JAPS. MISSED CHANCE

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 243, 15 October 1942, Page 2

JAPS. MISSED CHANCE

TERR1BLE N1GHT 1N AUGUST FAILED TO FOLLOW UP SUCCESS SUMMARY OF SOLOMONS ' LOSSES.

P.A, Cable.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14,

A total of 52 Japanese ships has been sunk or damaged and at least 270 planes lost An the battle for the Solomons, while American losses total ten ships and an unrevealed number of aircraft, probably less than a quarter of the enemy's plane losses. This summary of Japanese sinkings is based on United States Navy figures. The point-blank battle in Guadalcanar Channel on August 9, in which the Canberra and three American cruisers were sunk, was a constant explosion from beginning to end, a'ccording to Lieutenant-Commander Henry Heneberger, a gunnery officer on the Quincy. "Our cruisers accomplished their mission, '' he said. ''The Japanese naval force did not reach the transports unloading Marines into the Solomons. By opening fire the American warships saved the transports. The Japanese probably sent a small force designed. to get in fast and do the maximum damage to the transports, then scampsr. The fight developed into a pitched battle. When- the enemy was going by at a high speed at a range of two or three thousand yards, we fired on them with everything we had. I do not know what damage we caused, but I saw searchlights going out, indicating hits." The New York Times's Pearl Harbour correspondent says it is unaccountable that the Japanese naval forces failed ti follw up the advantage they gained that terrible night, and left United States transports alone.