TAKEN IN 48 HOURS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20876, 31 August 1942, Page 3

TAKEN IN 48 HOURS

JAP. STRONGHOLDS U.S. MARINIS TRIUMPH FEW PRISONERS TAKEN (10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 30. The United States armada, supported by Royal Australian Navy units, bombers and fighters, surprised the Japanese in the Solomons and accomplished all the prescribed objectives within 48 hours, says the United Press correspondent, Mr. Robert Miller, in a despatch from Guadalcanar Island. The Marines’ greatest prize was the Japanese-built airport on Guadalcanalwhich was immediately placed in operation. The Americans also captured intact the base installations, scores of huge trucks, great quantities of stores, food and fuel. The fleeing Japanese did not destroy a single piece of vital equipment. The landing so surprised them that they fled into the jungle, leaving unfinished bowls of rice in the mess halls. Epic Story of Courage The story of Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambodo is an epic of American courage, heroism and devotion to duty, comparable with Bataan, Wake Island and Corregidor. The fighting was so furious in these islands that only a few Japanese prisoners were taken. Six hundred defenders on Tulagi fought to the last man. Twelve hundred Japanese on Gavutu refused to surrender. They retreated to the caves where they died fighting. The Marines’ casualties were amazingly light in comparison with the Japanese. Brigadier-General Rupertus, the Marines commander, said: “What these men did here was far above and beyond all devotion to duty, and the United States should be proud of them."