Aleutian Echoes (Lanternlight Library)

Rating:
Summary: Interesting mountaineering, Aleutian style.
Review: Captain Bradley, trained for mountain warfare in the 87th MountainInfantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, was sentto the Aleutians to help create the North Pacific Combat School, in secret preparation for the assault on Japan which never came. Although never in combat, Bradley and the other instructors had their own battles, with treacherous terrain, poor equipment, and the worst weather in the world. Nicely illustrated with color photos and Bradleys own paintings. The introduction, not by Bradley, contains one factual error: the 364th Infantry Regiment relieved the 138th Infantry Regiment of the Missouri National Guard, not the 140th.

Rating:
Summary: A spellbinding read; his photos & paintings are marvelous.
Review: Charlie Bradley has written a fascinating book about his experiences in the "Mountain Brigade" in WW2. Through his shrewdness he avoided a mindnumbing GI tour in Illinois and ended up in the 87th Infantry Regiment on the slopes of Mt.Rainer with men training for action in mountainous terrains and in winter conditions. In June of '44 he found himself aboard a ship out of Seattle headed north for "Armageddon", the code name for Dutch Harbor, Unalaska. He would be an essential part of the soon-to-be-born North Pacific Combat School, which would move to Adak several months later. Charlie has written a rivetting account of his experiences, most in the Aleutians. It is profusely illustrated with gorgeous color photographs (amazing how most stood the years!) and his water color drawings. I stayed up late into the night to finish reading it. (OK, I'm biased somewhat. I've been in the Aleutians and feel a strong bond to anyone who's been out there roughing it.)