DECISIVE DEFEAT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 13 June 1942, Page 2

DECISIVE DEFEAT

JAPANESE IN SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC CORAL SEA BATTLE 15 ENEMY SHIPS SUNK (Roc. 11.5 a.m.) Rugby, June 12 A second United States communique states that the previous holding of information gave the Navy security which was the c&rner stone in the building of the Midway victory. In early March the Japanese were observed to be concentrating transport and combatant ships in the ports of Salamaua and Lae, in New Guinea, apparently in preparation for an assault on Port Moresby. At the same time the bases of Salamaua and Lae had been the subject of air attacks by United States and Australian shore-based aircraft from Australia. On loth March a number of aircraft from the Pacific Task Force, commanded by Vice-Admiral Wilson Brown, joined the shore-based planes in successful attacks on shipping and port installations in the enemy bases. These attacks resulted in the sinking of or damage to more than twenty Japanese vessels and heavy damage to port installations. As a result of this destruction the Japanese delayed for two months any attempt to advance by the sea south. During April United States Army reconnaissance planes reported that the enemy were once again concentrating transport and supporting elements, including aircraft, from carriers and shore bases, preparatory to an attempt to advance into the Solomon and Louisiade Islands. EaWy in May these advances had actually began and bases for land planes on both these islands had been seized by the Japanese and the entire northern portion of the Coral Sea was subjected daily to reconnaissance by enemy shore-based aircraft. ENEMY INVASION FLEET On 12th May a force in the Pacific commanded by Rear-Admiral Frank J. Fletcher found part of the Japanese invasion fleet at anchor in and near the harbour of Tulagai, the capital of Florida Island, in the Solomon group. In spite of excellent Japanese air reconnaissance facilities RearAdmiral Fletcher’s attack caught the Japanese forces completely by surprise and all but annihilated them. A few ships managed to get to sea but most were severely crippled and some were beached to prevent sinking. The result of this engagement was the sinking of or damage to twelve Japanese vessels and destruction of six enemy aircraft. Our entire losses Merc only three aircraft. On 7th May Rear-Admiral Fletcher’s aircraft struck the main body of the Japanese force in the Louisiade Archipelago, off Misima, and the new Japanese carrier Ukaku and a heavy cruiser were sunk. FIFTEEN HITS ON CARRIER Fifteen bomb hits and ten torpedo hits Mere reported on the IJkaku, which was turning into the wind to launch her aircraft. She sank in a few minutes with most of her planes aboard. The enemy attack which followed was fought off successfully. The battle continued for 48 hours and the air-craft-carrier Shukaku was hit by bombs and torpedoes, and left ablaze. During the two days’ fighting more than 25 aircraft were shot down with the loss of six of our planes. The United States suffered their one severe loss when the aircraftcarrier Lexington was set on fire and sank. Ninety-two per cent, of the ship’s company reached port safely. Shore-based army aircraft from Australia assisted in reconnaissance both before and during the attacks and added their full power to that of the naval planes. On the afternoon of 7th May Japanese aircraft were located and bombed. The United States tanker Neosho was accompanying the destroyer Sims, which was sunk during the attack, and the Neosho sank several days later, but a large part of her personnel was rescued. It will be recalled that the Japanese claimed to have sunk one battleship of the California class, one air-craft-carrier of the Saratoga class, one of the Yorktown class, two heavy cruisers of the Portland class, and one British destroyer. It is now clear how completely false these claims are.—P.A.

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