34 large loose gelatin silver photographs from ca. 23 x 23 cm (9 x 9 in) to 20 x 15.5 cm (8 x 6 in). Two photos captioned in negative; over 20 images with period pencil captions on verso; [two] photos with period typewritten captions on verso; four photos with “Signal Corps US Army Official Photograph” stamps on verso. One photo with a small tear, but overall a very good collection of strong interesting photos.

An interesting collection of photographs of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska shortly before and during World War II.

Eleven photographs are of Unalaska. They include views of the city before the war, Holy Ascension of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Dutch Harbour, Captain’s Bay, and several naval ships docked at the city’s port. They also include photos of an old Japanese schooner used for seal poaching and a barabara, a traditional Aleut house.

Four photographs are views of Biorka Village, a former Aleut settlement on Sedanka Island (off the coast of Unalaska Island). The village was destroyed during World War II, and while several attempts were made to resettle, by the 1950s it was abandoned. The photographs show a Russian Orthodox church and several residences.

Five photographs show Attu Island, the western-most island of Alaska. Attu, along with Kiska Island, was invaded and occupied by the Japanese in 1942. Attu Village, situated on Chichagof Harbour, had yet to be evacuated by the time of the invasion and as a result, Attu residents were imprisoned in Japan. In 1943, the US began their operation to recapture Attu (Battle of Attu, 11-30 May 1943). US forces made amphibious landings at northern and southern points on the eastern half of the island and eventually managed to drive Japanese defenders to Chichagof Harbour. The battle ended after a banzai charge led to brutal hand-to-hand combat where nearly all Japanese soldiers were killed. Most of these photographs are stamped on verso with “Signal Corps US Army Official Photograph,” “Confidential,” and “Secret.” One photograph is an aerial view of Chichagof Harbour. The other four show US troops during the operation, including their camps, leftover trenches,  and the “4th Inf moving to the front.”

Several photographs are of other locations in Alaska. Three photographs show environs of Juneau (Mendenall Lake and Glacier, Duck Creek, Auk Bay). Three photographs are views of Denali (Mt. McKinley). Other photographs show Ketchikan, Tongass National Forest on Admiralty Island, Akutan Island, and a “mountain village.”

Other photographs in the collection include views from British Columbia and Yukon (“Cathedral & Chapel MTs.,” “Miles Canyon & Golden Horn MT. Yukon,” “Telephoto of Llewellyn Glacier”).

Overall, an interesting collection showing the Aleutian Islands and Alaska just before and during World War II.