HEAVY ACTIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 256, 29 October 1942, Page 5

HEAVY ACTIONS

SOLOMONS FIGHTING

Air, Naval And Army Forces In Conflict United Press Association—Copyright WASHINGTON, Oct. 28. The latest United States Navy communique on the fighting in the Solomons states: "On Sunday morning a Japanese destroyer sunk the United States fleet tug Seminole, of 1450 tons, and a small harbour patrol boat near Tulagi. Our shore batteries scored three hits on a destroyer. "Gramman Wildcat fighters from Guadalcanal - strafed and further damaged a destroyer. Six Zero fighters attacked an army Flying Fortress on a search mission. One Zero was shot down, and the Flying Fortress returned safely. Two United States minesweepers engaged three Japanese destroyers near Guadalcanal'. Navy and marine divebombers joined in the action and sank two of the destroyers. "During Sunday night and earlyyesterday morning Japanese troops succeeded in piercing our lines on the south side of Guadalcanar airfield. Army troops attacked and threw them back and regained their positions. Marine Corps troops on our western flank reported small gains after heavy fighting. "During Monday morning our bombers and fighters from Guadalcanar again attacked the enemy cruisers and destroyers which had been twice attacked on Sunday north of Florida Island. They scored a direct hit on an enemy cruiser. It is recalled that in Sunday's attack three cruisers were hit, one being left on fire and lying dead in the water.

"Navy Catalinas attacked an enemy force 400 miles north-east of Guadalcanal- and hit one carrier with a torpedo and one cruiser with two bombs. One of the Catalinas was damaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire. "Further reports of the air and naval battle fought on Monday east of Stewart Island, which lies 200 miles north-east of Guadalcanal", reveal that one Japanese cruiser was badly damaged, one Japanese carrier was also badly damaged, a second carrier damaged, and one battleship bit." , , . The action on Monday was fought between rival task forces. One United States carrier was severely damaged and one destroyer sunk.

PACIFIC COUNCIL REALISM NOT OPTIMISM Rec. 2 p.m. WASHINGTON, Oct. 2S. At the Pacific War Council President Roosevelt gave a realistic review of the whole south-west Pacific situation. Reporters asked Mr. Walter Nash if the council was at all optimistic, and he replied. No. The emphasis at the meeting was on realism rather than optimism." The council also discussed the Middle East. , Viscount Halifax remained to lunch with Mr. Roosevelt, and therefore did not meet the Press representatives.