ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN PACIFIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 10 August 1942, Page 5

ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN PACIFIC

Naval and Other Forces Used STRONG ATTACK ON THE SOLOMONS Smashing Blows Against Enemy Bases London. Aug. 8. The Washington Navy Department states: “United States Naval and other forces attacked enemy installations in the south-east Solomon Islands in force and the attacks are continuing. Simultaneously United States Naval forces bombarded enemy ships and shore establishments at Kiska in the Aleutian Islands. The recent Japanese occupation of three undefended and comparatively unimportant island groups north of Australia is overshadowed by the simultaneous American offensives against the Japanese in the Solomon and Aleutian Islands. The United Nations counter-offensive in the Pacific begun with an attack by Naval and other forces’’ in the south-east part of the Solomons, while warships bombarded the enemy at Kiska, the easternmost of the three Aleutian Islands seized by Japan. A communique issued from Pearl Harbour by Rear-Admiral Nimitz, C.-in-C. Pacific Fleet, states: “Forces of the United States Pacific Fleet and the Pacific Ocean areas, assisted by units in the South-West Pacific area, launched offensive operations in the Tulagi area on 7th August, east longitude time. Operations are progressing favourably despite opposition of enemy land-based aircraft and garrisons. “On Bth August a Pacific Fleet task force bombarded enemy ships and installations at Kiska (Aleutian Islands).“