Warships in the Komandorski Islands 1943

This study, featuring ship profiles and original artwork, examines the warships that fought in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands—the last pure surface battle of World War II—and explores why the outnumbered US Navy emerged victorious. 

The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was a distinctive naval engagement in World War II. It marked the final daytime naval surface battle where aircraft played no part. The battle involved a squadron of US Navy cruisers and destroyers clashing with Japanese counterparts over a convoy intended to reinforce the islands of Attu and Kiska. 

Naval expert Mark Lardas delves into the battle, discussing the warships involved, the reasons for the US victory, and the intelligence failure that led to the Japanese forces being twice as large as expected. Despite being outnumbered 2:1 in heavy and light cruisers, the US Navy held its ground. Both sides had four destroyers each, but the Japanese destroyers were newer and more powerful than the US vessels.

The battle unfolded over 12 hours of intense surface combat, with the US Navy facing overwhelming odds, including having its largest ship incapacitated at one point. Yet, the US emerged victorious. This book, illustrated with archival photos, ship profiles, and action scenes from key moments of the battle, highlights how the US Navy prevailed, emphasizing the critical role of superior damage control in securing victory.