The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1943-09-17
The Lesson at Kiska

New York Times

New York Times
In way the unopposed handing of American and
Canadian troops on Kiska came anticfnax but
that should not blind to the great gain that has
been achieved to the important lessons that have
been learned. An offensive menace for what 1t was
worth, has been removed. Costly losses have been
inflicted on the enemy. We have regained complete
command of the Aleutians. We now recognize their
strategic value way that we failed to do before the
Japanese occupied them. They taking off points
for bombing raids on the Japanese Kuries, as we
have already demonstrated in our attacks the
naval base at Paramushiru. The Japanese evacuation
of Kiska symbozes finally the completion of Japans
shift from the strategic offensive to the strategic
defensive M
The evacuation was surprising in more ways than
one. 1t marked, in connection with the Japanese re-
treat at Salamaua, dramatic reversal in Japanese
strategy and perhaps psychology. No longer it seems,
are hopeless positions be consistently defended to
the last man. In ways this change of strategy
may make victory the Japanese easier for u.s. in
other ways difficult Japan's obstinacy in
defending hopeless causes at Guadalcanal, Munda
and the Aleutians gained time and exacted greater
loss in American lives but it did this at cost 20
themselves in ships planes and supplies that the
Japanese could not afford to continue. M
The manner in which the evacuation was accom-
pshed, without the knowledge of American naval
vessels or bombing or observation planes, has
thing of the haunting mystery of the abandoned Mary
Celeste. The island had been under mounting aerial
and naval bombardment for weeks preceding the &C.
cupatlOn. Antl-aTcraIt lire was neaVy as late as
July 26 light" anti-aircraft fire reported few
days before the Allied landing. General Dewitt, on
the basis of evidence the island believes that the
evacuation began well-disciplined maneuver in
about mid June but deterioriated by August into
rout. Some materials of left unframed and
buildings were left standing. Colonel Frederick re-
ports that he found opened Japanese milk tins in
which the milk still sweet and believes that few
Japanese were Kiska not more than twenty -four
hours before our troops landed Even with the heavy
.,n,ss,,
achievement But the evacuation is stil first-cass
defeat; and though the Japanese got away, General
Dewitt is certain that we would have suffered heavy
casualties had the enemy elected to fight to the end
The evacuation of Kiska is another victory for
air power. Though aerial supplemented by naval
bombardment, the ships did not move in in the last
few weeks until air power had prepared the way.
While Panteeria showed that air bofbardnent alone
can force an island to surrender without waiting for
invasion Kiska showed that air and lombard
ent could also force abandonment before the arrival
of invading land forces-though the knowledge that
superior land forces available to us doubtless
played its part in the Japanese decision
Secretary Knox declares that the recent creation
of the post of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations is
definitely recognition of the growing Importance
of aviation" 1t is to be hoped that this will be
complished Artemus L. Gates, Assistant Secretary
of the Navy for Air has recommended, by the bring
ing of air officers of high rank into the opera
tional planning staff of the Navy. We will not get
the most out of air power if it is put under old
fashioned adnras a mere auxiliary tactical
weapon More armen should receive top positions in
the Navy, to participate in framing strategic plans
on at least basis of equality.