ONE SENT TO BOTTOM

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21907, 10 December 1942, Page 3

ONE SENT TO BOTTOM

ATTACK BY AMERICANS GUADALCANAR FIGHTING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 10, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 A Navy communique states: The following report amplifies the report of an air attack on enemy surface forces announced in a communique on December 3: An air striking group of divebombers, torpedo-planes and fighters from Guadalcanal’ attacked an enemy force of 10 cruisers and destroyers approximately 150 miles northwestward, headed for Guadalcanal'. The enemy suffered the following damage during the attack: Two 10001 b bomb hits on one cruiser, one 10001 b bomb hit on a second cruiser, two torpedo hits on a destroyer or cruiser, and two possible torpedo hits on a second destroyer or cruiser. Ten float-type planes were shot down by United States fighters. One of the above vessels was seen to sink. On December 4 three other enemy vessels were sighted in flames in the vicinity of the previous day’s action. One United States dive-bomber, one torpedo-plane and one fighter were lost during the engagement. On December 8 United States patrols on Guadalcanar, supported by heavy artillery fire, maintained contact, with the enemy westward of our positions.