HALSEY’S FLEET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25668, 17 October 1944, Page 5

HALSEY’S FLEET

POUNDING OF FORMOSA JAPANESE NAVY PUTS OUT MAJOR BATTLE IN MAKING (Rec. II.SO p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 16. The Japanese Imperial Fleet is reported to be steaming out from its anchorages to meet Admiral Halsey’s Third Fleet operating along the enemy’s principal communication lines, and a major battle is believed to be in the making, says the New York Times Pearl Harbour correspondent. The Tokio radio claimed that the Japanese,fleet is now pursuing the fleeing enemy task force. The correspondent adds: “No one knows whether the great fleets will actually come to the point of exchanging blows with planes and big guns, but elements of the Pacific war’s greatest battle are unquestionably present. The sustained American operations are the most daring yet launched, since the powerful Pacific fleet is within range of enemy landbased air-power, which has alreaay struck furiously, with results which are still not fully known. In a day’s fighting in which the Americans again struck at Luzon we destroyed over 100 additional enemy aircraft. Our plane losses were light, and there is no reported damage to American, surface craft. It is likely that enemy carrier aircraft were engaged in battle, augmenting the striking power of the Japanese Imperial Air Force.” Admiral Nimitz disclosed the names of the commanding officers of the Third Fleet off Formosa, as follows: Vice-admiral W. A. Lee, second in command to Admiral Halsey; Vice-admiral Marc Mitscher commands the entire fast carrier task force, and the carrier units are commanded by Vice-admiral J. S. McCain and Rear-admirals F. Sherman, R. E. Davison, G. F. Bogan and H. B. Sallada.

The New York Times correspondent, Mr Hanson Baldwin, discussing the Formosa battle, says: "So far the assaults have met major success, apparently at slight cost, but it must be remembered that the navy is operating in waters very close to the enemy’s strongest concentration of military force. As our fleets approach closer and closer to the citadel of Japan itself, the naval losses, which have been very light in the past year, are almost certain to increase. Two months ago such losses could not be afforded, to-day the loss of a. few American ships can neither change the course of the war nor materially handicap the navy. Our fleet is too big.” Fighting off strong Japanese air attacks, the Pacific Fleet task forcesc smashing against Formosa and Luzon destroyed at least 91 enemy planes. The Pacific Fleet communique states: “During the night of October 12-13 strong counter-attacks were delivered against the task forces operating in the area of Formosa by aircraft of the Japanese Imperial Air Force. Dur-

ing these attacks against one of our task groups 13 enemy aircraft were shot out of the sky by our fighters and seven by ack-ack. Beginning at dawn on October 13, carrier aircraft of the Third Fleet continued the destructive attacks against enemy forces and defence installations in Formosa and Luzon. Little air opposition was encountered over the targets. Preliminary reports indicate that 11 enemy planes were shot down and 30 destroyed on the ground. In the midafternoon our forces were attacked by numerous enemy aircraft. A combat air patrol from one of our task groups shot down 28 of these aircraft. Two were destroyed by ack-ack. Complete reports have not yet been received regarding the known attacks against other units of our force, but it is known that many additional enemy aircraft were shot down. Our plane losses thus far are light. This fight is continuing. Further details will be released as they become available.” Japanese Imperial Headquarters announced that the Imperial Fleet has finally made its appearance off Formosa. A Domel Agency despatch claims that nine American carriers have been sunk or damaged, one destroyer sunk, and thirteen vessels damaged, including a battleship and a cruiser. The Domei Agency adds: “ The battle still rages. The American task force is in flight from Formosa, with the pursuing Imperial forces ready to deal an annihilating blow.” ' Tokio radio to-day said a decisive battle was in progress between Japanese army and navy planes and an American carrier force. The Japanese army aviation hedquarters chief, Lieu-tenant-general Saburo Ado, was quoted as saying that the battle involves all land-based Japanese army air force units in Formosa, assisted by as many naval air force planes as can be brought into play. Berlin radio quoted a Tokio despatch that the Japanese fleet had been ordered to appear in full strength.