Battle of the Komandorski Islands - Pacific War #70 DOCUMENTARY

[@KingsandGenerals]

Check out a video by our friend Craig on China's Warlord Era: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3LQXmSElNx7jtU Become a channel member: kzbin.info/door/MmaBzfCCwZ2KqaBJjkj0fwjoin or patron: www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals to watch exclusive videos, get early access to all videos, learn our schedule, join our private discord and much more! You can donate through Paypal paypal.me/kingsandgenerals as well!

[@nicholassano2854]

this is by for some of best researched information anywhere and i would defiantly use these people to write history papers as a resource cited

[@acbgames1766]

Without doubt the most detailed series ever made on the Pacific campaign. It has become a weekly treat for me.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@TheEDFLegacy]

Same could be said for the Ukraine content!

[@chrismartindale7840]

@@TheEDFLegacy maybe in the future it will be, but knowing people are dying right now in that war makes it a very bitter treat.

[@lakrids-pibe]

"Evasive action with uncanny timing" I like the sound of that. It must have been very intense.

[@richarddr1234]

It has a better ring to it than: "last second dodging".

[@extrahistory8956]

To date, probably the most detailed coverage of this little known naval engagement. The first time I ever heard of it was with the folks over at the _World War 2 Week-by-Week_ channel, but they didn't have as much time to cover it in greater detail. Thankfully, we can finally see this battle in all its glorious details here.

[@UnNuclear]

It's important to remember that naval battles are not quick affairs. They last for hours and hours. Constantly under fire and never knowing if the next incoming shell will be a hit. The strain on the captains to maneuver their ships in order to avoid enemy fire for _hours_ must've been enormous. You couldn't take a break, couldn't make a mistake, and couldn't take a piss.

[@n1k2jfan96]

McMorris and Hosogaya were facing the same "fog of war". The difference was that McMorris's action was guided by courage, aggression and a hunger for battle, while Hosogaya not only was being over-cautious and doctrinaire - which shouldn't be surprising given his naval orthodoxy background - but also displayed a remarkable lack of will. Several times during the Pacific War, the IJN failed to exploit battle opportunities to the fullest (Pearl Harbor, the Java Sea, Savo Island, Samar, the list goes on). Usually though the Japanese naval high command was able to find sufficient tactical or doctrinal reasons for why the Japanese commander on the spot did not press his advantage further. Apparently not on this occasion.

[@UnNuclear]

@N1K2JFAN This is pure conjecture on my part, but I'd believe that Hosogaya getting shafted probably has more to do with politics than his service record. I have nothing to back this up, however.

[@issacfoster1113]

That skirmish is actually pretty intense and got me hooked in. Outstanding as always KG!

[@kitcarandang]

imagine being a gunnery crew on those ships during that skirmish

[@tnarggrant9711]

14:07 This action is still one of the most violent and desperate of the war, and no one knows about it. Thank you.

[@markangelodar8680]

I am just holding my breath while watching that naval engagement to see which side wins the battle. An intense battle indeed.

[@BreweryDuke]

Excellent episode! Detailed and illustrative! As an historian I was woefully ignorant regarding this engagement.

[@nostrildamusmctavish5542]

Take a look at the chapter on the battle in Samuel Elliot Morison’s volume in his 15- volume history of the U.S. Navy in WW2. The chart gives a better understanding of the maneuvers than any other map. (As do all his charts)

[@elijahlingzhaozhong6398]

Japanese ships: *Outnumbering American ships 2:1* McMorris: I gonna do some pro gamer move.

[@tramlink8544]

destroyer no scope 360

[@FreeFallingAir]

Never hear too much about the Aleutian campaign, Thanks for the great work. This Pacific theater series may be your best work to date. Continue with the island hopping!!

[@kemarisite]

@15:06 as I understand it, Salt Lake City had not expended *all* armor piercing shells, but only all of the AP shells in the aft magazines. The high capacity shells from the aft magazines would be intermixed with AP shells hauled from the forward magazines during the last part of the engagement.

