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Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1942, Page 3

MORE LIGHT

ON JAPANESE LOSSES IN MIDWAY ISLAND BATTLE. AMERICAN AIR COMMANDER’S REPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) HONOLULU. June 12. Commander Arnold, leader of a United States bombing group, describing the Midway Island-battle, revealed that four Japanese aircraft-carriers were probably destroyed, including two of the largest type. One mediumsized carrier was sunk within 24 hours of the first attack on Midway, and another medium carrier certainly never got back to Japan. Commander Arnold said that two Japanese forces were involved. They struck' first with a contingent of four carriers, three battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers, and the second enemy force comprised about 11 large vessels of the cargo and trans-

port class, protected by numerous cruisers and destroyers and also possibly some battleships. Commander Arnold did not reveal the exact number of Japanese ships involved, but he indicated that they were likely to total 60 to 70. At least 250 Japanese aeroplanes as well as other enemy ships were destroyed in the fighting within 125- miles of Midway. Commenting on the Japanese objective, he said the enemy’s primary goal was to shell Midway after the air attack, but they did not get the chance to do so. After the carriers had been destroyed the enemy battleships were just as good tagets. The Japanese launched their air attack on Midway on June 4, while their naval force was 200 miles distant; however, the United States bomber pilots beat the Japanese to the draw and attacked the enemy ships while the air attack on Midway was proceeding. Three of the enemy carriers were seen blazing from stem to stern.

The United States War Department announces that Major-General Clarence Tinker, commander of the Hawaiian Air Force, who was reported missing after the naval battle off Midway Island, left Midway Island on June 7 leading a flight of his army bombers to attack the Japanese fleet. His plane was last seen descending rapidly toward the sea. Ten of his crew were lost with him.