N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 397, JUNE 1, 1943

North Pacific.

 

1. On May 30, on Attu Island

 

(a) Three separate columns of U. S. Army troops coming in from the South, Southwest and West respectively, effected a junction on the shores of Chichagof Harbor.

(b) In the forward movement of the U. S. Army troops small Japanese groups offered weak resistance. Over 400 of the enemy were killed in the operations during the night of May 29‑30.

 

2. On May 30, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers, Mitchell (North American 8‑25) medium bombers, and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) fighters attacked Japanese installations at Kiska. Fires were started in Gertrude Cove, the camp area, on a beached ship and on the runway.

 

39

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 398, JUNE 1, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the following results of operations against the enemy in the waters of these areas:

 

(a) One destroyer sunk.

(b) One large tanker sunk.

(c) One large cargo ship sunk.

(d) Two medium‑sized cargo ships sunk.

(e) One small cargo ship sunk.

(f) One medium‑sized transport sunk.

(g) One large tanker damaged and probably sunk.

 

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department Communiqué.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 399, JUNE 2, 1943

North Pacific.

 

1. On May 31, on Attu Island, mopping up operations by U. S. Army troops against isolated Japanese groups continued.

2. As of midnight May 30, the Japanese casualties on Attu were estimated as follows

 

Killed, 1,500; captured, 4.

 

3. On May 31, formations of Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers, Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) fighters bombed and strafed Japanese positions at Kiska. Hits were scored on the runway, North Head and Gertrude Cove.

 


 

JUNE 2, 1943

 

COAST GUARD CUTTER, SINKS GERMAN SUB

 

The United States Coast Guard cutter Spencer has chalked up a definite submarine sinking to her credit.

In an engagement in the Atlantic several weeks ago, the Spencer skill­fully tracked down a U‑boat which tried to slip away under the roar of the propellers of a convoy, forced the raider to the surface with depth charges, and destroyed her in the gun battle which followed, taking many survivors prisoner.

Casualties aboard the Spencer were light, while the cutter suffered only slight damage.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 400, JUNE 3, 1943

North Pacific.

 

1. On June 1, on Attu Island, U. S. Army troops combed scattered areas and by noon had eliminated minor groups of Japanese troops encountered.

2. It is further reported that the known Japanese dead on Attu Island total 1,791. This figure does not include the unknown number killed by ar­tillery fire and bombs. Such casualties were either cremated or buried by the Japanese.

3. On June 1, formations of Army Mitchell (North American B‑25) and

 

40

 

Ventura (Vega B‑34) medium bombers, Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) and War­hawk (Curtiss P‑40) fighters bombed and strafed Kiska. Hits were scored on the Japanese main camp area, runway and gun emplacements. A number of Canadians piloting Warhawks participated.

 

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

4. During the evening of May 31, Liberator (Consolidated) heavy bombers attacked Japanese installations at Tinputs Harbor and Numa Numa Harbor on the northeast coast of Bougainville Island. Numerous large fires were started. In addition, two small Japanese vessels off Tinputs were bombed. One of these vessels was damaged and beached.

 


 

JUNE 3, 1943

 

ENEMY SUBMARINE BLOWN IN TWO BY NAVY PATROL PLANE

 

An enemy submarine was blown in two several months ago by depth bombs from a Navy Catalina patrol plane which surprised the undersea craft in South Atlantic waters as its crew members apparently were taking sun baths.

The submarine was blown out of the water. The plane's crew reported that as it rose it broke, and several objects which looked like long cylindrical tanks floated up among the spouting debris and wreckage. The stern of the submarine then rose vertically out of the water, to a height of 8 or 10 feet, bobbed up and down, and then plunged straight down in the rough seas.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 401, JUNE 4, 1943

North Pacific.

 

1. On June 1, on Attu Island, small bands of Japanese troops still roamed some areas of the island, although there was no further organized enemy re­sistance.

2. The U. S. Army casualties on Attu as of midnight, June 1, were as follows:

 

Killed, 342; wounded, 1,135; missing, 58.

 

3. In addition to the known Japanese dead of 1,791 on Attu Island (pre­viously reported in Navy Department Communiqué No. 400) U. S. Army troops have captured 11 prisoners.

 


 

JUNE 4, 1943

 

COMMAND IN THE ALEUTIANS

 

The conclusion of planned, operations in the capture of Attu which has been signalized by the collapse of all organized enemy resistance makes timely a summary of the military organization involved in this and in similar opera­tions. These combined operations emphasize the close integration of branches of the armed services which must be effected in present‑day warfare.