[@mikev4135]

What did they feed those destroyer crews?? Whenever I learn of a desperate battle in WWII, the destroyers always seem to be charging in to defend the fleet with unwavering courage, no matter the odds

[@extrahistory8956]

For as much as the Cruisers and battleships get all the hype, it seems to me like the destroyers always get to do the coolest things during these naval engagements. This applies to both sides by the way.

[@TheRandCrews]

I heard they usually put the very aggressive naval officers on Destroyers and Submarines compared to Battleships, cruisers, and Aircraft carriers

[@billwilson-es5yn]

​@@extrahistory8956 The destroyers are there to protect the cruisers, battleships and carriers. They're fast and agile so run out to engage the enemy ships first by launching torpedoes to disrupt their formations and hopefully hit a few in the process. The IJN liked night engagements so there's cases where USN destroyers got real close to their capital ships to take their superstructure with 5 inch and 40mm cannon fire since the IJN guns couldn't be depressed low enough to hit them. Their smaller caliper fire knocked out search lights, radio and radar antenna along with gunnery fire controls. That tended to unnerve the Japanese captains and admirals.

[@whispofwords2590]

​@@mcs699 When its in defense of your comrades and some of your nations most valuable assets, coupled with the heroic image of fast hin skinned destroyers charging at ships multiple times their own size, I have to disagree.

[@tramlink8544]

junior captains usually havign a point to prove are in charge of destroyers. many want to prove themselves to go up in rank and gain commands of cruisers etc, hence their boldness in battle

[@lucastrudel8986]

One of my favourite ww2 series I've ever watched. How this isn't on TV or something beats me

[@jay76ny]

Such a pivotal naval battle and it rarely, if ever, gets any attention. Kudos to you guys for covering it and putting out another fantastic episode.

[@somewhere6]

The detail is what stands out here. Other accounts of this battle are usually very brief and do not capture any of the drama it obviously had. One starts to lose count of the number of times a Japanese naval commander in WW2 backed off at the moment victory was within his grasp.

[@extrahistory8956]

This one gives me _Battle of Leyte Gulf_ vibes if I'm perfectly honest.

[@TheFlumpySquid]

It always seems like that doesnit though?

[@mikespangler98]

The Japanese Navy seemed to lose their nerve by the end of the Guadalcanal battles. Midway they could pass off as sheer bad luck, but slugfest after slugfest after slugfest wore then down even if they did win at least half of them.

[@TimDyck]

Thank you for a great telling of a naval battle that most people have never heard of. The Aleutian campaign isn't covered very often by historians but it was a crucial part in the defeat of Japan.

[@frankieM_]

Jesus christ this was a roller coaster of a battle, I was super convinced TF16 was going to be destroyed or really crippled I guess miracles do exist because that was the only thing to explain McMorris' pure luck that they lost zero ships after being completely out-gunned and out-maneuvered

[@chrismartindale7840]

What criticism could you give McMorris? He did a fantastic job given he was outnumbered and outgunned 2 to 1. What questionable decisions did he make? Unless you count not withdrawing which would have allowed those supplies to reach Attu and Kiska. His courage is admirable and once engaged he didn't make any mistakes I am aware of.

[@Santana105]

Probably sending those destroyers on a ”suicide” run which could have very well ended badly to cover for Salt Lake City

[@chrismartindale7840]

@@Santana105 that was standard naval doctrine. We often trained our destroyers to pull that exact maneuver.

[@jlvfr]

Fortune favours the bold, I guess...

[@jlvfr]

@Valer usually yes but, in this case, I think it's fair to say the USN had some luck; if the IJN command didn't become confused and fearfull of possible US air strike, they'd have pressed on and most likely sunk at least the damaged cruiser.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was a brave fight by a very outgunned US task force. The two Japanese heavies were modern ships, while Salt Lake City and the Richmond were in the first classes of their types in US service.. Add two light cruisers and the Japanese had a big advantage on paper. Fortunately, "Soc" NcNorris turned out to be a fighting admiral. This was the only surface action by an Omaha class CL and the much-honored SLC showed why she earned 11 Battle Stars.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

"Komandorski Rodgers" (March 18, 1894 - November 30, 1983) would be awarded the Navy Cross for his actions and would eventually be promoted to rear-admiral. He would be awarded the DSM and was also made British Honorary Commander of the Order of the Bath and received Legion of Honour and French Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 with Palm after Operation Dragoon, the ladings in Southern France. He won a second DSM after Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was recognized as an amphibious warfare expert. Probably sadly, he saw the sinking of SLC as a target in 1948. He saw several important commands before retiring in 1956 and promotion to vice admiral.

