Naval Skirmishes In Solomons Area

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 31, 6 February 1943, Page 5

Naval Skirmishes In Solomons Area

NO MAJOR BATTLE YET Japanese Reported To Be In Considerable Strength (New Zealand Press-Association.—Copyright.— Rec. noon.) NEW YORK, February 5. From 30 to 40 Japanese ships have been in Shortland Harbour, in the northern Solomons, writes the American Associated Press war correspondent in a delayed dispatch from Guadalcanar. These were in addition to 60 enemy warships previously reported in the harbour at Rabaul, New Britain. Aerial observers reported on Monday that a large force of Japanese warships was headed towards Guadalcanar. During the afternoon a heavy force of enemy bombers, escorted by swarms of Zero fighters, bombed Savo Island and American shipping around Guadalcanar. United States fighters shot down 1 2 Zeros. Despite confusing reports it is thought that no major naval battle has yet been fought in the Solomons and that the skirmishing and Jockeying for position previously reported continues. Several commentators have warned Americans to be prepared for possible bad news. "Japan Still Holds Upper Hand In Pacific" busy little Japanese are coming back again in the Solomons," says the New York Daily Mirror in an editorial article. "It would be foolhardy to blink the fact that Japan still hold's the upper hand in the Pacific. Japan still retains the edge in naval strength, despite her loss of 5 7 ships in the Solomons area. It is salutary to keep these facts before the eyes of the American people because of the long-standing tendency to underrate the Japanese.**

Stronger opposition by the Japanese ground forces on Guadalcahar is reported in another delayed dispatch from the island. After being routed for ten days the Japanese on Monday made a determined stand on the Bonwei River, four miles along the coast north-westward from Kokumbona. These enemy troops are reported to be in better physical condition and better armed than those which were previously met.