Battle of the Komandorski Islands
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| Aleutian Islands campaign |
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| Attu – Komandorski |
The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was one of the most unusual engagements of World War II.
It took place on 27 March 1943 in the North Pacific Area of the Pacific Ocean Areas, near the Komandorski Islands. American forces had knowledge of a pending supply convoy to the Japanese garrisons on the Aleutian Islands. The US Navy dispatched a force commanded by Rear Admiral McMorris to intercept this convoy. McMorris' fleet consisted of four destroyers, one light cruiser, and one heavy cruiser. The Japanese, unknown to the Americans, chose to escort their convoy with two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and four destroyers commanded by Vice Admiral Boshiro Hosogaya. On the morning of the 27th, the Japanese convoy was intercepted by the picket line and combat ensued. Because of the remote location of the battle and chance encounter on open ocean, neither fleet had air or submarine assistance, making this a complete surface engagement. In fact, this was the only such battle in the Pacific Theatre and the last pure gunnery duel in naval history.
On a tactical level the engagement was inconclusive. Both sides suffered damage, with the Americans not being as badly handled by their opponents' superior firepower as they could have been. Japanese forces were poised for victory, but Admiral Hosogaya, not realising the heavy damage his ships had inflicted on USS Salt Lake City, and fearing American air forces were en route, chose to retire without delivering a knockout blow. Withdrawal led to a strategic defeat for the Japanese because it brought their attempts to resupply their Aleutian garrisons by surface forces to an end. From then on only submarines were used for resupply runs.
Hosogaya was retired from service after the battle.
NOTE: The date is often given as 26 March due to the fact that the US ships used Honolulu time which refers to the other side of the International Date Line. However, the local date at Komandorski Islands was March 27th.
External links
- [Battle of Komandorski Island: March 26, 1943]
- [USN Combat Narrative: The Aleutions Campaign Chapter 9:The Battle of the Komandorskis]
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