CRIPPLING BLOW AT JAPANESE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 33, 3 November 1942, Page 5

CRIPPLING BLOW AT JAPANESE

Recent Battle Off Santa Cruz MANY BIG SHIPS (By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correapendent.) (Received November 2, 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 2. With the lull iij.the lighting in the Solomons, Australian war commentators pay tribute to the American forces, particularly the marines on Guadalcanal, who have fought so gallantly to stem the Japanese advance.

"But for their heroism, Australia today would be in imminent danger of assault,” says the Sydney “Suu’i iu an editorial today. "The plain fact is that the Japanese have been worsted in their third and most heavily mounted attempt to retake Guadalcanal,” declares the "Sydney Morning Herald.” “The margin may have been small, but with the supply line intact and American prestige and strategical interest closely involved in the struggle, there is reason for cautious confidence that the airfield will now be kept out of Japanese hands,” The disclosure of the toll which the great sea and air battle fought last Monday between the United States and Japanese carrier forces iu the Solomons reveals that the enemy took a heavy beating.

Japan had two aircraft-carriers, two battleships, and three cruisers damaged, and 100 planes destroyed and 50 more probably destroyed. Tlie Americans lost an aircraftcarrier and destroyer (both reported). Some of the Japanese ships were so badly hammered that it is probable they will never reach home. One Zulkaku class carrier received six heavy bomb-hits, while another carrier of the same ciass was twice hit with medium bombs. Comparative Tallies. Two heavy bomb hits were scored on a battleship of the Kongo class, ami one heavy bomb fait on the second battleship. Five medium bomb-bits were made on a cruiser of the Tikumu class, torpedo and bomb-hits on a eecoiid heavy cruiser, and two torpedo hits on the third heavy cruiser. The toll of the rival navies since the Solomons fighting begun on August 7 is now:—

Japan: 77 ships sunk or damaged. America: 15 sunk (two aircraft-car-riers, three cruisers, six destroyers, and four transports), and an unstated number damaged. Japan’s certain plane losses have now reached 538.

These figures take no account of the ships and planes destroyed by aircraft of General MacArthur's command. The presence of several United States aircraft-carriers in the south-west Pacific has been inferred by American news.analysts from the refusal of the naval authorities to name the carrier sunk in lost Monday’s engagement near Santa Cruz. Harry Flannery, a noted Columbia broadcaster, says it is likely that at least one Japanese carrier was also sunk in the engagement, which he assesses as proving the all-importnnt air superiority of the Americans, Put he warns against over-optimism, since “’the Japanese are sure either to return in new force to Guadalcanal or to strike at another Allied island outpost iu the Pacific.” JAPAN’S SEA POWER Claimed To Be Well Behind British (By Telegraph.- Press Assii.—Cttp.vrlglit.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 2. Japan still ranks third in world naval strength, according to Francis .McMurtie, editor of ‘‘June's Fighting Ships” and London “Sunday Express" naval correspondent. Commenting on the recent statement of Vice-Admiral Edwards, second in command of the United States Fleet, Mr. McMurtie says: "With the Anson and Howe commissioned, the British Navy has 15 battleships. This equals the United States battleship strength, though America is soon to launch the South Dakota, making 16. The Japanese navy *lms only 10 battleships, unless one of two 45000-tonners under construction has been delivered recently. [Chungking reports some time ago -claimed that these ships were almost ready for service.] Britain Ims six aircraft-carriers. The United States has four, with others nearing completion'. Japan, as far as can be ascertained; has foiir. and possibly live. “The comparison of auxiliary cruisers —converted merchant men—is more difficult, but the United States is well placed with at least 15. They do not accompany the fleet, bui are engaged in tasks to which their comparatively slow speed is hotter suited.”

JAPANESE SURPRISED U.S. Air Attacks From China And India (Received November 2, 7 p.m.) NEW DELHI, November 1. General Bissell, commanding ollieer of the 10th United States Army Air Forces, referring to the air forces’ thrusts in all direct ions from their points of strategic advantage in China and India, said: "We succeeded in taking the Japanese by surprise and we hope Io be able Io keep the initiative. Japanese-occupied cities have been hit and will be bit again.” The Chinese are advancing against enemy positions in the maritime province of Kwangtung. They have met with some enemy resistance which was overcome.

A correspondent says that five Japanese divisions have been concentrated along the north bank of lite Yellow River. It.-is thought that the enemy is preparing for u new offensive along the PeipingHankow railway.

TOKIO RESHUFFLE

(Received November 2, 10.55 p.m.) NEW YORK. November 1.

Tokio radio announced the formation of the Greater East. Asia Affairs Ministry in a far-reaching reshuffle of the business previously bandied by the overseas Minister, Mr. Sino, the Manchurian Affairs Board and the South Seas Bureau.

Tile Primo Minister, General Tojo, said the war would softie East Asia for 1000 years to come. Hr added that brilliant victories bad already established a basis to subjugate Britain and America.