Report from the Aleutians

Isn't it interesting that when large-scale civilian projects are commissioned, even now, they can take years yet when the military get their teeth into something - it can be achieved in weeks, or even days? In this considerably more sophisticated than your usual wartime propaganda exercise designed for internal consumption in the USA, we see just how effectively the American forces have overcome the natural terrain and hostile climate of these remote islands at the bottom of the Bering Sea to reclaim land and build facilities capable of taking the war in the Pacific Ocean much close to their Japanese foe. Using an extensive and impressive collection of films, this follows the activities at work and at play of those tasked with building this base as well as those operating out of it. We go on extended missions over enemy territory for both reconnaissance and more deadly purposes; see how the men relax, how they worship and for a time it is almost as if we are there living with them. John Huston made the film and he narrates it with an impassioned pride that offers us less in the way of superlatives and a little more of the sense of the peril and menace as the bombing runs expose these gents to a formidable array of defensive systems that are in in no way overwhelmed by these "harassing" missions. It's clearly trying to point out that this is a battle for the longer-term: there are no quick victories to be had here. There's a stoicism evident amongst the airmen in this film that is about as far removed from Hollywood as you can get, and though some judicious editing might have better condensed it's message from an overlong forty minutes, it's a good example of bravery and wartime photography working tandem.

Director John Huston, while a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1943, creates an Academy Award winning documentary, which he narrates with assistance from his actor father Walter, treating of the Armed Forces' successful effort to prevent the fall of the Aleutian Islands to advancing Japanese troops who had captured several islets. Although no claim can be reasonably made that this location was of major strategic importance during the War, it presented enormous tactical and logistic difficulty for those assigned there, and Huston's color film demonstrates the determined ensemble work upon the outpost of Adak by a wide range of military specialists who combat loneliness and boredom along with notably severe weather conditions. The work was made over a six month period, and is climaxed by the preparations for, followed by an actual filming of, a bombing run over Japanese-occupied Kiska, wherein Huston nearly lost his life, and which is significant for its combat footage and for the atmosphere of suspense present in the viewer who wonders if all will return safely.

A nice and fairly accurate portrayal of combat in the Aleutians. One item I thought very interesting was the lack of mention regarding the large Canadian contribution to this theater. I would have to guess it was not considered appropriate for the home audience in the US at the time. Considering the minor theater the Aleutins seemed to be view as it is a great tribute to this campaign. I found the scenes of vastness of the area amazing. The views of old aircraft in action would be of great interest to aviation fans. For most people, I'm sure this is film will be the only views of the Aleutian Islands most people will ever see! Certainly require viewing for any WWll buff!

One of John Huston's contributions to the war effort. His engaging voice narrates the facts of being in the armed forces and stationed on one of the Aleutian Islands, which extend southwestward from Alaska. The narration begins with an unsparing look at the geography of the archipelago -- rough and volcanic, treeless, and a merciless climate.

By the time of this release, the Japanese had landed on Kiska, one of the outer islands, and had made a naval feint to distract the US fleet from a defense of Midway. The feint failed. The on-and-off conflict with the Japanese went on for some time, mostly consisting of our bombing their positions whenever the weather allowed. In the end, the US Army landed on the Japanese-held islands only to find they had folded their tents and silently stolen away.

The documentary is kind of stuck with a description of humdrum work in a dreary place, leading to an extended salute to the men who run the supplies in and out of Dutch Harbor, the engineers who drive the bulldozers. The men wear old-fashioned campaign hats, carry Springfield rifles with old-fashioned long bayonets, and some wear the broad-brimmed pre-war steel helmets.

We see the usual scenes. Mail call is a treasure. The food is awful -- powdered eggs and canned this-and-that. They play old songs on guitars and harmonicas. Everyone attends services by Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish chaplains. No booze, no women. However, the troops are cheerful and morale is high. Nothing can blunt the keenness of these gum-chewing boys in their parkas.

There are some finely done shots of airplanes taking off and landing -- P-39s, P-38s, P-40s, B-17s, B-26s, and B-24s. It's startling to see an airplane like the P-38, with its tricycle landing gear, plowing at speed through a foot of water and creating a moving fountain of gray that masks the airplane itself except for its dark nose which juts out ahead of the watery curtain.

The film ends with a bombing mission of nine B-17s over Kiska. It's no more alluring than life back in Dutch Harbor although far more dangerous. There are bursts of flak, and though there have been casualties on other missions, this one returns safely.

John Huston directed, wrote, and narrated this documentary about this lesser known part of the WWII Pacific theater. It's in color. Japan had invaded Alaska. It's a long range battle as these two military forces launch air raids and fight over these remote islands. This is an important witness to those events since there isn't that much visual from this long ranging faraway battle.

If there is an issue, it is the lack of bang bang footage. This part of the war doesn't have much close combat. A lot of the film are the preparations and sparse bases in empty landscapes. It does close with a bombing run and that's very compelling footage.