The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was one of the most unusual engagements of World War II. Combatants Allies: • Soviet Union, • UK & Commonwealth, • USA, • France/Free France, • China, • Poland, • ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Japan, • Italy, • ...and others Casualties Military dead: 18 million Civilian dead: 33 million Full list Military dead: 7 million Civilian dead: 4 million Full list World War II, also known as the Second World... US landings in the Pacific, 1942–1945 The Pacific War occurred in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in Asia. ... USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) at Dutch Harbor, 29 March 1943, three days after the battle of the Komandorski Islands Downloaded from [1] and cropped. ... The first USS Salt Lake City (CL/CA-25) of the United States Navy was a Pensacola-class heavy cruiser sometimes known as Swayback Maru. She had the (unofficial) distinction of having taken part in more engagements than any other ship in the fleet. ... Unalaska is a town on Unalaska Island in the Aleutian Islands. ... Unalaska is an island in the Fox Islands group in the middle of the Aleutian Islands southwest of Alaska, at 53°54 North 166°32 West. ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... The Komandorski Islands or Commander Islands, (in Russian, Komandorskiye Ostrova) are a group of treeless islands east of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, in the Bering Sea. ... Charles Soc Horatio McMorris (August 31, 1890-1954) was an American rear admiral during World War II, most notably commanding forces at the Battle of the Komandorski Islands and Aleutian Islands. ... Boshiro Hosogaya [Hosagaya] (1890-1964) was a Japanese Admiral during World War II from 1941-1945. ... The Battle of the Aleutian Islands was a struggle over the Aleutian Islands, part of Alaska, in the Pacific campaign of World War II. A small Japanese force occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska but the remoteness of the islands and the difficulties of weather and terrain meant that... Combatants Allies: • Soviet Union, • UK & Commonwealth, • USA, • France/Free France, • China, • Poland, • ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Japan, • Italy, • ...and others Casualties Military dead: 18 million Civilian dead: 33 million Full list Military dead: 7 million Civilian dead: 4 million Full list World War II, also known as the Second World...

It took place on 26 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 26th, 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. March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... The Komandorski Islands or Commander Islands, (in Russian, Komandorskiye Ostrova) are a group of treeless islands east of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, in the Bering Sea. ... Looking down the Aleutians from an airplane. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... Boshiro Hosogaya [Hosagaya] (1890-1964) was a Japanese Admiral during World War II from 1941-1945. ...

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. The first USS Salt Lake City (CL/CA-25) of the United States Navy was a Pensacola-class heavy cruiser sometimes known as Swayback Maru. She had the (unofficial) distinction of having taken part in more engagements than any other ship in the fleet. ...

Hosogaya was retired from service after the battle.

External links

• Battle of Komandorski Island: March 26, 1943
• USN Combat Narrative: The Aleutions Campaign Chapter 9:The Battle of the Komandorskis