[@andrewsema359]

Sometimes Luck plays a part, when you make decisions. Thanks again K & G.

[@runskipper2595]

Usa always had luck in naval battles. Thats the most decisive factor in sea battles.

[@Crazyfrog41]

I feel like I need to mention just how much I LOVE the soundtrack in this series! It always has the perfect atmosphere

[@kevinconrad6156]

I used to have a neighbor who was a ships carpenter on the USS Salt Lake City, Everett must have had nightmares about that fight.

[@theawesomeman9821]

Didn't know before that several battles took place in Alaska. I learned something new.

[@SkywalkerExpress]

10:55 what a masterclass counter from Hosogaya to cut and neutralize McNorris maneuver

[@ericfrehlich8800]

Almost caught up. What a series. Just wow

[@Alex-nu7vc]

If you ever go to Anchorage, visit Whittier. You go through a WW2 one lane tunnel through a mountain, used to accelerate getting troupes and supplies to the Pacific faster.

[@Alex-nu7vc]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaGcn4aHnd1mb7M

[@petestorz172]

Salt Lake City was of the Pensacola class of heavy cruisers (= 8" guns) and Richmond was of the Omaha class of light cruisers (= 6" guns). Both classes were the oldest of their types in USN service and not the best of their types. Many Omaha class cruisers were relegated to secondary roles such as hunting German merchant raiders.

[@super44lover]

This was a revelation for me. I never realized any omahas were in such a battle!

[@christianlim772]

@@super44lover the journey of the USS Marblehead is another Omaha class that fought at the outset of the war in the Asiatic Fleet and made a 16,000 mile trip back to the US and later supported operations in the Mediterranean

[@arthurlau98]

Imagine those machine gun light cruisers were there like the USS Helena. They are made for that and has twice the throw weight per min of the Japanese heavy cruisers.

[@petestorz172]

The 6" gun of the Brooklyn class CLs might or might not have been able to penetrate the belt or turret armor of an IJN heavy, but they could at least make an inferno of the superstructure - mission kill. Woulda-coulda. In the event, Salt Lake City, Richmond, and their destroyers turned back the Japanese convoy and damaged some IJN ships.

[@bryansalley5441]

My grandfather, John C Atkeson was the captain of the Bailey

[@garydrawsandpaints7745]

Always look forward to getting a new “fix” of K&G WW2 videos and knowledge. Mention your channel to all of the college classes I teach. Thought I knew a lot about the Pacific War…you’ve proved me wrong. Great series

[@extrahistory8956]

Based on the knowledge that I've acquired from most other Pacific War documentaries, it seems like most documentaries cover the highlights and skip everything else. For 1942, this means a lot of media on the initial Japanese advance, the battles of Coral Sea and Midway and the Guadacanal campaign, but rarely any coverage on the Kokoda Trail or the Buna-Gona campaign. 1943 is rarely if ever covered in any detail. This means that the First Arakan campaign, Operation Longcloth, Operation I-Go, the battle of West Hubei, the Aleutian Campaign, Operation Cartwheel and the Lae-Salamaua campaigns are rarely if ever covered any sort of detail. The only campaign that really gets any attention this year is the Gilbert Islands (Tarawa & Makin).

[@ronb.8920]

These naval battles are exciting

[@richardglady3009]

Imagine the courage of the combatants. Thank you for this video.

[@br549fried4]

Great work! Always enjoy these episodes.

[@admiraltrung-ankancollepla2201]

Soviet Union: Why are you fighting in my waters?!

