SIX JAP. SHIPS SUNK

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 242, 14 October 1942, Page 5

SIX JAP. SHIPS SUNK

U.S. SOLOMONS FLEET AERIAL BLOWS IN NORTH

F.A. Gable.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.

The latest U.S. Navy Department communique announces heavy punishment inflicted on Japanese naval forces in the Solomons. Without giving the dates of the actions, it states that six Japanese warships were sunk and two damaged. One heavy cruiser, four destroyers, and a transport were the vessels sunk, while another cruiser was damaged and probably sunk and a destroyer probably sunk. The damaged cruiser was out of action and burnmg when last s-een. U.S. losses m this battle were a destroyer sunk and several other warships damaged. No details are available. The Navy earlier stated that United States airmen bombed and damaged two enemy cruisers and shot down 15 enemy planes in the area north of New Georgia Island. The Navy has also announced that the Marines enlarged their positions on Guadalcanar during a two-day offensive, the Japanese suffering many casualties. Dealing with the activities north of New Georgia Island the U.S. Navy 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 down by the bow. The second cruiser was also attacked and minor damage is reported. T'hree enemy seaplanes which attempted to flght off our planes were brought down. "Navy and Marine Corps search planes bombed enemy aircraft installations at Rekata (Ysabel Island) and strafed seaplanes on the water. The results of the attack are not known. "Next day four waves of bombers and 30 fighters attempted to bomb our positions on Guadalcanar. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps fighters intercepted and forced the bombers to drop their loads in open flelds. Eight enemy bombers and four Zero fighters were shot down. Two United States fighters were lost. "United States Marines succeeded in extending their positions to the westward on the north shore of Guadalcanar after two days of offensive operations. Army fighters assisted by strafing enemy troops and installations, and the enemy suffered many casualties.