In the North Pacific area, joint military operations are under the com­mand of Rear Admiral Thomas Cassin Kinkaid, U. S. Navy, who is operating directly under Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Nimitz's responsibilities extend to the entire Pacific Ocean areas except for the Australian area.

 

41

 

In the Pacific theater of war, operational problems involve the coordina­tion of aircraft, surface ships (including troop transports) and ground opera­tions. The operations against Attu served to illustrate the operational solution which has been devised to meet these problems. The area commander, in this case Admiral Kinkaid, has the over‑all responsibility for coordinating and implementing the various forces involved in such an operation. Under him, Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell, U. S. Navy, Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, had the immediate responsibility of transporting troops over water to the points of attack and providing for their expeditious landing on shore. Once ashore, ground operations were under the immediate com­mand of the Army Commander, Major General Eugene M. Landrum, U. S. Army. Preliminary to the landing, during the landing, and subsequent thereto, air attack and support was provided by Army and Navy Air Forces. Army Air Forces were under the command of Major General William O. Butler. Cana­dian pilots also took part in the operations.

In all of the Aleutian operations from their inception, the closest coopera­tion has been maintained between the service commanders, including Lieuten­ant General John L. De Witt of the Western Defense Command, and Lieuten­ant General Simon B. Buckner of the Alaskan Defense Command, each com­mander functioning in his specialized field and all cooperating to a common end. It is notable that this operation, under conditions of weather in which fog and low visibility contributed to the difficulties of transport of the ground forces and the landing of a large force of men, was accomplished without the loss of a single ship or of a single man, and that casualties on share were surprisingly low. This fortunate outcome cannot always be anticipated in Amphibious opera­tions which are well known to be the most difficult and dangerous in all modern military warfare.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 402, JUNE 6, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 5:

 

(a) In the early morning, a formation of Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) bombed Japanese installations at Kahili, Buin area.

(b) At about noon of the same day a formation of Dauntless (Doug­las) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers, escorted by Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40), Corsair (Vought F4U) and Light­ning (Lockheed P‑38) fighters, attacked a Japanese destroyer, a corvette and a cargo vessel in the Bougainville area. Several large‑calibre bomb hits were scored on the destroyer which undoubtedly sank. The corvette and the cargo vessel were set on fire.

(c) In the above action the U. S. attacking planes were engaged by a large force of Japanese Zero fighters. U. S. pilots shown down 15 Zeros and damaged 3 others. Four U. S. planes are missing.

 

North Pacific.

 

2. On June 4, formations of Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers, Ventura (Vega B‑34) medium bombers and Lightning and War­hawk fighters carried out five attacks against Japanese installations at Kiska. Hits were scored on buildings and gun emplacements.

 

42

 


 

JUNE 6, 1943

 

NEW VENTURA BOMBER SINKS ENEMY SUBMARINE

 

One of the Navy's new patrol bombers, a Vega Ventura (PV‑1), depth-charged and sank an enemy submarine while protecting an Atlantic convoy. The sinking occurred in April, a short time after the Navy pressed the first of the new planes into service.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 403, JUNE 7, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 6:

 

(a) During the morning formations of Navy Dauntless (Douglas SBD) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers, escorted by Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters, attacked Japanese installa­tions at Munda, New Georgia Island in the Central Solomons. Results of this attack were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

(b) Later in the same day, a formation of Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑410) fighters strafed Japanese positions on Choiseul Island. Enemy gun emplacements were silenced. All U. S. planes returned.

 

North Pacific.

 

2. On June 5, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers and Ventura (Vega B‑34) medium bombers attacked Japanese installations at Kiska. Due to a heavy overcast results of the attack could not be observed.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 404, JUNE 8, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 7, during the morning approximately 40 or 50 Japanese Zeros and torpedo bombers were attacked by U. S. fighter planes in the vicinity of the Russell Islands. Nineteen Zeros were shot down and six damaged. U. S. losses were seven planes, but three of the pilots were saved.

 

North Pacific.

 

2. On June 7, an additional 8 Japanese were killed on Attu Island. Eleven more of the enemy killed themselves with grenades after being sur­rounded by U. S. Army troops in Chichagof Valley. The total known enemy dead as of June 7 is 1,826.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 405, JUNE 10, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 9, during the afternoon, Flying Fortress (Boeing B‑17) heavy bombers, escorted by Warhawk (Curtis P‑40) and Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) fighters, bombed Japanese positions at Munda on New Georgia Island in the Central Solomons. No U. S. losses were sustained.

