WAUReportFromTheAleutiansFilmPHColl1283.xmlGuide to the Report from the Aleutians Film 1943Report from the Aleutians filmSpecial Collections, University of Washington Libraries© 2015 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)

Seattle, WA 98195

University of Washington Libraries, Special CollectionsPH1283Huston, John, 1906-1987Report from the Aleutians film19431 reel (47 minutes, 1616 feet) : sound, black and white ; 16mmCollection materials are in English.Film about the Aleutian Islands campaign during World War II

Born in Missouri in 1906, John Huston became one of the most famous directors in American cinema history. Over the course of his career, Huston directed such film as Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , and The Maltese Falcon . After his early successes in Hollywood, Huston joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps and was promoted to the rank of Captain. Huston created a number of films about the activities and missions of World War II soldiers while in the military, and he was eventually promoted to the rank of Major for his efforts. After a long career in films following his military service, John Huston died in 1987 at the age of 81.

In June of 1942, Japanese forces invaded and occupied the Aleutian islands of of Attu and Kiska in a effort to gain a firmer foothold in the Pacific. The U.S. Army established themselves on Adak Island in August of the same year, and this Aleutian base was used as a launching point for a series of bombing runs against Japanese-occupied Kiska Harbor. After a year of continuous aerial bombing, a major land invasion of Kiska Island was undertaken by Canadian and American troops in August of 1943. Over 30,000 servicemen landed on the island, only to discover that it had been abandoned by the Japanese one month prior to the invasion. This mission concluded the campaign in the Aleutian Islands, one in which 1,481 American and 4,350 Japanese soldiers were killed.

A history of the Aleutian Islands campaign during World War II, as well as source of geographical information concerning the islands themselves. Footage of the daily life and military missions of servicemen on the Alaskan Adak army base in 1943, which includes eating habits, religious services, armament particulars, bombing runs, and weather patters of the region.

Director, writer, editor, and narrator : John Huston.

The original films are not accessible due to preservation concerns. Arrangements can be made to view the film by contacting Special Collections. Various transfers of this film are also available for viewing on YouTube.

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Donor: National Archives and Records Administration, Pacific Northwest Region, August 13, 2014.

Processed by Gracie Loesser, 2014.

Huston, John, 1906-1987U.S. ArmyAleutian IslandsWorld War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Alaska--Aleutian Islands--HistoryVisual Materials Collections (University of Washington)Moving Image Collections (University of Washington)AlaskaMilitary

11Report from the Aleutians19431 reel (47 minutes, 1616 feet) : sound, black and white ; 16mm

Scenes of Allied servicemen stationed at the U.S. Army base on Adak Island in the Aleutians. Aeriel views of the Aleutian Islands, and depictions of daily tasks on the air base, including bombing runs, meals, and relious observances.