JAP NAVAL REVERSE IN SOLOMONS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 17, 15 October 1942, Page 5

JAP NAVAL REVERSE IN SOLOMONS

Battle To Cheek Landings MARINES’ GAIN

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright’.) (Received Oct. 14, 10.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 13. Smashing blows against the Japanese fleet in the Solomons area were delivered by United States naval and air forces on

Monday. ■ One enemy heavy cruiser was sunk, a second cruiser was badly damaged and put out of action, and four destroyers and one medium-sized transport were sunk in a naval battle, which resulted when renewed Japanese efforts were made to land troops on Guadalcanal Island. The sole United States ship loss was a single destroyer, and other ships received minor to moderate damage. This new triumph, which is regarded as perhaps the most heartening news that has been received from the South-west Pacific since the United States marines occupied the south-eastern Solomons, makes a total of 48 Japanese ships sunk or damaged and at least 270 planes destroyed in the group in two months. It is also announced that the marines have enlarged their positions on Guadalcanal during a two days offensive, in which the Japanese suffered many casualties.

The latest naval and air success is announced in a special navy communique, which says: “On various occasions in recent weeks the Japanese have succeeded in increasing the number of their troops on Guadalcanal (by night landings from cruisers, destroyers and small transports. Navy and marine aircraft from Guadalcanal persistently attacked the landing parties, but the air attacks did not halt the landings.

“Therefore, a task group of United States cruisers and destroyers was ordered to intercept enemy ships attempting further landings. "At midnight on October 12 the • task group engaged a force of enemy cruisers, . destroyers and transports west of Savo IslandAfter a 30 minutes’ battle fought with guns and torpedoes the enemy was forced to abandon the landing attempt and withdrew. “Several United States ships received minor to moderate damage, and one destroyer was sunk. Our forces sank a heavy cruiser of the Nati or Atago class, four destroyers and one 5090-ton transport. “On the morning of October 12, navy and marine torpedo planes and divebombers left Guadalcanal to locate and attack the retreating, enemy ships. They overtook two enemy cruisers south of New Georgia (in the central Sol omons) - A torpedo hit was obtained against one cruiser and several bombs exploded nearby. The cruiser was left dead in the water and burning. Further Bombing, “On the afternoon of October 12 an air group from Guadalcanal attacked an enemy cruiser and destroyer in the area south of New Georgia. A direct bomb hit severely damaged and stopped the cruiser. When last seen her crew was abandoning the ship, which is believed to have been damaged in the previous engagements. “A direct hit and several near misses set fire to the accompanying destroyer, which was left in a sinking condition. “Reports to date indicate that as a result of the night action and the air attacks on October 12 the enemy suffered the following minimum, damage: —One heavy cruiser sunk, one cruiser badly damaged and put out of action, four destroyers.sunk and one mediumsized. XMffe.. destroyer was our only

Earlier Attack. A navy communique issued earlier, dealing with activities north of Georgia Island, stated: “On the morning of October 9, aircraft of the Marine Corps attacked a Japanese force consisting of two light cruisers and four destroyers. A direct hit damaged one cruiser, which when last seen was down by the bow. The second cruiser was also attacked and minor damage was reported. Three enemy seaplanes which attempted to fight off our attack were shot down.

"Navy and Marine Corps search planes bombed the enemy aircraft installations at Rekata Bay and strafed seaplanes on the water. The results of the attack are not known.

"On the next day four waves of Japanese bombers with a fighter escort, totalling about 35 bombers and 30 fighters, attempted to bomb our positions on Guadalcanal. Army, Navy, and marine fighters intercepted and forced the bombers to drop their loads in the open fields. 'Eight enemy bombers and four Zero fighters were shot down, and two United States fighters were lost.

“The United States marines succeeded in extending their positions to the westward on the north shore of Guadalcanal after two days of offensive operations. Army fighters assisted by stealing enemy troops and installations, and the enemy suffered many casualties.”

“MOVING SOUTH” Full Japanese Fleet

(Received October 14, 9.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 13.

A Chungking report quotes the Chinese military spokesman as saying that tlie Japanese fleet at sea in the Pacific comprises lour aircraftcarriers, seven battleships, and a number of criusers. The fleet was reported to have been “recently observed moving south.”