A small grouping of sailors is actually taken to developed a radio channel for the Attu, however they didn’t property into island due to negative weather; the fresh skiffs packed with radio equipment crashed onshore regarding browse. Mike Hodikoff, the Attuan Aleut chief, achieved brand new Navy motorboat off coast and you can, informed of the Japanese danger, try 
questioned if he desired his men and women to become exhausted from the the period; he denied.
This evacuation promote wasn’t manufactured in a manner one acceptance new Attuans and work out the best decision regarding leaving the island. Governor Gruening got need the brand new OIA to go over these types of possibilities with the newest Attuans, and had talked about so you’re able to Assistant Ickes towards the June 4 one “[p]resenting this issue into . . . Attuites comes to something of difficulty because couldn’t getting carried out by only broadcast content. The huge benefits and you will drawbacks in it [of] thus momentous a choice, brand new you are able to threats and you may choice, needed to be made available to him or her understandingly, sympathetically and you can demonstrably.” Gruening’s pointers to Ickes showed up too late, no attempt was ever made by Interior Service so you can explore evacuation selection on the Attuans.
Even today, Attu remains uninhabited
When Attu was occupied towards the June 8, 1942, a keen Aleut try injured by Japanese gunfire and the OIA radio agent, Promote Jones, passed away immediately after getting captured. Japan first started immediately in order to garrison the brand new island and create casing because of their soldiers. Eventually thereafter, the japanese eased restraints towards the way of your Aleuts, who then fished and you can went about their day-after-day work nearly generally. Into the Sep 1942, japan altered its Aleutian strategy and you may decided to ditch Attu (in order to return inside the Oct). The japanese dreaded the latest Attuans you will tell you army electricity and other cleverness secrets to invading American forces, so the 41 Aleuts (you to had died from inside the August) have been delivered to Otaru to the Japan’s northernmost island out-of Hokkaido. The non-Aleut schoolteacher, Etta Jones, try delivered to Yokohama. About three Attuan evacuees appreciated the life style requirements within the Japan, and you may reported that they certainly were sufficient:
The new troops was gone temporarily so you’re able to Kiska
[We] have been housed from inside the a giant strengthening, checked of the an excellent Japanese policeman, which lived in partitioned bed room in the same building. The fresh new Aleuts didn’t come with liberty, [and was indeed] kept in identical strengthening for the whole combat, but those who did inside the an effective clay gap close by. The fresh property was indeed heated of the coal stoves for the winter season. Gorgeous showers had been readily available whenever the Aleuts desired them. It slept on to the ground into the Japanese standard mats “Tatami” and got a good amount of bedding.
Tuberculosis later bequeath extensively among the many Attuans, even after monthly check outs on their camp from the a good dinations and you may inoculations. Each time up to 10 to 15 Attuans had been inpatients at National Tuberculosis Heart within the Minamoto-cho, but even after hospitalization of a lot Aleuts died in the The japanese. The increased loss of its high-necessary protein diet and fresh food, annoyed by small rations, triggered malnutrition and deprivation within the last year of its captivity. Once the conflict dragged towards, Japan was starved to possess tips; Japanese soldiers together with Attuans’ guards equivalent confronted shortages.
1 / 2 of the brand new Attuans passed away when you look at the Japan together with thriving 21 Aleuts and another newborn baby kept The japanese when you look at the September 1945. [98> Abreast of getting together with Seattle toward November 20, the new Attuans have been informed that they would not be gone back to Attu. The explanation for it decision isn’t clear as the regulators data files regarding their resettlement was in fact forgotten because of the OIA regarding 60’s. Attu evacuees say that the us government did not let them go back to Attu because there was indeed not enough so you can endure an effective feasible neighborhood. Rather these were provided transportation so you’re able to Atka Island. The brand new Atkans and you will Attuans, although not, was indeed antique competitors, very numerous Attuans felt like up against resettling during the Atka.