In June 1942, Japanese troops landed on the Aleutian Island of Attu off the Alaskan mainland—the first invasion on U.S. soil since the War of 1812—but nearly a year would pass before American troops were sent in to recapture the territory. The struggle for Attu is the focus of this compelling documentary, which offers startling insights into a forgotten chapter of World War II history. In fact, the Japanese presence on Attu was never officially acknowledged by Washington during wartime, out of fear that American morale would plummet (but rumors of an enemy landing still circulated at the time). The Japanese actually gained relatively little in commanding Attu—their plans for a strike into North America never took place, leaving 3,000 Japanese troops stuck in a frozen limbo. When the fight was finally engaged, however, the American forces were ill-equipped to deal with the brutal 19-day battle to liberate the island, with many lacking proper clothing and equipment, resulting in abnormally high incidents of frostbite and trench foot. Filmmaker Tom Putnam recruited two 85-year-old veterans of the battle, Bill Jones and Andy Petrus, to act as tour guides to the horrors of what transpired on Attu—where some 2,500 soldiers died—and their memories are still painful (at one point Jones breaks into tears when recalling the use of a flame-thrower against the enemy). Originally broadcast on PBS, Red White Black & Blue is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Red White Black & Blue
(2007) 86 min. DVD or VHS: $29.95: individuals; $245: institutions. Documentary Educational Resources. PPR. Volume 23, Issue 2
Red White Black & Blue
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