Description
Book SynopsisWith ship profiles and original artwork, this study explores the warships that fought World War II''s last pure surface battle, the battle itself, and why the outnumbered US Navy prevailed.
The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was unique among World War II naval battles. It was the last daytime naval surface battle of World War II where aircraft played no role, and saw a squadron of US Navy cruisers and destroyers engage their Japanese counterparts over a convoy to reinforce Attu and Kiska.
Exploring the warships, the battle, and why it was won, naval expert Mark Lardas explains that due to an intelligence failure, the Japanese escort was twice the size expected, with the US outnumbered 2:1 in heavy and light cruisers. Although both sides had the same number of destroyers (four each) the Japanese destroyers were newer and more powerful than their US counterparts.
A 12-hour brawl of a surface action took place. Despite being badly outnumbered and badly o