[@d.olivergutierrez8690]

“Have any navy to help us out, no? Then shut up and let us do our job”

[@Yamato-tp2kf]

@@d.olivergutierrez8690 The USSR wasn't at war with Japan at this stage... Yet! The USSR only declared war on Japan on August 8 1945 a day before the Nagasaki atomic bombing... And boy... They steamrolled the best Japanese divisions that they had in China and Manchuria...

[@nathanv536]

I hope you guys start a Europe war series…I would really enjoy that.

[@minoru-kk]

Brilliant as always! JPs have been ridiculed for not knowing anything about the Pacific War so I've pointed out Allies are the same and have complained this series doesn't show anything shame to Allies. But this time I'll raise white flag. So detailed rememberance of the forgotten!

[@extrahistory8956]

Not the first time that we've seen the Allies get the short end of the stick in this series. Their humiliating defeat at the opening stages of the Burma campaign were covered way back in the 1942 episodes. Then in late 1942, the Battle of Savo Island (widely known as America's worst military defeat) got plenty of coverage as well. More recently, the American failure to stop Operation KE earlier this year got an entire episode dedicated to it.

[@minoru-kk]

What I mentioned is the series' silence on issues known to the Japanese but ignored by Allies (mainly Allied atrocities), but importance of this battle hadn't been so recognized even in Japan and K&G elaborated

[@extrahistory8956]

@@minoru-kk I think the reason why they haven't mentioned Allied atrocities, is because most haven't happened yet. The carpet bombing of Japan only got started in late 1944, nearly two years after the events of this battle. The atom bombs are still three years away too. Since this series covers the war week-by-week, it's going to be a while before they get mentioned. One thing I will agree about is that it hasn't done enough to cover the Bengal famine, which began in February of 1943. Conversely, it has covered some of the Japanese war crimes as well, such as Unit 731 a while ago.

[@minoru-kk]

@@extrahistory8956 They had happened already. Allied atrocities like massacres of POWs in Guadalcanal, New Guinea or China have been ignored by many English media including this series. This video was great but I feel like Allied people have strong bias that their men were always gentlemanly.

[@brokenbridge6316]

This was a nice video to watch after waking up. The American's in this battle ended up getting very lucky.

[@MrMacavity]

Awesome work as always on these videos. Great contribution to history overviews. 👍

[@jamesforreal]

They need to make the movie on this one. Such an intense modern battle that the imagination believes a naval battle should be, and yet rarely talked about in any history class. Superb video!!

[@ThePatfan35]

I absolutely love the music from these videos!

[@pascoett]

The casualties were only seven men on the American side. Another remarkable thing was that the Salt Lake City crew was able to keep it afloat und running.

[@johnboxler8989]

Love this series. I thought I knew so much about this area of WW2. I was wrong

[@christianhaupt2637]

Most detailed and informative series on the pacific ever! I always am excited when a new episode drops!!! Thank you for the fantastic series! Also the Ukraine series is much appreciated.

[@JohnnyElRed]

"A Series of Mildly Unconvenient Events", featuring the US American navy.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , K&G .

[@andypanda4927]

My wargaming club played this battle oh a number of times. Generally, an aggressive U.S. commander got his own force wrecked. An aggressive IJN might do more damage, but, might lose a CA or CL to U.S. torps, depending on how U.S. DDs were used. Got wrecked as U.S. once and wrecked the IJN once. Acted as moderator on a 3rd occasion where IJN player, inadvertently, put torps into one of his own in a fratricide - razzing was funny.

[@arthurlau98]

It seems the japs trops tactics will not be that effective in open waters (in comparison to the bar room fights down under.). And the Americans did not go full trop attack in this battle.

[@thomasdowe5274]

Very nice documentary on the Alaskan islands invasion!

[@robbabcock_]

I can't wait for next week! Great series. 🙌 🇺🇸⚔🇯🇵 👏

[@cusy1054]

Kings and Generals are underrated tbh

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@MrGouldilocks]

They have over 3 million subscribers, and it's climbing steadily. Kings and generals is probably the most popular History channel on KZbin. But the content is of such impeccable quality that any number of subscribers would be too little.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

From what I've read, the bombers that might have aided the US fleet were loaded with antipersonnel ordnance for their attack on Kiska, and not the needed armor-piercing bombs useful against ships; this failure in unity of command didn't seem to bother the mostly-theoretical leadership in charge of the campaign, though, with predictable results.

