SOLOMONS VICTORY

Grey River Argus, 23 November 1942, Page 5

SOLOMONS VICTORY

GREATER FOR U.S. NAVY Than First Reported HOLD ON GUADALCANAR STRONGER. [Aust, & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 7.40) WASHINGTON, Nov. 21. Reporters asked the Navy Secretary Colonel Knox, whether Admiral Lee’s report of enemy losses has duplicated those that were announced on November 16. Colonel Knox stated: “Flatly, no. Therefore, the victory was proportionately greater than at first thought.” He added: “All told, the Japanese Fleet was pretty badly punished.” Colonel Knox commented that the wiping out of a Japanese party which landed early in November eastward of the American position on Guadalcanar was very significant, and said the effectiveness of the Japanese reinforcements were thus destroyed. “In connection with this and other triumphs,” he said, “I can fairly say our hold on Guadalcanar is now very secure.”

Asked about the remaining Japanese land strength on Guadalcanar Island, Colonel Knox replied: “The American forces outnumber the enemy, but how greatly I could not say.” Colonel Knox said the naval engagement last Saturday night was the first in which American battleships had engaged the- enemy in full battle array. It was a very efficient, well-handled manoeuvre. It caug-.t the Japanese by surprise.