Heavy Fighting Still in Progress

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 August 1942, Page 2

Heavy Fighting Still in Progress

CONSIDERABLE LOSSES TO BE EXPECTED (Rec. 1.50 p.m.) Rugby, Aug. 10. Striking swiftly and unexpectedly three days ago in the direction of Japanese bases in the Solomon Islands, Allied forces achieved what Admiral King describes in a statement issued at Washington to-day as “planned landings” in the Tulagi area ( 1 ulagi is a small island off the south coast of Florida—one of the British Solomons group). The statement reads: “Offensive operations by United States Naval and other forces looking to the occupation of an island in the 1 ulagi area, in the south-easterly Solomon Islands, has now been under way about three days. Operations are under the immediate command of Vice-Admiral Ghormley and under the general control of Admiral Nimitz. Certain forces under General MacArthur are co-operating. “The objective of the current operations is to expel the Japanese from the Tulagi area and make use of that area for our own purposes. Ihe enemy have been in process of consolidating their positions and their purposes have been not only to deny them to us but to use them as a base for offensive operations against our positions which cover our line of communications to Australia and New Zealand. An initial surprise was effected and well-timed landings were accomplished. The enemy counter-attacked with rapidity and heavy fighting is still in progress. Our operating forces are employing all available communications in the conduct of the operations so that our information is incomplete, but it appears we had at least one cruiser sunk; two cruisers, two destroyers and one transport damaged. Likewise information as to the extent of damage inflicted on the enemy is incomplete, but it includes a large number of enemy planes destroyed and surface units put out of action. This operation in the 1 ulagi area is significant in that it marks our first assumption of the initiative and the offensive. It is obvious I at operations in the Pacific, however successful, have been initially of a defensive character. It should be understood that the operation now in progress is one of the most complicated and difficult in warfare, and considerable losses such as are inherent in any offensive operation must be expected. -8.0.W.