Five hundred Japanese naval troops overwhelmed the American weather station on Kiska. Ten Americans were present at the twelve-person station: two were killed and seven captured, while Chief Petty Officer William House escaped. House survived on plants and worms for fifty days. Cold and starvation eventually forced him to surrender at a weight of about 80 pounds. The capture exposed how little resistance a small isolated weather detachment could offer to a landing force.
Chapter · 2:25:31-2:27:38
Kiska's weather station and William House's evasion
Kiska's tiny weather-station detachment was overwhelmed, while William House evaded capture for fifty days before starvation forced his surrender.