I know the plan was to take Attu and Kiska to provide a diversion for the attack on Midway, but I still shake my head over that strategy. Two islands of no strategic or economic importance whatsoever. I'm half surprised Nimitz didn't tell them, "you want them that bad, keep 'em." And what commander would would ever take the bait and leave Midway and the Hawaiian Islands lightly defended to go rescue Attu and Kiska??? Whoever dreamed that plan up had gotten into the Sake cabinet.
I have to agree with you on that one. I don't know who really got the worst of "Tying up enemy forces" us or the Japanese, both sides needed everything they could get into the main areas of combat. Those carriers might have made a difference in the Battle of Midway, even though they weren't top line fleet carriers.