TOKIO REPORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 29 August 1942, Page 2

TOKIO REPORT

LOSS OF SHIP ADMITTED New York, Aug. 27. A Japanese Imperial headquarters communique broadcast from Tokio staged: “Japanese naval units on August 24th engaged United States naval reinforcements east of the Solomons. Imperial air units immediately attacked and dealt heavy losses and repulsed the enemy The result ascertained to August 27 is: First, severe damage to one large aircraft-carrier of a new type; secondly, damage to another carrier of medium size; thirdly, damage to a battleship of the Pennsylvania type. The Japanese casualties comprise the loss of one destroyer and ono small carrier damaged. The engagement has been officially designated the second battle of the Solomons.”

This is the first Axis announcement since the new phase of the Solomons naval battle began and the first word of a Japanese ship being sunk. While the United States communiques announced hits on at least 12 Japanese warships, including large and small carriers, no claim of a sinking was made. There is no report from Washington of United States losses. FLOATING LANDING FIELDS Chungking, Aug 27. The United Press correspondent says the Japanese are using floating islands in the Pacific, which are possibly made of bajnboo, and are large enough for aeroplanes to land on, according to a spokesman at the Chinese Military Office. He added that intelligence officers photographed an island which was used for refuelling and rest stations for planes and pilots.—P.A. PART OF CAMPAIGN (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) Rugby, Aug. 28. General Blarney on his return from headquarters said, according to a message from Australia: “The Solomon Islands action is not a single battle but part of a campaign into which we have gone and which must be fought to a finish. The landing at Milne Bay is part of the Japanese general plan to force frontiers to the south, but we had forces established in the vicinity before the arrival of the Japanese.”