Operation Cottage
Encyclopedia
Operation Cottage was a tactical
maneuver
during the Aleutian Islands campaign. In the operation, which took place on August 15, 1943, Allied
military forces landed unopposed on Kiska Island, which had been occupied by Japan
ese forces since June, 1942. The Japanese forces, however, had secretly abandoned the island two weeks prior. The operation completed the Aleutian Islands campaign.
Takeji Ono had landed on Kiska at approximately 01:00 on June 7, 1942, with a force of about 500 Japanese
marines. Soon after arrival, they stormed an American
weather station
. Here they killed two and captured eight United States Navy
officers. The remaining eight were sent to Japan as prisoners of war.
Another 2,000 Japanese troops arrived, landing in Kiska Harbor. At this time, Monzo Akiyama, a Rear-Admiral, headed the force on Kiska. In December 1942, additional anti-aircraft units, engineers, and a negligible number of reinforcement infantry arrived on the island. In the spring of 1943, control was transferred to Kiichiro Higuchi
.
A Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft sighted Japanese ships in Kiska. No further identification was visible. To United States naval planners, none was necessary and the orders to invade Kiska soon followed.
Due to the heavy casualties suffered at Attu Island
, planners were expecting another costly operation. The Japanese tactical planners had, however, realized the isolated island was no longer defensible and planned for an evacuation.
Although small, there were signs of Japanese retreat. Anti-aircraft guns, once active during the Kiska Blitz, were silent when Allied planes flew over in the days leading up to the invasion.
On August 15, 1943, the 7th Division (U.S.) and the 13th Infantry Brigade (Canada), landed on opposite shores of Kiska.
Both US and Canadian forces mistook each other as Japanese and as a result friendly fire
incidents killed 28 Americans and 4 Canadians and wounded 50 more.
A stray Japanese mine
caused the USS Abner Read
(DD-526) to lose a large chunk of its stern. The blast killed 71. 191 troops went missing during the two-day stay on the island and presumably also died from friendly fire. Four other troops had also been killed by landmines or other trap
s.
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
maneuver
Maneuver warfare
Maneuver warfare, or manoeuvre warfare , is the term used by military theorists for a concept of warfare that advocates attempting to defeat an adversary by incapacitating their decision-making through shock and disruption brought about by movement...
during the Aleutian Islands campaign. In the operation, which took place on August 15, 1943, Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
military forces landed unopposed on Kiska Island, which had been occupied by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese forces since June, 1942. The Japanese forces, however, had secretly abandoned the island two weeks prior. The operation completed the Aleutian Islands campaign.
Background
The Japanese under CaptainCaptain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
Takeji Ono had landed on Kiska at approximately 01:00 on June 7, 1942, with a force of about 500 Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
marines. Soon after arrival, they stormed an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
weather station
Weather station
A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
. Here they killed two and captured eight United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officers. The remaining eight were sent to Japan as prisoners of war.
Another 2,000 Japanese troops arrived, landing in Kiska Harbor. At this time, Monzo Akiyama, a Rear-Admiral, headed the force on Kiska. In December 1942, additional anti-aircraft units, engineers, and a negligible number of reinforcement infantry arrived on the island. In the spring of 1943, control was transferred to Kiichiro Higuchi
Kiichiro Higuchi
-Notes:...
.
Invasion plan and execution
Due to the heavy casualties suffered at Attu Island
Attu Island
Attu is the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, making it the westernmost point of land relative to Alaska and the United States. It was the site of the only World War II land battle fought on the incorporated territory of the United States ,...
, planners were expecting another costly operation. The Japanese tactical planners had, however, realized the isolated island was no longer defensible and planned for an evacuation.
Although small, there were signs of Japanese retreat. Anti-aircraft guns, once active during the Kiska Blitz, were silent when Allied planes flew over in the days leading up to the invasion.
On August 15, 1943, the 7th Division (U.S.) and the 13th Infantry Brigade (Canada), landed on opposite shores of Kiska.
Both US and Canadian forces mistook each other as Japanese and as a result friendly fire
Friendly fire
Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...
incidents killed 28 Americans and 4 Canadians and wounded 50 more.
A stray Japanese mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
caused the USS Abner Read
USS Abner Read (DD-526)
USS Abner Read was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy, named after Lieutenant Commander Abner Read....
(DD-526) to lose a large chunk of its stern. The blast killed 71. 191 troops went missing during the two-day stay on the island and presumably also died from friendly fire. Four other troops had also been killed by landmines or other trap
Trap (tactic)
A trap is a device intended to catch an intruder or prey. "Trap" may also refer to the tactic of catching or harming an adversary. Conversely it may also mean a hindrance for change, being caught in a trap.-Device:*Animal trapping*Bird trapping...
s.
External links
- Logistics Problems on Attu by Robert E. Burks.
- Aleutian Islands Chronology
- Aleutian Islands War
- Red White Black & Blue - feature documentary about The Battle of Attu in the Aleutians during World War II
- Soldiers of the 184th Infantry, 7th ID in the Pacific, 1943-1945
- World War II Campaign Brochure for Aleutian Islands from the United States Army Center of Military History.