 

North Pacific.

 

2. On June 9, during the day, nineteen more of the enemy were killed on Attu Island. In addition, five prisoners were taken.

 

43

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 406, JUNE 11, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 10:

 

(a) During the morning Marine Corsairs (Vought F4U) and Army Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) fighters intercepted and shot down four Mit­subishi bombers over the north end of Malaita Island. Three of the enemy bombers were accounted for by Marine Corsair fighters and the other by an Army Lightning fighter.

(b) During the same, day enemy positions on Vila, Kolombangara Island, were attacked by Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) and Lightning fighters with un­observed results.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 407, JUNE 12, 1943

North Pacific.

 

1. During the night of June 8‑9, U. S. Army patrols on Attu Island killed sixty‑six Japanese and captured one in the area between Sarana Bay and Cape Khlebnikof. There is no enemy activity on other parts of the island.

2. On June 10, during the afternoon, Army Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers, Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers, and Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) fighters made four attacks on Japanese installations at Kiska. Hits were scored along the run­way and on gun emplacements. Barges were strafed by the fighters.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 408, JUNE 12, 1943

 

1. The U. S. submarines Amberjack and Grampus have failed to return from patrol operations and must be presumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of personnel in the Amberjack and Grampus have been so informed.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 409, JUNE 13, 1943

North Pacific.

 

1. During the morning of June 11, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers, Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers and Light­ning (Lockheed P‑38) and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) fighters carried out 'five attacks against Japanese installations at Kiska. Hits were scored in the main camp from and on the runway. Barges in the harbor were bombed and strafed.

 

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

2. On June 10, during the night, Flying Fortress (Boeing B‑17) heavy bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers bombed and started fires among Japanese positions in the Buin area.

 

3. On June 12:

 

(a) ‑During the. morning a force of Navy, Marine Corps and Army fighter planes intercepted about forty or fifty Japanese fighters in the vicinity of the Russell Islands. Twenty‑five Zeros were shot down and

 

44

 

eight more probably shot down. U: S. losses were six planes with all but two of the pilots being rescued.

(b) On the same morning Army Liberator bombers encountered two Mitsubishi bombers twenty miles west of Buka Island. One enemy bomber was destroyed.

 

4. In Navy Department Communiqué No. 408, it was reported that U. S. fighter planes intercepted and shot down four Mitsubishi bombers over the north end of Malaita Island. A later report now reveals that five enemy bombers were shot down instead of four as previously reported.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 410, JUNE 14, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 12, during the night, Army Flying Fortress (Boeing B‑17) and Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers attacked Japanese positions at Kahili, Buin area. Results were not observed. No. U. S. losses were sustained.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 411, JUNE 14, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the following results of operation against the enemy in the waters of these areas:

 

(a) 1 Destroyer sunk.

(b) 1 Large transport sunk.

(o) 5 Medium‑sized cargo vessels sunk.

(d) 1 Large trawler sunk.

(e) 1 Patrol vessel sunk.

(f) 1 Small supply vessel sunk.

(g) 2 Small cargo vessels sunk.

(h) 1 Large tanker damaged.

(i) 1 Destroyer damaged.

(j) 1 Medium‑sized transport damaged and probably sunk.

(k) 1 Medium‑sized transport badly damaged.

 

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department Communiqué.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 412, JUNE 15, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 13:

(a) During the day Navy fighter planes in the South Pacific damaged a Japanese reconnaissance bomber.

(b) During the night, Japanese bombers were over Guadalcanal Island. A small number of bombs were dropped. No personnel or material casualties occurred.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 413, JUNE 16, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. During the evenings of June 13 and 14, Flying Fortress (Boeing B‑17) and. Liberator (Consolidated) heavy bombers attacked Japanese installations at Kahili and on Shortland Island in the Buin area.

 

45

 

2. On the evening of June 14, Army Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers escorted by Navy Corsair (Vought F4U) fighters bombed the runway and antiaircraft positions of the airfield at Vila, Kolombangara Island.

3. On June 15, in the early morning, Japanese planes dropped bombs on Guadalcanal Island. No personnel or material damage has been reported.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 414, JUNE 17, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 15, during the morning, Navy Dauntless (Douglas SBD) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers, escorted by Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters, attacked Japanese positions in western New Georgia Island. Fires were started and heavy explosions were observed.

