NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUÉS
1-300
AND PERTINENT PRESS RELEASES
DECEMBER 10, 1941
TO
MARCH 5, 1943
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1943
Foreword
March 23, 1943.
This publication contains the first 300 communiqués issued by the Navy Department during the Second World War. The first is dated December 10, 1941; the last March 5, 1943. There are also included certain press releases, such as the Secretary of the Navy's statement on Pearl Harbor dated December 15, 1941, which it is felt are of outstanding historical importance.
It will be noted that the communiqués are reprinted serially and that the press releases have been interpolated in their proper chronologic places. Where not otherwise stated all these documents were given to the press for "immediate release."
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No. 1 DECEMBER
10, 1941
The Navy Department
announces that instructions have been issued that the remains of naval
personnel, including Coast Guard and Marine Corps, lost in action be interred
temporarily in the localities in which they lost their lives. This procedure is necessitated by the difficulties
of ocean transport in war. They will be
buried with full military honors.
No. 2 DECEMBER
11, 1941
The Marine garrison on Wake
Island has been subject to four separate attacks in the last 48 hours by enemy
aircraft and one by light naval units.
Despite the loss of part of the defending planes and the damage to
material and personnel, the defending garrison succeeded in sinking one light
cruiser and one destroyer of the enemy forces by air action. A resumption of the attack and a probable
landing attempt is expected. The Marine
garrison is continuing to resist. The
above report is based on information received up until noon December 11.
No. 3 DECEMBER
11, 1941
The Navy Department
announced that Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief, United
States Asiatic Fleet, has reported that Navy patrol planes scored bomb hits on
a Japanese battleship of the Kongo class off the coast of Luzon. The ship was badly damaged. This is the second Japanese battleship to be
bombed effectively by United States forces.
No. 4 DECEMBER
12, 1941
Naval forces continue to
coordinate their efforts with the Army on land, sea and in the air against
heavy Japanese attacks on the Island of
1
Luzon. There is no confirmation of the alleged
occupation of Guam by the Japanese. The
resistance of Wake and Midway continues.
No further air activity over Hawaii has been reported. The situation in the Atlantic remains
unchanged.
The above is based on
reports up to noon today.
No. 5 DECEMBER
13, 1941
The Navy Department
announced that it is unable to communicate with Guam either by radio or
cable. The capture of the island is
probable. A small force of less than
400 naval personnel and 155 marines were stationed in Guam. According to the last reports from Guam, the
island had been bombed repeatedly and Japanese troops had landed at several
points on the island.
Wake and Midway continue to
resist.
The above is based on
reports until 9 a. m. today.
No. 6 DECEMBER
13, 1941
U. S. airmen turned back the
fishing vessel Alert of U. S. registry in the Gulf of Nicoya, on the
west coast of Costa Rica. The vessel
was boarded on its return to port and was found to have seven Japanese in the
crew. They were taken into
custody. The Alert was loaded
with a cargo of 10,000 gallons of Diesel oil.
No new developments have
been reported from combat areas as of 3 p. m. (e. s. t.) today.
No. 7 DECEMBER
14, 1941
There have been two
additional bombing attacks on Wake Island.
The first was light, the second was undertaken in great force. Two enemy bombers were shot down. Damage was inconsequential.
The Marines on Wake Island
continue to resist.
Enemy submarines are known
to be operating in the Hawaiian area.
Vigorous attacks are being made against them.
The above is based on
reports up until noon today.
2
DECEMBER 15, 1941
BRIEF REPORT OF CONDUCT OF NAVAL PERSONNEL DURING
JAPANESE ATTACK, PEARL HARBOR, T. H., DECEMBER 7, 1941
The Secretary of the Navy,
after making a full report to the President this morning on behalf of the Navy
Department, issued the following statement this afternoon concerning the air
attack on the island of Oahu on Sunday, December 7:
My inspection trip to the
island enables me to present the general facts covering the attack which
hitherto have been unavailable.
1. The essential fact is
that the Japanese purpose was to knock out the United States before the war
began. This was made apparent by the deception practiced, by the preparations
which had gone on for many weeks before the attack, and the attacks themselves
which were made simultaneously throughout the Pacific. In this purpose the
Japanese failed.
2. The United States
services were not on the alert against the surprise air attack on Hawaii. This
fact calls for a formal investigation which will be initiated immediately by
the President. Further action is, of course, dependent on the facts and
recommendations made by this investigating board. We are all entitled to know
it if (a) there was any error of judgment which contributed to the surprise,
(b) if there was any dereliction of duty prior to the attack.
3. My investigation made
clear that after the attack the defense by both services was conducted
skillfully and bravely. The Navy lost:
(a) The battleship Arizona
which was destroyed by the explosion of
first, its boiler and then its forward magazine due to a bomb which was said to have literally passed
down through the smokestack;
(b) The old target ship Utah
which has not been used as a combatant ship for many years, and which was in
service as a training ship for antiaircraft gunnery and experimental purposes;
(c) Three destroyers, the
Cassin, the Downes, and the Shaw;
(d) Minelayer Oglala. This
was a converted merchantman formerly a passenger ship on the Fall River Line
and converted into a mine layer during the World War.
The Navy sustained damage to
other vessels. This damage varied from ships which have been already repaired,
and are ready for sea, or
3
which have gone to sea, to a
few ships which will take from a week to several months to repair. In the last
category is the older battleship Oklahoma which has capsized but can be
righted and repaired. The entire balance of the Pacific Fleet with its aircraft
carriers, its heavy cruisers, its lights cruisers, its destroyers, and submarines
are uninjured and are all at sea seeking contact with the enemy.
4. The known Japanese
materiel losses were 3 submarines and 41 aircraft.
5. Army losses were severe
in aircraft and some hangars, but replacements have arrived or are on their
way.
6. The up-to-date figures of
Navy killed and wounded are: officers, 91 dead and 20 wounded; enlisted men,
2,638 dead and 636 wounded.
The Secretary of the Navy
told in some detail of many individual actions of outstanding courage.
He said:
"In the Navy's gravest
hour of peril, the officers and men of the fleet exhibited magnificent courage
and resourcefulness during the treacherous Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor.
The real story of Pearl Harbor is not one of individual heroism, although there
were many such cases. It lies in the splendid manner in which all hands did
their job as long as they were able, not only under fire but while fighting the
flames afterward and immediately starting salvage work and reorganization.
"Prompt action saved
many lives and a vast amount of material. Without exception, all ships and
stations rose to the emergency. Less than 4 minutes after the first alarm, guns
of the fleet went into action against enemy aircraft. Seconds later the first
Japanese plane was shot down.
"To a recruit seaman
aboard a battleship probably goes the honor of striking the first telling blow
in the fleet's defense. Even before 'general quarter' sounded, this youngster
single-handedly manned a machine gun and blasted an attacking torpedo plane as
it leveled against his ship.
"The dying captain of a
battleship displayed the outstanding individual heroism of the day. As he
emerged from the conning tower to the bridge, the better to fight his ship, his
stomach was laid completely open by a shrapnel burst. He fell to the deck.
Refusing to be carried to safety, he continued to direct the action. When the
bridge became a blazing inferno, two officers attempted to remove him. But he
ordered them to abandon him and save themselves. The latter found themselves
blocked by the flames. Only the heroic efforts of a third officer enabled
4
them to escape. He climbed
through the fire to a higher level from which he passed one line to an
adjoining battleship, and another to his trapped shipmates. By this frail means
they made their way to safety.
"Entire ship's
companies showed exemplary valor and coordination. Drama was thus crowded into a few seconds on board an aircraft
tender moored at the naval air station, target of the enemy's fiercest bombing
and strafing. With the ship already on fire from repeated high-altitude
attacks, her antiaircraft batteries downed a plane which crashed in flames on
deck. At this moment her captain observed the shadow of an enemy two-man
submarine approaching within a few yards of the vessel. It was placed under
fire. Hits were scored immediately and the submarine exposed her conning tower.
At that instant a destroyer stood down channel, passed directly over the
submarine, and sank it with depth charges. Doubtless saved from this craft's
torpedoes, the tender then shot down a second plane, which fell on land nearby.
"Men fought with the
cool confidence that comes from complete indoctrination for battle. In one
case, a single bluejacket manned a 5-inch antiaircraft gun after his 10 battery
mates had been shot down by a strafing attack. He would seize a shell from the
fuze-pot, place it in the tray, dash to the other side of the gun, and ram it
home. He would then take his position on the pointer's seat and fire. After the
third such round, a terrific explosion blew him over the side of the
battleship. He was rescued.
"At the several naval
air stations attacked, crews dashed into the flames enveloping planes set
ablaze by incendiaries, stripped off free machine guns, and with them returned
the enemy's fire. In at least one instance an enemy craft was shot down.
"Two cruiser scouting
seaplanes, their speed and maneuverability reduced by heavy pontoons, destroyed
an attacking Japanese pursuit ship of thrice their speed.
"Simultaneously
throughout the navy yard examples of personal heroism developed. Several
workmen of Japanese ancestry deserted their benches to help the Marine defense
battalion man machine-gun nests. Two of them with hands blistered from hot gun
barrels, required emergency treatment.
"Cool as ice, the men
who manned the navy yard signal tower from which flashed orders to the anchored
fleet, carried out their assignment under a hail of machine-gun fire and bombs
from the enemy, as well as
5
shrapnel from their own
force's antiaircraft batteries. None left his dangerous post. First to observe
the invaders through their long glasses from their high vantage point, they
sent out the astounding air raid warning by visual signals. Then they settled
into the complex business of transmitting the scores of orders to the ships
that fought back at the attackers from their berths, or prepared to stand out
to sea.
"Men from ships out of
action managed at any cost to return to the battle. There were the survivors of
the capsized ship who swam through blazing oil to clamber aboard other ships
and join gun crews. Crews from another disabled vessel swam into mid-channel
where they were hoisted aboard outward-bound destroyers. Proof that getting
back into battle took precedence over their own lives was the fact that the
comparative safety of the shore lay only a few yards away. Lying in a hospital
bed when the first air raid alarm sounded, one officer leaped up, brushed aside
nurses and ran across the navy yard to his ship. He fought with such gallantry
and zeal, despite his illness, that his captain recommended him for promotion.
"There was the case of
the destroyer tender which lay alongside a dock undergoing major overhaul,
powerless and without armament. Unable to assume an active defense role, she
concerned herself with the vital task of rescue with her available ship's
boats. One Naval Reserve ensign volunteered as skipper of a motor launch. With
four men he proceeded across Pearl Harbor's reverberating channel through a
hail of enemy machine-gun fire and shrapnel. They saved almost 100 men from 1
battleship - men who had been injured or blown overboard into the oil-fired
waters. The attack on this vessel was at its height as these rescue operations
proceeded. Suddenly the launch's propeller jammed. Coolly, the ensign directed
the work of disengaging the screw as flames licked around its wooden hull,
meantime also supervising the picking up of more victims from the harbor. His
captain cited him for 'initiative, resourcefulness, devotion to duty and personal
bravery displayed'.
"Four motor-torpedo
boats had been loaded aboard a fleet tanker for shipment. Their youthful
ensign-captains put their power-driven turret machine guns into immediate
action, accounting for at least one enemy raider plane.
"To the unsung heroes
of the harbor auxiliaries must go much of the credit for helping stem the
onslaught. Even the lowly garbage lighters shared the grim task. One came
alongside a blazing ship which
6
threatened momentarily to
explode. Calmly the yardcraft's commander led fire-fighting both aboard the
warship and on the surface of the harbor. He kept his tiny vessel beside the
larger one for 24 hours.
"Men's will-to-fight
was tremendous. One seaman had been confined to his battleship's brig for
misconduct a few days earlier. When an explosion tore open the door, he dashed
straight to his battle station on an antiaircraft gun. On the submarine base
dock a bluejacket, carrying a heavy machine gun for which there was no mount
immediately available, shot the weapon from his arms, staggering under the
concussion of the rapid fire.
"Quick-thinking in the
dire emergency probably saved many lives and ships. An aviation machinist's
mate aboard one ship saw that flames from the huge vessel threatened a repair
ship alongside. He ran through the blaze and single-handedly slashed the lines
holding the two ships together. Freed, the smaller craft drew clear. Only in
the final moments, when remaining aboard appeared utterly hopeless, would men
leave their ships. Then they went reluctantly. Once ashore, instead of finding
some dry place to recuperate from their terrific pounding, they pitched
emergency quarters as near their vessels as possible. And with portable guns
they continued to fight; later they stood guard at these same camps as repair
operations began on their ships, setting regular shipboard watches. Like all
treacherous attacks, the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese caught certain
vessels of the fleet under periodic overhaul. While in this condition of
repair, such ships were not able to utilize their offensive powers to the
greatest effectiveness. These ships, therefore, turned to with a will at many
useful purposes. One ship rescued with its boats, hundreds of survivors thrown
into the water by the force of explosions; meanwhile the surface of the water
was becoming a raging inferno from burning oil. Other ships sent their repair
parties to help the fighting ships keep afloat. Others sent ammunition parties
to maintain the flow of powder and shells to the guns. Without doubt the whole
spectacle was the greatest spontaneous exhibition of cooperation,
determination, and courage that the American Navy has been called upon to make.
The crew of one ship followed it around on its outside as it capsized, firing
their guns until they were under water. Those same men stood on the dock and
cheered as one of the more fortunate ships cleared the harbor and passed by, en
route after the Japanese. Of all the accounts submitted on that memorable day,
the record shows a con-
7
tinual demonstration of
courage, bravery, and fearlessness of which the American Nation may well be
proud."
No. 8 DECEMBER 15, 1941
A Norwegian motor ship was
sunk while approaching the Hawaiian Isles.
The crew was rescued by naval vessels.
The Hawaiian area has otherwise been without incident.
Recent enemy bombing in the
Philippine theatre has resulted in no damage to naval installations or
ships. Heavy weather in the North
Atlantic hampers naval operations there.
Midway and Wake Islands
continue to resist.
The above is based on
reports up until noon today.
No. 9 DECEMBER 16, 1941
Two islands in the Hawaiian
area have been shelled by Japanese war vessels within the last 24 hours. The naval outpost of Johnston Island figured
for the first time in Pacific action.
It was bombarded by ships of the enemy at dusk. On the northeastern coast of the island of
Maui, the shipping center of Kahului was shelled by an enemy submarine at about
the same time. Damage in both instances
is believed to be slight. Naval
operations are continuing against the enemy.
Wake Island has sustained
two additional bombing attacks. The
first occurred in the afternoon, the second in the evening. The first attack was light, the second
heavy.
Wake and Midway are
countering the blows of the enemy.
No. 10 DECEMBER
17, 1941
It has been established that
there were no injuries to personnel in the weak attack on Johnston Island
reported yesterday. The naval situation
in the Atlantic remains quiet.
No. 11 DECEMBER 18,
1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation as of noon today:
8
Atlantic Area.
The naval situation has been
without incident. Heavy weather
continues in the western Atlantic.
Eastern Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Central Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Far East.
Submarine actions against
enemy forces in the Far East have resulted in the sinking of an enemy transport
and the probable loss of one enemy destroyer.
No. 12 DECEMBER
19, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation as of 9 a. m. today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Central Pacific.
There have been two
additional air attacks by the enemy on Wake Island. The first occurred on the night of the 17th-18th and was
comparatively light. The second was in
greater force and occurred in the forenoon of the 19th. Wake Island continues to counter these
blows.
Far East.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 13 DECEMBER 20, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué‚ on the naval
situation as of 9 a. m. (e.
s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
9
Eastern Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Central Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Far East.
A U. S. submarine sank an
additional enemy transport. Cavite
sustained a heavy bombing raid at noon of the 19th. This raid caused some damage to property, but only light
casualties to our own forces and civilian personnel.
No. 14 DECEMBER
21, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation as of noon today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are indications of
enemy submarine activity off the East Coast of the United States.
Eastern Pacific.
Enemy submarines have been
active along the west coast of the United States. The S. S. Agwiworld was shelled by an enemy submarine.
The S. S. Emidio was
also shelled and then torpedoed. The
crew abandoned ship and took to the lifeboats.
Three lifeboats were destroyed by submarine gunfire. Thirty-two survivors have been rescued. There were 54 in the crew.
Central Pacific.
Wake Island has sustained
two additional attacks by enemy aircraft.
Far East.
The enemy made a light air
attack on Cavite. Only slight damage
resulted.
No. 15 DECEMBER
22, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué‚ on the naval situation as of noon (e. s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
The S. S. Samoa was
attacked by an unknown submarine off the coast of California during the night
of December 20. The attack was made at
close range, and consisted of gunfire followed by the discharge of a
torpedo. All shots missed their
mark. The torpedo exploded in the
vicinity of the ship. There were no
casualties or damage to the Samoa.
Central Pacific.
Thirty survivors of the S.
S. Lahaina have landed at Kahului on the island of Maui. The Lahaina was shelled and sunk by
an enemy submarine on December 11 while en route to San Francisco. Two of the crew are dead and two are
missing.
There has been no enemy
activity in the vicinity of Midway Island
recently.
Far East.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 16 DECEMBER
23, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
Two U. S. merchant ships
were attacked by enemy submarines off the Pacific Coast. Both attacks were unsuccessful.
Central Pacific.
Wake Island sustained
another strong air attack in the forenoon of the 22d. Several enemy planes were shot down. An enemy force effected a landing on Wake the morning of the 23d.
Far East.
Japanese claims of seizure
of a large number of American merchant vessels are without foundation. The only U. S. merchant vessel known to have
been seized by the Japanese is the S. S. President Harrison.
11
No. 17 DECEMBER
24, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
The S. S. Larry Doheny
was shelled by an enemy submarine, but reached port safely. Press reports of the sinking of the S. S. Montebello
are confirmed.
Central Pacific.
Radio communication with
Wake has been severed and the capture of the island is probable. Two enemy destroyers were lost in the final
landing operations.
Palmyra Island was shelled
by an enemy submarine. Damage was
negligible. There were no casualties. Johnston Island was also shelled by an enemy
submarine with no damage to material and no casualties resulting.
The Hawaiian area was quiet.
Far East.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 18 DECEMBER
26, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
Press reports of U. S.
submarine activities in the Far East on Christmas Day are confirmed. A dispatch from Admiral Hart states that one
enemy transport and one mine sweeper have been sunk. An additional transport and one seaplane tender are probably
sunk.
