Today was our first day on the Alcan.
Before this trip I was not aware that during WW2 the Japanese had invaded and occupied two of the Aleutian islands in June of 1942. The Alcan had been started in March of 1942, the invasion accelerated its completion. All 1642 miles were completed by Nov of 1942. In May of 1943 the US attacked Attu. In a bloody campaign, there was 3,900 killed or injured American troops.
As many as 1,200 suffered severe frostbite. The Japanese refused to surrender and after final battle involving hand to hand combat only 28 Japanese were captured, the remaining 2,400 had been killed or committed suicide.
The second island was taken with no resistance. The U.S. put together an overwhelming force of ships and soldiers only to find the island abandoned.
Today most of the road is paved, but includes lots of curves and 10% grades. As we drove yesterday I noticed new road construction taking place.
When I glanced over I saw the top of a bulldozer next to us, digging the foundation for a new lane. The road bed was nearly 6 foot down, to be filled with stone, dirt, and asphalt to bring it up level to the existing roads. Even with this the roads still succumb to frost heaves.
Lots of wildlife along the road, including a llama?. There had been a major forest fire a few days before we arrived driving bears and moose to graze along the highway.
We are headed out to Liard Hot Springs today.
Bob and Barb
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