BATTLE NEAR SOLOMONS

Southland Times, Issue 24833, 27 August 1942, Page 5

BATTLE NEAR SOLOMONS

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 25. News is awaited of the great sea and air battle which is raging near the Solomons group. Latest reports state that the Allies have damaged six Japanese vessels, including two air-craft-carriers and a battleship, and destroyed 21 planes. The United States naval and air forces are engaged in a large scale battle in an attempt to repel a strong Japanese striking force, which has approached the south-eastern group of the Solomon Islands from the north-east. This is announced in a Navy Department communique. “It was expected that our occupation of the important enemy base at Tulagi would be countered by a violent attempt on the part of the enemy to recapture his shore bases in this area, adds the communique. “This counterattack has developed and is now being met. “Preliminary reports indicate that an enemy striking force has been attacked by American Army Flying Fortresses and that naval aircraft from an air-craft-carrier are in action. The Army bombers which attacked a large Japanese aircraft-carrier have reported four hits on it. Planes from a United States aircraft-carrier have also attacked and severely damaged another Japanese air-craft-carrier, the Ryuzo. Several enemy cruisers and a battleship have also been hit by planes from our aircraft-carrier. “During Sunday afternoon a strong enemy air attack on Guadalcanar Island was intercepted by our fighters and at least 21 enemy aircraft were, brought down. Our losses in this action were

“On Sunday night enemy aestroyeis shelled our shore positions at Guadalcanal'. On Monday American aircraft hit and damaged an enemy transport and a cruiser north of Guadalcanar and left them both burning fiercely. The action continues.”