Manila has been declared an
open city as defined in Hague Convention (IV) of 1907, Annex, Article 25. Our forces have complied with the
stipulations of that convention.
Central Pacific.
Enemy reports that 3,000
naval and marine personnel were engaged in the defense of Wake Island are
incorrect. The total strength of the
12
garrison was less than 400
officers and men. There were approximately 1,000 civilians engaged in
construction work on the island, which may account for the enemy statement that
1,400 prisoners were captured.
Eastern Pacific.
Naval operations against
enemy submarines are being vigorously prosecuted.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 19 DECEMBER
27, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
During enemy bombing attacks
two of our destroyers sustained minor damage.
There were no casualties to personnel.
Eastern Pacific.
Enemy submarines still are
operating in the West Coast shipping lanes.
Due to the effective countermeasures adopted by our forces they arc
experiencing great difficulty in prosecuting their attacks.
Central Pacific.
Countermeasures against
enemy submarines patrolling in the Hawaiian area are being vigorously
prosecuted.
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 20 DECEMBER
29, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
U. S. submarines have sunk
two additional ships of the enemy. One
was a transport, the other a supply vessel.
During enemy air operations
one of our destroyers was attacked.
Slight damage and minor casualties resulted.
13
Central Pacific.
Thirteen survivors of the S.
S. Prusa, torpedoed by an enemy submarine on December i8, have been
rescued.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 21 DECEMBER
30, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon today:
Far East.
Submarine operations against
enemy surface craft are continuing.
Reports that a U. S. destroyer and two of our submarines were sunk in
the period December 26-28 are without foundation.
Central Pacific.
The situation in respect to
Midway Island remains unchanged. There
have been no further attacks since last reported.
Eastern Pacific.
Japanese vessels are
suspected of being in the vicinity of Kodiak.
All merchant vessels have been warned.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 22 DECEMBER
31, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Central Pacific.
The naval situation in
respect to Maui, Johnston, and Palmyra Islands remains unchanged. There have been no further attacks since
last reported.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
NOTE.-The Navy makes no
claims of enemy losses, except when borne out by positive evidence. The Navy will not indulge in the common
enemy practice of estimating losses, but will report only such facts as can be
substantiated.
14
No. 23 JANUARY 2,
1942
The U. S. naval base at
Cavite was evacuated before the enemy entered Manila. All records, equipment, and stores that were not destroyed by
bombing were removed prior to evacuation by naval personnels. All industrial and supply facilities,
including fuel, were destroyed. The
personnel of the naval hospital remained at their posts at the Naval Hospital,
Canacao, to care for the wounded. All
ships and naval personnel were removed from the Manila-Cavite area prior to
enemy occupation.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 24 JANUARY 5,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué on the naval situation based on reports received up to
noon (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
The U. S. S. Heron, a
small seaplane tender, while engaged in action with enemy planes over a period
of 7 hours sustained 1 direct bomb hit and 3 very near misses. The Heron was attacked by a total of
10 four-engined flying boats and 5 twin-engined landplane bombers. Forty-six 100-pound bombs were dropped by
the enemy planes and 3 torpedoes were launched at her sides. Due to very skillful handling, the ship most
courageously fought against overwhelming odds, and destroyed 1 four-engined
flying boat, badly damaged at least 1 other and probably more. The ship though receiving damage from one
bomb that found its mark managed to reach port safely. The Commander in Chief of the Asiatic Fleet,
Thomas S. Hart, in accordance with an order of the Secretary of the Navy has
awarded the Navy Cross to the Commanding Officer, Lt. William Leverette Kabler, and recommended that he be advanced
immediately to the rank of lieutenant commander. Further recommendations regarding other personnel will be made at
a later date.
It has been ascertained from
late information that the patients and staff at the Naval Hospital, Canacao,
near Cavite, were evacuated to Manila prior to the occupation of that city by
the enemy.
Atlantic Area.
The merchant ship Marconi
flying the Panamanian flag but reported to be of Italian ownership was captured
and brought into Cristobal Canal Zone, and turned over to the courts for
adjudication.
15
The submarine situation in
the Atlantic area and off the West Coast of the United States remains
unchanged.
The Hawaiian area was quiet.
No. 25 JANUARY 8,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
The commanding officer of a
U. S. submarine of the Asiatic Fleet has reported the sinking of an enemy
transport. In addition this vessel succeeded in sinking three enemy cargo
vessels, each estimated to be of 10,000 tons displacement.
Central Pacific.
The defense of Wake Island
by United States Marines has been cited by the President of the United States
as follows:
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Washington, January 5, 1942.
Citation by
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES
of
The Wake detachment of the
First Defense Battalion, U. S. Marine Corps,
under command of Maj. James
P. S. Devereux, U. S. Marines
AND
Marine Fighting Squadron 211
Of Marine Aircraft Group 21, Under command of Maj. Paul A. Putnam, U. S. Marines
"The courageous conduct
of the officers and men of these units, who defended Wake Island against an
overwhelming superiority of enemy air, sea, and land attacks from December 8 to
22, 1941, has been noted with admiration by their fellow countrymen and the
civilized world, and will not be forgotten so long as gallantry and heroism are
respected and honored. These units are
commended for their devotion to duty and splendid conduct at their battle
stations under most adverse conditions.
16
With limited defensive means against attacks in great force,
they manned their shore installations and flew their aircraft so well that five
enemy warships were either sunk or severely damaged, many hostile planes shot
down, and an unknown number of land troops destroyed."
***
Wake.
An increase of two Japanese
warships-a destroyer and a gunboat-over the originally reported cruiser,
submarine, and three destroyers that the Japs lost in the attack on Wake
Island, was indicated in two reports to Marine Corps Headquarters, received
from the Pacific area.
These reports were sent from
Wake Island by a patrol plane. One,
written on December 20, is from Maj. Paul A. Putnam, commanding aviation on
Wake. The other is a day-by-day account
of marine aviation's participation in the battle of Wake Island up to December
20 by Maj. W. Bayler.
The day-by-day record of the
battle, though not an official report, is Major Bayler's account of what marine
aviation and Major Devereux's men did.
Major Bayler's report has
but little reference to the Marines on the isle besides the aviation group, but
one brief note-"Japs closed into 4,700 yards before 5- and 3-inch guns
opened up at point blank range"-indicates a cool courage on the part of
Devereux's men that ranks with the classic it "whites of their eyes"
line of Bunker Hill, in the opinion of ranking officers at Marine Corps
Headquarters.
Added to the two Japanese
destroyers which were lost in the final phase of the battle of December 22, the
new information received brings Japanese losses in taking the Island of Wake up
to a total of seven warships-one cruiser, four destroyers, one submarine, and
one gunboat.
Major Bayler was on
temporary duty in Wake in connection with the establishment of a base of
operations for the Marine Corps Aviation unit.
This unit, composed of 12 planes, with pilots, 49 ground personnel,
arrived shortly before the outbreak of hostilities. Following is a copy of the
penciled notes the major made from the records kept by him and sent to the
Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. He was present at Wake until December 20.
17
SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS (WAKE
LOCAL TIME) DECEMBER 8-20
|
Dec. 8, |
Received word bombing
Oahu. |
|
Dec. 9, |
27 Japs. Bombed hospital,
Camp No. 2. Killed several patients, 3 dead.
Got one Jap plane. |
|
Dec. 10, |
27 Jap bombers. No casualties. |
|
Dec. 11, |
Landing attempt by 12 Jap
ships, including light cruisers, destroyers, gunboats, 2 troop or supply
ships. Jap casualties: 1 light cruiser, 2 destroyers, 1 gunboat, 2 bombers. |
|
Dec. 12 |
27 Jap planes bombed Peale
and Wake from 22,000 feet. No casualties. |
|
Dec. 13 |
All quiet. |
|
Dec. 14 |
32 Jap planes hit
airdrome. Two killed, 1 plane down (own destroyed by bombs). |
|
Dec. 15, |
Dawn raid by 3 four-engine
seaplanes. 27 Jap bombers. Shot down
2 Japs. |
|
Dec. 16, |
41 Jap bombers hit Camp 2
and airdrome. Jap four-motor plane raid.
One Jap shot down. |
|
Dec. 17 |
32 Jap bombers at 1317 hit
Camp 1, Peale Island, Diesel oil supply, mess hall, and pumps of evaporators,
Camp 1. |
|
Dec. 18, |
One Jap high rec. plane (2
engine) (photo?). |
|
Dec. 19, |
Jap bombers hit airport
and camp. |
|
Dec. 20 |
All quiet-first day of bad
weather. |
Total casualties:
28 dead, 6 wounded as of Dec. 20 from VMF-211.
NOTES:
(1) Jap bombers of Dornier
type, two-engine, twin-tail, 160 knots.
(2) Attack formations always
in form of line of division V's in close formation. Excellent air discipline.
(3) Nine sure Jap bombers
shot down; three more possibly.
One four-engine boat.
1 CL, 2 DD, 1 gunboat.
Major Putnam's report of
operations to his commanding officer in Pearl Harbor goes into more detail on
the efforts of the tiny aviation complement to keep the planes that were left
after the first attack in the air against each new attack.
18
Of the original aviation
force of 12 officers and 49 enlisted men, 19 enlisted men and 8 officers were
still on duty by December 20. Of these,
4 enlisted men and 2 officers were wounded but still on duty. One officer and 6 enlisted men were in the
hospital and "doing nicely".
The remainder, 3 officers and 24 men, were dead.
The letter relates that four
planes were in the air against the Japs at the time of the first raid. The other eight were on the ground being
serviced between flights, and of these seven were destroyed and one was
slightly damaged. One of the planes
that was in the air later taxied into debris on the field—the wreckage of the
first raid—and bent its propeller.
The Marine fighters, up to
December 20, had made contact with the enemy seven times, had shot down five
Japs in flames, four more had "been claimed by pilots but not verified and
several are known to have been damaged.
Of the four claimed one was a four-engined sea plane."
Discussing the surface
attack of December 11, Putnam reported "4 airplanes (Marine planes) made a
total of 10 attacks, operating in a greatly overloaded condition and performing
splendidly...We claim the sinking of 1 ship and serious damage to another."
The guns of Devereux's force evidently accounted for the remainder of the ships
reported destroyed in Major Bayler's synopsis.
In the attack on December 11, 1 plane was lost, "a washout on the
rocky beach."
After the attack on December
14, which saw two Marine planes destroyed, "one plane on the ground by
enemy action and one crashed on the take-off" the Marines had "only
two operating airplanes, one of which gives constant trouble so that two planes
in the air at one time is the exception rather than the rule." At one time
only one serviceable plane was left to Major Putnam's squadron, but the
mechanics and ground crews evidently made an additional plane, or even planes
out of the wreckage of the remainder.
Lauding the work of the
ground crews at Wake, Major Putnam wrote since that time (the first raid) parts
and assemblies have been traded back and forth so that no airplane can be
identified. Engines have been traded
from plane to plane, have been junked, stripped, rebuilt, and all but
created."
Continuing his praise for
the men under him, Major Putnam wrote "all hands have behaved splendidly
and held up in a manner of which the Marine Corps may well tell. I have no report to make regarding
19
any officer or man being
outstanding in bravery or fortitude; they have all acquitted themselves with
equal distinction. On the other hand, I
particularly wish to comment on the indefatigable labor, and ingenuity, skill,
and technical knowledge of Lieutenant Kinney and Technical Sergeant
Hamilton. It is solely due to their
efforts that the squadron is still operating."
Discussing the living
conditions on the airdrome as they were on December 11, Major Putnam said
"Personnel are living in dugouts made by the contractor's men and
equipment. Not comfortable but adequate
against all but direct bomb hits.
Feeding is from the contractor's galley, a truck making the rounds with
hot food twice daily. Sanitation is
only fair, but so far have had only a mild flurry of diarrhea. Fresh water is adequate for drinking, but
salt water is used for all other purposes."
The tone of the entire
report indicates no particular anxiety on the part of the air group at
Wake. They were there under orders with
a job to do. They were doing the job
and would continue to do it until circumstances beyond their control forced
them to discontinue their efforts. They
had kept these circumstances under control for almost 2 weeks and they would
continue to do so.
At no time during the siege
were more than four Marine planes in operation, Putnam reported, but the
verified total that these planes took of the Japanese was one ship, one
submarine, and five Jap planes.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
***
No. 26 JANUARY 9,
1942
Far East.
The S. S. Ruth Alexander,
attacked by an enemy plane in Netherlands East Indies waters has been abandoned
and declared a total loss. One of the
crew was killed and four were injured.
The balance of the survivors are safe in a friendly port. The Ruth Alexander of the American
President Lines was a vessel of 8,000 gross tons.
Central Pacific.
Operations continue against
enemy submarines. The Hawaiian area is
quiet.
20
Eastern Pacific.
Coastal defense plans have
resulted in a narrowing of enemy submarine operations off the West Coast.
Atlantic Area.
A report that an enemy
submarine was operating in New England waters has been thoroughly
investigated. The area has been
searched without tangible results.
Otherwise, Atlantic operations have been without incident.
No. 27 JANUARY
11, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Central Pacific.
The naval station at
Tutuila, Samoan Islands, was shelled shortly after midnight Sunday, January 11,
Samoan time by a small enemy vessel.
Fourteen shells of light caliber landed in the naval station area. The only casualties were three slight
injuries to personnel. There was no
material damage to the naval station itself.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 28 JANUARY
15, 1942
Far East.
A 17,000-ton Japanese
merchant ship of the Yawata class has been sunk by an American
submarine.
There is nothing to report
from other Pacific areas.
Atlantic Area.
The menace of enemy
submarines off the East Coast of the United States remains substantial.
There is nothing to report
from other Atlantic areas.
21
No. 29 JANUARY
16, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
Units of the U. S. Asiatic
Fleet report the sinking of five enemy vessels in Far Eastern waters. They include two large cargo ships, two
large transports and one medium-sized transport. These sinkings are in addition to enemy casualties at sea
previously reported.
Atlantic Area.
The submarine situation
along the northeast coast of the United States remains unchanged.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 30 JANUARY 17, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 5 p. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
A U. S. submarine has sunk
three enemy merchant ships off Tokio Bay.
Admiral Thomas C. Hart has
assumed control of Allied naval forces in Far Eastern waters.
Atlantic Area.
Enemy submarine activities
off the northeast coast of the United States continue.
There are no further
developments to report from other areas.
No. 31 JANUARY
20, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
A motor torpedo boat under
Admiral Hart's Far Eastern Command entered Binanga Bay, inside the entrance to
Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, and torpedoed an unidentified enemy vessel of
5,000 tons in a night attack. This
small boat carried out its difficult task while under fire of machine guns and
3 inch shore batteries. Lt. John D. Bulkeley has been commended for
executing his mission successfully.
22
Atlantic Area.
Enemy submarine activity is
continuing off the East Coast of North America from Cape Hatteras to
Newfoundland. The sinkings of the
tankers, Norness, Coimbra, and Allan Jackson have been
accompanied by attacks on other vessels within the territorial limits of the
United States. Strong counter measures
are being taken by units of the Navy's East Coastal Command.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 32 JANUARY 24,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 5 p. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
The Navy Department has been
advised by the Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet, that United States'
destroyers made a night attack on an enemy convoy in the Makassar Straits. Our forces made several torpedo hits and
close range gun hits on destroyers and transports. The effect of the attack was that one large enemy ship was blown
up; another was sunk; a third was listing heavily when last sighted, and
considerable damage was inflicted upon other vessels.
Our destroyers received only
slight damage. Our only casualties were
four men wounded, one seriously and three slightly.
Atlantic Area.
Enemy submarines are
operating off the East Coast of the United States as far south as Savannah,
Ga. Countermeasures against their
activities are continuing with favorable results.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 33 JANUARY
25, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 p. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
United States cruisers and
destroyers of the Asiatic Fleet have sunk five additional enemy transports, and
probably one other, in the Makassar Straits without loss to our attacking
forces.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
23
No. 34 JANUARY
26, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 4 p. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
U. S. naval forces have
scored further successes against Japanese convoys in the Makassar Strait. Heavy hits on enemy destroyers and
transports have been effected. While it
is still impossible to estimate total damage inflicted by our combat vessels,
the known results are substantial.
Additional reports to the
Navy Department of continuing action state that an American submarine has
torpedoed an enemy aircraft carrier, which is believed to have sunk.
Dispatches also advise that
another U. S. motor torpedo boat under the command of Ensign George Cox sank a
5,000-ton enemy vessel in a second torpedo boat raid close to Subic Bay.
The attack succeeded in the
face of heavy fire at close range from enemy shore batteries and machine-gun
fire from the Japanese ship. The motor
torpedo boat penetrated the water adjacent to its objective despite net and
boom defenses laid down by the enemy.
Participating in the attack
with Ensign Cox were Lt. John D. Bulkeley, MTB squadron commander and Lt. (jg)
Edward G. DeLong, squadron engineer.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 35 JANUARY
29, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 4 p. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Central Pacific.
Two enemy submarines
appeared off Midway Island with the intention of shelling it. They were driven away by the artillery fire
of our garrison. One hit was scored on
one of the attacking submarines. No
damage was inflicted on the Midway Garrison and there were no injuries to
personnel.
Atlantic Area.
Enemy submarines continue to
operate off the East Coast of the United States and are reported as far south
as Florida. Counter measures by our forces
are increasingly effective.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
24
No. 36 FEBRUARY
1, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué on the naval situation based on reports received up to
noon (e. s. t.) today:
Central Pacific.
A surprise attack has been
made upon Japanese naval and air bases in the Marshall and Gilbert
Islands. The attack was executed by
surface and air units of the United States Pacific Fleet.
In the Marshalls, bases on
the Islands of Jaluit, Wotje, Kwajalein, Roi (in the Kwajalein Atoll), and
Taroa (in the Maloelap Atoll) were raided.
Makin Island, occupied by
the Japanese since December 7, 1941, also was attacked.
Admiral Nimitz reports that
while no large enemy combatant vessels were found many enemy fleet auxiliaries
were sunk, beached or otherwise damaged extensively.
Japanese military
installations on shore were hit hard by naval aviation units and shell
fire. Many enemy airplanes were
destroyed both on the ground and in the air.
Our naval aircraft struck
the enemy positions and ships with bombs, torpedoes and guns.
Our surface ships meanwhile
heavily bombarded several of the enemy's key shore positions.
