Mark Lardas, Warships in the Komandorski Islands 1943 (Osprey, 2024)
Naval warfare changed irrevocably during World War II as air power came to the fore, particularly in the Pacific theatre. Surface engagements still took place, though mostly at night when warplanes could not operate effectively. The battle between US and Japanese ships that took place near the Komandorski Islands on the morning of 26 March 1943 was, however, an exception to the rule. In this Osprey book in the New Vanguard series, Mark Lardas takes us inside a fascinating fight and an implausible American victory.
The battle of the Komandorski Islands occurred against the backdrop of Japanese efforts to resupply its forces in the Aleutian Islands. In March 1943, the Imperial Japanese Navy escorted transport vessels on their resupply mission, while a US force attempted to intercept them. Lardas compares the technical aspects of the two fleet of cruisers and destroyers, noting that the Americans had radar – the IJN did not – and superior damage control processes; both would prove crucial for the outcome of the battle. The Japanese heavily outnumbered the Americans, but that did not prevent bold action by Vice-Admiral McMorris to go after the transports. The firing started at 06:40, but it soon became clear that McMorris had bitten off more than he could chew, but while he succeeded in deterring the transports, he decided to withdraw behind a smoke screen, resulting in a running fight as the Japanese pursued. However, after nearly four hours, the Japanese turned away, fearing a potential US air assault. McMorris was lauded for his victory in preventing the Japanese resupply, while the Japanese Vice-Admiral Hosogaya Boshiro was shamed and demoted for his ’cowardice’. Lardas notes that although thousands of rounds were fired along with many torpedoes, few direct hits landed and there were very few casualties. He concludes that the Americans benefitted from radar and superior damage control but ultimately luck was on their side.
This a slim volume on a relatively small fleet action, but Lardas provides useful insights into WWII naval warfare. He illustrates how confusion and partial knowledge affected decisions and outcomes, and how accidents and misunderstandings could prove potentially fatal for ships in combat. Lardas’s account is detailed, and Osprey’s artwork and photographic illustrations assist his text, though there is no graphic map, which felt odd for this kind of book. This is a quick but informative and entertaining read that will appeal to anyone interested in the Pacific theatre and WWII naval warfare.
