SUNK BY ALLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 36, 12 February 1943, Page 3

SUNK BY ALLIES

THREE JAP. WARSHIPS

Five Others Possibly Also Destroyed

N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. American planes sank at least two Japanese destroyers, and possibly five others, in cat-and-mouse battles around Guadalcanal', according to a United Press dispatch, dated February 5, from the United' States fleet in the South Pacific. Air striking groups met 20 Japanese destroyers, which started toward Guadalcanar from the Buin area. They sank one destroyer and left three others burning fiercely, thus ending the first threat. Then long-range bombers caught the second group of destroyers starting south on February 4, sinking one and scoring hits on three more, two of which were damaged severely. According to the correspondent in Australia-of the New Zealand Press Association, the Japanese have admitted the sinking of three destroyers as a result of recent American bombing attacks off Guadalcanar. These losses are stated to have occurred between February 1 and February 7. The Tokyo radio claims that two American cruisers and one destroyer were sunk in the same period. Washington has declined to comment on this enemy claim. An American Navy Department official to-day spoke of the opposing fleets and air forces "continuing to shape up in the South Pacific," but no further inkling has been given of moves in the area.