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1630 hrs, August 7th 1942, the heavy cruiser squadron commanded
by Admiral Theobold begins its shore bombardment of Japanese
positions on the island of Kiska, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Curtis
SOC Seagull floatplanes spotting the gunfire for the American
cruiser squadron were jumped by a flight of Japanese 'Rufe' floatplanes.
Ducking into the clouds, the SOC's were able to escape the oncoming
Japanese but their mission of fire direction control was defeated.
The SOC's were eventually recovered by the American flotilla,
but not without cost. One plane from the USS Indianapolis was
lost and several others sustained considerable damage. The bombardment
did have some limited success in sinking some Japanese barges
and destroying some moored 'Mavis' floatplanes. Signed by the
artist. |