Naval Battle In Solomons Ends In Enemy Withdrawal

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1942, Page 3

Naval Battle In Solomons Ends In Enemy Withdrawal

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Second phase ended but warning given that new action is possible.

Rec. 11.45 p.m. _ lyndon, Aug. TNFORMED opinion at Washington is thal the second phase of operations at the Solomons has ceased. The last news released of the battle was that the Japanese surface forces had withdrawn from the Tulagi area. The battle is assumed to have gone in favour of the United States forces but the enemy may launch another attack soon. The United Press earlier said that although during yesterday forenoon the Navy had no news of the progress of the Solomons battle it was believed that a powerf ul Japanese naval striking force was still trying to break through the Amencan defences despite the withdrawal of another enemy fleet composed of transports and escorting warships. A Japanese Imperjal Headquart.ers communique broadcasj from Tokio stated: "Japanese naval units on August 24 engaged United States naval reiiiforcements" east of the Solomons. Imperial air units immediately attacked -and dealt heavy losses and repulsed the enemy. The result ascertained to August 27 is: Severe damage to one large aircraft-carrier of a new type, age to another carrier of medium size ; damage to a battleship of the Pennsylvania type. The Japanese casualties compnse the loss of one destroyer and one small carrier damaged." The engagement is officially designated as the second Battle of the Solomons. , . This is the first Axis announcement since the new phase oi the Solomons naval battle began and the first word of a Japanese ship sunk. While. United States communiques announced hits on at least 12 Japanese .warships, including large and small carriers, no claim of sinking was made. There is no report from Washington of United States losses.

"A Pacific showdown seems at hand, says the New York Times' correspondent. Mr. Hanson Baldwin, commenting on. the Solomons campaign, "which may alter the finely drawn balance of power bi the Pacific, thus affecting the entire course of the war in the Pacific theatre." Mr. Baldwin explains: "It is clear that the marines and the navy are tenaciously clinging to footholds in Guadalcanal and the other southern Solomons while the American Air Force is operating from one or more of the recently conquered fields. "This big asset is enhanced by the proximity of the Solomons to othei Allied bases. in Australia, New Hebrides, New Caledonia and elsewhere, whence long-range bombers are supporting our naval forces. "The. fact that both sides are throw-

I ing considerable naval forces into action 1 stresses the strategic importance of the I battle, because the Solomons and Dieppe ! proved that invasion and occupation are possible only if naval superiority can be maintained. Therefore the Japanese attacks on Guadalcanal and the abortive Japanese landing attempts are of considerably less importance than a naval clash." Concluding Mr. Baldwin says: The Solomons may be the preface to other action elsewhere. Since June, when Japan chose Midway and Hawaii as hef objective, she has not struck anywhere until now, but the Japanese do not entertain a passive concept of war. The Coral Sea battle preceded Midway— the Solomons may precede an attempt againsi Hawaii unless the successive defeats have too greatly depleted the Japanese navy."