JAP LOSSES AT SEA

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 306, 21 September 1943, Page 5

JAP LOSSES AT SEA

Estimate In Washington

WASHINGTON, September 19Allied sea power is preventing the Japanese from supplying its garrisons for a lori’g resistance, declared Mr. Carl Vinson, chairman of the House Naval Committee. He pointed out that to date 180 Japanese warships have been sunk and heavy losses have been inflicted on supply ships and troopships. The recent successes in New Guinea demonstrated the marked co-ordination, between land, sea, and air forces. He added that the objective of making the Japanese Navy give the army only a one-way passage had been carried out. Mr. Vinson outlined the Japanese sea losses in the South-west Pacific as :— Sunk, 53 warships, including one battleship. 14 cruisers, 21 destroyers, three seaplane tenders, eight submarines, and one Submarine tender. Damaged: 73 warships, including one ■battleship, 38 cruisers, 21 destroyers, two carriers, and three seaplane tenders.

In other areas the figures were: — Sunk: Two battleships, six carriers, 24 cruisers, 62 destroyers, and six submarines.

So badly damaged as to be forced out of action: Nine battleships, seven carriers, 47 cruisers, 62 destroyers, and six submarines.

Possibly sunk: 28 including one carrier, four cruisers, 18 destroyers, and one submarine.

The United Press points out that the navy has claimed only two battleships as sunk, and says Mr. Vinson is including the Haruna off the Philippines.