IN SOLOMONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20915, 15 October 1942, Page 5

IN SOLOMONS

DOMINION PILOTS PLANES AWAITED \J.S, CRUISERS’ FATE STORIES OF SURVIVORS • (By Telegraph — Press Assn. —Copyright.) (2.40 p.m.) • -WASHINGTON, Oct. 13. New Zealand pilots are with the American forces in the Solomons, announced Rear-Admiral John McCain, who has just returned from the islands to become Chief of the Bureau of' Aeronautic^. He made this statement at the press conference of Colonel F. Knox, Secretary Navy. . Apparently the* New Zealanders have-rtot yet been in action since AdmiiJUl McCain stated that they are awaiting planes. He paid a tribute to the New Zealanders’ fighting qualities.. - His* Assertion that “we can hold the Solomons and even expand our gains 'is baSfcd on his belief that the United Stated!.forces have, shown sufficient 7 superiority in material and men to justify, the assertion. Adinlral McCain said- the Japanese had iWt used artillery oA Guadalcanalwithiri' his period of service. • They had succeeded on one occasion in getting Tour pieces of light artillery ashore; but the Marines captured them,.next morning. Admiral'-McCain said that in one period- from August 21 to. September 17 tite (Japanese lost 133 planes otter - Guadalcanar Island to 25 American AdftUfid McCain himself commanded the - ait Scouting and striking forces other-fliah planes in the ; Solomons arda.His headquarters w«e > on Esjiiritu Santo Island, in the New Hebrides, 565 miles from Guadalcanar. Qeclining Aerial Strength Adrtural McCain made two trips to Guadglfcanar and said there was evi-dence-that the Japanese were actually decliriHig in aerial strength dn the Solomons. He instanced the inferior ' types of planes now being used by the - Japanese and their slowness in replacing losses. Some l biplanes and seaplanes used by the Japanese' could never!’ have been used unless the enemy? was entirely regardless of - huma® life or was running short of equipment. During a raid on September 13 severali Japanese bombers and fighters were shot down. An examination/ of these planes showed that’they were absolutely new—just off the assembly lines. . ; ‘.The lacquer covering looked as if it had been done only a few hours before.-/ The rubber ■ gaskets, which - deteriorate quickly \in the tropics, were not at all worn or crapped. . “Bdt,” Admiral MCCafn added; “these-; things might indicate that the enemysis getting/short of planes, but I would not count on it." . Asked about, the-. effectiveness of American air, attacks on Japanese bases :Jn the north-western SOlOftions, Admiral McCain replied.;, th'at he; thought the enemy’s seaplane base'at Rekata ; Bay on Santa Ysabel Island \ was Tendered untenable, and. the enemy!; base at Gizo was definitely Asked whether- the Japanese- had been able to\ fetid \>heavy, reinforcements - on Guadalcanar, /particularly artillery units,' ’he replied: “The Japanese /had put in nothing heavy there ujp. to,yhp,l,imejl.left - “3|htt|»^erops'St'eer.., i DescTibiSg the ~ Solomons -i ririivol battle fgarly; in' August .in' \vhich three American .etulsersr-were.' lost;-, 1 First / Class Seaman. Lynn Hager, aboard the cruiser*Astoria, says he'heard the-dis-tant sound of sriroplatnesprind sent! a hurried message,to thd captain. Later flares plunged down from, the planes. Then-out of the darkness- came -a blinding searchlight and, almost simul-r----taneoUaly, a thunderous mass- of steel and UW closed in on -the doomed ship. The Astoria shuddered-under the im- . pact of shell after shell of the first salvo . Struck while sOme! of the:* inert were; ; Still running! to - their stations and knocked out one of the Astoria’s “Wst& the Japanese - searchlights picked us up, we turned and started firing- to-port,” Seaman Hager said, r “It seemed'that ships were attacking us from both sides. Our commander cut lobse at the searchlight which, after a few minutes went up in one big ptlff. He commented: ‘That’s one Japanese who will never throw another : shell.’ “Shells and • torpedoes from other Japanese warships continued hitting us until we were set on fire. The Astoria burned all night and sank in the morning.” Seairian Hager said that an American destroyer machine-gunned sharks Rin order to save the wounded men who were struggling in the water. Seaman Williamson, who was aboard the cruiser Quincy when she sank,, said: “While we were in the water a man close to me who had been badly shot about, said quietly: ‘I can’t last over 20 minutes. I’ve got £25 in my pocket if it will do you fellows any good.’ But nobody took - it.” , PREMIER’S CONFIRMATION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. When the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, was asked about New • Zealand airmen in the Solomons, he said: “I confirm that New Zealand airmen are in the combat area and are doing their part.”