Organization of the Imperial Japanese Navy Alaskan Strike Group

The Organization of the Imperial Japanese Navy Alaskan Strike Group was the naval component assembled by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its June–July 1942 Aleutian Islands campaign during World War II. Commanded by Vice Admiral Boshirō Hosogaya, the force comprised multiple surface and carrier divisions, including the 1st Support Group led by Hosogaya aboard Nachi, the 2nd Carrier Squadron under Rear Admiral Kakuji Kakuta with escort carriers Ryūjō and Junyō, and a cruiser division featuring heavy ships Maya and Takao. Specialized occupation units targeted Attu and Kiska, transporting over 2,400 troops aboard cruisers Abukuma, Kiso, and Tama. A dedicated seaplane fighter unit from the 5th Air Fleet supported operations from Kiska. This hierarchical structure reflected Japan’s strategic intent to seize territory in Alaska’s Aleutian chain during the wider Pacific War.

Japanese Navy units in the Alaskan Operation

Commander in Chief, Navy Alaskan Strike Group

Boshiro Hosogaya:-Commander-in-Chief, Navy Alaskan Strike Group, Aleutian Campaign^[1]

1st Support Group Commander

Boshiro Hosogaya:-command Heavy Cruiser Nachi and two destroyers

2nd Carrier Squad Commander

Kakuji Kakuta:-Lead, Escort Carriers Ryujo (37 aircraft) (among its fighter pilots aboard were Tadayuki Koga), and Junyo (45 aircraft).^[2] Both Carriers were equipped with Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero" fighters, Aichi D3A1 "Val" Dive-bombers and Nakajima B5N2 "Kate" Torpedo-bombers.

3rd Cruiser Division (2° Section)

Comprising the Cruisers Maya, Takao, and three destroyers

Navy Aleutian Occupation force

Attu Group Commander

Sentaro Omori:-led Light Cruiser Abukuma, four destroyers, one minelayer, one transport (1,200 soldiers)

Kiska Group Commander

Takeo Ono:-Guiding the light cruisers Kiso, Tama, one auxiliary cruiser (Asaka Maru), three destroyers, two minelayers, two transports (1,250 soldiers)

Navy Hidro Fighter unit in Aleutian Operation

5th Air Fleet:-equipped with Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane fighters, support operations from Kiska aquatic base, Aleutian islands.

Japanese Army Units in the Alaskan Operation

North Seas Detachment Commanders

Matsutoshi Hozumi:-He led one infantry battalion whose mission was to occupy the islands of Attu, Kiska, and Adak, in conjunction with naval units.
Juichiro Mineki:-he replaced at Hozumi in command of unit and receiving command of a reinforced group, grown to three infantry battalions, under Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Fleet.

Last Japanese Navy Infantry Commander in Alaskan Campaign

Yasugo Yamazaki:-commander of last Japanese Navy infantry group in Attu Japanese held island

References

^ Perras, Galen Roger (2003). Stepping Stones to Nowhere: The Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and American Military Strategy, 1867-1945. UBC Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-7748-0990-0.
^ Garfield, Brian (2010-04-15). Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians. University of Alaska Press. pp. 10–42. ISBN 978-1-60223-117-7.

[1] Perras, Galen Roger (2003). Stepping Stones to Nowhere: The Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and American Military Strategy, 1867-1945. UBC Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-7748-0990-0.

[2] Garfield, Brian (2010-04-15). Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians. University of Alaska Press. pp. 10–42. ISBN 978-1-60223-117-7.

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