ENEMY LANDS ON GUADALCANAR

Southland Times, 16 October 1942, Page 5

ENEMY LANDS ON GUADALCANAR

Big Battle Expected (Rec 12.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 14. Japanese troops from transports coverel by naval units have been landed on the north coast of Guadalcanar, west of the American positions. This is reported in a Navy Department communique, which adds that on Tuesday night Japanese surface vessels bombarded the airfield and shore installations on Guadalcanar. The Associated Press of America says that while the Navy has made no interpretation of the facts reported in the communique, obviously (lie Japanese have rallied their forces fora major effort to crush the American offensive in the Solomons. The first objective of such an undertaking would be the destruction and capture of the marine base on Guadalcanar. It seems certain, therefore, that a major battle on land, and possibly the sea, is impending. A summary of Japanese sinkings based on United States Navy figures is: One heavy cruiser, six destroyers, one transport, with one heavy cruiser, six destroyers and one transport probably sunk. Enemy ships damaged include two aircraft-carriers, one light cruiser, six destroyers, three aircraft tenders, four transports and two cargo and miscellaneous ships. American ship sinkings are three cruisers, three destroyers and four transports. American vessels also suffered some damage in this week’s naval action in the Solomons, but particulars of the ships and the extent of damage have not been officially reported. SUCCESSES IN FAR EAST American Submarines WASHINGTON, October 14. A Navy Department communique reports further successes by submarines in Far Eastern waters. One heavy cruiser, two cargo ships, one tanker and two trawlers have been sunk. One cargo ship has probably been sunk and two tankers have been damaged. These successes have not before been reported. This latest news lends point to the recent comment of the military correspondent of The Times, London, on “the fine work of United States submarines in the Pacific, which have added to the enemy’s difficulty in supplying his armies at a distance of 3000 miles from Japan.”