Yes, the USS Alaska, operating alongside the USS Guam, achieved limited success in its mission to sink Japanese shipping vessels during a specific sweep operation in July 1945.
Operation Details and Outcome
During the later stages of World War II, the USS Alaska, a large cruiser, participated in various naval operations to counter Japanese forces. One such significant mission involved a sweep into the strategic East China Sea and Yellow Sea.
- Date of Operation: The mission commenced on July 16, 1945.
- Participating Vessels: The USS Alaska conducted this sweep in collaboration with another large cruiser, the USS Guam.
- Primary Objective: The main goal of this particular sweep was to actively seek out and sink Japanese shipping vessels, contributing to the broader Allied effort to disrupt enemy supply lines and maritime capabilities.
- Result: Despite the clear objective to sink Japanese shipping, the operation concluded with only "limited success." Both vessels subsequently returned to the main fleet by July 23, 1945.
| Operation Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | July 16 - July 23, 1945 |
| Ships Involved | USS Alaska (CB-1), USS Guam (CB-2) |
| Location | East China Sea, Yellow Sea |
| Primary Objective | To sink Japanese shipping vessels |
| Outcome | Limited success in achieving the objective |
Understanding "Limited Success"
When a military operation is described as having "limited success," it implies that while the full scope or desired impact of the objective was not achieved, some positive outcome did occur. In the context of a mission specifically aimed at sinking enemy vessels, this indicates that the USS Alaska, during its sweep with the USS Guam, did manage to sink some Japanese shipping. However, the number of vessels sunk was likely not as many as targeted, or their strategic impact was not as significant as desired, leading to the designation of "limited" rather than full success. This outcome suggests a partial fulfillment of their mission to neutralize enemy maritime assets.
For more detailed historical information regarding the USS Alaska's service and operations, various historical naval records and dedicated resources are available, including its Wikipedia entry.
