Battle of the Komandorski Islands
"Wakaba" returned to northern waters from January 1943, continuing patrols and resupply transport missions to the Aleutians. On 26 March, she participated in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands as part of the IJN 5th Fleet, and unsuccessfully engaged United States Navy forces at long range with torpedoes. She collided with the destroyer on 30 March, and was withdrawn together with the cruisers and to Yokosuka for repairs.