JAPANESE LOSSES

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1943, Page 5

JAPANESE LOSSES

Australian Estimate

RUGBY, June 1.

Mr. Drakeford stated at Melbourne that Japan, since her entry into the war, had had over 1100 aircraft destroyed, 392 probably destroyed, and 380 damaged. Japan’s shipping losses amounted to 446 vessels, 2,224,000 tons, comprising two battleships, six aircraftcarriers, nin e heavy cruisers, eight light cruisers, 70 destroyers, 25 submarines, one seaplane tender, also 25 tankers, and 300 merchantmen of a total tonnage of 1,600,000. Air supremacy had been wrested from the Japanese in the South-west Pacific and there was every indication that encirclement was being effected gradually but inexorably. “Japan is doomed,” added Mr. Drakeford.