Task force 2 still lurked, on June 4, 1942, in the fogbound waters of the North Pacific. Japanese Pilots from the first task force had bombed Dutch Harbor, not once, but twice. But task force 2 carried troops who intended to invade and occupy the Islands of Adak and Kiska—American territory. The Americans hadn’t heard from them yet.
And even as the mortal enemies struggled with weather and confusion in the Aleutians, far to the south at Midway Island, American pilots found Yamamoto’s carrier fleet. Battling warplanes swarmed above the Japanese ships and American bombers rained fire. The American Navy all but destroyed Yamamoto’s fleet that day.
In shock, his grand strategy in shambles, Yamamoto debated for a time. At first blush, the assault on the Aleutians looked like a waste of time. He considered withdrawing task force 2. But Japan still needed to defend itself at the north. And an Aleutian victory might help counter the impact of the Midway disaster on the Japanese public.
He ordered Admiral Hosogaya to proceed with his invasion.
Knowing that the American Air Force had planes on Umnak, in range of Adak, Hosogaya struck further west. On June 7th Japanese troops occupied Kiska and the following day they waded onto Attu.
At Dutch Harbor, taking stock on June 5, American commanders judged the battle of Dutch Harbor a draw—good enough. But four days later they learned that the Japanese held Kiska and Attu.
Clearly Dutch Harbor and the Aleutians remained in play and at risk.