BATTLESHIPS BOMBED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23748, 21 September 1942, Page 5

BATTLESHIPS BOMBED

Two Possibly Hit JAPANESE NORTH OP TULAGI (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. A United States Navy communique states that Flying Fortresses bombed the Japanese battle fleet in the Solomons and possibly hit two battleships before the Japanese retired. It is reported that the enemy * force was north of Tulagi and included battleships and cruisers which set up a heavy barrage of anti-aircraft fire but all the Flying Fortresses returned safely. When last seen the fleet was retiring northwards. On September 14, the day of the naval action, the Japanese made their unsuccessful attempt to recapture the airfield at Guadalcanal The fighting in Guadalcanar has died down after the successful action of the United States Marines in repelling invading Japanese forces. A three-day bombing attack has been made on a bay in the northern Solomons where the targets were enemy ships and shore installations. A two-day attack has been made on Gizo in the New Georgia group. An enemy cargo vessel in the channel between New Guinea and New Britain was hit by Allied bombers. North-east of New Guinea a whaler, similar to those used as troop-carriers by the Japanese, was also hit. Buka on the northern tip of Bougainville Island was the target for another bombing raid, and large fires were started.