[@davidryan9008]

Love your content

[@williamromine5715]

How the hell did engineering divert sea water into the fuel line? I bet somebody's rear end was pretty sore for a week. I can imagine the admiral's reaction when he found out why the ship was slowing down. I'll bet he inquired into what kind of ship the Captain was commanding in no uncertain remarks.

[@osvaldoruiz3826]

Something of the kind happened of Uss South Dakota during the second battle of Guadalcanal , the switch brakers of the ship jumped leaving the ship without power for anything in the middle of a night action

[@jeanineking7311]

Fascinating. Thanks for uploading.

[@ewok40k]

Some would say US task force was lucky to get away, but they worked hard to achieve this.

[@jeffmcdonald4225]

A great episode about a, sadly, little known battle.

[@joycechuah6398]

Why did the IJN consider attacking merchant vessels 🚢 to be cowardly, and yet earlier in the war they launched the Indian Ocean Raid against primarily merchant vessels ?

[@TheCompanyCamera]

Welp, more information about events I never knew about.

[@markgarin6355]

10,000 mile war.... But this was one of better ship on ship actions and not loosing a ship to torpedos.

[@markgatz6127]

I was stationed in that area and the weather and heavy seas dictates everything. Without mercy I might add.

[@RayBecker]

Really love the content and the research that you do. So I decided to join. Cheers. USN 1982 to 1986 USS Independence CV-62 OPS Dept. OI Div. Operations Specialist

[@dialogue62]

I just think it's kinda interesting that a battle between Japanese and American fleet elements is named after Russian islands that had nothing to do with the fight.

[@craigwheller]

My father was Chief on the Coghlan throughout much of the war. He told me that he and his shipmates assumed they would be blown out of the water when they made the torpedo run. And they didn't like McMorris but you follow orders....

[@russward2612]

The ship's bell from USS Salt Lake City is in the ROTC building on the Univ of Utah campus. The ship's bell from battleship USS Utah is in the Utah State Capitol. Both are in downtown Salt Lake City , only a few miles apart.

[@irishpsalteri]

Really interested in anything about the Alaska actions.

[@-RONNIE]

As always thank you for the video it was very informative & keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@sohrabroozbahani4700]

I miss this America... the tenacious brave ones who wouldn't back down from a fight just because the odds were off...

[@n1k2jfan96]

The Battle of the Komandorski Islands shows how the North Pacific theater suffered from a truly uncoordinated air campaign in the absence of any unifying guidance from the theater commanders. While U.S. naval forces focused on establishing a blockade to prevent the resupply of the imperial Japanese forces, Army Air Force leadership had its own priority of proving “the effectiveness of attrition bombardment as a strategic weapon,” with the 11th Air Force waging its own independent bombing operation on the enemy at Kiska. As a result, the bombers were loaded with antipersonnel ordnance for their attack on Kiska, not the armor-piercing bombs they would need to engage the Japanese fleet. This caused the 11th Air Force to miss the Battle of the Komandorski Islands, leaving the U.S. fleet as the lone defenders against a much larger Japanese force. Fortunately, the battle resulted in a strategic victory for the Americans, but it could have been much more catastrophic for the Japanese had the bombers arrived in time to provide air support for Admiral McMorris's small task group.

[@Karlosanjelos]

And another one video to enjoy. ❤❤❤

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

If that was a WoWs match, the battleships would've been far away attempting to snipe.

[@ceciliacasey8039]

Our Grandfather, BERTRAM JOSEPH RODGERS, was the Commanding Officer of the USS SALT LAKE CITY. After he and our Grandmother moved to 911 A Avenue in Coronado California he set up his "office" in one of the rooms. The biggest display was the battle plan of the battle. Surrounded by medals and photos of the surrender being signed. All 13 Grandchildren grew up hearing the story, mostly from our Grandmother.