Two of our surface vessels
received minor damage from near bomb misses.
Eleven American aircraft
failed to return from the attack. Our
total personnel losses are not yet known, but are believed to have been slight.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 37 FEBRUARY
3, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué on the naval situation based on reports up to 5 p. m.
(e. s. t.) today:
1. A motor torpedo boat of
Admiral Hart's Far Eastern Command is believed to have torpedoed an enemy
warship in night action inside Manila Bay.
Although under heavy fire of the warship's guns and in the full glare of
her searchlights, the motor torpedo boat managed to fire two torpedoes and to
survive the action without being hit.
25
2. A naval battalion
composed of bluejackets and marines has been organized and is fighting on
Bataan Peninsula with General MacArthur's command.
3. The U. S. S. Neches,
a naval tanker, has been torpedoed and sunk by an enemy submarine. One hundred and twenty-six members of the
crew have reached port safely.
Fifty-six men are as yet unaccounted for.
No. 38 FEBRUARY
7, 1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué, outlining the naval situation as of noon (e.
s. t.) February 7, 1942:
Far East.
The following new naval
commands have been established to take effect immediately:
1. Forces which formerly
constituted the Asiatic Fleet are now known as the U. S. Naval Forces,
Southwest Pacific. Vice Admiral William
A. Glassford, Jr., U. S. Navy, commands these forces.
2. Admiral Thomas C. Hart is
Commander of the combined Naval forces in the ABDA
(American-British-Dutch-Australian) Area.
3. Combined Naval Forces of
the Australian-New Zealand Area have been established with Vice Admiral Herbert
F. Leary, U. S. Navy, in command. His
title is Commander Anzac Forces.
Atlantic Area.
Axis submarines continue to
operate over a wide area in the Atlantic Ocean, including the coastal waters of
the United States. Their attacks on
Allied merchant shipping are being combated vigorously with increasing success
by our forces.
No. 39 FEBRUARY
12, 1942
(For release morning papers,
Friday, February 13, 1942)
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Central Pacific.
On February 1, 1942, the
Navy Department announced that units of the United States Pacific Fleet had
made surprise attacks on Japanese naval and air bases in the Marshall and
Gilbert Islands. The results of these
attacks are now available.
26
On January 31, 1942, Vice
Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., in command of a well-balanced force of aircraft
carriers, cruisers and destroyers raided the Japanese strongholds on Roi,
Kwajalein, Wotje, Taroa, and Jaluit Islands of the Marshall group and Makin
Island in the Gilbert group.
The results of these
separate actions follow:
Roi Island.
On this island of the
Kwajalein Atoll a well-equipped air base was located with 12 fighter planes and
several bombers. Two hangars, an
ammunition dump, all fuel storage, all other storage and warehouses, a radio building,
and 3 fighter planes and 6 scout bombers in the air, in addition to 1 bomber on
the ground, were destroyed.
Kwajalein Island.
At this anchorage 10 surface
ships, 5 submarines and a seaplane base were located. Our attacking forces destroyed 1 converted 17,000-ton aircraft
carrier of the Yawata class, 11 fight cruiser, 1 destroyer, 3 large
fleet tankers, 1 cargo vessel, 2 submarines and 2 large seaplanes. Other enemy vessels were badly damaged.
Our losses in the two above
attacks were four scout bombers.
Wotje Atoll.
No planes were found on the
Wotje Atoll. There were present,
however, 9 vessels of various categories in the harbor. 4 cargo vessels of
about 5,000 tons each were destroyed in addition to three smaller ships. The entire shore installation consisting of
two hangars, oil and gasoline stowage, shops and storehouses two antiaircraft
batteries and 5 coastal guns, was completely destroyed.
There was no damage or loss
to our attacking forces.
Taroa Island.
On this island a new,
well-equipped airfield was attacked. Two hangars, all fuel tanks, and
industrial buildings were destroyed.
Seven fighter planes and five scout bombers in the air, plus five
fighters and six bombers on the ground were also destroyed.
Our only loss in this attack
was one scout bomber. In addition, a U.
S. cruiser sustained a hit from one small bomb.
RECAPITULATION
Enemy losses from Admiral
Halsey's combined attacks included 1 converted 17,000-ton aircraft carrier of
the Yawata class, 1 light cruiser,
27
1 destroyer, 3 large fleet
tankers, 2 submarines, 5 cargo vessels, and 3 smaller ships while several other
ships were badly damaged. Two large
seaplanes, 15 fighter planes, 11 scout bombers, and 10 additional bombers
seaplanes were also destroyed.
In addition, destruction to
enemy shore establishments was as follows:
At Roi-Two hangars,
ammunition dumps, fuel stowage, all store
and warehouses, and the
radio building.
At Wotje-Entire shore
installation-two hangars, oil and gas stowage,
shops and storehouses, two
antiaircraft batteries, and five
intermediate coastal guns.
At Taroa-Two hangars, all
fuel tanks, and industrial buildings.
The raid of our forces on
the Island of Jaluit was conducted in a heavy rainstorm. Our aircraft attacked two enemy auxiliary
vessels, badly damaging one of them.
At Makin Island, these
forces destroyed two enemy patrol planes and badly damaged one auxiliary
vessel. In addition, one enemy patrol
plane was destroyed at sea.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
***
CONFIDENTIAL NOTE TO EDITORS
This communiqué in no way
changes the 12 noon (e. w. t.) Friday, February 13, release date of the
correspondents' stories filed from Honolulu.
No. 40 FEBRUARY
13, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on additional reports of the Marshall and
Gilbert islands' action of January 31, 1942.
Central Pacific.
Enemy losses in the naval
raid of January 31, 1942, conducted by ships and planes of the U. S. Pacific
Fleet against Japanese bases in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands totaled 16
ships and 41 planes.
Our losses totaled 11 scout
bombers which failed to return, 4 from the Islands of Roi and Kwajalein, 1 from
the Island of Taroa, and 6 from the Islands of Jaluit and Makin.
28
In carrying out the raids on
the several islands Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., divided his surface
and air forces into self-sustaining units.
Timing the arrival of each force at its destination perfectly, he was
able to carry out simultaneous and highly destructive attacks on each island.
Rear Admiral Frank J.
Fletcher, acting under orders of Admiral Halsey, led the forces which made the
attacks against the Islands of Jaluit and Makin.
Vice Admiral Halsey has been
awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for planning and conducting these
brilliant and audacious attacks on Japanese strongholds and for driving them
home with great skill and determination.
Commander Miles R. Browning,
Chief of Staff to Admiral Halsey, has been recommended for promotion to
captain.
Appropriate rewards to other
officers and men may be expected later when all recommendations have been
received and acted upon.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 41 FEBRUARY
19, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, outlining the naval situation as of noon (e. w. t.)
February 19, 1942:
Far East.
A U. S. submarine has sunk a
5,000-ton cargo ship in the East China Sea.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 42 FEBRUARY
21, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, outlining the naval situation as of noon (e. w. t.)
February 21, 1942:
Far East.
Six U. S. destroyers in
company with Dutch warships attacked the Japanese landing force on the Island
of Bali and sank two enemy destroyers.
Our destroyers suffered only slight damage and minor loss of personnel.
In addition to the naval
battalion composed of bluejackets and marines fighting with General MacArthur's
command considerable equipment salvaged from Cavite and other sources of naval
supply has been used to good advantage in the defense of the Bataan Peninsula.
29
Rear Admiral Francis W.
Rockwell, U. S. Navy, Commandant of the Sixteenth Naval District, the senior
naval officer fighting with General
MacArthur, reports that this equipment consists of 3-inch and 4-inch
artillery as well as boat guns and machine guns of several types, with
grenades, aircraft bombs and ammunition.
A large number of hand depth charges have been available.
Stores of gasoline, Diesel
oil and lubricating oil were saved and are being used in field operations. Motor launches, tugs and facilities for
repair of artillery, tanks, and trucks have been provided in addition to
electrical and ordnance supplies.
Personnel of the naval air
base organization who were previously employed on Government contracts have
constructed and repaired airfields and roads in the fighting area. Such heavy equipment as steam shovels
tractors, cranes, trucks and graders have been operated by this organization to
useful advantage on Bataan and Corregidor.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 43 FEBRUARY
23, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, outlining the naval situation based on reports
received up to 8 a. m. (e. w. t.),
February 23, 1942:
Atlantic Area.
The Coast Guard Cutter Alexander
Hamilton was torpedoed by an enemy submarine off Iceland. While being towed into port the ship
capsized and had to be sunk by gunfire.
Loss of personnel which
occurred when the ship was torpedoed was moderate. Next of kin of those lost have been notified.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 44 FEBRUARY
24, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, outlining the naval situation based on reports
received up to 9:30 a. m. (e. w. t.)
February 24, 1942:
30
Atlantic Area.
The U. S. S. Truxtun,
a World War destroyer, and the U. S. S. Pollux, a cargo ship, ran
aground in foul weather off the coast of Newfoundland and were lost.
Due to the extremely
difficult surf caused by the gale raging in the Atlantic and the bitterness of
the winter weather loss of life was heavy on both vessels. Heroic efforts to swim lines ashore failed
due to the inability to handle them when they became oil soaked.
A breeches buoy was finally
rigged to a ledge at sea level, but some of the survivors were washed away
before they could be gotten to the top of the cliff that lined the rocky shore.
The Truxtun broke up
almost immediately after grounding and soon thereafter the Pollux did
likewise.
The survivors owe their
rescue in large measure to the tireless, efficient and in many cases heroic
action of the people of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland.
The next of kin of those
lost in this tragic drama of the sea have been notified.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 45 FEBRUARY
25, 1942
Far East.
The Secretary of the Navy
issued the following communiqué, summarizing previously published losses
inflicted by U. S. naval forces upon the Japanese Navy and Merchant Marine in
the period from December 10, 1941 until February 24, 1942, inclusive. The following information is compiled from
Navy Department Communiqués beginning with No. 1 and ending with No. 44, and
complements similar information summarizing enemy losses and damage published
in recent communiqués of the United States Army.
In accordance with its
previously announced policy, the Navy does not indulge in the practice of
overstating the losses that we inflict upon the enemy, or of understating the
losses inflicted on us. The Navy will
report only such facts as can be substantiated. Thus the tabulation of vessels damaged does not include many
enemy ships thought to have been damaged, lack of conclusive evidence
precluding specific announcements in these instances.
31
Submarines known to be sunk
include only those sunk during the heroic defense of Wake Island and during the
recent raid on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. In accordance with the established Navy Department policy
submarine sinkings are never announced until it is reasonably certain that the
enemy has become cognizant of their loss.
This explains the time lag in connection with various reports. There is evidence, however, of further
sinkings of enemy submarines in Pacific waters, but their announcement will not
be made public until full reports have been made to the Navy Department and
absolute surety is determined.
Prior to the vicious attack
made on the United Nations by the Japanese Empire on December 7, 1941, the
pride of the Japanese Merchant Marine consisted of three 17,000-ton luxury
ships of the Yawata class. One of these ships is known to have been
converted to serve as an aircraft carrier.
The United States naval forces have sunk one merchantman of the Yawata class, and one aircraft carrier
of the same class, leaving only one such vessel known to be in service with the
enemy.
Tabulation follows, by type
of vessel:
Battleships..................................... 1 of Kongo class damaged.
Aircraft carriers............................. 1 sunk, 1 believed sunk.
Cruisers......................................... 2 sunk.
Destroyers..................................... 7 sunk, 1 believed sunk.
Submarines.................................... 3 sunk, 1 damaged.
Seaplane tenders............................ 1 believed sunk.
Mine sweepers............................... 1 sunk.
Gunboats....................................... 1 sunk.
Fleet tankers.................................. 3 sunk.
Transports..................................... 13
sunk, 2 believed sunk.
Supply ships and merchantmen........ 16 sunk.
Miscellaneous (type
unidentified)..... 6 sunk, 2 believed sunk, 3 damaged.
SUMMARY
Total announced losses
inflicted upon the Japanese in the period
outlined above are as follows:
Combatant vessels.......................... 5 sunk, 3
believed sunk, 2 damaged.
Noncombatant vessels.................... 38 sunk, 4 believed
sunk, 3 damaged.
Total combatant and
noncombatant.. 53 sunk, 7 believed
sunk, 5 damaged.
Atlantic Area.
During January 1942, 22
ships of the United Nations registry had torpedoes fired at them in waters
contiguous to the United States. In
32
addition 38 other ships were
attacked in the area west of 30° west longitude. One enemy submarine is believed to have been sunk, 3 are believed
to have been damaged and 34 additional attacks were inconclusive in evidence of
damage.
In February, up to and
including the 23d instant, 23 ships of the United Nations have been attacked by
enemy submarines in U. S. coastal waters and 31 additional ships in the area
west of 30° west longitude. Two enemy
submarines are believed to have been sunk and 1 damaged in these areas. In addition, 15 attacks have been made on
enemy submarines by our forces with inconclusive results.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 46 February
27, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué outlining the naval situation based on reports
received up to noon (e. w. t.) February 27, 1942.
Far East.
The following submarine
commanders have been awarded the Navy Cross in recognition of their especially
meritorious conduct during actions with the enemy:
Lt. Comdr. C. C. Smith, U.
S. N.
Lt. Comdr. K. C. Hurd, U. S.
N.
Lt. Comdr. W. L. Wright, U.
S. N.
Lt. Comdr. M. C. Mumma, Jr.,
U. S. N.
Lt. Comdr. E. B. McKinney,
U. S. N.
Lt. J. C. Dempsey, U. S. N.
Lt. W. G. Chapple, U. S. N.
Citations are not yet
available as the above awards were made in the sphere of action by the
Commander of United States Naval Forces, Southwest Pacific, Vice Admiral
William A. Glassford, Jr., U. S. Navy.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 47 FEBRUARY
28, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué:
The Secretary of the Navy
announced today the acceptance, effective March 1, 1942, of the application for
retirement of Rear Admiral H. E.
33
Kimmel, U. S. N., "without
condonation of any offense or prejudice to any future disciplinary
action."
The Secretary of the Navy
announced at the same time that, based upon the findings of the report of the
Roberts Commission he had directed the preparation of charges for the trial by
court-martial of Rear Admiral Kimmel, alleging dereliction of duty. The Secretary of the Navy made it clear,
however, that the trial upon these charges would not be held until such time as
the public interest and safety would permit.
No. 48 FEBRUARY
28, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, outlining the Naval situation based on reports
received up to 4 p. m. (e. w. t.), February 28, 1942:
Far East.
On February 27 a major
action occurred in which combined Dutch, British, Australian, and United States
naval forces engaged a much larger enemy force of combatant vessels covering 40
transports attempting a landing on the north coast of Java.
From fragmentary reports
received in the Navy Department American naval forces participating in this
action consisted of one heavy cruiser and five destroyers.
A landing on Java by the
enemy was not effected.
The Japanese heavy cruiser Mogami
and three enemy destroyers were put out of action in the attempt. When last seen, enemy transports were
retiring to the northward.
None of our vessels suffered
heavy damage in the initial phase of this battle for Java, and our forces are
still intact despite the overwhelming superiority in numbers of the enemy naval
forces.
Further action can be
expected from this area.
Reports from U. S.
submarines operating in the Far East are as follows:
On February 23 two torpedo
hits were effected on one large ship of the enemy.
On February 24 two torpedo
hits were effected on one large enemy auxiliary vessel.
On February 25 one torpedo
hit was effected on an enemy transport and one torpedo hit on a type unknown.
34
In addition, date unknown,
one of our submarines registered a torpedo hit on an enemy transport.
All of these ships of the enemy
are believed sunk.
No. 49 MARCH 2,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué: Admiral Ernest J. King, U. S. Navy, Commander in
Chief, United States
Fleet, made the following
statement today:
"I have noted the
widespread interest in the press about what the United States Fleets are
doing. Did this interest not exist I
should be deeply concerned.
"As to the activities
of our fleets, the public can count with certainty upon being furnished all
information which does not give aid and comfort to the enemy. The traditional title of the Navy as
"The Silent Service" is, however, based on experience and
necessity. It will have to be
maintained.
"On the other hand I
can say, that while no miracles are to be expected, an all-out effort is being
made in the unspectacular but vitally essential task of establishing our sea
and air communications.
"Appropriate measures
are being taken to strengthen the key points of these communications, with a
view to developing an offensive, which slowly but surely, will gain scope and
power as we gain strength, through the production of aircraft, ships and guns.
"Currently, therefore,
the United States Fleets are carrying on with the basic idea to 'Do more than
your best with what you've got.' This means to take and make every opportunity
to harass and damage the enemy, while building soundly for his ultimate
defeat."
E. J. KING.
No. 50
MARCH 3, 1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, outlining the naval situation based on reports
received up to 10 a. m. (e. w. t.), March 3, 1942.
Atlantic Area.
The U. S. S. Jacob Jones,
a World War destroyer, was sunk by an enemy submarine off Cape May, N. J., just
before dawn on February 28, 1942.
35
There were only 11 survivors
consisting of 9 engine room ratings and 2 apprentice seamen. Factual information in regard to the
circumstances that led to the sinking is sparse because of the lack of deck
ratings among the survivors. It has
been established, however, that prior to receiving the first torpedo hit, the
enemy submarine was not sighted nor was the torpedo.
The first torpedo blew up
the bow and apparently killed all the personnel on the bridge as well as the
men sleeping in the forward living compartments. The second torpedo, which was fired after the submarine circled
ahead of the Jacob Jones, blew up the stern and all the depth charges.
The only survivors, except
one man from the after engine room, were in the amidship section when the stern
was blown up.
The commanding officer of
the U. S. S. Jacob Jones was Lt. Comdr.
H. D. Black, U. S. N.
The next of kin of those
lost have been notified.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 51 MARCH 3,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 6:30 p. m. (e. w.
t.), March 3, 1942.
Central Pacific.
In the course of recent
naval operations west of the Gilbert Islands a task force of the Pacific Fleet
consisting of an aircraft carrier, cruisers and destroyers, was attacked by 18
heavy bombers of the enemy operating in 2 groups of 9 each.
These attacks occurred in
the late afternoon and were timed about one-half hour apart.
The Japanese formations were
closely and vigorously engaged by our carrier fighter planes and by
antiaircraft fire from the ships of our task force.
Only three enemy planes of
the first formation reached their bomb release point over the aircraft carrier
which avoided all bomb hits by split second maneuvering.
