BATTLE RAGING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 14 August 1942, Page 3

BATTLE RAGING

GAINS INJSLANDS AMERICAN FORCES BITTER SET FIGHTING JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 13. A Navy Department communique states that operations in the Solomons are progressing. It is confirmed that United States Marines landed as scheduled on three islands in the vicinity of Tulagi. The Marines are now engaged in consolidating their positions. The supporting naval forces have been engaged 'in bitter fighting, the details of which are not yet available. United States Army and Australian planes are continuing the attacks on enemy landing fields and shore-based aircraft. There is substantial evidence that the Japanese planned and had well under way the development of an enemy base in the Tulagi area. Until more details are available, it is impossible to elaborate further on these operations. All the available communication facilities are overtaxed by urgent messages concerning the operations. It is reported that President Roosevelt discussed the operations in the Pacific with the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Frank Knox. When asked by the President how the operations were going, Colonel Knox replied, “Very good.” A Dutch submarine operating with the Eastern fleet attacked a convoy of Japanese supply vessels, according to the Netherlands Admiralty. Two ships were hit by torpedoes and were last seen ablaze, and must be considered total losses;