80 Years Ago: An Attack on a Misidentified Submarine
In June 1942, American soil faced an unprecedented invasion as Japanese troops occupied Attu Island, situated at the westernmost edge of Alaska. This event catalyzed a swift and brutal clash known as the Battle of Attu. Within three weeks, over 3,000 lives were lost in this icy theater of World War II.
The Battle of Attu: A Forgotten Campaign
While well-documented military operations on the European front and the South Pacific dominate cinematic narratives, the Battle of Attu has languished in historical obscurity. Eight decades later, the remnants of this fierce battle lay submerged beneath the Aleutian Islands, hauntingly merging with the seabed.
The Discovery
In July 2024, a groundbreaking underwater exploration project took place, courtesy of an archaeology team funded by NOAA and the U.S. National Park Service. Their research yielded the discovery of two historic shipwrecks: the Kotohira Maru, a Japanese military cargo vessel sunk by B-24 bombers on January 5, 1943, and the SS Dellwood, an American cable ship that met its demise on July 20, 1943. Remarkably, these wrecks are positioned just 25 kilometers apart.
Significance of the Finding
The importance of this discovery extends beyond the immediate recovery of the wrecks. Given that the Battle of Attu is among the least researched campaigns of the war, this discovery may pave the way for deeper inquiries. Additionally, it shines a light on the tragic legacy of the Saskinax̂ indigenous people of Attu, who faced deportation to Japan and were barred from returning after the war.
The Fate of the Saskinax̂ People
The Saskinax̂ were forcibly relocated, and of the 41 sent to Japan, only 25 managed to survive. The remaining individuals were dispersed to other islands, erasing a significant aspect of their heritage and connection to Attu.
Understanding the Context
The Battle of Attu, though short-lived, was marked by fierce combat. The American to Japanese casualty ratio was the second highest of World War II, following only the infamous Battle of Iwo Jima. The Kotohira Maru was targeted while attempting to support isolated troops on Attu, carrying essential resources for survival in the harsh Arctic environment.
Advanced Methodologies in Underwater Exploration
The archaeological team utilized high-resolution sonar technology to accurately map the seabed. They investigated over 1,000 underwater targets, combining sonar data with remotely operated drones equipped with video cameras. This advanced approach allowed for unprecedented insight into the locations and conditions of the shipwrecks.
Revisiting Historical Mysteries
A particularly compelling revelation emerged from this exploration: the USS Phelps destroyer’s 1943 attack, initially believed to be on a Japanese submarine, was misidentified. The sonar data confirmed that the vessel the destroyer engaged was, in fact, the Kotohira Maru.
Unanswered Questions and Future Directions
Despite the study’s progress, challenges remain. Strong underwater currents hindered efforts to document the Kotohira Maru fully, necessitating more advanced technology for future explorations. Furthermore, significant questions linger, including the identity of the crew onboard the Kotohira Maru, as only two survivors were officially recorded—an implausibly low figure.
The complexities surrounding these historical wrecks include unresolved issues of legal sovereignty and archaeological ethics. As new explorations advance, they illuminate the tangled narratives of war, loss, and heritage, carving out a path for future researchers and historians.