Operations in the Solomons

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 15 October 1942, Page 5

Operations in the Solomons

SIX ENEMY WARSHIPS SUNK; ANOTHER BADLY DAMAGED FURTHER DETAILS OF SEA AND AIR ACTION Washington, Oct. 13. Smashing blows against the Japanese fleet in the Solomons area were delivered by United States naval and air forces on 1 2th October. One enemy heavy cruiser was sunk, a second cruiser badly damaged and put out of action, and four destroyers and one medium-sized transport sunk in a naval battle which resulted when renewed Japanese efforts were made to land troops on Guadalcanar Island. The sole United States ship loss was a single destroyer. This new triumph, which is regarded as perhaps the most heartening news received from the South-West Pacific since United States marines occupied the south-eastern Solomons, makes a total of 48 Japanese ships sunk or damaged and at least 270 planes destroyed in the group in two months.

The latest success is announced in a , special Navy communique, which says: “On various occasions in recent weeks ! the Japanese succeeded in increasing the number of their troops on Guadalcanar by night landings from cruisers, destroyers and small transports. Navy Marine aircraft from Guadalcanar persistently attacked the landing parties but air attacks did not halt the landings. Therefore a task group of United States cruisers and destroyers was ordered to intercept enemy ships attempting further landings. “At midnight on 12th October the task group engaged a force of enemy cruisers, destroyers and transports west of Savo Island. After a 30 minutes’ battle fought with guns and torpedoes the enemy was forced to abandon the landing attempt and withdrew. “Several United States ships received minor to moderate damage, and one destroyer was sunk. Our forces sank a heavy cruiser of the Nati or Atago class, four destroyers and one 5000 ton transport RETREATING ENEMY ATTACKED “On the morning of 12th October Navy Marine torpedo planes and divebombers left Guadalcanar to locate and attack the retreating enemy ships, overtaking two enemy cruisers south of New Georgia. A torpedo hit was obtained against one cruiser and several bombs exploded nearby. The cruiser was left dead in the water and burning. “On the afternoon of 12th October an air group from Guadalcanal- attacked an enemy cruiser and a destroyer in the area south of New Georgia. A direct bomb hit severely damaged and stopped the cruiser. When last seen her crew was abandoning ship, which was believed to be damaged in the previous engagements. A direct hit and several near misses set fire to the accompanying destroyer, which was left in a sinking condition. LIST OF CASUALTIES "Reports to date indicate that as a result of the night action and air attacks on 12th October the enemy suffered the following minimum damage: “One heavy cruiser sunk. “One cruiser badly damaged and put out of action. “Four destroyers sunk. “One medium-sized transport ! sunk. I “One destroyer was our only ship loss in these actions.” STRENGTH OF ENEMY FLEET A later Chungking report quotes a Chinese military spokesman as saying that the Japanese fleet at sea in the Pacific comprises four aircraft-carriers, seven battleships, and a number of cruisers. The fleet was reported “re cently observed moving south.” VISIT OF ADMIRAL NIMITZ It is also announced from Pearl j Harbour that Admiral Nimitz visited Guadalcanar a fortnight ago, decorat- j ing 27 Navy and Marine heroes, includ- j ing the Marine Commander, Major- j General Vandergrift.—P.A. MORE ENEMY LOSSES CRUISER AND FOUR OTHER VESSELS U.S. SUBMARINES IN PACIFIC ißec. 11.30 a.m.) Washington, Oct. 14. The Navy announced that United States submarines in the Western Pacific have sunk a Japanese heavy cruiser and four other vessels and have probably sunk another and damaged two. —P.A. TWO ENEMY CRUISERS HIT ATTACK BY U.S. PLANES Rugby Oct. 13. Dealing with activities north of Georgia Island a United States Navy communique states: “On the morning of 9th October marine corps aircraft attacked a Japanese force of two light cruisers and four destroyers. A direct hit damaged one cruiser which when last seen was down by the bow. The second cruiser was also attacked and minor damage was reported. Three i enemy seaplanes which attempted to j fight off our attacks were shot down, j Navy and Marine Corps search planes j bombed enemy aircraft installations at j Rekata Bay and strafed seaplanes cn j the water. The results of the attack j are not known. The next day four waves of bombers and 30 fighters attempted to bomb our positions on Guadalcanar. Army, Navy and Marine Corps fighters intercepted and forced Ike bombers to drop their loads in open fields. Eight enemy bombers and four Zero fighters were shot down. Two United States fighters were lost. "United States marines have succeeded in extending their positions to the westward on the north shore of Guadalcanar after two days of offensive operations. Army fighters assisted by strafing enemy troops and installations and the enemy suffered many casualties. —B.O. W.