The carrier raids on Dutch Harbor

The Japanese carriers Ryujo and Junyo launched two raids against Dutch Harbor on June 3 and 4, 1942, despite limited work-up and difficult North Pacific conditions. Dutch Harbor was the closest substantial American base able to send troops and aircraft against the Aleutian landings, so suppressing it helped protect the small occupation force. Japanese aircraft hit barracks, fuel storage, the hospital, grounded aircraft, and ships, while American gun crews improvised a defense and fighters engaged the returning strike. Northwestern's size led attackers to mistake the beached transport for a warship, although it housed civilian workers. Firefighters saved its hull, and its power plant continued supplying steam and electricity ashore. A damaged Zero crash-landed on Akutan Island, killing its pilot while leaving the aircraft recoverable. American forces later repaired and examined it to learn the fighter's strengths and weaknesses. On June 5, Kakuta received orders to stop further attacks and head toward the Central Pacific after the defeat at Midway.