Richmond (CL 9) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

A sunrise over Kuluk Bay. To the Westpp This is snug, safe, smooth Kuluk Bay another was setting. r Mount Moffet in background. Good Weather was scarce in the North Pacilic. High seas, limited Visibility and snow were the chief fare. As the ships pounded back from raids on Japanese outposts, their decks were awashg seams Were sprungg and Ventilation and electrical fittings Were flooded out. A sea-going stomach was a class A item. A ..,, What was so rare as a sunny day? Normal going. Ricbmolzcl takes one over the bow. Smash, bang into the seas was the steady diet for North Pacific sailors. 37

Page 8 text:

tilifwii S a 'I . ' 1 The Aleutians Campaign Things looked as black as a storm cloud in the Aleutians when the Richmond first went North in early 1943. The Japs were dug in at Kiska and Attu and were threat- ening elsewhere. I Strikes at Kiska Qtop picturej and Attu Chottomj followed by the invasion of first the latter island, then the former, hammered the Japs back to the Kuriles. These victories put the Japanese at their starting point in the North. Chief naval engagement of the Aleutian campaign was fought to the southeast of the Russian Komandorski Islands. Cruising in a scouting line, the American task force battled it out in one of the longest surface engage- ments of the war with a rather superior Japanese force attempting to supply Attu. During the engagement the Richmond was unhurt though frequently smothered in spray from Jap near-misses. The Salt Lake City was struck three times by enemy pro- jectiles and for a few moments, in the last phase of the battle, was dead in the water. In the next-to-bottom picture, American cans', make smoke to protect her while the Richmond stands by.

Page 10 text:

Attu shoreline. Notice the trees. CRUDIV ONE plows ahead thru choppy Bering seas. Massacre Bay, Attu - jump off spot for Kurile raids.