ENEMY LOSSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25068, 9 November 1942, Page 3

ENEMY LOSSES

THE SOLOMONS FIGHTING STRONG ATTACKS REPULSED (Rec. 9 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 7. A United States Navy Department communique states that on the night of November 4 Japanese troops launched several strong counter-attacks against the United States forces in the area west of the Natanikau River on Guadalcanal These actions were repulsed with heavy losses to the enemy. The United States Air Force strafed enemy troops during continuous patrols which were maintained over the enemy lines. There is no change in the eastern positions near Koli Point. A further United States communique states: “ On November 5 a force of 27 enemy aircraft, composed of bombers and escorting fighters, attacked United States positions on Guadalcariar. Although clouds prevented air contact with the attacking enemy planes, the airfield and installations were undamaged. United States aircraft maintained a continuous patrol over enemy positions, bombing and strafing troop concentrations. “On the night of November 5 marines repulsed light attacks against our western flank in the vicinity of Point Cruz,” the communique adds. “ On November 6 United States troops crossed the Malimba River, a few miles south of Koli Point. Only slight enemy resistance was encountered.” Action Limited in Scope

President Roosevelt, speaking at a press conference, said that United States operations on Guadalcanal' could not be considered a major success because of the limited scope of both sides owing largely to the difficulties of the transport of , men and munitions to a limited area. American Successes A message from Washington states that the United States Navy Department has announced that at least 5188 Japanese have been killed by the United States forces in Tulagi and Guadalcanar since August 7. This does not include the Japanese dead in areas under Japanese control. The casualties were inflicted in the following action:,: One thousand Japanese were killed ■during the United States occupation of Tulagg Gavutu. Makambo, and Tanambogo on August 7 and 8. 670 were killed near the mouth of the Tenaru River on August 2, 500 killed during severe fighting on Guadalcanar on September 13, and 2000 killed during operations from October 22 to October 27, and 1018 killed by bombs and hand grenades by a naval surface force bombardment, aircraft strafing, artillery, machine gun, and rifle force bombardment, aircraft, machine gun and rifle fire and hand-to-hand combat during minor skirmishes and sniping in sma! 1 scale engagements between the armymarine corps troops and the enemy from August C to August 7. During October, the United States forces destroyed 369 enemy planes in the South Pacific area.