CRUSHING BLOW AT MIDWAY ISLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24764, 8 June 1942, Page 5

CRUSHING BLOW AT MIDWAY ISLAND

JAPANESE NAVY SUFFERS SERIOUS REVERSE (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, June 7. A serious naval reverse, if not a naval disaster, has been suffered by the Japanese in a great sea and air battle off Midway Island. The battle, which is still in progress, is now in its third day. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz has issued the following communique:— The Japanese losses in the great Midway Island battle are at least two, and possibly three, aircraft carriers destroyed, with all their planes. One or two additional carriers were damaged and most of their planes lost. Three battleships were damaged, at least one seriously and four cruisers and three transports were damaged. Two of the cruisers were badly crippled and possibly some of the damaged ships will be unable to reach home. The battle is still continuing. One American carrier was hit and some planes were lost. American casualties were light. The communique added: Through the skill and devotion to duty of the armed forces of all branches in the Midway area our citizens can now rejoice that a i momentous victory is in the making. Pearl Harbour has now been partially avenged- Vengeance will not be complete until the Japanese sea power has been reduced to impotence. We have made substantial progress in this direction. The highest circles in Washington are greatly heartened by an official report that the United States forces have scored a crushing victory over the Japanese naval units in the greatest air and sea battle fought so far in this war. The battle began two days ago when the Japanese attempted a large scale air attack on Midway Island, but the enemy was surprised by American forces. Naval comment in Washington emphasized that the result of the present engagement in mid-Pacific would determine the enemy’s ability to strike further blows against Hawaii or the Panama Canal.