2. On June 16, during the morning, Navy Avenger and Dauntless dive bombers, escorted by Corsair (Vought F4U) fighters, attacked Japanese posi­tions on Choiseul Island. Fires were started.

 

North Pacific.

 

3. On June 15, during the afternoon, Navy Ventura (Vega PV) medium bombers attacked Kiska. Hits were scored in the main camp area, along the runway and among antiaircraft batteries.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 415, JUNE 17, 1943

South Pacific.

 

1. A brief report received from the South Pacific reveals that in an air battle over Guadalcanal Island on June 16, U. S. planes shot down thirty‑two Japanese bombers and forty‑five Zero fighters. Six U. S. planes are missing.

2. No further details have been received.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 416, JUNE 18, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 16, during the night, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers attacked Japanese positions on Ballale Island, Shortland Island Area. Results were not observed. One U. S. bomber is missing.

2. Further details of the air battle over Guadalcanal Island (previously mentioned in Navy Department Communiqué No. 415) reveal that the Japanese air forces engaged were estimated to have been sixty bombers and sixty fighters.

One U. S. merchant ship and one landing barge were damaged. U. S. per­sonnel casualties were: Twenty‑five killed, twenty‑nine injured, and twenty-two missing afloat and ashore. The latest report confirms that six U. S. planes were lost, but the pilot of one plane was rescued.

 

North Pacific.

 

3. On June 16, three additional Japanese soldiers were captured in the Khlebnikof Area, Attu Island. The total number of enemy captured is 24.

 

46

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 417, JUNE 17, 1943

 

The U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, assigned to convoy duty in the North Atlantic, has been reported lost.

All hands except two enlisted men were lost with the ship. Next of kin have been notified.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 418, JUNE 19, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 16, a twin‑engine Japanese reconnaissance bomber was shot down southeast of San Cristobal Island.

 

2. On June 17:

 

(a) During the afternoon, Dauntless (Douglass SBD) dive bombers escorted by Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters attacked Japanese positions at Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel Island. Hits were scored on enemy antiaircraft positions.

(b) During the night an unknown number of Japanese planes approached Guadalcanal Island, and dropped several bombs harmlessly into the water off Tulagi. No damage or casualties were sustained.

 

3. Additional reports received indicate that in the air battle over Guadal­canal Island (previously reported in Navy Department Communiqués 415 and 416) 94 Japanese planes were destroyed instead of 77. Of the additional 17, 16 were shot down by ships in the harbor and one by shore‑based antiaircraft.

The Japanese planes were met by Army and Navy fighter planes, partici­pating in approximately equal numbers. The Navy planes were manned by Navy and Marine Corps pilots. Eight of the Army planes were flown by New Zealand pilots. All U. S. planes were based on Henderson Field. Fighting plane types including Corsairs (Vought F4U), Wildcats (Grumman F4F), Lightnings (Lockheed P‑38), Airacobras (Bell P‑39), and Warhawks (Curtiss P‑40). This air victory was a striking example of coordinated battle action by the various units concerned.

The Japanese planes came in over Beaufort Bay (West coast of Guadal­canal Island) and were engaged by the U. S. planes. At about the same time, another group of Japanese planes approached from farther north and were immediately attacked. Approximately 30 enemy dive bombers maneuvered to attack U. S. cargo vessels escorted by destroyers. Subsequent contacts were made over Koli Point, Savo Island, Cape Esperance and Tulagi.

The dive bombing of U. S. surface units occurred at about 2:15 p. m. In this attack a cargo vessel and a landing craft were damaged. One other cargo vessel sustained minor damage.

In the air action, 30 Navy and Marine Corps planes shot down sixteen Zero fighters and seventeen bombers. Thirty‑six Army planes shot down twenty-­nine Zeros and ten bombers. The eight New Zealand pilots shot down five bombers.

Of the six U. S. planes shot down, two of the pilots were rescued.

 

47

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 419, JUNE 20, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 18:

 

(a) During the night, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers attacked Kahili, Buin Area. Large fires were started.

(b) On the same night, Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers attacked Ballale Island, Shortland Area.

In Wilson Strait (south of Vella Lavella Island) six Japanese barges were strafed.

The Vila runway on Kolombangara Island was also bombed by a Mitchell bomber.

