The Aleutian Island Campaign was a series of conflicts that occurred btween the empire of Japan and the United States in the Aleutian Islands, which are part of modern-day Alaska. Also participating in the battle was the Canadian Army. The campaign began on June 3, 1942 with the first attacks by Japanese warplanes and ended on August 15, 1943 with an Allied victory. The islands were highly strategic for Japan because with them, Japan could cover its northern flank and also, like the Allies feared, launch an attack against the western coast of the United States or Canada.