STRIKING VICTORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 229, 8 July 1943, Page 3

STRIKING VICTORY

THE KULA GULF BATTLE. ALLIED NAVAL SUCCESS. SIX ENEMY PROBABLY SUNK. ; ~ (Special Australian Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, July 7. Allied naval forces have scored a striking victory over the Japanese in the Kula Gulf, in the Central Solomons, in a battle which began on Sunday liight and ended on Tuesday. Six enemy cruisers: or destroyers were probably sunk and four damaged, for the loss of one American cruiser. This success is announced in General MacArthur’s communique, which also reports violent air fighting over the Solomons and increased American pressure against the Japanese air base at Munda, on New Georgia. Earlier, a United States Navy communique claimed “considerable damage” to the Japanese naval forces, while admitting “some damage” to American ships. Full reports of the battle are still awaited. A damaged Japanese destroyer, flee*« ing from tlfte battle area, went aground near the mouth of Babera harbour. The ship was later attacked by Mit- ' chell medium bombers and Dauntless and Avenger dive-bombers, which scored seven direct hits with 5001 b bombs. Violent explosions, and fires followed the attack. In Washington the United States Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Knox) declared: “The Japanese have taken a darned good licking.” Tire American destroyer Strong, of 2100 tons, built last year, was torpedoed and sunk in the Kula Gulf during Sunday night’s American bombardment of Munda and Vila, on opposite sides of the gulf. The Strong carried ,a crew of 250, but no details of casualties are available. ... . v Reports in. Communique,.. The text of General MacArthur’s communique reporting the naval battle and other Solomons operations is as follows: “Buin-Faisi Area.—Heavy bombers attacked the enemy aerodrome on Ballale Island, with 20 tons of high explosives, starting fires. Twelve enemy fighters intercepted, but all our planes returned, “Kula Gulf. —Preliminary dispatches report that our naval surface units intercepted an enemy force of cruisers and destroyers in the Kula Gulf during the night of July 5. Details are not yet available and a final assessment cannot be made, but it is indicated that six-enemy ships were probably sunk, and four damaged. We lost one cruiser. “One damaged enemy destroyer beached near Babera Harbour,-was attacked by our medium and dive-bomb-ers which scored seven direct hits with 5001 b bombs, resulting in violent explosions and fires. Four of seven intercepting enemy Zeros were shot down by our fighter escort. One of our heavy bombers on reconnaissance was attacked by five Zeros. It shot down two of them and probably destroyed a third. “New Georgia Island. —At Bairoko harbour our torpedo and dive-bombers attacked the. Enogai Inlet area, dropping 'over 26 tons of explosives on enemy positions. v “A delayed dispatch reports the loss. of the destroyer Strong during the bombardment of hostile positions during the night of July 4-5. “Rendova Island. —Eighteen enemy bombers attacked our positions shortly after noon, causing moderate casualties and damage. Three planes were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Our ground forces have been reinforced; and are consolidating.” Air Fighting Over Gulf. Stung by their naval defeat the Japanese made desperate attempts to intercept in the air fighting oyer the Kula Gulf, and a series of dogfights ensued. The purpose, of the Japanese naval force in the restricted waters of the Kula Gulf is not clear. At present it is not possible to indicate whether . they forced their Avay into the gulf seeking battle with the American foi’ces, or whether they were there to protect a convoy. So far there have been no reports of transports, and only naval vessels have been mentioned.

The Toldo radio has made no specific mention of the battle, but claims that heavy losses were inflicted on the Americans between last Wednesday and Sunday. These Japanese claims include the sinking of eight transports one cruiser, and five destroyers. War correspondents in the Solomons say that if the Japanese wish to. save New Georgia and the surrounding islands, action by their fleet seems essential. The Japanese garrison on New Georgia is now isolated from its supply bases in the northern ..Solomons.

Complete control of Vangunu Island, together with the capture of Viru harbour, on New Georgia, gives the Allies control of the sea approaches northward through Blanche Channel. . The enemy garrison on New Georgia seems to face a choice of surrendering or digging in for another futile and bitter battle to the death. Correspondents report that mass enemy resistance has not yet been encountered ir the land fighting-, and American cast alties are so far light. Using infiltration tactics, the American troops are continuing almost imperceptibly to envelop Muntla.