SOLOMONS BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1942, Page 4

SOLOMONS BATTLE

AMERICAN OFFICIAL REPORT GIVES DETAILS SEVERE DAMAGE TO ENEMY SHIPS. ACTION BEING CONTINUED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, August 25. United States naval and air forces are engaged in a large-scale battle at sea in an attempt to repel a strong Japanese striking force which approached the southeastern group of the Solomon Islands from the north-east, it is announced in a United States Navy Department communique. The communique adds: “It was expected that our occupation of the important enemy base at 'l‘ulagi would be countered by a violent attempt on the part of the enemy to recapture their shore bases in this area. This counterattack has developed and is now being met. Preliminary reports indicate that the enemy striking force has been attacked by American Army Flying Fortresses and that naval aircraft from an aircraft-carrier are in action. Army bombers attacked a large Japanese air-craft-carrier and have reported four hits on her. Planes from our aircraftcarrier attacked and severely damaged the Japanese aircraft-carrier Ryuzic. Several enemy cruisers and a battleship have also been hit by planes from our aircraft-carrier. “During the afternoon of August 23 a strong enemy air attack on Guadalcanal’ Island was intercepted by our fighters and at least 21 enemy aircraft were brought down. Cur losses in this action were minor. On the night of August 23, enemy destroyers shelled our shore positions at Guadalcanal’. On August 24, American aircraft hit and damaged an enemy transport and a cruiser north of Guadalcanar and left both of them burning fiercely. The action continues. AS SEEN IN CHINA JAPANESE PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK. ON AUSTRALIA. INDIA OR SIBERIA. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) CHUNGKING, August 25, An Associated Press of America correspondent says the newspaper “Takting Pao” expresses an opinion that the Japanese are withdrawing their forces from Chekiang and Kiangsi to prepare for an attack against Australia, India or Siberia,' “which would be more advantageous for Japan than wasting troops on unprofitable enterorises in China.” The “China Times” also believes that the Japanese are preparing to attack the Allies. The paper urges the United Nations not to sit still, waiting to be attacked, but rather to launch now a! general offensive against the Japan- '■ ese. The Chinese have recaptured Tengpu. in Kiangsi Province, and are inflicting great losses on the Japanese in a direct attack on Lishui. A military spokesman said 50,000 Japanese troops had moved from Chekiang to Southern Shansi and are believed to be planning to cross the Yellow River. The spokesman declared that the Japanese concentration was insufficient for an attempt to cut the north-west China supply route. ENEMY SHIPS , . MORE THAN SIX DAMAGED. (Received This Dav, 12.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 25. More than six enemy ships have been damaged in the great sea and air battle in the Solomons.