LOSSES BY SEA AND IN AIR

Southland Times, Issue 24757, 30 May 1942, Page 5

LOSSES BY SEA AND IN AIR

BLOWS AT JAPANESE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 29. A U.S. Navy Department communique reports that United States submarines in the Far East have sunk a large auxiliary ship and a mediumsized cargo vessel, have severely damaged a medium-sized merchantman, have probably damaged a fourth and have also damaged a heavy cruiser with , torpedoes. These actions have not been previously reported and are not related to the Coral Sea battle. The special correspondent of the N.Z. Press Association reports that since General MacArthur took command in the, south-west Pacific zone fewer than six weeks ago, almost 100 Japanese aircraft have been destroyed, and an additional 100 have been damaged or probably destroyed. These figures are taken from 41 communiques issued by Allied Headquarters since April 21. A heavy toll has also been taken of enemy warships and transports. No assessment can be given of Allied losses during the period, since the destruction of Allied aircraft is not always reported by communique—and Allied shipping losses in the Coral Sea battle have not yet been revealed. The total of enemy naval units claimed lost or damaged during the same period is: — Sunk: One large cruiser, two destroyers, four gunboats, one supply vessel, an aircraft carrier, a heavy cruiser Bin Kako class cruiser, two transports and two merchantmen. Damaged: An aircraft carrier, a heavy cruiser, a light cruiser, three tankers, nine transports, and four other vessels. Sunk or damaged: Two submarines. These successes have been gained by Allied naval, air and submarine attacks.