FOUR DESTROYERS SUNK

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1943, Page 5

FOUR DESTROYERS SUNK

U.S. Squadron’s Coup NORTH OF BOUGAINVILLE SYDNEY, Nov. 25. The "Sydney Morning Herald’s” war correspondent in the South-west Pacific area says: The four Japanese destroyers that were sunk on Thursday morning were attempting to reach Buka, northern Bougainville. It was probably an attempt to evacuate certain personnel from there. The force was intercepted by an American destroyer squadron, commanded by Captain “Thirty-one Knot” Burke, who chased the fleeing enemy warships towards Rabaul. An Admiral said later of Burke: “He would have taken his destroyers right into Rabaul, if necessary.” The battle lasted two hours and was fought in the light of the moon, star shells and flares dropped by planes.

ENEMY SHIPS

BOBMED IN MOLUCCA ISLES. (Rec. 9.5) SYDNEY, Nov. 26. A concentration of thirteen Japanese ships, at Halmahera, in the Molucca Islands, was attacked by Mitchell medium bombers. A freight-er-transport of 8500 tons was left stationary and listing after a direct hit and two near misses. JAPANESECARGO SHIPS QUA’RRY OF U.S. SUBMARINES. PACIFIC FLEET BEING EXPANDED. (Rec. 10.55) NEW YORK, Nov. 26. The New York “Herald-Tribune’s” Washington correspondent says: As a direct result of the successes of American submarines in the Pacific, the Navy’s subniarine service is undergoing a vast expansion, involving new construction and the training of large numbers of personnel. The object of the programme is to sink in 1944 the remaining two-thirds of the Japanese cargo fleet which has thus far escaped destruction. The Navy has issued a call for volunteers. It has relaxed the requirments for service on submarines. The “New York Times” Foochow correspondent reports: During the past four months many . Japanese merchants have been leaving Shangahai. Only two or three ships per month have been arriving'from Japan, compared with three or, four ships a week "formerly. Because of this not enough goods are coming from Japan to make business worthwhile. Japanese merchants are reported >o be looting Shangahi shops before departing.

HEAVY JAP LOSSES

In Ships and Planes (Rec. 9.10) WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 Mr. H. Stimson, Secretary for War, stated that since November, the Japanese had lost seventy-four war and merchant ships, and 533 planes in the same period. America lost one de-stroyer-transport and ninety-one planes. ■ ■ ■