JAPANESE HOLD ON TULAGI WEAKENED

Southland Times, Issue 24822, 14 August 1942, Page 5

JAPANESE HOLD ON TULAGI WEAKENED

U.S. SHOCK TROOPS IN HEAVY FIGHTING (United Press Association— Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. American shock troops are reported to have weakened the Japanese hold on the Tulagi area of the Solomons. As the hattie moves into its seventh day fierce battles are being fought on three islands in the Tulagi area, Tulagi itself, Florida and Guadalcanar. It is stated that an improvement has occurred in the last 24 hours. The original American landing parties have been strongly reinforced and the Japanese have been driven from several of their defensive positions. A Navy Department communique issued in Washington states: “Operations in the Solomons are progressing. It is confirmed that the United States Marines landed as scheduled on three islands in the region of Tulagi. The Marines are now engaged in consolidating their positions. Supporting naval forces have been engaged in bitter fighting, details of which are not yet available. United States Army and Australian planes are continuing their attacks on enemy landing fields and shore-based aircraft. There is substantial evidence that the Japanese had planned and had well under way the development of an enemy base in the Tulagi area. Until more details are available it is impossible to elaborate further on these operations. All available communication facilities are overtaxed by urgent messages concerning the operations.”