JAPANESE BRAGGING

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

JAPANESE BRAGGING

COMPLETE VICTORY CLAIMED Ne w York, Aug. 28. Over Tokio official radio, the navy spokesman, Captain H. Hiraide, in a nation-wide broadcast, claimed a complete Japanese victory in both phases of the Solomons battle. He said the United Nations twice broke off naval and air action in the Solomons after suffering “disastrous defeats.” “If the Anglo-American navies try to engage us a third or fourth time it is a foregone conclusion that they will be beaten,” he said. “It would probably be too hasty a judgment to say that the United Nations will abandon fresh attempts, because 10,000 marines have been landed in the Solomons whose lives are at stake.” Captain Hiraide said the second action had been fought by the United Nations for political reasons to hearten the flagging morale, of Australia as the “war orphan of the Pacific.” “STRATEGIC VICTORY” Captain Hiraide said the second phase of the battle began on Monday when Japanese units located a United States formation composed’ of two battleships, one large and two medium carriers, several cruisers, and many destroyers heading towards Tulagi.

Japanese planes immediately attacked, and the Allied ships escaped only under cover of darkness.

“Strategically we won a complete victory as we thoroughly frustrated the enemy’s plans,” he said. “The Japanese navy is stoutly determined to crush any new enemy challenge against the Solomons or any part of the Pacific.”—P.A.