Alaska Highway

FreightWaves Classics/Infrastructure: Alaska Highway was built 80 years ago (Part 2)

Soldiers Refines Sims Jr. and Alfred Jalufka meet in the middle at Contact Creek, on completion of the Alaska Highway. (Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

If you missed Part 1 of this article, here is a link.

The Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands

To divert attention from the attack on Midway Island, the Japanese bombed the naval base at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands on June 3, 1942. The Third Special Landing Force of 550 Japanese marines landed on June 7, 1942. They gained control of the mainly uninhabited islands of Kiska and Attu in Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain (which is located off southwestern Alaska) after the only battles...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsinfrastructure-alaska-highway-was-built-80-years-ago-part-2

FreightWaves Classics/Infrastructure: Alaska Highway was built 80 years ago (Part 1)

Work on the Alaska Highway in 1942. (Photo: themilepost.com)

Background

When the United States entered World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, there were dozens of locations across the Pacific Ocean that were in danger from Japanese attack and occupation. One such location was the Alaska Territory. 

Strategic reasons to build the Alaska Highway

Because of its location, a land route to Alaska became a high priority. Why? Alaska’s Aleutian Islands are closer to Japan than any other point in North America. The United States armed forces...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsinfrastructure-alaska-highway-was-built-80-years-ago-part-1