JAPANESE SQUADRON HARD HIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21141, 8 July 1943, Page 3

JAPANESE SQUADRON HARD HIT

SIX PROBABLY SUNK & FOUR DAMAGED AMERICAN FORCES LOSE ONE CRUISER (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) _ (11 a.m.) SYDNTA , July h. The Allied naval t'orees scored a striking victory over the Japanese in Kula Cull in the central Solomons haltle which began on Sunday night and ended on Tuesday. Six enemy cruisers and destroyers were probably sunk and lour damaged for the loss of one American cruiser. The name and tonnage of the American warship has not vet been announced. This spectacular success is announced in Ceneral MaeArthur’s communique which also reports violent air lighting over the Solomons and increased American pressure against the Japanese air base at Munda in New Ceorgia .Island. Details of the naval battle follow an earlier Navy Department communique claiming “considerable damage” to Japanese forces while admitting “some damage” to American ships. Full reports of Ihe battle arc still awaited. A damaged Japanese destroyer, fleeing from the battle area, went aground near the mouth of I’abcra harbour. -The ship Was later attacked by Mitchell medium bombers, Dauntless dive-bombers, Avenger torpedo-bombers and Wildcat bombers which scored seven direct hits with 5001 b. bombs. Violent explosions and fires followed the attack. In Washington, the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel F. Knox declared that Ihe “Japanese bad taken a darned good licking.” The American destroyer Strong, of 2100 tons, built last year, was torpedoed and sunk in lvula Gulf during Sunday night’s' bombardment of Munda and Vila on opposite sides ol the gulf. The Strong carried a crew of 250, but no details of the casualties are available.

Stung by their naval defeat, the Japanese made desperate attempts to intercept in the air fighting over Kula Gulf and a series of dogfights ensued. The purpose of the Japanese naval force in the restricted waters of Kula Gulf is not clear at present. It is not possible to indicate whether they forced their way into

the gulf, seeking battle with tl they were there to protect a eoi reports of transports and only n; (The Tokio radio made no spec (claims that heavy losses w between last Wednesday and Si ing of eight transports, one crui

ho American, forces or whether nvoy. So far there have been no taval vessels have been mentioned, bfic mention of the battle, but vere inflicted on the Americans iitnday. These include the sinkiser, and five destroyers.