Heavy Naval Losses off Midway

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 133, 8 June 1942, Page 5

Heavy Naval Losses off Midway

GREAT VICTORY EXPECTED

LONDON, June 7. In a smashing naval blow delivered by U.S. forces in the Midway Island area thirteen or fifteen Japanese warships and transports have been sunk or damaged, v These include two, probably three, aircraft-carriers destroyed, with all their aircraft, and one or two others badly damaged and most of their planes lost. Three battleships, four cruisers, and three transports were also damaged and it is stated that some of these may never reach their base. On the basis of official reports, the battle appears to have consisted of a series of spectacular and fierce engagements. Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, stated in Pearl Harbour that a "momentous victory is in the making" in the, Battle of Midway Island. The battle was continuing, the admiral said, and was in its third day. News agency reports from Washington say that America is rejoicing over these smashing blows. Normally staid and cautious officials are said to be openly enthusiastic about the results of the battle. -'The' Japanese have met with a .serious naval reverse, iE not a major'disaster. It is clear that their assault on Midway / Island has cracked, with the enemy troop convoy and the battle fleet suffering greater damage and casualties than the Japanese inflicted in their treacherous Pearl Harbour attack six months ago today.

In his communique, Admiral Niraitz^said that vengeance would not be completed until Japanese sea power had been reduced to impotence. "We have made substantial progress in that direction,, and probably we shall be forgiven if we claim to be about midway to our ob j ective," he I said. The text of the. Admiral's communique was as follows: —"The Japanese losses in the great Midway Island battlerare:— ' "At least two, and possibly three, aircraft-carriers destroyed with all their planes, and one or two additional carriers damaged and most of their planes lost; three battleships damaged, at least one seriously; and four cruisers and three transports damaged, two of the cruisers being badly crippled. Possibly some of the damaged ships will be unable to reach home. "The battle is,still continuing. One American carrier was hit, and some planes were lost. The American casualties were light." The communique added: "Through the skill and devotion, to duty of the armed forces, all branches, in the Midway atea, -our citizens can «ow rejoice that a momentous victory is in the making. "Pearl Harbour has now been partially avenged!, The vengeance will not be complete till the Japanese sea j power has been reduced to impotence. I We have made substantial progress in this direction, and can, perhaps, claim to be about 'Midway' to our objective."