We learn here about a seemingly forgotten blip in military history -- Japan's invasion of two Alaskan islands in June 1942, the first occupation of US territory since the War of 1812.
Our side responded with a frenzy to prevent further incursion into the States, and director John Huston, in a documentary for the War Department, does a creditable job of introducing the unfamiliar landscape and the boys who served there, even flying along on a mission to destroy dug-in enemy holdings -- "Bombs away!" We meet some of the warriors who flew, including Jack Chennault, son of aviator Claire Lee Chennault of "Flying Tigers" fame.
A glance at Wikipedia reveals that hundreds of our fighting men died in this operation, from everything from blown-up prop planes to trench foot. (When a pine box is lowered into an obscure field, one wonders why the hero's remains aren't sent to Arlington.)
With its crude cinematography, the film quaintly spotlights the specialness of real, paper letters at mail call and ditties sung 'round a guitar: "I've got sixpence, jolly, jolly sixpence..."
This little work is worth viewing for its reminder that we owe our freedom to the US grunt.
Our side responded with a frenzy to prevent further incursion into the States, and director John Huston, in a documentary for the War Department, does a creditable job of introducing the unfamiliar landscape and the boys who served there, even flying along on a mission to destroy dug-in enemy holdings -- "Bombs away!" We meet some of the warriors who flew, including Jack Chennault, son of aviator Claire Lee Chennault of "Flying Tigers" fame.
A glance at Wikipedia reveals that hundreds of our fighting men died in this operation, from everything from blown-up prop planes to trench foot. (When a pine box is lowered into an obscure field, one wonders why the hero's remains aren't sent to Arlington.)
With its crude cinematography, the film quaintly spotlights the specialness of real, paper letters at mail call and ditties sung 'round a guitar: "I've got sixpence, jolly, jolly sixpence..."
This little work is worth viewing for its reminder that we owe our freedom to the US grunt.