The leading bomber of this group
attempted a crash landing on the carrier and was shot down by heavy close range
antiaircraft fire when barely 100 yards from its objective.
36
In the second attack only
five bombers of the enemy formation reached the bomb release point. In this instance the salvo of enemy bombs
was closer to the carrier than in the first attack, but again no hits were
obtained.
Sixteen of the 18 attacking
enemy bombers were shot down in this action.
There was no damage to our surface forces.
Lt. (j. g.) Edward H.
O'Hare, U. S. N., fighter pilot, personally accounted for six bombers of the
enemy.
In the two attacks only two
of our fighter planes were lost. The
pilot of one was recovered.
The next of kin of the lost
pilot has been notified.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 52 MARCH 9,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 4:30 p. m. (e. w.
t.), March 9, 1942:
Far East.
During the week ending March
6, U. S. submarines operating in Far Eastern waters reported the following
casualties inflicted on the naval
forces of the enemy:
One destroyer leader-sunk.
One large naval tanker-sunk.
Ships damaged and definitely
put out of action:
One aircraft carrier-2
torpedo hits.
One cruiser-1 torpedo hit.
One cruiser-1 torpedo hit.
One cruiser-2 torpedo hits.
These vessels have not been
mentioned previously in any other communiqués.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 53 MARCH 12,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on reports received up to 4 p. m. (e. w. t.)
March 12, 1942:
37
Far East.
A U. S. submarine has sunk
three enemy freighters and one passenger cargo ship in Japanese waters.
These sinkings are in
addition to those reported in all previous communiqués.
Central Pacific.
On March 10th, two large
Japanese four-engined seaplanes were detected west of Midway Island. They were intercepted by four of our fighter
planes based on the island. One of the
enemy planes was shot down. The other
escaped. One of our fighters was
damaged and the pilot wounded. He
succeeded in returning to base safely.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 54 MARCH 14,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on reports received up to 12 noon (e. w. t.)
March 14, 1942.
Far East.
Joint British Admiralty and
U. S. Navy Department communiqué:
Although full information is
not yet available it is now possible to give some account of events in the Java
Sea on February 27 and subsequent days during Japanese invasion of Java.
On afternoon of Friday,
February 27th, an Allied Force consisting of H. M. A. S. Perth, H. M. S.
Exeter, the U. S. S. Houston and Dutch cruisers De Ruyter
and Java were at sea north of Sourabaya.
The Allied cruisers were accompanied by a group of British, Dutch, and
U. S. destroyers. This force was under
the sea command of Rear Admiral Deoorman of the Dutch Navy whose flag was
flying in the De Ruyter. The
whole naval force in the area was under the strategic control of Vice Admiral
Helfrich of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
At 4: 14 p. m. on February
27th this Allied Force made contact with a Japanese force about halfway between
Bawean Island and Sourabaya. The Japanese force consisted of at least 9
cruisers of which two were of the Nati class of 10,000 tons armed with
ten 8-inch guns. The Japanese cruisers had with them 2 flotillas of destroyers.
Action was joined at extreme
range. Almost at once one of the
Japanese destroyer flotillas launched an attack but this attack was driven off
38
by the fire of Allied
cruisers and one of the enemy destroyers was seen to be hit by shells from H.
M. A. S. Perth. Soon afterwards
the other Japanese destroyer flotilla delivered a torpedo attack. While action was being taken to avoid these
torpedoes H. M. S. Exeter was hit by an 8-inch shell in a boiler
room. This reduced her speed and forced
her to drop out of line. Only one of
the torpedoes launched in this attack took effect. This hit the Netherlands destroyer Kortenaer and she sank.
Three destroyers were
ordered to counterattack the Japanese destroyers who were retiring under cover
of a smoke screen. Very little
information is available about the result of this counterattack. H. M. S. Jupiter reported seeing only
two enemy destroyers both of which she engaged with gunfire. H. M. S. Electra was not seen after
she had disappeared into the smoke screen and it is presumed that she was
sunk. As soon as Allied cruisers,
including the Houston but without the Exeter, which was unable to
keep up, drew clear of smoke they again engaged the enemy, this time at shorter
range. Less than half an hour later the
enemy cruisers turned away under cover of a smoke screen. It was seen that one of the enemy's heavy
8-inch gun cruisers had been hit aft and was burning fiercely.
Admiral Deoorman led his
force about and chased the enemy to northeastward but he failed to regain touch
with the enemy in the fading light.
After nightfall the Allied cruisers sighted four enemy ships to westward
and engaged them but without definite knowledge of the results.
Admiral Deoorman attempted
to work around these enemy ships in order to locate the convoy which was
expected to the northward. This was
found to be impossible owing to the high speed of the enemy, and Admiral
Deoorman then turned his force to southward to approach the coast of Java
intending to sweep to westward along the coast in an attempt to intercept the
Japanese invasion convoys.
Half an hour after this Allied
force had turned to westward along the Java coast H. M. S. Jupiter was
disabled by an under-water explosion.
She sank 4 hours later. H. M. S.
Jupiter was not far from the mainland of Java and a number of survivors
have already reached Australia. A U. S. submarine assisted in the rescue of 53
survivors.
At 11: 30 p. m. when the
remaining Allied cruisers were about 12 miles north of Rembang two enemy
cruisers were sighted between our ships and the coast. Our ships at once engaged and a number of hits
were
39
secured on the enemy. The De Ruyter was hit by one
shell. Afterwards the De Ruyter
made a large change of course presumably in order to avoid torpedoes fired by
the enemy. The other Allied cruisers
were following the De Ruyter when underwater explosions occurred
simultaneously in cruisers De Ruyter and Java. Both these Dutch cruisers blew up and sank
at once.
It is impossible to estimate
with accuracy the damage inflicted upon the enemy during these actions of
February 27th. Observers in the Perth
consider that one Japanese 8-inch gun cruiser was sunk, a second 3-inch [sic]
gun cruiser damaged and a destroyer sunk.
It has also been reported that a cruiser of the Mogami class was
set on fire and three destroyers seriously damaged and left on fire or sinking.
H. M. A. S. Perth and
U. S. S. Houston, which had received some damage in this action, reached
Tanjong Priok at 7 o'clock the morning of Saturday, February 28th. Five U. S. destroyers reached Sourabaya
after the action.
With the enemy in command of
sea and air north of Java in overwhelming force the Allied command was faced
with the problem of extricating the remaining Allied ships from a very
dangerous situation. The way to
Australia was barred by the 600-mile long Island of Java with the Straits at
either end of it under enemy control.
After dark on February 28th,
H. M. A. S. Perth and U. S. S. Houston left Tanjong Priok with
the intention of passing through Sunda Strait during dark hours. During the night an enemy report from H. M.
A. S. Perth was received which indicated that she and U. S. S. Houston
had come into contact with a force of Japanese ships off St. Nicholas Point at
about 11: 30 p. m. Nothing, however,
has been heard from H. M. A. S. Perth or the U. S. S. Houston since
that time. The next of kin of the U. S.
S. Houston are being informed accordingly.
The same night the Exeter,
which was capable of only half speed, left Sourabaya accompanied by H. M. S. Encounter
and the U. S. destroyer Pope. On
the forenoon of Sunday March 1st the Exeter reported that she had
sighted three enemy cruisers steering towards her. No further word has been received from the Exeter, Encounter
or the U. S. S. Pope. The next
of kin of the Pope are being informed accordingly. The Dutch destroyer Evertsen
encountered two Japanese cruisers in Sunda Strait. She was damaged and was beached.
41
The destroyer H. M. S. Stronghold
and Sloop H. M. A. S. Yarra are also missing and are presumably lost.
It has not been possible to
form any accurate estimate of damage inflicted on the enemy by these ships
during these actions.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 55 MARCH 16,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on reports received up to 3 p. m. (e. w. t.)
March i6, 1942:
Far East.
A U. S. submarine has sunk
an enemy freighter during the course of extended operations in Japanese waters.
A 3,000-ton enemy gasoline
tanker also has been sunk in the Philippine area.
These sinkings are in
addition to those reported in previous communiqués.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 56 MARCH 17,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Rear Admiral Adolphus
Andrews has been assigned to exclusive duty as Commander Eastern Sea
Frontier. The additional duties as
Commandant Third Naval District which he has heretofore performed have been
taken over for the present by Rear Admiral Edward J. Marquart. Rear Admiral Marquart will, in addition,
retain his present duties as Commandant Navy Yard, New York.
No. 57 MARCH 18,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Far East.
Combined operations of
American and Australia island-based forces were conducted recently against
Japanese ships and land installations in and near Salamaua and Lae in New
Guinea.
41
These operations are
believed to have resulted in the sinking of two enemy heavy cruisers; heavy
damage to and the probable sinking of one light cruiser; damage to a fourth
cruiser; the probable sinking of one destroyer; the possible sinking of two
destroyers and damage to one large destroyer.
Five transports or cargo
ships were either sunk or gutted by fire and run aground. One heavy bomb hit was secured on each of
two transports, one troop ship was damaged and left burning and three other
transports were damaged.
One aircraft tender was
heavily damaged and two gunboats were damaged, one of which was left burning
and is believed to have sunk. One mine
sweeper was left in flames and probably sank.
Three seaplanes were shot down and many small boats were
demolished. Considerable damage was
done to enemy shore installations, aircraft runways and antiaircraft batteries.
The heavy losses inflicted
on the enemy by the combined American and Australian forces were accomplished
with the loss of but one plane. The U. S. submarine Shark has been
overdue in the Far East for more than a month and must be presumed to be
lost. The next of kin of the personnel
of the Shark have been notified.
During the month of
December, the U. S. submarine Sealion which was under extensive overhaul
at Cavite, was so damaged as to necessitate her demolition to prevent her use
by the enemy in the event of capture.
Early this month the damaged
U. S. destroyer Stewart was demolished in the drydock at Sourabaya to
prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. Previous efforts to put her in serviceable condition had failed.
There were no personnel
casualties in the case of the Sealion and the Stewart.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 58 MARCH 19,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Far East.
In compliance with orders
from the Navy Department, Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell, U. S. N., the
Commandant of the Sixteenth Naval District (Philippine Islands) has arrived in
Australia. Rear Admiral
42
Rockwell left Corregidor in
General MacArthur's party which reached Australia on March seventeenth. He is now in Melbourne.
When Japan attacked the
Philippines without warning, Admiral Rockwell was in command of the Sixteenth
Naval District, with his headquarters at the Navy Yard, Cavite, which is across
Manila Bay from Manila. When the Naval
Establishment there became no longer tenable, it was destroyed effectively. Admiral Rockwell then proceeded to
Corregidor with the Naval and Marine Corps forces under his command and since
then has taken part in the defense of Corregidor and the Bataan Peninsula under
command of General MacArthur. His Naval
and Marine Corps forces number only about one-third of the regular U. S. Army
troops in that area.
It is expected that Admiral
Rockwell will be assigned to an appropriate command, probably at sea.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 59 MARCH 21,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Far East.
Early this month the U. S.
gunboat Asheville was attacked by the enemy south of Java.
The Asheville has
been reported missing for some days and must be presumed to be lost. The next
of kin of the personnel of the Asheville have been notified.
No. 60 MARCH 23,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Far East.
U. S. submarines operating
in Japanese waters have recently added the following to the list of enemy
merchant vessels sunk or damaged in that area:
One 7,000-ton tanker sunk.
One 6,000-ton ship sunk.
One 5,000-ton freighter
sunk.
Two 2,000-ton freighters
damaged.
43
In addition to these
merchant ships one enemy destroyer or antisubmarine vessel was attacked and
probably sunk.
The above actions have not
been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 61 MARCH 24,
1942
Far East.
The U. S. destroyers Pillsbury
and Edsall have been reported missing since early March and must be
presumed lost. The next of kin of the personnel of the Pillsbury and Edsall
have been informed accordingly.
The Pillsbury is
believed to have been lost in the vicinity of Bali Strait subsequent to the
naval engagement in the Java Sea which was reported in communiqué No. 54.
The last report from the Edsall
placed her in waters south of Java.
These destroyers were units
of the original U. S. Asiatic Fleet which has been used since the beginning of
the war in an attempt to frustrate the Japanese invasion of the islands of the
Southwest Pacific. The ships of this
fleet were fought with distinction as units of the Allied Naval Forces at
Makassar Strait (communiqués Nos. 32, 33, and 34) Lombok Strait, Bali Strait
(communiqué No. 42) and the Battle of the Java Sea.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 62 MARCH 25,
1942
The Navy Department issued the following
communiqué today:
Vice Admiral William F.
Halsey, who commanded the naval forces which so successfully raided the
Marshall Islands on January 31st has delivered additional blows at two enemy
outposts.
First, on February 24th at
Japanese-occupied Wake Island and second, on March 4th at Japanese-owned Marcus
Island.
Although the islands had
been the scene of much recent enemy activity these surprise attacks were met
with little opposition and the attacking, forces found few enemy planes and
ships in the areas.
Considerable damage was done
to shore installations, defense positions, aircraft runways and water tanks by
combined bombardment from air-
45
craft and surface vessels,
following the pattern so effectively used by Admiral Halsey in his raid on the
Marshall Islands.
At Wake Island, which U. S.
Marines defended from December 7 until its capture on December 23, 1941, the
enemy has worked feverishly to strengthen the defenses against attack. Two hundred and nineteen bombs from aircraft
and many shells from cruisers and destroyers were rained on the shore
installations and landing field. Two
enemy patrol boats were sunk, three large seaplanes at anchor were demolished,
and the aircraft runways and a part of the defense batteries were damaged. Our loss in this engagement was one
aircraft.
At Marcus Island, 760 miles
west-northwest of Wake, and 990 miles southeast of Yokohama, Admiral Halsey's
forces executed a successful air attack just before dawn on the 4th dropping
flares to illuminate objectives. No
enemy aircraft or ships were present.
Heavy antiaircraft fire was
encountered while our planes dropped 96 bombs on the small island, resulting in
considerable damage to hangars, fuel and ammunition storages, radio
installations and aircraft runways.
Our loss in this engagement
was one aircraft.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 63 MARCH 26,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Caribbean Area.
The U. S. Coast Guard cutter
Acacia was shelled and sunk presumably by an enemy submarine, in the
Caribbean area in March. The Acacia
was a small unarmed ship of the tender class which was used to provide services
to aids to navigation.
All personnel aboard the Acacia
were rescued and there were no casualties.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 64 MARCH 27,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Atlantic and Eastern Pacific
Areas.
On March 25, General
Marshall, Chief of Staff of the Army, and Admiral King, Commander in Chief of
the United States Fleet, with a
45
view to increasing the
effectiveness of antisubmarine warfare along our coast, issued instructions for
a closer cooperation between the naval commanders of the sea frontiers and the
Army defense commanders. These instructions
govern operations over the sea for the protection of shipping and for
antisubmarine and other operations against enemy seaborne activities.
In accordance with these
instructions, Army defense commanders have allocated Army air units to the
naval commanders of the sea frontiers.
Command of the air units so allocated is vested in the naval sea
frontier commanders.
The cooperation between
these forces and the Navy antisubmarine and patrol forces has been close and
effective. In most ports the operating
centers of these commands have already been combined in one room. The new system of operating control under
one service will eliminate any possible uncertainty regarding jurisdictional
limits and will insure the smooth and effective working of our intensified
antisubmarine campaign in the waters off our coasts.
Unity of command already
exists for all Army and Navy forces in the Hawaiian Islands and in the
Caribbean, those at Hawaii being under the Navy, those at Panama being under
the Army, and those along the eastern Caribbean being under the Navy.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 65 APRIL 3,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Southwest Pacific.
1. The United States
aircraft tender Langley, the naval tanker Pecos and the destroyer
Peary were sunk by the enemy in the vicinity of Northern Australia and
in waters south of Java in late February an March.
2 A number of survivors from
these ships were rescued and 1 port safely.
The next of kin of all personnel lost in the Pecos have
notified. The next of kin of those lost
in the Langley and Peary already have been notified or will be
notified as soon as information available.
3. Official reports from
Tokyo claimed the sinking of the Langley, least three times during the
first month of the war, during which period
46
the Langley was not
damaged. She was sunk after a prolonged
attack by the enemy south of Java in late February. Except for about a dozen men, all Langley personnel
survived the attack and were transferred to the Pecos which was itself
sunk a few days later.
4. The Pecos, a small tanker, employed in supplying fuel to
units of our fleet in the Far East, was sunk in early March.
5. The Peary, a World War destroyer which received minor
damage in the Japanese bombing attacks on Cavite immediately after the outbreak
of the war, was sunk in the harbor at Darwin about February 19th. The Peary had participated in many of
the offensive actions of our destroyers in the Far East. Observers who witnessed the last engagement
of the Peary described the conduct of her crew as beyond all
praise. Gun crews remained at their
battle stations continuing the fire until they were forced by rising water to
leave their stations. No officer or man
left the ship until it sank under him.
A number of survivors were later rescued.
6. War conditions in the
Southwest Pacific have greatly complicated and delayed reports of casualties,
and the public is urged to refrain from initiating individual inquiries
regarding casualties. The next of kin
of all casualties are always notified by telegram as soon as possible.
7. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 66 APRIL 4,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Southwest Pacific Area.
1. Recent reports indicate
that the following damage has been inflicted on enemy ships by United States
submarines operating in waters of the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean:
(a) One light cruiser was
sunk in the vicinity of Christmas Island, south of Java.
(b) One light cruiser was
damaged, in the vicinity of Christmas Island, by a direct torpedo hit and on
the following day another direct hit was scored which is believed to
haveresulted in her sinking.
(c) Two seaplane tenders
were damaged near the island of Bali.
(d) One supply ship was
damaged in waters near Lombok Island.
(e) In the vicinity of Bali,
one barge transport and one unidentified ship were damaged by one torpedo hit
each.
47
2. The above damage to the
enemy has not been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 67 APRIL 6,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Far East.
1. A U. S. submarine has
reported the sinking of an enemy freighter in Japanese waters while on extended
patrol in that area.
Southwest Pacific Area.
2. A U. S. submarine has
reported that it sank two heavily laden Japanese tankers in waters near the
Caroline Islands while on extended patrol in that area. The submarine was fired upon by one of the
tankers but escaped without damage.
3. These sinkings have not
been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
4. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 68 APRIL 7,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
China Sea.
