When The Wind Was A River: Aleut Evacuation In World War II

When the Wind Was a River: Aleut Evacuation in World War II

A contribution to the history of Alaska, World War II, and relations of the US government with indigenous people. Kohlhoff (history, Valparaiso U.) describes the Japanese capture of 42 Aleuts in June 1942, and their experience as prisoners of war; the resulting decision to evacuate the remaining 881 from the islands to camps in southeastern Alaska; the Aleuts' experience of removal, life in internment, and return to find their homes devastated by weather and warfare; the physical and emotional damage that lingered; and their fight for restitution that was won only in 1988. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. About the Author Dean Kohlhoff is associate professor of history at Valparaiso University.