Battle of the Komandorski Islands | Nihon Kaigun
Battle of the Komandorski Islands
(March 26, 1943)

By March, 1943, the Americans were beginning to get serious about retaking the islands of Attu and Kiska, which had been captured by the Japanese in 1942. Consequently, they placed a squadron in the area tasked with interdicting any Japanese resupply convoys to the area. On March 26, 1943, this task group found what they were seeking, but got more than they bargained for. A Japanese convoy of two transports was coming north, escorted by eight warships, including two heavy and two light cruisers. What followed was one of the more 'pure' long-range naval gunfire engagements of the war.

The Americans, with heavy cruiser Salt Lake City and light cruiser Richmond, were at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, they gamely gave battle, and paid the price. Although Salt Lake City drew first blood against Nachi, she was in turn hit repeatedly. Finally one engine room flooded, and she began to lose way. Only a quick smokescreen laid by US destroyers saved her from further harm. At this point the Japanese broke off the attack, and retired to rejoin the two transports who had been detached at the beginning of the fight. The Japanese commander, Boshiro Hosogaya, was retired from naval service shortly thereafter as a result of his rather under-aggressive performance.

Battle of the Komandorski IslandsJapanAllied
Starting Forces x2
x2
x4
 x1
x1
x4

Losses x1 lightly damaged (Nachi) x1 heavily damaged (Salt Lake City)
x1 lightly damaged (Bailey)

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WW2DB article on Aleutian Islands Campaign


PBY-5A Catalina patrol plane flying past Segula Island (just east of Kiska), Aleutians, Summer 1942.Map of installations in the Aleutian Island Area as of 1 Aug 1942, prepared for the United States Navy Office of Naval Intelligence Combat Narrative report. Note that Attu and Kiska were listed as Japanese held.Light cruiser USS Nashville bombarding Kiska Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 7 Aug 1942Three Lockheed A-29 Hudsons fly past Mt McKinley, Territory of Alaska, circa 1942A Jeep loaded with radio and telephone equipment being used as a forward command post for a US Army artillery division, Territory of Alaska, 1943
PBY-5A Catalina patrol plane flying past Segula Island (just east of Kiska), Aleutians, Summer 1942.Map of installations in the Aleutian Island Area as of 1 Aug 1942, prepared for the United States Navy Office of Naval Intelligence Combat Narrative report. Note that Attu and Kiska were listed as Japanese held.Light cruiser USS Nashville bombarding Kiska Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 7 Aug 1942Three Lockheed A-29 Hudsons fly past Mt McKinley, Territory of Alaska, circa 1942A Jeep loaded with radio and telephone equipment being used as a forward command post for a US Army artillery division, Territory of Alaska, 1943
G3M bombers in flight in the Aleutian islands, 1942-1943Japanese officers at the Aleutian Islands, circa 1942-1943LCVPs disembarking US Marines during an amphibious assault exercise in US Territory of Alaska, 1942-1943US Navy Lt Fred Hunter piloting an OS2U-3 Kingfisher of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 1 as it is catapulted off the cruiser USS Detroit in the Aleutians, 1943-44US Navy Lt Steve Corneliussen piloting an OS2U-3 Kingfisher of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 1 with his observer, Petty Officer Paul Proffer, as they are catapulted off the cruiser USS Detroit in the Aleutians, 1943-44
G3M bombers in flight in the Aleutian islands, 1942-1943Japanese officers at the Aleutian Islands, circa 1942-1943LCVPs disembarking US Marines during an amphibious assault exercise in US Territory of Alaska, 1942-1943US Navy Lt Fred Hunter piloting an OS2U-3 Kingfisher of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 1 as it is catapulted off the cruiser USS Detroit in the Aleutians, 1943-44US Navy Lt Steve Corneliussen piloting an OS2U-3 Kingfisher of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 1 with his observer, Petty Officer Paul Proffer, as they are catapulted off the cruiser USS Detroit in the Aleutians, 1943-44

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