Hosogaya's withdrawal at the Komandorski Islands

Boshiro Hosogaya was escorting transports to reinforce Kiska when an American force intercepted him near the Komandorski Islands in March 1943. His two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and four destroyers faced one American heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, and four destroyers. After USS Salt Lake City suffered severe damage, Hosogaya mistook colored shell splashes for an air attack and withdrew. Japanese higher command treated the retreat from an inferior surface force as cowardice and removed him from command. The argument in favor of his decision depends on what that apparent air attack implied: the visible American ships could have screened an unseen carrier force. Continuing against the known surface force offered a prospect of victory, while an attack by a larger force threatened cruisers Japan could ill afford to lose.