies to the valor of all of these men.

Paperback. Condition: Fine. 1st. Copy #434. 98p. Photos. Illustrartions of the personnel. Roster. Plastic comb binding. Large wraps. Fine Copy.