One Report Claims 18 Jap Ships Destroyed

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 109, 11 May 1942, Page 5

One Report Claims 18 Jap Ships Destroyed

Japanese Claims Entirely Fictional (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m. CANBERRA, May 10. The latest report on Saturday night stated that the big naval engagement in the Coral Sea has temporarily ceased. The communique issued on Saturday afternoon from headquarters in the South-west Pacific makes no reference to the additional Japanese losses, including the second aircraft carrier, nor is any information available of the Allied losses. One correspondent at an advanced Allied base declares that the known enemy losses are eighteen warships sunk, including two aircraft carriers and one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, nine destroyers, four gunboats and one supply vessel, also four badly damaged, namely one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, one 9000-ton seaplane tender and one cargo vessel. He adds that the Japanese broke off the engagement and are speeding northwards in an attempt to get out of range cf the Allied bombs.

Mr. Curtin to-day described the battle as one which had to be fought and he had no doubt others would follow. He said Australians had played an important part in the composition of the .orces which clashed with the Japanese and put them to flight. A United States communique gives these latest details of tne Japanese tosses in the naval engagement whict nas been in continuous progress in general area southward of the BismarCK Archipelago in the Coral Sea since Monday. i"he Japanese losses are believed to be: SUNK One aircraft carrier. One heavy cruiser. One light cruiser. Two destroyers. Four gunboats. Two transports or cargo vessels. DAMAGED One aircraft carrier. One heavy cruiser. One light cruiser. One seaplane tender. - Two transports or cargo vessels. A communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters issued on Saturday stated: “Tne great naval air battle off the north-east coast of Australia has temporarily ceased. This action represents continued effort by the Japanese to extend their aggressive conquests towards the south and southeast. The enemy’s first efforts were aimed at expanding his air bases but our air force consistently and effectively attacked his fields during the past six weeks, dislocating his pians by the destruction of installations and aircraft. “Our reconnaissance revealed the gradual building up of naval and transport elements lor a co-ordinated attack of combined forces which was initiated several days ago. Our naval forces then attacked in interception. They were Handled with marked skill and foug^ fc with admirable courage and tenacity and the enemy has been repulsed.’' A later communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters describes the Japanese claims of Allied warships sunk during the operations as fantastic. The communique says; “The enemy version of the battle is entirely fictional and has no semblance of a true communique of fact. It must be regarded in the light of propaganda rather than a military report. His claims of damage inflicted on our naval forces are fantastic. Our losses oompared with his own ars relatively slight. The only reason they are not yet published is because they would reveal valuable information to the enemy."

The United States Navy Department states: “Recent enemy announcements made sweeping claims regarding United States losses in the Battle of tne Coral Sea. Reports received by the Navy Department to date fail to substantiate the loss of any United States aircraft carrier or battleship in that action, Reports of damage to our forces are incomplete and they will be announced when the information will be without value to the enemy." The Japanese had been claiming the sinking of two American aircraft carriers, an American battleship and a British cruiser. It is emphasised In Washington that no credence should be given to the Japanese ciaims.

A Canberra message states that Mr. Curtin has left for the Allied Headquarters to discuss with General MacArthur developments arising from the battle.

Mr. Curtin said: “The Coral Sea battle is part of a struggle which must continue till the enemy is defeated or we are conquered. What has been done this week has been done only because of the matchless quality, skill and courage of the Allied naval air forces. To-day we can be proud and grateful for what has been donel"