Welcome Ilona Fridl

I'm thrilled to welcome multi-published author Ilona Fridl. 

Please join Ilona as she tells us a bit about her latest release! 

As always, questions and comments are welcome.

The third book in the Dangerous Times series!

Available through The Wild Rose Press now

Silver Screen Heroes

Golden North

http://www.thewildrosepress.com

http://www.ilonafridl.com

Also on FaceBook and GoodReads!

 

The Japanese Invasion of Alaska

Why I Chose to Use This as a Story

In Bronze Skies, I use a World War II battle that not many people know about. I think the brave men that fought in the Aleutians should have their recognition. In June of 1942, the Japanese attacked the Navy Installation at Dutch Harbor and invaded the outer islands of Attu and Kiska, setting up camps on the outer islands.

I think the media didn't want to panic the public by saying that Japan held some of our native soil. We had just gotten into the conflict a few months previously with the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Almost a year later in May of 1943, the army and navy in the North Pacific attacked and invaded the Japanese stronghold on Attu. In a heavy and miserable battle, due to the bad weather, the American forces were able to reclaim the island in nineteen days of fighting. Most of the Japanese troops were killed.

At Kiska, the Japanese troops silently departed the island before the Americans arrived there. Because of that, both islands were back in American hands.

I show some of the battles through Lt. Tom Shafer's eyes.

Excerpt:

Tom turned back to the ridge and calculated how to get down to the American troops with as much cover as he could. It looked like they held the beach, so he would head there, carefully keeping on the tramped path the Americans must have used to go around.

The wind whipped around his head as he descended the cliff side, sometimes sliding on scree as he grasped the rough rocks. Returning to the tundra grass, he crept into a small valley where he could hear the thunder of the firing. I must be close. I’d better take cover again.

“Psst, Lieutenant!”

Tom whirled to see a small squadron of seven privates in an alcove of rocks. “Did you men get lost?”

“Sir, we lost all our officers, and we don’t know what to do next.”

There was anxiety in their eyes. Here were soldiers, younger than himself, looking confused. Tom judged the area he had moved into. “Boys, keep along the line of the beach that dips down, so if you crouch, they won’t see you. We should make it to the rear. How is your ammunition?”

“We’ve got enough, sir.”

“Good. Follow me.” These new recruits wouldn’t have had the battle tactics he'd received in officers' training, but, being a pilot, he had never had to use his knowledge. I guess I never really believed I'd be in this situation. He prayed he remembered correctly and could get the soldiers to safety. He fingered the small square in his pocket. Wish me luck, sweetheart. He stepped out with the seven privates behind him.

Sand and dust seemed to be everywhere, kicked up by the steady ocean breeze and the explosions that roared in his ears. It was all he could do to keep his eyes clear as he and the men edged their way to the American troops' rear. Tom found himself breathing and spitting sand. Finally he spotted a major with his battalion on the stretch of beach. Sliding down the small rise, he saluted the major. “Sir, I found these soldiers without any commanders and brought them back.”

“I’m grateful, Lieutenant,” he said as he returned a salute. “Who are you? I’m Major Porter.”

“Lieutenant Tomas Shafer, sir,” he replied and went on to explain what had happened.

The major turned to the soldiers, lined up behind Tom. “Men, Colonel Jacobs is over in that tent. You can report to him.”

One of the privates saluted the major. “Yes, sir.” He turned to Tom. “I heard you’re Lieutenant Shafer. Thank you, sir.”

Tom smiled. “You’re welcome―?”

“Private Abner Styles, sir.”

“Private Styles, you can take charge now.” Tom looked at the major. “If that’s all right with you, sir.”

At the major’s nod, Styles snapped Tom a salute. “Yes, sir!” Turning to the others, he said, “Let’s go!”

Just as Tom was about to ask the major for orders for himself, an explosion not far forward blew tundra grass and dirt all over them. Both dropped to the ground, hearing cries and screams from over the ridge. The American forces opened up with their answering fire, and the attack temporarily ceased. Tom and the major raised their heads slowly. “You up to seeing what happened, Lieutenant?”

I want to thank Elle for hosting me and thank you for taking a look. My web site is http://www.ilonafridl.com and I'm on Facebook and Goodreads. You can purchase Bronze Skies at http://www.thewildrosepress.com