Japanese Groups Land In Solomons

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 112, 5 September 1942, Page 5

Japanese Groups Land In Solomons

ATTACK BY AMERICANS. WASHINGTON, Sept 3. Small detachments of Japanese troops have made fresh attempts to land in various islands In the South-East Solomons. Those who have succeeded in landing are being sought out and engaged by United States Marines, says a Navy Department communique issued in Washington to-night The communique reveals that American planes operating from their base on Guadalcanar attacked the Japanese ships engaged in the landing operations. Several hits have been reported, but the extent of the damage is not known. Yesterday morning, a Flying Fortress bombed an enemy tanker or seaplane tender off Ysabel Island and left it burning. Eighteen enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked American positions on Guadalcanar. American planes shot down three of the bombers and four fighters, and a. fifth enemy fighter was brought down by anti-aircraft fire. The communique says that, in spite of periodical attacks by Japanese planes, the American positions In the Guadalcan-ar-Tulagl area are being steadilyy reinforced and strengthened. Tr.e Navy Depaument also announced to-day that American submarines had sunk five Japanese ships, including a light cruiser, and damaged three others in the Far East.