1. Information has just been
received that a U. S. submarine while on an extended patrol in the China Sea
has sunk two Japanese merchant vessels.
2. One of these ships was a
combination passenger and cargo vessel of approximately 10,000 tons. The second was a cargo ship of about 5,000
tons.
3. These sinkings have not
been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
4. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
48
No. 69 APRIL 10,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Philippine Area.
Capt. K. M. Hoeffel, U. S.
N., the senior U. S. naval officer in the forces defending Bataan Peninsula and
Corregidor, acting under the orders of Lt. Gen. Wainwright, U. S. A., ordered
the complete destruction of the previously damaged U. S. submarine tender Canopus,
the Dewey Drydock, the mine sweeper Bitern and the tug Napa in
order to prevent their being of use to the enemy in the event of capture, the
Navy Department has been informed. The
destruction was ordered when it became apparent that the increasing weight of
enemy numbers, combined with the fatigue and exhaustion of our forces, made
imminent the fall of Bataan.
These ships and the Dewey
Drydock were used at and near Corregidor and Bataan Peninsula by the Army,
Navy, and Marine forces serving under General MacArthur and later under Lt.
Gen. Wainwright in the valiant defense of these vital positions which control
the entrance to Manila Bay.
Southwest Pacific.
A report has just been
received that a U. S. submarine while on patrol in the vicinity of the Celebes
Sea sank a large, heavily armed, Japanese vessel.
Three torpedo hits were
scored on the enemy ship which is classed either as an auxiliary cruiser or a
large tender. This sinking has not been
reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 70 APRIL 11,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 10:30 a. m.:
Southwest Pacific.
1. The U. S. submarine Perch
has been overdue for more than a month and must be presumed to be lost.
2. The Perch was one
of the U. S. submarines operating in the vicinity of Java and her last position
report placed her in the Java Sea.
49
3. The next of kin have been
notified.
4. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 71 APRIL 11,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 4 p. m.
Southwest Pacific and Indian
Ocean.
1. Recent detailed reports
reveal that the damage inflicted on enemy ships by U. S. submarines as
announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 66, paragraph 1 (a) to (e),
inclusive, should be corrected to read as
follows:
(a) One light cruiser was
sunk in the vicinity of Christmas Island, South of Java.
(b) One light cruiser was
damaged and is believed to have sunk and a third cruiser was damaged in the
vicinity of Christmas Island.
(c) One large transport was
damaged near Bali.
(d) One supply ship was
damaged in waters near Lombok Island.
(e) One destroyer and one
large transport were sunk in the vicinity of Bali and an unidentified vessel
was damaged.
Further, it is now known
that all the results except that noted in item (d) above were achieved by one
submarine on a single patrol.
Far East.
2. A U. S. submarine
returning from an extended patrol in enemy waters has just reported the sinking
of one 7,000-ton merchant vessel and one small naval vessel of the submarine
chaser class.
3. This same submarine
further reports that on the same patrol it damaged and possibly sank a
4,000-ton freighter.
4. Except as noted in
paragraph 1 the above sinkings and damage have not been reported in any
previous Navy Department communiqué.
5. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 72 APRIL 16,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué on reports received up to 11 a. m.:
50
Far East.
1. The U. S. mine sweeper Finch
has been sunk as a result of enemy bombing attacks on Corregidor during the
past few days.
2. There were no casualties
to personnel.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 73 APRIL 21,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 4 p. m.:
Far East.
1. During recent operations
near the island of Cebu in the Philippine Archipelago, units of a United States
motor torpedo boat squadron made a night attack on a Japanese cruiser which was
protected by four destroyers.
2. Enemy counteraction
finally forced the retirement of the attacking PT boats after they had
seriously damaged one enemy light cruiser and left it in a sinking condition.
3. The PT-41 and PT-34
participated in the attack. The PT-34
was forced ashore on the island of Cebu, but the PT-41 made good its
escape. It is believed that the PT-35
was destroyed in order to prevent capture by the enemy during the invasion of
the city of Cebu.
4. The above action has not
been mentioned in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
5. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 74 APRIL 27,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, based upon reports received up to 12 noon:
Atlantic Coast.
1. The World War U. S.
destroyer Sturtevant has been sunk off the coast of Florida by an
underwater explosion.
2. Loss of life was small
and most of the crew reached port safely.
3. The next of kin of those
lost are being notified.
4. There is nothing to
report from other areas,
51
No. 75 MAY 4,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 3 p. m.:
Far East.
1. As a result of enemy
bombing attacks during the past few days, the U. S. S. Mindanao, a river
gunboat, has been sunk in the vicinity of Corregidor.
2. There were no casualties
to personnel.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 76 MAY 6, 1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 3 p. m.:
Far East.
1. Several messages from the
Navy personnel at Corregidor were received in the Navy Department this
morning. Just before the fall of this
small island fortress which these men have helped to defend so gallantly, the
commander of the naval forces at Corregidor, Capt. Kenneth M. Hoeffel, U. S.
N., joined his officers and men in sending a last message of loyalty, devotion,
and good cheer to their country, their families and their friends.
2. Captain Hoeffel reported
that the mine sweeper Tanager, and the river gunboat Oahu had
been sunk by enemy gunfire from Bataan and that the mine sweeper Pigeon
had been sunk by bombers. The river
gunboat, Luzon, and the mine sweeper, Quail, were severely
damaged by gunfire and were sunk by U. S. forces when capture appeared
imminent. All local small craft in the
vicinity were demolished by our forces.
3. When Corregidor fell,
there were approximately 175 officers and 2,100 men of the Navy, and 70
officers and 1,500 men of the Marine Corps in the defending forces. Col. Samuel L. Howard is the senior officer
of the Marine Corps personnel on the island.
It is assumed that all of these officers and men have been captured and
will be held as prisoners of war.
4. So far as is known no
casualties resulted from any of the above sinkings.
5. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
52
No. 77 MAY 7,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 3 p. m., May
7, 1942:
Southwest Pacific.
1. Very excellent news has
been received. A naval engagement
between U. S. and Japanese forces on May 4th resulted in the following damage
to the enemy:
(a) One light cruiser, two
destroyers, four gunboats, and one
supply vessel were sunk.
(b) One 9,000-ton seaplane
tender, one light cruiser, one cargo vessel, and one transport were badly
damaged.
(c) Six planes were
destroyed.
2. This highly successful
action took place in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands and was accomplished
with the loss of but three planes.
Far East.
3. U. S. submarines on
patrol in the Far East have sunk the following enemy vessels: One medium-sized
cargo ship, one medium-sized tanker, and one small cargo ship.
4. The above actions have
not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
5. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 78 MAY 8,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 6 p. m., May 8,
1942.
Southwest Pacific.
A naval engagement between
our forces and those of the Japanese has been in continuous progress in the
general area southward of Bismarck Archipelago in the Coral Sea, since Monday,
May 3, and there is no indication yet of a cessation. Japanese losses are believed to be:
Sunk Damaged
One aircraft carrier. One aircraft carrier.
One heavy cruiser. One heavy cruiser.
One light cruiser. One light cruiser.
Two destroyers. One seaplane
tender.
Four gunboats. Two transports
or cargo vessels.
Two transports or cargo
vessels.
53
2. Details of losses and
damage to our forces are not fully known at present but no credence should be
given to claims that have been or may be put out by Tokio.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 79 MAY 9,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Southwest Pacific.
1. The Navy Department
realizes that the American public is aware of the unreliable nature of any
claims emanating from an enemy source.
2. Recent announcements by
the enemy have made sweeping claims regarding U. S. losses in the Battle of the
Coral Sea.
3. Reports received in the
Navy Department to date fail to substantiate the loss of any U. S. aircraft
carrier or battleship in that action.
4. Reports of damage to our
forces are incomplete. They will be announced when the information will be
without value to the enemy.
5. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 80 MAY 11,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué today:
Far East.
1. Information has been
received that U. S. submarines operating in the Far East have sunk the
following Japanese ships
One destroyer.
One naval cargo ship.
One medium-sized cargo ship.
2. These sinkings have not
been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué and are not related to
the recent engagement in the Coral Sea.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 81 MAY 26,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on reports received up to noon, May 26, 1942:
54
Caribbean Area.
1. The U. S. S. Blakeley,
a World War destroyer, has been damaged by a torpedo from an enemy submarine in
the Caribbean Sea.
2. The Blakeley has
reached port with 10 members of her crew reported as missing and 6
injured. The injured men have been
hospitalized and next of kin of both injured and missing are being notified as
information is received in the Navy Department.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 82 MAY 28,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 1 p. m., May
28, 1942:
Far East.
1. Information has been
received that U. S. submarines operating in the Far East have sunk or damaged
enemy ships as shown below.
(a) One large auxiliary ship
sunk.
(b) One medium-sized cargo
ship sunk.
(c) One medium-sized cargo
ship severely damaged and probably sunk.
(d) One heavy cruiser
damaged by torpedo hits.
2. These actions have not
been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué and are not related
to the engagement in the Coral Sea which was fought early this month.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 83 JUNE 3,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 4 p. m., June
3, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. Information has been received
that Dutch Harbor, Alaska, was attacked by 4 Japanese bombers and about 15
fighters at approximately 6 a. m. local time today (12 noon e. w. t.). The
attack lasted approximately 15 minutes.
2. No further details are
available at this time.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
55
No. 84 JUNE 3,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 6 p. m., June
3, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. Further reports on the
Japanese air attack at Dutch Harbor which took place earlier today, state that
there were but few casualties.
2. A few warehouses were set
on fire but no serious damage was suffered.
3. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 85 JUNE 3,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 9 p. m., June
3, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. A brief report just
received in the Navy Department states that for the second time today enemy
planes have attacked Dutch Harbor.
2. The second attack was
made about 12 noon, local time (6 p. m., e. w. t.), 6 hours after the initial
attack.
3. No further details are
available at this time.
No. 86 JUNE 4,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 12 noon (e. w.
t.) June 4, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. The situation at Dutch
Harbor is at present quiet. Yesterday's
first raid by the Japanese appears to have been made primarily to test our
defenses. High explosives and
incendiary bombs were dropped but, as previously announced, our casualties were
light and damage was not extensive. The
few fires which were started were quickly extinguished.
2. The second wave of enemy
planes, which was reported to have attacked 6 hours after the initial attack
(communiqué No. 85), failed to drop any bombs and appears to have been engaged
solely in reconnaissance.
3. The source of the
attacking Japanese aircraft has not been definitely determined but they are
thought to have been carrier-based.
56
Atlantic Area.
4. The U. S. S. Cythera,
a small naval patrol vessel taken over by the
Navy last December, has been overdue in this area for more than 3 weeks
and is presumed to be lost.
5. The next of kin of
personnel in the Cythera have been notified.
6. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 87 June 4,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 4:30 p. m.,
June 4, 1942:
Central Pacific Area.
1. Information has been
received that Midway Island was attacked by
Japanese aircraft at approximately 9 a. in. local time (2:30 p. m., e.
w. t.)
2. No further details are as
yet available.
No. 88 JUNE 12,
1942
1. The battle of Midway now
makes it possible to release information in regard to the Battle of the Coral
Sea. Holding up this information gave
to our Navy security which was a cornerstone in building for the Midway
victory.
2. In early March the
Japanese were observed to be concentrating transports and combatant ships in
the ports of Salamaua and Lae on the Island of New Guinea, apparently in
preparation for an assault on Port Moresby on the south coast of the same
island. The occupation of Port Moresby
would have afforded the enemy a strategically located advance base from which
promptly to make further attacks on northern Australia.
3. For some time the bases
at Salamaua and Lae had been subjected to air attacks by U. S. and Australian
shore-based aircraft from Australia. On
March 10th a number of aircraft from a Pacific Fleet Task Force, under the
command of Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, joined these shore-based planes in their
successful attack on shipping and shore installations at the enemy bases. As announced in Navy Department Communiqué
No. 57 of March 18th, this attack resulted in the following damage to the
enemy:
the sinking of or damage to
more than 20 Japa-
57
nese ships and heavy damage
to shore installations. The resulting
disruption of Japanese plans delayed for 2 months any attempt of the enemy to
advance by sea to the southward. The
attacking force was described in the communiqué as American and Australian
island-based forces, since the participation of our carriers in that action had
still not been discovered by the enemy.
4. During April our Army
reconnaissance planes reported that the enemy was once again concentrating
transports, and the supporting elements, including aircraft from carriers and
shore bases, preparatory to an attempt to advance into the Solomon and Louisiade
Islands. In early May these advances
were actually begun. Bases for land
planes in both of these groups of islands were seized by the Japanese and the
entire northern portion of the Coral Sea was subjected to daily reconnaissance
by enemy shore-based aircraft.
5. On May 4th a task force
of the Pacific Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher found
a part of this Japanese invasion fleet at anchor in and near the harbor of
Tulagi, the capital of Florida Island in the Solomon group. In spite of the excellent Japanese air
reconnaissance facilities, Admiral Fletcher's attack caught the Japanese forces
completely by surprise and all but annihilated them. A few ships managed to get under way, but most of these were
severely crippled and some were later beached to prevent their sinking. The results of this engagement as announced
in Navy Department Communiqué No. 77 of May 7th were as follows: the sinking of
or damage to 12 Japanese vessels and the destruction of 6 aircraft. Our entire loss amounted to but 3
aircraft. On the following day a large
four-engined flying boat was intercepted by our forces and shot down.
6. On May 7th Admiral
Fletcher's aircraft struck the main body the Japanese force in the Louisiade
Archipelago off Misima. The new
Japanese aircraft carrier, Ryukaku, and a heavy cruiser were sunk.
Fifteen bomb hits and 10 torpedo hits were reported scored on Ryukaku
which was turning into the wind, to launch her aircraft thus blasted. She sank in a few minutes with most of her
planes on board. The enemy
counterattack which followed was fought off successfully. During this day's fighting more than 25
enemy aircraft shot down as compared to our loss of 6. Shore-based Army air
from Australia assisted in reconnaissance both before and during 1 attacks and
added their fire-power to that of the attacking naval planes.
58
7. During the afternoon of
May 7th Japanese aircraft located and bombed the U. S. tanker Neosho and
its accompanying destroyer the U. S.
S. Sims in the Coral
Sea. The Sims was sunk during
the attack and the
Neosho sank several days later as
a result of the damage received during the bombing. A large part of the personnel from the Neosho and Sims
were rescued and have reached port. The
next of kin of casualties are being notified.
8. On May 8th the same task
force again carried the attack to the enemy and succeeded in inflicting serious
damage on a second Japanese carrier, the Shokaku, which was left ablaze
as a result of bomb and torpedo hits.
9. During this same
engagement the enemy launched a counterattack with aircraft while our planes
were still attacking. The principal
target was the U. S. aircraft carrier Lexington, flagship of Rear
Admiral A. W. Fitch. In spite of
skillful handling, all available fighter protection and antiaircraft defense,
the Lexington was hit by two torpedoes and at least two bombs and was
further damaged by several near misses.
These attacks were the last action in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The crew of the Lexington succeeded
in putting out the fires and recovering her aircraft. Several hours after the battle, while steaming at 20 knots,
terrific internal explosion rocked the Lexington causing serious fires
to break out in many parts of the ship.
It was first thought that the explosion was the result of a
"sleeper" bomb. Investigation
revealed, however, that the probable cause was the ignition of gasoline vapors
which resulted from leaks in ruptured gasoline lines in closed compartments
below decks.
10. The crew fought
heroically for more than 5 hours to save the ship but were at great
disadvantage because the explosion had damaged much of the fire-fighting
equipment. Destroyers were sent
alongside to assist with their pumps, fire hose and chemical fire-fighting equipment. The wounded were transferred from the
burning carrier to the destroyers alongside.
Finally, with all machinery disabled, the ship stopped, and flames
enveloping nearly her entire length, it became apparent that any further
attempt to save her was futile and the captain ordered the crew to
"abandon ship." Men slid down lines from the carrier's decks to boats
from other ships while some crawled aboard life rafts and rubber boats.
59
11. Ninety-two percent of
the entire ship's company were rescued and have reached port safely. The only casualties were the result of the
battle or the explosion and the resulting fire. The last man to leave his ship was her commanding officer,
Capt. F. C. Sherman. As he slid to safety down a line from the
deck into the water the torpedo warhead locker of the Lexington
exploded. After all men in the water
had been rescued, the Lexington sank with a final detonation which shook
nearby ships.
12. The attacks on Salamaua and Lae and the
Battle of the Coral Sea resulted in the disruption of two Japanese attempts to
advance to the southeastward of New Guinea and cost them a total of more than
15 ships sunk, including:
One aircraft carrier.
Three heavy cruisers.
One light cruiser.
Two destroyers.
Several transports and small
vessels.
and severe damage to and the
probable sinking of 11 additional cruiser and 1 destroyer-and severe damage to
more than 20 ships including 1 carrier, 3 cruisers, 2 aircraft tenders, 3
destroyers and the loss of more than 100 aircraft.
13. The Lexington, Neosho,
and Sims were the only U. S. vessels lost as a result of the action in
the Coral Sea and only minor damage was suffered by other vessels. The next of kin of all casualties in these
ships are being notified as information is received.
No. 89 JUNE 15,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 5 p. m., June
15, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. The Army and Navy are
continuing air attacks against the Japanese forces which recently were reported
to have landed on western; islands of the Aleutian group.
2. Foul weather and fog,
characteristic of this locality at all seasons, are hampering our
reconnaissance and attack operations, but reports to date indicate that at
least three cruisers, one destroyer, one gunboat, and one transport have been
damaged, some of them severely.
60
3. Except for these
continuing air attacks upon the enemy landing parties and their supporting
naval contingents, the general situation in the Aleutian Islands appears
unchanged.
No. 90 JUNE 21,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 3 p. m., June
21, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. Operations in the
Aleutians continue to be restricted by considerations of weather and great
distances.
2. Within the last few days,
however, the weather was sufficiently clear at times to permit some restricted
air operations against Kiska where tents and minor temporary structures were
observed to have been set up on land. A
small force of Japanese ships in the harbor was bombed by Army aircraft. Hits were reported on one cruiser, and a
transport has been sunk.
No. 91 JUNE 25,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on reports received up to 2 p.m., June 25, 1942:
Atlantic Area.
1. Two small antisubmarine
patrol craft have been lost off the Atlantic Coast during the current month as
the result of enemy submarine attacks.
