ATTACK INTENSIFIED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1942, Page 3

ATTACK INTENSIFIED

AMERICAN OFFICIAL REPORT MANY ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. JAPANESE BASES BOMBED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, September 15. A communique issued by the Navy Department states: “Attempts by the Japanese to recapture the United States positions on Guadalcanar Island have been intensified, and heavy fighting has been progressing since Saturday night between marines and the reinforced enemy troops. Details of the fighting are lacking, but reports to date indicate that the marines are maintaining their positiciis. “In the past few days the Japanese have increased the intensity of'their bombing attacks by air Craft, and bombardment by surface vessels. Some attempts by the enemy to land small detachments of troops at night time have been successful.”

“On Friday Army Flying Fortresses shot down four Zeros in the vicinity of Guadalcanal’, and strafed shore installations on the island of Gizo on Saturday. Army bombers shot down two seaplanes. “On Sunday night enemy surface craft shelled our positions on Guadalcanal’, and our shore batteries reported a hit on one vessel. “Contacts were made with enemy patrols on the same night. Heavy fighting continued on the following day. “On Sunday night also two flights of about 28 bombers, each escorted by Zeros, attacked the airfield on Guadalcanal’, and Navy and marine Wildcat fighters shot down four bombers and four fighters. “Army bombers attacked enemy seaplanes on the water in Rekata Bay on the north-west shore of Santa Ysabel Island, destroying one and damaging another. „ “On Monday night surface craft shelled our positions on Guadalcanal Our troops were engaged in heavy fighting against enemy troops, who unsuccessfully attempted to capture the airfield. x j u,, “Twenty-eight bombers, escorted by Zeros, attacked Guadalcanal’ shortly after'noon on Monday, and Navy and marine fighters shot down a bomber and five fighters.”