A Dead Man guards US wounded

29th May 1943: As suicidal Japanese troops get in amongst US rear positions, the remarkable story of how wounded men trapped in an aid tent survived

A US Army artillery position on Attu. In the early hours of the 29th May the Japanese made a mass ‘Banzai’ attack aiming for the line of US artillery positions. Some broke through, and some got into the rear area. Desperate fighting ensued before they were all overcome or committed suicide.

This picture taken on 1st June, looking northeast from the top of the high knoll overlooking Massacre Bay, shows dugouts dug by the American soldiers, prior to the raid, and during their initial attack on the Japanese in this area. The Japanese used these foxholes during the "suicide raid" in their fight against our forces.

During the American drive on Chichagof Bay, our forces came across groups of Japanese soldiers 20 or 40 in a group; a great many of them realizing that they were trapped and going to be killed committed "hari-kiri", modern style, with hand grenades. This picture shows a group of approximately 40 Japanese soldiers who died in this manner. The rest of them were killed by the Americans.

A close up of the same position.

On the Aleutian island of Attu the U.S. 7th Division was on the point of finally overcoming the Japanese. The Japanese had suffered terrible casualties, only around 1000 men out of the original 2,800 now remained fit to fight. Their prospects were bleak, they were running out of both food and ammunition. There was no prospect of being relieved at all, whilst the U.S. forces grew stronger every day, with ample supplies being landed.

It was a hopeless situation. Surrender should have been inevitable but such a course of action was 'dishonourable'. Instead the Japanese commander decided to launch a final desperate 'Banzai' charge for the Emperor. If they were going to die they could try to take a few American soldiers with them. So all the Japanese wounded were 'helped' to commit suicide and all of the remaining men, apart from those in remote positions, were formed up for a last charge on the U.S. positions.

By the combined attacks of the enemy land, sea and air units the Bat­talions on the front line have been defeated. However, our morale is excellent and we are holding in some important points. We will attack and annihilate tho United States Forces.
YONUYO YAMASAKI
Colonel,
Infantry, Commanding

In the early hours of the 29th May they ran down to try to overcome U.S. positions with weight of numbers alone, screaming and shouting 'WE DIE, YOU DIE'. The U.S. front lines were overcome but other troops towards the rear, including the Engineering Battalion, quickly improvised defences. It became a vicious battle that went on most of the day.