FIVE TO ONE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1942, Page 3

FIVE TO ONE

LOSSES OF THE (JAPANESE IN GUADALCANAL ACCORDING TO COLONEL KNOX. JAPANESE ANTICIPATING NAVAL ACTION. (By Telegraoh—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, November 8. The “New York' Times” Washington correspondent says that the Japanese sea forces sunk or damaged in the Solomons actions described in a communique yesterday are believed to have been carrying supplies and reinforcements for the soldiers on Guadalcanal, who have _ been faring badly since the American marines and soldiers recaptured the initiative. Officials have not explained the apparent Japanese withdrawal eastward of Henderson Field. It is not known whether the Japanese embarked on transports and moved to another position, or whether they retired inland in preparation for another move. However, an official spokesman pointed out that since the eastern Japanese forces failed in the diversionary effort they may have marched inland by jungle roads round the American positions to reinforce the main Japanese body west of the aerodrome. The Japanese are losing five men for every American lost on Guadalcanal, according to the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox. He added that this disparity in casualties is prob'ably due to the fact that the United States Marines assigned to the Solomons combat were all specially, chosen for their expert marksmanship. This policy was apparently finding its justification in the island jungle warfare, where the fighting was between small groups weaving among trees rather than between largo masses in opposing lines. A Tokio radio report says that naval operations continue in the Solomons waters, and that a new United States fleet concentration is expected. This-is the first contradiction by the Japanese of their earlier boasts of an overwhelming victory and smashing of the American naval power. The second round of the battle for the South Pacific is generally expected to be a terrific struggle, involving forces even greater than those which were used in the first round.