LANDING BY AMERICAN FORCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20859, 11 August 1942, Page 3

LANDING BY AMERICAN FORCES

ASSAULT SURPRISES JAPANESE U.S. CRUISER SUNK; OTHERS DAMAGED HEAVY LOSS OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright.) (11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 10. The- landing of United States troops in the Solomons is reported in a communique issued by the War Department. The landing was not effected without some loss to the accompanying naval vessels and Japanese resistance is reported to be continuing on a considerable scale. It is reported that the opening of .the United States’ offensive in this area was under the command of Vice-Admiral R. Ghormley, commander in the South-west Pacific, and that some .troops from General Douglas MacArthur’s command are participating in the operations. The attack was launched against the south-east Solomons . where the Japanese had developed strong defences, and the official report states that in the circumstances of the operation some loss of ships was inevitable. The fantastic claims made by the Japanese, however, are denied and it is stated that the only loss so far reported is that of one United States cruiser. Another cruiser, two destroyers and one transport were damaged. The operation cost the enemy a large number of aircraft. Little news is available of the land operations. It is reported that the attack took the Japanese by surprise, but that after a landing had been effected the enemy quickly organised his defences and launched strong counter-attacks. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, told the State Premiers’ conference in Melbourne yesterday .that there was a great deal of risk for Australia in the battle now proceeding in the Solomons. “This is one of the many days that can be described as a critical day for Australia,” he said.