| The Aleutian Campaign |
| By 7 August, the task force to which Indianapolis was attached
finally found an opening in the thick fog which hid the Japanese stronghold
at Kiska Island, and imperiled ships in the treacherous and partially uncharted
nearby coasts. Indianapolis' 8-inch guns opened up along with those
of the other ships. Although fog hindered observation, scout planes flown
from the cruisers reported seeing ships sinking in the harbor and fires burning
among shore installations. So complete was the tactical surprise that it
was 15 minutes before shore batteries began to answer; and some of them fired
into the air, believing they were being bombed. Most of them were silenced
by accurate gunnery from the ships. |
| Japanese submarines then appeared but were promptly depth charged
by American destroyers. Japanese seaplanes also made an ineffective bombing
attack. The operation was considered a success despite the scanty information
on its results. It also demonstrated the necessity of obtaining bases nearer
the Japanese held islands. Consequently, U.S. forces occupied the island
of Adak later in the month, providing a base suitable for surface craft and
planes further along the island chain from Dutch Harbor. |
| Indianapolis returned to California for a major overhaul
and upgrade, which included the addition of six AA mounts. Her bridge structure
was modified to allow for the inclusion of high angle fire control radar
and a second similar unit abaft the mainmast. |
| Returning to the north Pacific in January 1943,
Indianapolis supported the U.S. occupation of Amchitka, which gave
us another base in the Aleutians. |
| On the night of 19 February 1943, while Indianapolis and
two destroyers patrolled southwest of Attu, hoping to intercept enemy ships
running reinforcements and supplies into Kiska and Attu, she contacted a
Japanese cargo ship, Akagane Maru. When challenged, the enemy tried
to feign a reply but was shelled by Indianapolis' 8-inch guns. Since
the Akagane Maru exploded with great force and left no survivors,
she was presumably laden with ammunition. |
| Throughout the spring and summer of 1943, Indianapolis
operated in Aleutian waters escorting American convoys and covering amphibious
assaults. In May, the Navy took Attu, the first territory stolen by the Japanese
to be reconquered by the United States. After Attu was proclaimed secure,
the U.S. forces focused their attention on Kiska, the last enemy stronghold
in the Aleutians. However, the Japanese managed to evacuate their entire
garrison under cover of persistent, thick fog before our landings there 15
August. |
