Enemy Fought To Last Man On Islands

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1942, Page 3

Enemy Fought To Last Man On Islands

Few prisoners taken by Americans. iRec. 9.10 p.m. New York, Aug. 29. 1 "A United States armada supportjed by Australian navy units, bombers and fighters surprised the Japanese in the Solomons and accomplished all the prescribed objectives within 48 hours," says the United Press correspondent, Robert Miller, in a dispatch from Guadalcanal Island. "Japanese strongholds on Tulagi, Tar.ambodo, Moamda and Makameo were captured and objectives controlling the larger Guadalcanal and Florida islands were occupied according to plan. The Japanese battle casualties far exceeded those of the United Nations. "Japanese bombing raids were beaten off by anti-aircrgft fire and the umbrella of navy fighters, which together destroyed 40 Japanese planes off Guadalcanal in the first two days of operations. The Marines' greatest prize was the Japanesebuilt airport on Guadalcanal, which was immediately placed in operation. The Americans also captured intact base installations, scores of huge trucks and great quantities of stores of food and fuel. The fleeing Japanese did not destroy a single piece of vital equipment. The landing so surprised them that they fled into Ihe jungle leaving unfinished bowls of rice in the mess halls. "The story of Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambodo is an epic of American courage, heroism and devotion to duty comparable with Bataan, Wake Island and Corregidor. The fighting was so furious in these islands that only a few Japanese prisoners were taken. The 600 defenders on Tulagi fought to the last man. £Fhe 1200 Japanese on Gavutu refused to surrender. They retreated to caves, wh:re they died fighting. The Marines' casualties were amazingly light in comparison with the Japanese. BrigadierGeneral Runertus, the Marines' ,commander, said: 'What these men did here was far above and beyond all devotion to duty and the United States should be proud of them.' "