2. The U. S. S. Gannet,
a seagoing tug, used to service patrol planes, was torpedoed and sunk. Sixteen members of the crew were lost.
3. The YP-389, a
small fishing craft, which had been taken over by the Navy and armed for
antisubmarine patrol duty, was sunk by gunfire. Four members of the crew were lost.
4. The next of kin of all
casualties have been notified.
No. 92 JUNE 29,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 2 p. m., June
29, 1942:
Central Pacific Area.
1. U. S. bombers attacked
Japanese-occupied Wake Island on June 27th.
61
2. Under favorable
conditions of weather and visibility our planes, attacking in formation,
damaged the airfield and various shore installations.
3. Enemy antiaircraft and
fighter defense was weak and, although one bomber suffered minor damage during
the attack, all of our planes returned safely.
No. 93 July 1, 1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 8:30 a. m. (e.
w. t.):
European Area.
1. Reinforcements in the
form of airplanes were recently carried through the Mediterranean to Malta to
aid the British in their defense of the embattled island.
2. These trips were
accomplished by the U. S. aircraft carrier Wasp and were completed
without damage either to the escort or the Wasp.
3. During one of these ferry
trips after British aircraft manned by RAF pilots, had been launched from the Wasp
and were in flight over the Island of Malta the enemy attacked the island. Completely surprised by the increased number
of defending fighters the enemy suffered considerable losses.
4. The planes which took off
from the Wasp engaged the enemy over Malta before landing on the
island. After landing and hasty
refueling at the airdrome they were again in the air continuing to repel the
enemy attack within 30 minutes after arrival.
5. The expertly timed
arrival of reinforcement planes on the Wasp was most fortunate for the
heroic defenders of the British stronghold and the cause of the United Nations.
No. 94 July 4, 1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 2 P. M., July
4, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. Since the issuing of
communiqué No. 90 on June 21, the situation in the Aleutian Islands has not
changed materially. Long-range Army
62
and Navy aircraft have
engaged in reconnaissance and attack missions whenever weather permitted.
2. On June 21 Army planes
dropped bombs on shore installations at Kiska but due to fog, results could not
be observed.
3. On June 25 Navy
reconnaissance aircraft over the Kiska area observed one large cruiser and
three destroyers in the harbor of Kiska.
The bow of the Japanese transport, which was sunk by Army aircraft on
June 18, was clearly visible near the center of the harbor. During these operations a Navy patrol plane
was attacked and damaged by enemy aircraft but returned safely to its base.
4. On June 26 two Army
planes attacked shore installations at Kiska but again fog did not permit
results to be observed.
5. On June 28 Army bombers
again attacked Kiska, doing further damage to shore installations. From June 28
to July 2 the weather was such as to render flight operations inadvisable.
6. On July 2 a patrol plane
observed three Japanese transports with escorting vessels off the island of
Agattu, about 35 miles to the southeastward of Attu. Army bombers attacked this force that afternoon inflicting
damage, the exact extent of which could not be observed. Our aircraft returned safely having suffered
only minor damage from antiaircraft fire.
7. On July 3 Kiska was again
bombed by Army aircraft but again observation of results was not possible.
No. 95 JULY 6,
1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 12:30 p. m.,
July 6, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. On the Fourth of July, U.
S. submarines torpedoed four Japanese destroyers in the Aleutian Islands.
2. Three of these destroyers
were attacked at Kiska. Two were sunk and
the third, when last seen, was burning fiercely.
3. The fourth destroyer was
torpedoed and sunk at Agattu where enemy transports and escorting vessels were
located on July 2 and attacked by Army bombers.
63
No. 96 JULY 8,
1942
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué based on reports received up to 4:30 P. m., July 8,
1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. On the afternoon Of July
5th a U. S. submarine, operating in the Aleutian Islands, torpedoed and is
believed to have sunk a Japanese destroyer in the vicinity of Kiska.
2. This is the fifth enemy
destroyer to have been sunk or damaged by our submarines in this area during
the 2-day period, (July 4th and 5th).
3. Low visibility continues
in this area.
No. 97 July 14,
1942
1. Early in June, near the
island of Midway about 1,100 miles to the westward of Pearl Harbor, units of
our Army, Navy, and Marine Corps joined action with a strong Japanese invasion
fleet which was approaching our Midway outpost. The voluminous reports of the details of the battle of Midway have been studied and evaluated so that
this resume now becomes possible.
2. After the defeat of the
Japanese in the Battle of the Coral Sea between May 4 and May 8, our
shore-based reconnaissance aircraft and submarines reported a general
withdrawal of enemy naval ships from the Southwest Pacific toward Japan. Concentrations of enemy naval units made it
apparent that large-scale offensive operations were planned by the enemy, but
the exact nature of the plan of attack could only be guessed. The enemy had learned in the Battle of the
Coral Sea that the sea approaches to Australia were strongly defended. It appeared logical, therefore, to assume
that the enemy's next thrust would come in some other area-possibly Hawaii,
Alaska, the Panama Canal Zone, or even the Pacific Coast of the United
States. In accordance with this
estimate, United States naval surface forces were deployed in the area between
Midway and the Aleutian Islands. Bases
in the outlying islands and in Alaska were reinforced by long-range,
shore-based aircraft. Similar precautionary measures also were taken on the
Pacific Coast and in the vicinity of the Panama Canal.
3. At about 9 a. m., June 3,
U. S. Navy patrol planes reported a strong force of enemy ships about 700 miles
off Midway, proceeding eastward.
64
Nine United States Army
"Flying Fortresses" based on Midway immediately were ordered to
intercept and attack the approaching enemy. Japanese force was observed to be
approaching in five columns and was composed of many cruisers, transports,
cargo vessels, and other escort ships.
The Army bombers scored hits on one cruiser and one transport. Both ships were severely damaged and left
burning. Some lesser damage was done to
other vessels in the formation. Later,
during the night, four Navy "Catalina" flying boats located and
attacked the same enemy group by moonlight.
These four planes scored two torpedo hits on large enemy ships, one of
which is believed to have sunk.
4. About dawn on June 4,
several groups of Army medium and heavy bombers, and U. S. Marine Corps dive
bombers and torpedo planes took to the air from Midway to attack the
approaching enemy. The results of this
attack were as follows:
(a) Four Army torpedo
bombers attacked two enemy aircraft carriers
through a heavy screen of enemy fighter protection and a curtain of antiaircraft fire. One torpedo hit on a carrier is believed to have been made. Two of the four bombers failed to return.
(b) Six Marine Corps torpedo
planes attacked the enemy force in the
face of heavy odds. It is
believed this group secured one hit on
an enemy ship. Only one of these six
planes returned to its base.
(c) Sixteen Marine Corps
dive bombers attacked and scored three
hits on a carrier, which is believed to have been the Soryu. Only half of the attacking planes returned.
(d) Another group of 11
Marine Corps dive bombers made a later
attack on enemy ships and reported 2 bomb hits on an enemy battleship, which was left smoking and
listing.
(e) A group of 16 U. S. Army
"Flying Fortresses" carried out high-level bombing attacks, scoring 3
hits on enemy carriers. One carrier was left smoking heavily.
5. Meanwhile, at 6:35 a. m.
(Midway time, June 4th), shortly after the Marine Corps planes had left Midway
to carry out an attack mission the island, itself, was attacked by a large
group of carrier-based enemy planes.
They were engaged by a badly out-numbered Marine Corps fighter force,
which met the enemy in the air as he arrived.
These defending fighters, aided by antiaircraft batteries, shot down at
least 40 of the enemy planes. Several
more were damaged. As the result of
this
65
fighter defense, the
material damage to shore installations, though serious, was not disabling. No plane was caught grounded at Midway.
6. The Midway-based air
forces had struck the approaching Japanese fleet with their full strength, but
the enemy did not appear to have been checked.
It was estimated that only about 10 enemy ships had been damaged out of
a total enemy force of approximately 80 ships then converging upon Midway.
7. It was learned later that
our aerial attacks had caused the enemy carrier force to change its
course. They began a retirement to the
northwestward some time between 8:30 and 9:30 a. m., on the morning of June 4.
Their complete change of course was not observed by our shore-based planes
because the change came after the planes had delivered their attacks and while
they were returning to Midway to rearm.
8. Meanwhile, U. S. naval
forces afloat were being brought into position. Our carrier-based aircraft were launched and were proceeding to
the spot where the enemy's previous course and speed would have placed him had
he chosen to continue the assault, as expected. Unaware of the enemy's change of course, one group of
carrier-based fighters and dive bombers searched along the reported track to
the southeast until shortage of gas forced them to abandon the search and go in
to Midway. Some were forced down at sea
when they ran out of gas. Most of those
forced down were later rescued. The
commanding officer of a different flight composed of fighters, dive bombers,
and torpedo planes made an accurate estimate of the situation and concluded
that the enemy was retreating. Fifteen
torpedo planes from this group, therefore, located the enemy to the westward
and proceeded to attack at once without protection or assistance of any
kind. Although some hits were reported
by radio from these airplanes and although some enemy fighters were shot down,
the total damage inflicted by this squadron in this attack may never be
known. None of these i5 planes
returned. The sole survivor of the 30
Officers and men of this squadron was Ensign G. H. Gay, Jr., U. S. N. R, who
scored one torpedo hit on an enemy carrier before he was shot down.
9. Other Carrier-based
groups of torpedo planes proceeded to press the attack after the enemy had been
located. In spite of heavy losses
during these attacks, the torpedo planes engaged the attention of the enemy
fighters and antiaircraft batteries to such a degree that our dive bombers were
able to drop bomb after bomb on the enemy ships
66
without serious
interference. As the result, the Navy
dive bombers scored many hits and during this phase of the action inflicted
upon the enemy the following damage:
(a) The Kaga, Akagi,
and Soryu, aircraft carriers, were severely damaged. Gasoline in
planes caught on their flight decks
ignited, starting fires which burned until each carrier had sunk.
(b) Two battleships were
hit. One was left burning fiercely.
(c) One destroyer was hit
and is believed to have sunk.
10. Shortly after this
battle, a force of about 36 enemy planes from the undamaged carrier Hiryu
attacked the U. S. aircraft carrier Yorktown and her escorts. Eleven of 18 Japanese bombers in the group
were shot down by your fighters before their bombs were dropped. Seven got through our fighter protection. Of
these 7, one was disintegrated by surface ship's antiaircraft fire; a second
dropped its bomb-load into the sea and plunged after it; while a third was torn
to shreds by machine-gun escaped after scoring fire from U. S. fighter
planes. Four enemy bombers escaped
after scoring three direct hits.
11. Shortly afterward, 12 to
15 enemy torpedo planes escorted by fighters attacked the Yorktown. Between 4 and 7 of this group were destroyed
by our fighters and 3 were shot down by antiaircraft fire before they could
launch torpedoes. Five succeeded in
launching torpedoes but all 5 were destroyed as they attempted to escape. The Yorktown was hit during this
assault and put out of action. The
damage caused a list which rendered her flight deck useless for landings and
take-offs. Her aircraft, however,
continued the battle operating from other United States carriers.
12. While this attack on the
Yorktown was in progress, some of her own planes located the Japanese
carrier Hiryu in company with battleships, cruisers, and
destroyers. Our carrier planes
immediately launched an attack against this newly located force. The Hiryu was hit repeatedly and left
blazing from stem to stern. She sank
the following morning. Two of the enemy
battleships were pounded severely by bombs and the heavy cruiser was damaged
severely.
13. During the same
afternoon (June 4), a United States submarine scored three torpedo hits on the
smoking carrier Soryu as the enemy was attempting to take it in
tow. These hits caused an outbreak of
fresh flames which engulfed the carrier and forced the crew to abandon ship.
67
At about sunset heavy
explosions and huge billows of smoke were observed. The Soryu sank during the night.
14. Just before sunset (June
4) United States Army bombers delivered a heavy bomb attack on the severely
crippled and burning ships. Three hits
were scored on a damaged carrier (probably the Akagi); one hit was
scored on a large ship; one hit on a cruiser which was left burning; and one
destroyer was damaged and believed to have sunk.
15. The situation at sundown
on June 4, was as follows:
(a) United States forces had
gained mastery of the air in the region
of Midway.
(b) Two carriers, Kaga
and Akagi, had been hit by many bombs and torpedoes from Army planes and carrier-based naval aircraft
in the morning, and the Akagi
had been further damaged by Army
aircraft in the late afternoon.
One of these two carriers was
reported by Ensign Gay to have been shelled and finished off by a Japanese cruiser. Both enemy carriers sank or were sunk
by the Japanese before morning.
(c) The Soryu had
been hit heavily by Marine Corps dive bombers, Army bombers, carrier-based
planes, and a submarine. She sank during the night.
(d) The Hiryu had
been put out of action by carrier aircraft after her own planes had damaged the Yorktown. The Hiryu sank early the following morning.
(e) Two enemy battleships
had been damaged, one severely.
(f) One enemy destroyer had
been sunk.
(g) One enemy transport and
several other ships had been damaged.
(h) The U. S. S. Yorktown
had been put out of action.
16. Early in the morning of
June 5, an enemy submarine shelled Midway briefly but caused no damage. Our shore batteries returned the fire. At dawn our forces were marshalling their
strength for further assaults against the enemy fleets which by now had
separated into several groups, all in full retreat. Unfavorable flying weather made search to the northwest of Midway
difficult and hazardous but a flight of U. S. Army "Flying
Fortresses" managed to contact an enemy contingent of battleships and
cruisers to the westward of Midway.
They attacked, and scored a direct hit on the damaged cruiser. Another bomb
68
damaged the same cruiser's
steering gear. She was last observed
listing badly and turning in tight circles.
This attack was followed quickly by a second Army Air Force attack which
scored a hit on the stern of a heavy cruiser.
Meanwhile, at about noon (June 5) U. S. Marine Corps aircraft located
the damaged enemy cruiser and delivered one direct hit.
17. In the afternoon of June
5, Army "Flying Fortresses" attacked enemy cruisers again and scored
three direct hits upon one heavy cruiser.
On the return trip, one of these planes was lost; a second was forced
down at sea i5 miles from Midway. All
except one of the crew of the second plane were rescued. A local bad weather condition to the
northwest of Midway hampered the search operations of our carrier planes which
were seeking the enemy in that area.
Throughout the night of June 5-6, our aircraft carriers steamed to the
westward in pursuit of the enemy.
18. Early in the morning of
June 6 a search by carrier aircraft discovered two groups of enemy ships, each
containing cruisers and destroyers.
Between 9:30 and 10 a. m., our carrier planes attacked one cup which
contained the heavy cruisers Mikuma and Mogami and three
destroyers. At least two bomb hits were
scored on each cruiser. One of the
destroyers was sunk. The attacks were
carried on until 5:30 p. m. The Mikuma
was sunk shortly after noon. The Mogami
was gutted and subsequently sunk.
Another enemy cruiser and a destroyer also were hit during these series
of attacks.
19. It was during this
afternoon (June 6) that the U. S. destroyer Hammann was torpedoed and
sunk by an enemy submarine. Most of her
crew were rescued. The Hammann
was the destroyer announced as lost in Admiral Nimitz' Communiqué No. 4 (June
7, 1942).
20. After June 6 repeated
attempts were made to contact the remainder of the Japanese invasion fleet but
without success. It was on June 9,
while one of these searches was being carried out by a group of long-range Army
medium bombers under the command of Maj.
Gen. Clarence L. Tinker, U. S.
A., that the plane carrying General Tinker was forced down at sea and lost.
21. The following is a
recapitulation of the damage inflicted upon the enemy during the battle of
Midway:
(a) Four Japanese aircraft
carriers, the Kaga, Akagi, Soryu, and Hiryu were
sunk.
(b) Three battleships were
damaged by bomb and torpedo hits, one severely.
69
(c) Two heavy cruisers, the Mogami
and the Mikuma were sunk. Three others were damaged, one or two
severely.
(d) One light cruiser was
damaged.
(e) Three destroyers were
sunk and several others were damaged by
bombs.
(f) At least three
transports or auxiliary ships were damaged, one or more sunk.
(g) An estimated 275
Japanese aircraft were destroyed or lost sea through a lack of flight decks on
which to land.
(h) Approximately 4,800
Japanese were killed or drowned.
22. Our total personnel
losses were 92 officers and 215 enlisted men.
23. Our forces fought under
the command of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U. S. N., Commander in Chief of the
Pacific Feet. Other officers who held
important commands during the battle were Lt.
Gen. Delos C. Emmons, U. S. A., Commanding General, Hawaiian Department;
Maj. Gen. W. W. Hale, U. S. A., Head of the Bombing Command of the Army Air
Force in Hawaii and Brig. Gen. Henry K. Pickett, U. S. M. C Commander of U. S.
Marine Corps forces in the Hawaiian area.
24. Among the officers who
held important commands at the scene of the action were Maj. Gen. C. L. Tinker,
U. S. A., Commander of the Army Air Force in Hawaii. General Tinker was lost in
action. Vice Admiral, then Rear Admiral F. J. Fletcher U. S. N, Rear Admiral R.
A. Spruance, U. S. N., Rear Admiral T. C. Kinkaid, U. S. N., and Rear Admiral
W. W. Smith, U. S. N., had commands at sea throughout the action. Capt. C. T.
Simard, U. S. N., had command of the Naval Air Station at Midway. Col. Harold
D. Shannon, U. S. M. C., was the Commanding Officer of Ground Troops at Midway.
Lt. Col. Ira L. Kimes, U. S. M. C., was the Commanding Officer of the Marine
Corps Aircraft at Midway. Lt. Col. W. C. Sweeney, Jr., U. S. A. commanded a
formation of heavy Army bombers.
25. The battle of Midway was
a complex and widespread action involving a number of engagements lasting more
than 3 days and nights. Even our active
participants in the numerous attacks and counterattacks are unable to give
confidently an accurate account of the damage inflicted by any one group in the
many individual and unified attacks of our Army, Navy, and Marine Corps
personnel.
70
No. 98 July 17,
1942
ALEUTIANS
1. In early June, Japanese
naval forces made a two-pronged thrust at our westernmost possessions Midway
and the Aleutian chain. The presence in each attacking force of troop
transports indicated that these attacks were aimed at capture and occupation.
The thrust at Midway was made by approximately 80 ships including 4 carriers,
at least 3 battleships, and a large
number of cruisers, destroyers, and transports.
