Tokio Admits Loss Of Five Warships

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

Tokio Admits Loss Of Five Warships

(Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Oct. 27. The Tokio radio has been making the usual large claims of losses inflicted on the American fleet in the Solomons. However, the Japanese admit their own aeavy losses, including the sinking oi two cruisers, two destroyers, a submarine and five transports, also damage to a number of other ships. The Japanese communique adds that more than 100 Japanese aircraft have oeen lost in the Solomons operations. The American claims now place this number close on 400. The United States Navy's latest losses in the Solomons are serious, but not unexpected, according to ViceAdmiral Edwards,* second in command oi the United States fleet. He added thai, although the United States Navy was prepared to accept such Josses, Unitea States naval strength in the South Pacific Was considerably below that of tlie Jap anese, whose’navy was now the second largest in the world because of Britain's aeavy losses. Vice-Admiral Edwards revealed that several enemy submarines pariicipateu in the attacks on tne Wasp and some oi -hem, were believed to have been destroyed.

The loss of the Wasp and the severe uamaging of anocner United Scares alr-.raft-carrier in tne Solomons battle are grievous blows to a branch of the American Navy that was relatively weak when Hostilities began, says the Sydney Morn mg Herald's military correspondent. America entered tne war with seven carriers and 11 building. Since then three nave been destroyed, togetner with the oosolete carrier-tender Bangley. Against mese losses three new carriers have been launched this year and the number under construction was increased last month to 15.

In addition the conversion of 35 cruisers and merchantmen to carry aircratt is under way. “Although the Unitea .States Navy’s total strengtn in vessels carrying aircraft is now probably greatei than at any time since Pearl Harbour, neither this fact nor the extent of the enemy lueses anould detract from the conclusion that the American Navy’s paramount need is large quantities oi vessels that can serve as carriers,” declares the Herald writer.

Australian commentators are increasingly joining those who disagree as to me information about the Solomons fighting. “No true and balanced picture oi the Solomons scene can be obtained If minor successes are promptly stressed while serious losses are not acknowledged until weeks or months afterwards,” says the Sydney Herald in an editorial. “But even more disturbing to public opinion, both here and in the United States, are reports of continuing frlotldn between the American army and naVy leaders. So deplorable a rivalry must have a far more damaging effect on the campaign than the further disability of a divided command.”