LYING BROADCAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1942, Page 4

LYING BROADCAST

ISSUED BY JAPANESE IN ATTEMPT TO COVER UP SOLOMONS DEFEAT. CATALOGUE OF ALLEGED AMERICAN LOSSES. LONDON, November 16. In view of the crushing defeat of the Japanese naval forces in the Solomons, it is interesting to note the extravagant claims broadcast by the Japanese radio last evening. It was claimed that the Japanese had inflicted on the American Fleet the following losses:—l battleship, a aircraft-carriers, 22 cruisers (including 3 of the latest type), 11 destroyers, and also several hundred planes. In addition the Japanese radio repeated three times a special to the American forces on Guadalcanal that the American fleet was smashed and lying at the bottom of the ocean and that they were surrounded and doomed. EARLIER JAPANESE LOSSES. Four earlier attempts against the American positions had cost the enemy three cruisers sunk and 25 damaged, nine destroyers sunk, two more probably sunk, and eleven damaged, and four battleships and four aircraft-carriers damaged, according to Allied communique claims, OFFICIAL STATEMENT MORE JAPANESE FALSEHOODS EXPOSED. (Received This Day. 11.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON. November 16. Mr Elmer Davis, Director of the Office of War Information, said: “The Japanese High Command’s new claims of sinking eight United States warships, including three aircraft-carriers, in the earlier battle of October 26, are false. We lost one carrier and one destroyer, already reported.” Mr Davis added: “I have every reason to believe the Navy is telling the truth.” BEFORE THE EVENT AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT’S ANTICIPATION. SOME SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR JAPAN. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 16. “The Solomons Battle may well develop into a decisive struggle,” writes the “New York Sun's” correspondent, Mr Glen Perry. He added: “The Japanese are coming in force for another crack at the American positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi sector. If they are beaten off—the Navy is quietly confident that they will be —further Allied steps against Salamaua and Lae may reasonably be expected with the objective of pinching off and taking the big Japanese base at Rabaul. In that event the Allied position would be firmly assured. Japan’s position is so seriously weakened as to make her subject to attack from several points. She will be'driven from the approaches to Australia, and Australia to all intents and purposes will be safe from invasion. On the other hand the Allies will be threatening to cut off the Japanese forces on Java, Sumatra and Borneo, pinning large Japanese naval and air forces. The greatest single Allied advantage is control of the only decent airfield within efficient fighter plane range of the battle area. While this is held the Japanese are up against tough going.”