A simultaneous thrust was
made on the Aleutians employing a far smaller force of approximately two small
carriers, two seaplane tenders, several cruisers and destroyers and from four
to six transports. The size of the
forces involved shows the attack on Midway to have been the primary objective.
2. The attack on Midway was
repelled as described in Navy Department communiqué No. 97. A resume of
operations in the Aleutian Islands to date is given in the following
paragraphs.
3. The first attack on Dutch
Harbor and Fort Mears was made at about 6 a. m. on June 3d, concurrently with
the early stages of the Japanese attack on Midway. Five waves of three planes each, launched from carriers to the
southward of Dutch Harbor, participated in the 20-minute attack, which was
concentrated on Dutch Harbor and the nearby Army station at Fort Mears.
4. Three U. S. destroyers,
an Army transport, a mine sweeper and a Coast Guard cutter were in the harbor,
as well as an old station ship, the Northwestern, which had been beached and
was used as barracks for contractors' personnel. The attack was not unexpected,
and anti-aircraft crews, who were at their battle stations, both aboard the
ships and at the shore batteries, opened fire 5 minutes before the first bomb
was dropped. To obtain maneuverability
the ships present got under way, continuing their antiaircraft fire. No ship was hit during the raid. Two of the attacking aircraft were shot
down.
5. A few barracks and
warehouses at Fort Mears and Dutch Harbor were bombed and set afire and a Navy
patrol plane which was about to take off with official mail was strafed.
6. On June 4, Army bombers
and Navy patrol planes located and attacked the enemy carriers which had
launched the attacking planes.
71
Several bomb and torpedo
attacks were made but results could not be observed.
7. One enemy plane was shot
down during the several reconnaissance flights which the Japanese made over the
Dutch Harbor area following the initial raid.
8. About 5 p. m. on June 4,
18 carrier-based bombers and 16 fighters attacked the installations at Dutch
Harbor and Fort Mears. This attack was made simultaneously with an attack on
the Army post at Fort Glenn, about 70 miles west of Dutch Harbor on the island
of Umnak, where 9 enemy fighters strafed shore installations. Two of the attacking planes were shot down
by Army pursuit planes and the remaining withdrew without inflicting damage.
9. The alarm at Dutch Harbor
and Fort Mears was sounded well in advance of the attack and the enemy was met
with heavy antiaircraft fire from ship and shore batteries. The station ship Northwestern was
bombed and destroyed by fire. A
warehouse and a few fuel oil tanks were hit and set afire, and one empty
aircraft hangar was hit.
10. Casualties amounted to
approximately 44 military and naval personnel killed and 49 wounded, and 1
civilian employee killed.
11. Since June 4, there have
been no further attacks on Dutch Harbor Fort Mears, Fort Glenn or any other U.
S. military installations in Alaska or the Aleutian Islands.
12. Our naval patrol planes,
Army bombers and submarines under the unified command of the Navy, have
conducted the following attacks on the enemy forces which have made landings in
the westernmost island groups which include Attu and Kiska:
(a) On June 5, Army aircraft
attacked an enemy cruiser with
undetermined results.
(b) On June 11, a naval
patrol plane reported enemy forces in Kiska Harbor. During the night this force was attacked by patrol planes and Army bombers. Results were not observed.
(c) On June 12, enemy ships
were observed at both Attu and Kiska, and about 20 tents and temporary
structures were observed on the shore
at Kiska. The enemy ships at Kiska were
attacked by long-range Army aircraft and hits were made on the ships in the harbor but the exact extent of
the damage could not be determined.
(d) Various bombing and
reconnaissance missions against Kiska were conducted in the week from June 12
to 18 with no important
72
results or major changes in
the situation. Weather prevented
observation of Attu.
(e) On June 18, the ships in
Kiska were bombed by Army aircraft,
resulting in the sinking of one transport near the center of the harbor.
(f) All operations from June
21 to July 3 have been covered by Navy
Department Communiqué No. 94.
(g) On July 4 U. S.
submarines torpedoed three destroyers off
Kiska, sinking two and leaving the third badly damaged. A
third destroyer was sunk by a U. S. submarine off Agattu.
(h) On July 5, a U. S. submarine
torpedoed and is believed to have sunk a fourth Japanese destroyer off Kiska.
(i) On July 6, Army aircraft
dropped 56 bombs on the enemy shore installations at Kiska.
(j) On July 11, Army
aircraft bombed an enemy cruiser in Kiska with undetermined results.
(k) Since July 11, there has
been no material change in the general
situation.
13. The military results of
the Aleutian campaign to date are as follows:
(a) The enemy inflicted
minor damage to the naval station at Dutch Harbor and the Army post at Fort
Mears but did not seriously impair
their military effectiveness.
(b) The enemy has occupied
the undefended islands of Attu, Kiska, and Agattu in the westernmost tip of the
Aleutian chain and has constructed
temporary living facilities ashore.
(c) At least seven enemy
aircraft have been destroyed and our pilots' reports indicate damage and
possible destruction of several
others. A number of our aircraft have
been lost.
(d) As previously reported,
the following damage has been inflicted on the enemy naval forces since June 3:
Damaged Sunk
Four
cruisers. Three
destroyers.
Three
destroyers. One transport.
One
gunboat.
One
transport.
14. Operations against the
enemy in this area continue.
73
No. 99 July 21,
1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 3 p. m., (e. w. t.), Tuesday, July 21, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. U. S. submarines have
sunk three Japanese destroyers in the vicinity of Kiska in the Aleutian
Islands.
2. These sinkings are in
addition to those previously announced in Navy Department communiqués.
3. Several air attacks
against enemy-occupied Kiska Island have been made recently by long-range Army
bombers. These attacks have centered on
the enemy encampment at Kiska and on ships in Kiska Harbor. It has been impossible to observe and
appraise the results of these raids.
4. U. S. Army and Navy
aircraft are continuing joint operations against the enemy forces occupying
islands in the western Aleutians.
No. 100 July
25, 1942
Navy Department today issued
the following communiqué:
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations in Far Eastern waters:
(a) One modern Japanese
destroyer sunk.
No. 101 August
8, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 1 p. m. (e. w. t.), Saturday, August 8, 1942:
North and South Pacific
Areas.
1. U. S. naval and other
forces have attacked enemy installations in the southeast part of the Solomon
Islands in force and the attacks are continuing.
74
2. Simultaneously, U. S .
naval forces bombarded enemy ships and shore establishments at Kiska.
3. No additional information
is available at present.
No. 102 August
9, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 4 p. m. (e. w. T.)
South Pacific Area.
1. Offensive operations
against Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands are continuing.
2. Considerable enemy
resistance has been encountered and it is still too early to announce results
or to estimate either our own or enemy losses.
3. Australian units are
participating with our forces.
August 10, 1942
A STATEMENT BY ADMIRAL
ERNEST J. KING, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, U. S. FLEET
1. Offensive operations by
U. S. naval and other forces, looking to the occupation of islands in the
Tulagi area in the southeasterly Solomon Islands, have now been underway for
about 3 days.
2. The operations are under
the immediate command of Vice Admiral Ghormley and under the general control of
Admiral Nimitz. Certain of the forces
under General MacArthur are cooperating.
3. The objective of the
current operations is to expel the Japanese from the Tulagi area and to make
use of that area for our own purposes.
The enemy have been in process of consolidating their positions, in
which their purpose has been not only to deny them to us but to use them as a
base of offensive operations against our positions which cover the line of
communications to Australia and New Zealand.
4. An initial surprise was
effected and planned landings accomplished. The enemy has counterattacked with
rapidity and vigor. Heavy fighting is
still in progress. Our operating forces are employing all available
communications in the conduct of the operations, so that our information is
incomplete but it appears that we have had at least one cruiser sunk and two
cruisers, two destroyers and one transport damaged. Likewise, information as to the extent of damage inflicted on the
enemy is incom-
75
plete but includes a large
number of enemy planes that have been destroyed and surface units put out of
action.
5. This operation in the
Tulagi area is significant in that it marks our first assumption of the
initiative and of the offensive. All of
the previous operations in the Pacific, however successful, have been essentially
defensive in character.
6. It should be understood
that the operation now underway is one of the most complicated and difficult in
warfare. Considerable losses, such as
are inherent in any offensive operation, must be expected as the price to be
paid for the hard-won experience which is essential to the attainment of
far-reaching results.
/S/ E. J. King.
No. 103 August
11, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 6 p. in. (e. w. t.) on August 11, 1942:
North Pacific Area.
1. Information received by
the Navy Department now makes it possible to report the following incidents in
the Aleutian Islands:
2. On July 22 Army bombers
dropped bombs through the fog in the area of Kiska Harbor. Results were
unobserved.
3. On July 29 Navy patrol
planes conducted a night attack on Kiska and Army bombers attacked shore
installations and ships in the same vicinity.
4. On August 3 Japanese
aircraft attacked the U. S. destroyer Kane off Atka Island, about 305 miles
east of Kiska. No damage was
inflicted. Army bombers again attacked
the Kiska Harbor area, with unobserved results.
5. On August 4 Army pursuit
planes shot down two Kawanishi 97 seaplane bombers.
6. On August 8 a task force
of the Pacific Fleet, protected by Navy patrol planes, heavily bombarded a
group of enemy ships, camp facilities, and shore installations at Kiska. The attack was a complete surprise. The enemy, mistaking the first salvos of
shells for bombs, opened fire with antiaircraft batteries on imagined
planes. The intensive bombardment from
cruiser and destroyer guns soon silenced short batteries, started fires and
inflicted severe damage to the camp area.
The only
76
enemy resistance encountered
was from aircraft. Our loss was one
observation plane.
7. On August 9 naval patrol
planes followed up the bombardment by an attack on two cargo ships in Kiska
Harbor. Two bomb hits were scored on
each of the two ships, resulting in severe damage. On this flight, observers reported sighting a sunken cargo ship,
which is believed to have been sunk near the beach during the previous day's
bombardment by surface forces.
South Pacific Area.
8. While the action in the
Tulagi area of the Solomon Islands continues, nothing further can be reported
at this moment.
No. 104 August
12, 1942
1. Operations in the
Solomons are still in progress.
2. It has been confirmed
that the United States Marines have landed as scheduled on three islands in the
vicinity of Tulagi. The Marines are
engaged in consolidating their positions.
Supporting naval forces have been engaged in bitter fighting, details of
which are not yet available. United
States Army and Australian aircraft are continuing attacks on enemy landing
fields and shore-based aircraft.
3. There is substantial
evidence that the Japanese had planned and had well underway the development of
an enemy base in the Tulagi area.
4. Until more details are
available it is impossible to elaborate further on these operations. All available communications facilities are
overtaxed by urgent messages concerning operations.
No. 105 August
13, 1942
1. Operations are continuing
in the Solomon Islands area.
2. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 106 August
14, 1942
1. The task of consolidating
the shore positions now held by U. S. Marines in the Solomon Islands is
progressing satisfactorily.
77
2. Naval units are engaged
in protecting our lines of communication and escorting supply vessels to our
occupying forces.
3. U. S. Army and Allied
shore-based aircraft are continuing to attack Japanese air bases and ship
concentrations in enemy-held harbors.
No. 107 August
17, 1942
South Pacific Area.
1. It is now possible to
issue some details of the attacks and landing operations which have been in
progress in the Solomon Islands since the early morning of August 7 (local
time).
2. The attacks were a
complete surprise to the enemy and 18 of their seaplanes were destroyed before
they could get into action.
3. Transport-borne, amphibious
forces of the U. S. Marine Corps made several landings on islands in the
Guadalcanal-Tulagi area. Vigorous enemy resistance was rapidly overcome and a
number of Japanese prisoners were taken.
The shore positions taken by U. S. forces have since been developed and
are now well established.
During these landing
operations, cruisers and destroyers were so disposed as to protect our
transports and cargo ships as they unloaded troops and equipment. While thus engaged on August 7 and August 8,
our forces were attacked by enemy land-based aircraft. These attacks were driven off and at least
18 more enemy planes destroyed, while only minor damage was suffered by our
forces.
5. During the night of
August 8-9 an enemy force of cruisers and destroyers attempted to attack our
transports, cargo ships and supporting forces. This enemy force was intercepted
and engaged by our cruisers and destroyers. The heavy fighting which followed
resulted in the enemy being forced to retreat before reaching the vessels engaged
in the landing operations. The
close-range fighting during this night engagement resulted in damage both to
the enemy and to our forces. This night
action is the only engagement between surface forces which has been fought to
date in the Solomon Islands.
6. It is impossible, in
night engagements, to determine accurately the damage inflicted on the opposing
force. No further statement is made at
this time of the extent of damage to our forces because of the obvious value of
such information to the enemy.
78
No. 108 August
19, 1942
North Pacific Area.
1. A U. S. submarine has
reported the sinking of a Japanese cruiser or destroyer in the western Aleutian
area. Conditions made impossible an
exact identification of the type of ship.
2. This sinking has not been
announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
No. 109 August
20, 1942
The following communiqué is
based upon reports received up to 3:30 p. m. (e. w. t.) on August 20, 1942:
South Pacific Area.
1. U. S. Marines are engaged
in "mopping up" remnants of the Japanese forces on the islands which
were recently captured in the Solomon Archipelago.
2. Casual bombardments of
our shore positions by enemy aircraft, destroyers, and submarines have
inflicted only minor damage.
3. An enemy destroyer or
cruiser was bombed and set afire by our aircraft.
4. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 110 August
22, 1942
The Navy Department today
issued the following communiqué:
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations in Far Eastern waters:
(a) Two large cargo ships
sunk.
(b) One large transport
sunk.
(c) One destroyer damaged
and possibly sunk.
(d) One medium-sized cargo
ship damaged by one torpedo hit.
2. These actions were not
related to the operations in the Solomon Islands.
North Pacific.
3. A U. S. submarine has
reported the sinking of a large Japanese merchant ship in the Aleutian area.
79
4. The above actions have
not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
No. 111 August
25, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 11 a. m. (e. w. t.) on August 25, 1942:
South Pacific.
1. U. S. naval and air forces are engaged in a large-scale battle at
sea in an attempt to repel a strong Japanese striking force which has
approached the southeastern group of the Solomon Islands from the
northeastward.
2. It was expected that our
occupation of the important enemy base at Tulagi would be countered by a
violent attempt on the part of the enemy to recapture their shore bases in this
area. This counterattack has developed
and is now being met.
3. Preliminary reports
indicate that the enemy striking force has been attacked by U. S. Army
"Flying Fortresses" and that our carrier-based naval aircraft are in
action.
4. Army bombers attacked a
large Japanese carrier and reported four hits. U. S. carrier aircraft attacked
and severely damaged the smaller Japanese carrier Ryuzyo. Several enemy
cruisers and a battleship also have been hit by our carrier planes.
5. During the afternoon of
August 23 (Washington date) a strong enemy air attack on Guadalcanal Island was
intercepted by our fighters and at least 21 enemy aircraft were shot down. Our losses in this action were minor.
6. During the night of
August 23-24 (Washington date) enemy destroyers shelled our shore positions on
Guadalcanal.
7. On August 24 (Washington
date) U. S. aircraft hit and damaged an enemy transport and a cruiser north of
Guadalcanal and left both burning fiercely.
8. The action continues.
No. 112 August
26, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 2 p. m., (e. w. t.), on August 26, 1942:
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South Pacific.
1. It is still too early to
estimate the outcome of the battle at sea being fought off the Solomon Islands,
but reports to date reveal that our forces at Guadalcanal are holding their
positions in the face of strong enemy thrusts and in each action have inflicted
heavy damage on the attacking Japanese forces.
2. During the previously
reported shelling of Guadalcanal Island on the night of August 23-24
(Washington date) our dive bombers damaged an enemy destroyer.
3. The enemy force of
transports, cruisers, and destroyers which approached Guadalcanal from the
northward on August 24 (Washington date) was attacked by U. S. Marine and naval
aircraft based on Guadalcanal. In
addition to the cruiser which was previously reported burning fiercely, one
destroyer and four additional ships were left burning and the transport which
was reported to have been hit during this attack was later seen abandoned as
the enemy force withdrew.
4. The performance of our
fighter aircraft based at Guadalcanal has been outstanding. As previously
reported, a strong enemy air attack on Guadalcanal, during the afternoon of
August 23 (Washington date), was intercepted by these fighters. Twenty-one
enemy planes were shot down. Our loss
was 3 planes. On August 25 (Washington date) Guadalcanal was attacked by 16
two-motored bombers escorted by 12 "Zero" fighters. Our fighters met this force and shot down 7
bombers and 5 "Zero" fighters.
Our loss was 1 fighter.
5. The results, to date, of
the battle for the retention of our foothold in the southeastern Solomons are
encouraging.
No. 113 August
27, 1942
South Pacific.
1. Since the issuance of
Navy Department Communiqué No. 112, there has been no further action in the sea
battle off the Solomon Islands.
2. Japanese surface forces
appear to have withdrawn from the vicinity of our positions in the Tulagi area.
Atlantic.
3. The U. S. destroyer Ingraham
has been sunk as a result of a collision in a fog in the Atlantic.
4. The next of kin of those
lost have been notified.
81
No. 114 August
29, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 12 noon(e. w. t.), on August 29,1942:
South Pacific.
1. During the late afternoon of August 27 (Washington date) a U. S.
aircraft patrol, based on Guadalcanal Island, in the Solomon Archipelago,
sighted one small and three large Japanese destroyers. These ships appeared to be loaded with
supplies and equipment for isolated Japanese patrols believed to be operating
near the eastern end of Santa Isabel Island.
2. After reporting contact,
the patrol planes attacked and secured one hit on the small destroyer.
3. A striking force of
"Douglas" dive bombers from Guadalcanal answered the contact report
by proceeding to attack the three large destroyers. The attack resulted in the following damage to the enemy:
(a) One large destroyer sunk
as the result of a heavy explosion
following bomb hits.
(b) A second large destroyer
severely damaged and probably sunk.
4. During this attack the
striking force observed that the destroyer previously hit by the patrol planes
was crippled and burning.
5. No further action has
been reported in this area.
No. 115 August
29, 1942
South Pacific (All dates
given are east longitude, one day later than Washington date).
1. The position of our
forces in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area has been sufficiently well established to
warrant the release of details of the action in the Solomon Islands, which has
been in progress since the early morning of August 7.
