ENEMY SURPRISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24423, 5 November 1942, Page 3

ENEMY SURPRISED

PACIFIC NAVAL BATTLE UNITED STATES SUCCESS (Hoed. 6.30 p.m.) PEARL HARBOUR, Nov. 3 A vivid description oi the naval battle on the night of October 11, in which possibly nine Japanese warships were sunk, is given by Captain Ernest Small, Associated l'ress correspondent "It was a hell oi a melee, completely surprising the enemy, says Captain Small. "We sank one heavy, cruiser, i believe wo not two others and one light cruiser, i know we sank one destroyer and probably lour others. "Within the first lour minutes J. saw our salvoes going in like red freight cars on a Japanese cruiser, plunging right into her, and she sank. It was like seeing a prize-fighter socked on the chin and then drop cold, it was one ot those things naval ollicers wait 20 years to see. "We caught them at five miles range, hitting some of the ships before they were able to open tire. \\ e crossed thentee. They were coming at high speed toward Guadaleanar at right angles to our course. The Japanese turned in utter confusion, each ship taking its own course and trying to bring the action parallel and uncross the disas-

trous tee. "One destroyer came in at high speei for a torpedo attack, and got withii 1500 yards, w hen our salvoes obliterate! it.. "The action was like fourth o July fireworks; lasting 40 minutes. It conclusion was like dying setpieees burn ing out. The action came in spurts o three to ten minutes, with both force moving at top speed." The battle occurred near Savo Islam two months after the first battle, it which the cruisers Canberra, Quincy Astoria and Vincennes were surprise< and sunk by the Japanese. The table were turned this time. The Japanesi were surprised, suffering much heavie losses than they inflicted in August. The Secretary for the Navy, Colone Frank Knox, has announced that twe more Japanese cruisers and one more destroyer were sunk in the battle ofl Savo Island, Solomons, three week: bringing the enemy naval losse: in this battle to three cruisers and fivi destroyers. OUTLOOK MUCH BRIGHTEF (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, Nov. - "With the Japanese repulsed boll in the Solomons and New Guinea, tlu outlook in the South Pacific is mark edly brighter than it was three months ago," says the Sydney Morninf Herald. "Barring tho unforeseeable hazards of war, it should further improve as America's superior power oi replacement of aircraft and warshi) wastage comes into play." Observers generally give a warning that the enemy lias by no mean.' writUn oil New Guinea strategically in favour of the Solomons, and that he must be expected to return soor to the attack on one or both fronts. It is felt that with a lull in the Solomons affording him some opportunity to ease his strength there, he is likely to make further attempts to reinforce his North Papuan bases.

LOCOMOTIVE BUILDING LONDON, Nov. -1 Some of the new "austerity" locomotives will be running in Britain before the end of the year. Tliey are designed, for hauling munitions and troop trains and can be used in any country of the world which has a standard gauge railway system. It is considered, however, that in the conditions in which the engines would have to work outside Britain they may find supplies of fuel and water are far apart. The engines haul a load of between 000 and 700 tons at a maximum speed of between 'U) and 40 miles an hour. It is intended to put them into normal use on the home railways as they are produced, although they are intended primarily for military purposes. The designs for the engines were completed and materials ordered within six weeks. The first deliveries will be made before the end of the year, this being a record in locomotive building.