JAPAN’S LOSS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20914, 14 October 1942, Page 4

JAPAN’S LOSS

FIVE WARSHIPS SOLOMONS BATTLE TWO MORE DAMAGED U.S. LOSES DESTROYER (15v Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (2.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct, 13. An American naval success in the Solomons was announced by the Navy Department to-day. Five Japanese warships were sunk, including a heavy cruiser, four destroyers, and a transport. In addition, two other warships were damaged. One was a cruiser which was crippled and on fire, and the other a destroyer, which had since probably gone to the bottom. The Americans lost one destroyer sunk. The Japanese had succeeded in reinforcing troops already landed on Guadalcanal’ Island. Dealing with activities north of Georgia Island, the Navy Department communique states: ‘‘On Friday morning Marine Corps aircraft attacked a Japanese force of two light cruisers and four destroyers. A direct hit damaged one cruiser which, when last seen, was clown by the bow. The second cruiser was also attacked and mmol'- damage is reported. . Seaplanes Shot Down

“Three enemy seaplanes which attempted to fight off our attack were shot down. Navy and Marine Corps search planes bombed enemy aircraft installations at Rekata Bay and strafed seaplanes on the water. The results of the attack are not known. "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’ Island. Army, navy and Marine Corps fighters intercepted and forced the bombers to drop their loads in the open fields. Eight enemy bombers and four Zero fighters were shot down. Two United States fighters were lost. "The United States Marines have succeeded in extending their positions to the westward on the north shore of Guadalcanal- after two days’ offensive operations. Army fighters assisted by strafing the enemy troops and installations, and the enemy suffered many casualties. News has been received in London that Fathers Henry Engberink and Arthur Duhamel and Sisters Sylvia end Odatya, of the Marist Mission on Ruaeatu, in Guadalcanal’, have been murdered bv Japanese soldiers. Thenbodies were found at Tamimbok. Guadalcanal-. They had all been bayoneted in the throat. A third. Sister Edmet, escaped.