[@chasechristophermurraydola9314]

I can’t wait to see the involvement of the seventh fighter wing in 1944 and I can’t wait because the commanding officer Major General John Maurice Weikert was the grandson of my 3rd great grand uncle Isaac Andrew Weikert.

[@Xix1326]

I've studied WWII for a lot of years, but I didn't realize there was so much activity in Alaska.

[@Historian1942]

Thanks for the video ! Greetings.

[@jonbaxter2254]

Biggest naval battle in the region probably forever.

[@danando2]

Do wish in future these were numbered for better navigation on the timeline etc

[@majestichotwings6974]

Disappointed to hear that McMorris was criticized like that despite his honesty brilliant performance under the circumstances. He took on a Japanese force twice his size and got them to abandon the chase and even call off the supply run they were escorting. All without suffering major losses, this is the definition of a success that doesn’t involve a David V. Goliath style victory. In such circumstances, McMorris’s performance was exactly what the situation called for: a determined fighting retreat that allows your forces to fight another day under better circumstances.

[@stevelebreton3489]

Thanks for the video

[@Abelius]

This was pretty epic.

[@ernestcasaribe5495]

18.08.2023 the campaign Aleutians videos are over. Why not a free full documentary video for this campaign with all videos published, free and not free. Thanks Kings and generals for your amazing work 👍🏼

[@KingsandGenerals]

We will

[@ernestcasaribe5495]

@@KingsandGenerals bravo 👏👏👏

[@phucvinh2883]

America: Grow by depending on its own resources on homeland. Japan: Grow by depending on colonies, which takes time for transfering and easy to be plundered. Also civilians in Japan get no goods from the war when all resources are used for war budgets instead of helping people.

[@haroldmclean3755]

The Supplies Never Came , A Job Well done 👍

[@haroldmclean3755]

@@thethirdjegs The Islands were not Resupplied, The Siege was not Broken, Have a Nice 😉 Day

[@haroldmclean3755]

@@thethirdjegs Your All Good Have a Great Day 👍

[@RoboticDragon]

You guys should really sign up, youre missing some great videos. I highly recommend.

[@forestgreenhobbit]

16:27 Battle of Surigao Strait was last surface battle without planes?

[@jamescarlson9599]

The japanese seem to squander opportunities like this. A much larger scale example being the battle off samar. They also tend to squander opportunities like this to deliver much needed supplies. They already broke the blockade, they should have just sent the transports with a destroyer or 2 to finish the run

[@matthewkurapka1426]

Love the content

[@brandonsirochinsky3732]

Idk why I get so Patriotic watching these every week. "They came up with a plan to contain..." Me: eh sounds conservative "... and then expel the Japanese from..." Me: YOU GOD DAMN RIGHT EXPEL

[@fku1217]

Some cowboy fortune right there.

[@scarletcrusade77]

Would have actually been a in interesting situation if the US ships decided to get interned into the USSR. But what port could they have done it in? Is there any even close on that peninsula that could hold their fleet?

[@johnmcmickle5685]

Not having served in the Navy I am no expert but it seems if you were trying to blockade an island being somewhere near that island would be the best way to intercept supply convoys. Kepp an eye out and let them come to your ambush.

[@markusskram4181]

Love The vid❤️

[@paradisegammers.2999]

This is weekly task for me

[@grahvis]

It is hard to imagine a more dismal part of the world to be stuck in without plentiful supplies.

[@alexius23]

Best part of a Tuesday morning

[@LittleMacscorner]

Did the transports make it to the island or not? It never says. And seems like they still could have. Just curious. Thanks

[@Ankitcse913]

😃now we want a video on Maharaja VIKRAM ADITYA'S Great EMPIRE (love from INDIA)🥵😱

[@greenkoopa]

@KingsandGenerals - Do you believe the Mushroom Kingdom should invest in a navy? We have airships so it seems redundant

[@IsaacCarmichael]

Never knew about this battle

[@michaelsmyth3935]

Japanese: Hold on just a little longer, supplies are on the... oh wait...

[@thehistorybox1163]

Cheers