ALL OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 31 August 1942, Page 5

ALL OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED

AERODROME THE GREATEST PRIZE MUCH BOOTY CAPTURED New York, Aug. 29. A United States armada, supported by the Australian Navy and units of bombers and fighters surprised the Japanese in the Solomons and accomplished all the prescribed objectives within 48 hours, says the United Press of America’s correspondent, Robert Miller, in a dispatch from Guadalcanar Island. Japanese strongholds on Tulagi, Tanambodo, Moamda, and Makemeo were captured and the objectives controlling the larger Guadalcanar and Florida Islands were occupied according to plan. Japanese battle casualties far exceeded those of the United Nations. Japanese bombing raids were beaten off by anti-aircraft fire and an umbrella of Navy fighters which together destroyed 40 Japanese planes off Guadalcanar in the first two days.

The marines’ greatest prize was the Japanese—built airport on Guadalcanar, which was immediately placed in operation. The Americans also captured intact base installations, scores of huge trucks, and great quantities of stores, food, and fuel. The fleeing Japanese did not destroy a single piece of vital equipment. The landing so surprised them that they fled into the jungle leaving unfinished bowls of rice in the mess halls. The story of Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambodo is an epic of American courage, heroism and devotion to duty comparable with Batan, Wake Island and Corregidor. Fighting was so furious in these islands that only a few Japanese prisoners were taken. Six hundred defenders on Tulagi fought to the last man. Twelve hundred Japanese on Gavutu refused to surrender and they retreated to caves where they died fighting. The marines’ casualties were amazingly light in comparison with the Japanese.

Brigadier General Rupertus, the marines’ commander, said: “What these men did here was far above and beyond all devotion to duty, and the United States should be proud of them.”—P A.