 

2. On the night of June 18‑18, Navy Catalinas (Consolidated PBY) patrol bombers and Army Liberators attacked Japanese positions on Nauru Island. Large oil fires were started and a considerable amount of damage was caused in the dispersal area and among the living quarters.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 420, JUNE 21, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 18‑19, during the night Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24 ) heavy bombers attacked Japanese installations at Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. A number of hits were scored on the enemy positions. Although seven enemy Zero fighters were in the air over Tarawa, they did not press a determined attack against the U. S. bombers.

 

2. On June 19, during the night Army Liberators attacked Japanese posi­tions at Kahili, Buin area. A number of fires were started.

 

3. On June 20, during the morning, Navy Dauntless (Douglas SBD) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers escorted by Army Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) and Navy Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters attacked Vila, Kolombangara Island. A supply dump was hit and a fire started. Hits were also scored on the runway.

 

North Pacific.

 

4. On June 20, during the day, Navy Ventura (Vega PV) medium bombers attacked Japanese installations at Kiska. Results were not observed.

 

5. In all of the above operations all U. S. planes returned.

 


 

JUNE 21, 1943

 

MERCHANT VESSEL SURVIVES FIVE AIR ATTACKS;

SHOOTS DOWN FOUR PLANES, PROBABLY TWO MORE

 

The story of how an American merchant vessel last January, ran the gauntlet of five air attacks in the Eastern Atlantic. and Mediterranean, during which the Navy gun crew commanded by Lieutenant (junior grade) Robert H. McIlwaine, U. S. N. R., of 34 East 62 Street, New York City, shot down four enemy planes and accounted for two more "probables", was told when the ship arrived recently at a United States port.

 

48

 

Although damaged by near misses and by a bomb which penetrated to its highly inflammable cargo but failed to explode, the vessel was able to keep position in the convoy and to discharge its cargo on schedule. Temporary repairs were made, and the vessel continued to do her job for many weeks before coming to the United States for permanent repairs.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 421, JUNE 22, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 20:

 

(a) During the afternoon, three Navy Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters intercepted and shot down a Mitsubishi bomber north of Florida Island.

(b) During the evening, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers attacked Japanese positions at Kieta, Bougainville Island, and Kahili, Buin Area. Results were not observed.

 

2. On June 21:

 

During the afternoon, Navy Dauntless (Douglas SBD) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers, escorted by Wildcat fighters, attacked Japanese installations at Munda, New Georgia Island. Hits were scored on the antiaircraft positions and several were silenced.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 422, JUNE 24, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 20, during the night, a U. S. light surface unit was unsuccess­fully attacked by a Japanese plane in the vicinity of Savo Island.

 

2. On June 22‑23, during the night, two U. S. patrol craft were unsuccess­fully strafed by a Japanese float plane in the vicinity of the Russell Islands.

 

 


 

JUNE 25, 1943

 

U. S. SUBMARINE R‑12 LOST

 

The U. S. Submarine R‑12, while engaged in training exercises, was lost recently off the East Coast of the United States.

A number of officers and men were unable to escape from the vessel before it sank. The depth of water makes it impossible to salvage the submarine, and hope has been abandoned for recovery of the bodies of the missing personnel. The next of kin have been informed.

Information obtained from survivors indicates that the loss was probably due to accident and not enemy action, and an investigation is now in progress to determine the available facts of the case.

Announcement of this incident was withheld until attempts to locate and raise the R‑12 were discontinued, in order that enemy submarines might not be given information that would enable them to attack the salvage vessels.

 

49

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 423, JUNE 26, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 24, during the afternoon, a number of Navy Wildcat (Grum­man F4F) fighters strafed a Japanese barge southeast of Vangunu Island, New Georgia Group.

 

2. On June 25, during the afternoon four Japanese twin‑engine bombers unsuccessfully attacked a U. S. light surface unit in the Solomon Islands.

 

North Pacific.

 

3. On June 24, during the afternoon, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers, Mitchell (North American B‑25) and Ventura (Vega B‑34) medium bombers carried out three attacks against Japanese installations at Kiska. Due to poor visibility results of the attack could not be observed.

 

4. U. S. Army patrols have killed 15 more Japanese soldiers on Attu Island.

 

Memorandum to the Press:

 

The following information has been released in the South Pacific:

 

On 25 June

 

(a) During the early morning an unknown number of enemy bombers bombed our positions on the Russell Islands. A few of the U. S. personnel suffered light wounds and some damage was caused to U. S. supply In­stallations.

