In the spring of 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy mounted Operation 'AL,' its aim to occupy the islands of Attu and Kiska in Alaska's western Aleutians. It was part of Operation 'MI,' the capture of Midway Island. As well as acting as a diversion from the main objective, the occupation removed the possibility of US bombers using these locations to attack the Japanese home islands. The Japanese effort began with an attack by aircraft from the carriers Ryujo and Jun'yo on the port at Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, on 3-4 June 1942. Troops landed on Attu on the 6th and captured Kiska the following day. In response to the perceived threat, the US had already sent additional forces to Alaska and requested Canadian support. One of the units ordered to move was No 111 (Fighter) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, based at Patricia Bay, Vancouver with Kittyhawk Is and commanded by Sqn Ldr Deane Nesbitt. It made the long journey to Elmendorf near Anchorage by an overland route via Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory.
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