Details of Attack And Counter-attack

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 256, 29 October 1942, Page 5

Details of Attack And Counter-attack

Received Wednesday, 11.15 p.m. WASHINGTON, Oct. 27.

In addition to the sea and air fighting close to Guadalcanal Catalina flyingboats have attacked a Japanese carriei force 400 miles to the north-east oi Guadalcanar, hitting a carrier and cruiser. The Navy communique says: “On Sun day morning a Japanese destroyer sank the United States fleet tug Siminole anti a small harbour patrol boat near Tulagi. Our snore batteries scored tnree hits on cue destroyer, while Grumman Wildcat nghters from Guadalcanar strafed ana .urther damaged the destroyer. Six Zero nghters attacked an army Flying Fort- • ess on a searen mission. One Zero was snot down and the Fortress returnee, dafely. Two United States mindsweepeers engaged three Japanese destroyers neai Guadalcanar. Navy and Marine diveoombers Joined in the action and sank .wo of the destroyers.

“During Monday morning our bombers and fighters from Guadalcanar again attacked the enemy cruisers and destroyers •vnich had been twice attacked on Sunday north of Florida Island. They scored a direct hit on an enemy cruiser (in Sunday’s attack three cruisers were hit, one o&mg left on fire and dead in the water). Furtner reports of the air and navat battle fougnt on Monday east of Stewart island (200 mites north-east of Guadalcanar), reveal one Japanese cruiser badly damaged, one Japanese carrier badly damaged, a second carrier damaged ana *ne battleship hit.” Monday’s action was fought between rival task forces. One United States carrier was severely damaged and one destroyer sunk.