(b) During the early morning a formation of Army Liberators bombed Kahili, Buin Area. A number of fires were started. At about the same time, other Army Liberators attacked Buka Island and started fires.

(c) Later in the morning, Navy Dauntless dive bombers and Avengers, escorted by Navy Wildcats, attacked Labeti Plantation, Munda Area, New Georgia. No U. S. losses were sustained.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 424, JUNE 27, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 26:

 

(a) During the early morning a formation of Army Liberator (Con­solidated B‑24) heavy bombers attacked Japanese positions on Ballale Island, Shortland Island area. A number of fires were started.

(b) At about the same time another formation of Army Liberators attacked Japanese positions on Poporang (south Shortland Island). Re­sults of this attack were unobserved.

(c) Later on the same morning, Navy Dauntless (Douglass SBD) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers escorted by Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters attacked Munda, New Georgia Island in the Central Solomons. At the same time another formation of Navy Dauntless dive bombers and Avenger torpedo bombers escorted by Wildcat fighters attacked Vila, Kolombangara Island.

 

2. In the above operations, no U. S. planes were lost.

 

50

 

North Pacific.

 

3. On June 25, during the afternoon, Army Mitchell (North American B‑25) and Ventura (Vega B‑34) medium bombers escorted by Lightning (Lock­heed P‑38) fighters made six attacks against Kiska. Hits were scored in the main camp area and among the enemy antiaircraft positions.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 425, JUNE 28, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 27:

 

(a) During the early morning Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers bombed Kahili, Buin Area, and Munda, New Georgia, while Navy Liberator (Consolidated PB4Y) bombers carried out attacks against Ballale Island, Shortland Area. Results of these attacks were unobserved.

(b) Prior to dawn, Navy Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers bombed Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel Island.

(c) During the morning, Navy Dauntless (Douglas SBD) dive bombers and Avenger torpedo bombers attacked Munda, New Georgia. Hits were scored on the runway and revetment area.

(d) At about the same time Navy Dauntless dive bombers and Avenger torpedo bombers attacked Vila, Kolombangara Island. Hits were scored on the runway and in the camp area.

 

North Pacific.

 

2. On June 26 Army Liberator heavy bombers, Mitchell (North American B‑25) and Ventura (Vega B‑34) medium bombers escorted by Lightning (Lock­heed P‑38) and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) fighters bombed and strafed Kiska seven times. Hits were scored among antiaircraft emplacements and on the runway and eight fires were started in the camp area.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 426, JUNE 28, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the following results of operations against the enemy in the waters of these areas:

 

(a) 1 Minelayer sunk.

(b) 1 Destroyer sunk.

(c) 1 Large transport sunk.

(d) 3 Medium‑sized cargo vessels sunk.

(e) 1 Small cargo vessel sunk.

(f) 1 Small schooner sunk.

(g) 1 Large transport damaged.

(h) 2 Medium‑sized cargo vessels damaged.

 

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Depart­ment Communiqué.

 

51

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 427, JUNE 29, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 28:

 

(a) Early in the evening a formation of Dauntless (Douglas SBD) dive bombers and Avenger (Grumman TBF) torpedo bombers, escorted by Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters, attacked Japanese positions at Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel Island. The bombing created so much smoke and dust that observation of the results of the attack was difficult.

(b) During the evening, a formation of Dauntless dive bombers and Avenger torpedo bombers, escorted by Wildcat fighters, attacked Munda, New Georgia Island. A number of fires were started in the defensive posi­tion area, in ammunition dumps and in the camp section.

(c) During the night, U. S. planes bombed a small Japanese naval disposition in the Central Solomons Area. Results were not observed.

(d) All U. S. planes returned from these attacks.

 

North Pacific.

 

2. On June 27, during the day, Navy Ventura (Vega PV) medium bombers, Army Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers and Liberator (Con­solidated B‑24) heavy bombers carried out six attacks against Japanese in­stallations at Kiska. Hits were scored on the main camp and at the North Head area. All U. S. planes returned.

3. On June 28, Army Mitchell medium bombers and, Navy Ventura medium bombers attacked Japanese positions at Kiska and Little Kiska. Because of weather conditions, complete observation of the results of the attacks was not possible, but hits were reported on houses at Little Kiska. All U. S. planes returned.

 


 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 428, JUNE 30, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. On June 30, during the early morning combined U. S. forces landed on Rendova Island, New Georgia Group. No details have been received.