2. The operation was carried
out under the direction of the Commander Naval Forces, South Pacific, Vice
Admiral R. L. Ghormley, and under the general direction of the Commander in
Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The amphibious landing force of U. S.
Marines was under the immediate command of Maj. Gen. A. A. Vandergrift,
U. S. M. C. The transport force was commanded by Rear Admiral R. K. Turner and
the supporting ships were under the command of Vice Admiral Frank J. Fletcher.
82
3. Our approach to the area
of operations was accomplished under cover of an overcast which made aerial
reconnaissance difficult. On the night
of August 6-7 the weather cleared and our transports and screening forces
proceeded unopposed to their assigned positions. During the early morning hours of August 7, under the strong
protection of carrier-based aircraft and supporting fire from surface vessels,
the actual landing operations were commenced.
A complete surprise had been effected and 18 Japanese seaplanes and a
small schooner were caught in the harbor and sunk, Our carrier-based planes
covered the entire operation, dive-bombing shore batteries, supply stations and
centers of enemy resistance while maintaining an alert against possible enemy
air attack.
4. Specially trained and
fully equipped Marine Corps troops were transported to the beaches in landing
craft and beachheads were soon established.
Varying degrees of resistance were encountered but by nightfall our
troops were in possession of a strong beachhead in the Tenaru River region on
Guadalcanal and had captured most of Tulagi, all of Gavutu, and had occupied a
position at Halavo on Florida Island.
During the night and early the following morning the island of
Tanambogo, which is connected to Gavutu by a causeway, was taken in the face of
strong opposition.
5. Before, during and after
these attacks, long-range Army bombers, some under the command of Gen. Douglas
MacArthur and others under the command of Vice Admiral Ghormley, were engaged
in coordinated search operations. These
bombers, while so engaged, delivered heavy attacks on enemy ships and air bases
in the New Britain, New Guinea, and Solomon Islands area.
6. The first enemy
counterattack developed at about 3:20 p. m. on August 7 when 25 heavy bombers
attacked the occupying forces. No hits
were scored by the enemy and antiaircraft fire from our surface ships brought down
two of these bombers and damaged two others.
Shortly after 4:00 p. m., 10 enemy dive bombers attacked our ships. A bomb hit damaged one of our destroyers
while 2 of the enemy planes were shot down by antiaircraft fire.
7. Our operations on August
7 resulted in heavy loss to the enemy in both men and aircraft, loss of control
of all vital positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area, and the loss of large
quantities of supplies when positions were surrendered. We suffered one destroyer damaged but
83
our losses in men and
aircraft during the first day's operations were moderate.
8. During the night of
August 7 and throughout the following morning, supplies and equipment were
hurriedly unloaded from ships and sent ashore to assist our patrols in
consolidating their gains.
This work was carried on in
the face of sporadic attacks by scattered enemy troops against whom continued
assaults were made.
9. At about noon on August
8, 40 or more enemy torpedo planes attacked our ships in the harbor. One destroyer and 1 unloaded transport were
hit. Twelve enemy planes were shot down
by ships' antiaircraft and fighters and 2 were destroyed by gunfire from shore
batteries. During the enemy air attacks
on August 7 and August 8 our carrier-based aircraft and antiaircraft batteries,
in addition to dive-bombing enemy shore batteries and supply centers, shot down
47 enemy planes of different types.
10. By sundown on August 8,
the area occupied by our troops on Guadalcanal Island had been expanded and the
airfield, which the Japanese had nearly completed, was in our possession. Enemy resistance on the islands of Tulagi,
Gavutu, and Tanambogo had been overcome and large quantities of ammunition and
supplies were captured as well as equipment which the Japanese were using to
develop a major naval base.
11. During the night of
August 8-9 unloading from transports and cargo ships continued. The enemy attempted to disrupt these
operations by a strong thrust with surface vessels. Our cruisers and destroyers, which were covering the operations,
intercepted the attack and forced the enemy to retreat before reaching the
vessels engaged in the landing operations.
The close-range fighting in this action resulted in damage to the enemy
and to our forces. By nightfall on
August 9 unloading operations had been completed and our transports and cargo
ships left the area.
12. By noon on August 10 the
Marines had overcome all major opposition on the islands of Guadalcanal,
Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, Makambo, and portions of Florida Island and were
engaged in pursuing isolated patrols which had withdrawn to the interior.
13. "Mopping-up"
operations have continued to date.
Several small contingents of enemy troops have been landed on the
islands which we hold, the largest landing having been made by 700 troops on
Guadalcanal
84
on August 21. Our positions have been bombarded by surface
craft and submarines and bombed by aircraft, but our losses as a result of
these attacks have been small. Every
attempt by the enemy to recapture his lost positions has resulted in the
complete annihilation or capture by U. S. Marines of all troops that have
landed.
14. On August 23 our
reconnaissance aircraft observed several detachments of enemy ships approaching
Guadalcanal Island from the north and northeastward. The presence of transports indicated that an attempt to recapture
the shore positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area was intended. The action at sea which ended in the
withdrawal of the enemy surface forces was described in Navy Department
Communiqués Nos. 111 and 112. While
this action was in progress enemy aircraft made three attacks in force on
Guadalcanal. Naval and Marine fighters,
based at the newly captured airfield at Guadalcanal met and repulsed these
attacks.
No. 116 August
30, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 4 p. m. (e. w. t.) on Aug. 30, 1942:
South Pacific.
1. On August 29 (east longitude date) the Japanese conducted two
bombing raids on our positions at Guadalcanal.
2. The first attack was made by 6 planes and was followed, about 8
hours later, by a flight of 18 bombers.
3. Three enemy bombers and 4 "Zero" fighters were shot
down. Damage to our positions was minor and no U. S. planes were lost.
No. 117 September
3, 1942
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations against the enemy in Far Eastern
waters:
(a) One Japanese light,
cruiser sunk.
(b) Two small freighters
sunk.
(c) One medium-sized tanker
sunk.
(d) One small steamer sunk.
(e) Two large tankers damaged.
(f) One medium-sized cargo
ship damaged and probably sunk.
85
2. The above actions are not
related to the recent operations in the Solomon Islands and have not been
announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
No. 118 September
3, 1942
The following communiqué is
based on reports received up to 6 p. m. (e. w. t.)
South Pacific.
1. Several new attempts have
been made by the Japanese to land and establish small detachments of troops on
various islands in the southeastern Solomon group. U. S. land-based aircraft, operating from our Guadalcanal base
have attacked the ships engaged in these landing operations. Several hits have been reported but the extent
of damage inflicted is not known. The
parties which have succeeded in landing are being sought out and engaged by U.
S. Marines.
2. During the morning of
September 2 (east longitude date) an Army Flying Fortress on patrol off the
north coast of Santa Isabel Island bombed and damaged an enemy tanker or
seaplane tender, leaving it burning.
3. At about this same time
18 Japanese bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked our installations at
Guadalcanal. Three enemy bombers and 4
fighters were shot down by our defending aircraft while antiaircraft batteries
shot down an additional fighter. Damage
to our positions was minor.
4. In spite of the periodic
attacks by enemy aircraft our positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area are
steadily being reinforced and strengthened.
No. 119 September
5, 1942
South Pacific.
1. The U. S. destroyer Blue
and the small auxiliary transport Colhoun have been sunk during the past
2 weeks in the South Pacific as a result of enemy action.
2. There were few casualties
and the next of kin of those lost will be notified as soon as reports are
received.
86
No. 120.
September 7, 1942
South Pacific.
1. Shortly after noon on September 5 (east longitude date) 26
Japanese bombers, escorted by 20 "Zero" fighters, attacked our
positions at Guadalcanal and inflicted minor damage. Our fighters intercepted the attack and shot down 2 enemy bombers
and 1 fighter.
No. 121 September
7, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. Since the capture by U.
S. forces of the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area of the Solomon Islands on August 7,
supplies and reinforcements have been landed and the development of our shore
positions and airfields on Guadalcanal has been steadily pressed.
2. These operations have
been opposed by enemy aircraft and submarines and have not been accomplished
without some cost. The U. S. destroyer Blue
and the small transport Colhoun, whose sinkings were announced in
communiqué No. 119, were lost as a result of operations necessary to the supply
of our shore bases in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area.
3. Land-based bombers,
supported by fighters, have attacked our positions on numerous occasions, but
in no instance has the damage to shore installations been serious. Our Grumman "Wildcats" and
"Avengers" at Guadalcanal airfield have intercepted these attacks and
have exacted a heavy toll of enemy planes.
Enemy submarines have also been active in this area and on several
occasions have ineffectually shelled our positions at night.
4. Our air patrols have
sighted and attacked several small enemy detachments attempting landings on
Guadalcanal and nearby islands. On
September 3 our Grumman fighters and Douglas "Dauntless" dive-bombers
attacked a landing party near San Jorge Island about 65 miles northwest of the
airfield at Guadalcanal. Loaded landing
barges were strafed causing heavy loss of life. Many of the small enemy vessels engaged in this operation were
sunk.
5. On September 5 the air
patrol sighted another landing party near the western end of Guadalcanal. Our air patrol and Curtiss Army pursuit
planes, sank three of the landing boats, damaged several others and killed a
large number of the troops in these boats.
87
6. It is believed that these
landings have been attempted in order to reinforce isolated Japanese patrols
which withdrew to the mountains and jungles in the uninhabited regions of the
island when our forces occupied the defended positions. Our Marine forces are continuing their
efforts to search out and dispose of these scattered enemy units.
No. 122 September 9, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are cast longitude).
1. On September 5 a Navy patrol plane shot down a large Japanese
four-engined flying boat northeast of the Solomons.
2. On September 6 our
aircraft bombed and strafed enemy shore installations at Gizo Island in the New
Georgia group of the Solomons. No
resistance was encountered.
3. Marines on Guadalcanal
continue to seek out and attack Japanese detachments. These are made up of Japanese soldiers that fled to the jungles
during our initial landing, on August 7, possibly reinforced by small numbers
of troops landed from time to time under cover of darkness.
No. 123 September
12, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. The Japanese are
continuing their determined efforts to dislodge American forces from the
Guadalcanal-Tulagi area of the Solomon Islands.
2. Enemy air raids against
our positions in this area continue. On
September 9, 26 enemy bombers escorted by Zero fighters attacked our installations
at Guadalcanal. U. S. aircraft shot
down 5 bombers and 4 fighters. On
September 10, 27 enemy bombers attacked Guadalcanal and 4 of the Japanese
planes were shot down. On September 11,
26 enemy bombers with fighters were shot down by U. S. planes.
3. Enemy destroyers have
shelled our positions at night but no damage has resulted.
4. On September 11 our
Douglas "Dauntless" dive bombers attacked enemy installations on Gizo
Island in the New Georgia group. A
small enemy surface craft was sunk and considerable damage was done to
buildings and installations.
88
5. U. S. Marines, assisted
by dive bombers and fighters, continue to seek out and engage enemy troop units
in the interior of Guadalcanal. The
enemy has reinforced and supplied these units by means of small craft which
approach the shore under cover of darkness.
Despite opposition to these landings, it has not been possible to
prevent them entirely.
No. 124 September
15, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
Based on reports received up
to 6 p. m. (e. w. t.).
1. Japanese attempts to
recapture U. S. positions on Guadalcanal Island have been intensified. Heavy fighting has been in progress since
the night of September 12-13 between our Marines and reinforced enemy troops on
the island. Details of the fighting are
lacking, but reports received to date indicate that the Marines are maintaining
their positions.
2. During the past few days
the Japanese have increased the intensity of their bombing attacks by aircraft
and the bombardment by surface vessels.
Some attempts by the enemy to land small detachments of troops at night
have been successful.
3. On September 11 Army
"Flying Fortresses" shot down four "Zero" fighters in the
vicinity of Guadalcanal and strafed shore installations on the island of
Gizo. On September 12 Army bombers shot
down two enemy seaplanes.
4. During the night of
September 12-13 our positions on Guadalcanal were shelled by enemy surface
craft. One of these vessels was
reported to have been hit by our shore batteries. Contacts with enemy patrols were made during this same night and
heavy fighting continued during the following day and night.
5. On September 13 two
flights of about 28 enemy bombers each, escorted by "Zero" fighters,
attacked the airfield at Guadalcanal.
Navy and Marine Corps Grumman "Wildcat" fighters shot down 4
bombers and 4 fighters. This same day
Army bombers attacked seaplanes on the water at Rekata Bay on the northwest
shore of Santa Isabel Island. One enemy
plane was destroyed and a second was damaged.
6. During the night of
September 13-14 our positions at Guadalcanal were shelled by enemy surface
craft and our troops engaged in heavy fighting with enemy troops, who made an
unsuccessful attempt to capture the airfield.
89
7. On September 14 an enemy
flight of 28 bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked Guadalcanal shortly after
noon. Navy and Marine fighters shot
down 1 bomber and 5 fighters.
No. 125 September
16, 1942
1. The U. S. S. Yorktown
(aircraft carrier) was sunk on June 7, 1942, as the result of enemy action
during and subsequent to the Battle of Midway.
The Navy Department, having good reason to believe that the loss of the Yorktown
was not known to the enemy, withheld this pending developments which were vital
to the operations announcement which have been in progress in the South Pacific
since early August.
2. The Yorktown was
put out of action by enemy aircraft attacks with bombs and torpedoes on the
afternoon of June 4, as described in Navy Department Communiqué No. 97, of July
14. She was seriously damaged and heavily listed as the result of these
attacks, and the crew was forced to abandon ship in view of the imminent danger
of her capsizing. Tugs and other salvage
vessels were sent to her assistance. A
salvage party was placed aboard and she was taken in tow. Progress was slow, but it appeared that she
might be saved.
3. By the morning of June 6
the salvage party had been able to reduce the list and the prospects of saving
the ship appeared brighter. The U. S.
S. Hammann (destroyer) was placed alongside to assist. Shortly after noon on June 6, an enemy
submarine scored two torpedo hits amidships on the Yorktown and two torpedo
hits on the Hammann alongside.
The Hammann sank shortly thereafter, and the condition of the Yorktown
became critical. The enemy submarine
was attacked by destroyers throughout the day.
Results of these attacks indicated that the submarine was certainly
damaged and possibly sunk.
4. During the early morning
of June 7, the Yorktown capsized and sank as the result of the
cumulative damage from aircraft bombs and torpedoes on the 4th, and submarine
torpedoes on the 6th.
5. Casualties in the Yorktown
were few and were included in the total personnel losses in the Battle of
Midway (92 officers and 215 enlisted men) which have been previously
reported. The next of kin of those lost
have been notified. The Yorktown
and the Hammann were the only U. S. ships lost in the Battle of Midway.
90
No. 126 September
16, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude). Based on
reports received up to 5:30 p. m. e. w. t.
1. The intensity of the
fighting on Guadalcanal Island has decreased and the Marines are still holding
their positions. Marine patrols
continue active.
2. On September 15 two heavy
Army bombers (Boeing "Flying Fortresses") attacked shore
installations at Rekata Bay on the northwest coast of Santa Isabel Island. Fires were observed as a result of this
bombing.
3. On September 16 Navy and
Marine Corps dive bombers (Douglas "Devastators") and Navy torpedo
planes (Grumman "Avengers") attacked Japanese cruisers and destroyers
south of Choiseul Island. One Cruiser
was damaged by a torpedo and a second by bombs.
No. 127 September 16, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On September 4, two
long-range Army pursuit planes (Lockheed "Lightnings") accompanied by
one Army heavy bomber (Consolidated "Liberator") made a strafing
attack on enemy ships, aircraft and shore installations at Kiska Harbor, in the
western Aleutian Islands. A
four-engined flying boat is believed to have been destroyed on the water and
many casualties both aboard ships and ashore were reported.
2. On September 14, a large
group of Army heavy bombers (Consolidated "Liberators") accompanied
by Army pursuit planes (Bell "Airocobras" and Lockheed
"Lightnings") bombed and strafed the same objectives from low
altitude. The enemy attempted to repel
this attack with planes and weak antiaircraft resistance. The attack resulted in
the following damage to the enemy:
(a) Two mine sweepers were
sunk.
(b) Three large cargo ships
were damaged by bombs.
(c) Three submarines and
several small craft were damaged by
bombs and machine-gun fire.
(d) Storehouses and supply
dumps in the camp area were set fire by
repeated attacks.
(e) Four "Zero"
fighters and one small plane were shot down.
91
(f) One large patrol plane
was destroyed on the water.
(g) An estimated 500 troops
were either killed or wounded.
3. No U. S. aircraft were
lost as a result of enemy action.
No. 128.
September 17, 1942
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations against the enemy in Far Eastern
waters:
(a) Two large freighters
sunk.
(b) One medium-sized
freighter sunk.
(c) One small patrol boat
sunk.
(d) One large tanker damaged
and left afire.
(e) One large freighter
damaged.
(f) One large transport
damaged.
(g) One medium-sized cargo
ship damaged.
2. These actions have not
been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué, and are not related
to operations in the Solomon Islands.
No. 129.
September 19, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. Since the unsuccessful
attempt of the Japanese to recapture the airfield at Guadalcanal during the
night of September 13-14, there has been a lull in the land-fighting on the
island. These hostilities have been
confined to minor patrol activity, sniping, and occasional skirmishes between
small enemy units and U. S. Marines.
Supplies and reinforcements have reached our forces.
2. On September 14 Army
"Flying Fortresses" attacked a force of enemy ships to the
northeastward of Tulagi. This force
included battleships and cruisers.
Heavy antiaircraft fire was encountered but possible hits on two
battleships were reported. When last
seen, this force was retiring to the north.
3. On September 15, 16, and
17 Army long-range bombers strafed and bombed Rekata Bay and on September 16
and 17 bombed ships and shore installations at Gizo Island. Results of these attacks were undetermined
although fires were observed after the attack on Rekata Bay on the 15th.
92
No. 130.
September 22, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. On September 19 Army
heavy bombers (Boeing Flying Fortresses) bombed Gizo Island and bombed and
strafed shore installations at Rekata Bay.
2. On September 20 Navy and
Marine Corps Douglas dive bombers attacked and damaged a Japanese cruiser
northwest of Guadalcanal and bombed shore installations at Rekata Bay.
3. Patrol activity on
Guadalcanal was minor during September 18 and September 19, but increased
somewhat on September 20. Our positions
remain intact.
No. 131. September 24, 1942
South Pacific.
1. The U. S. S. Jarvis
(destroyer), which was damaged as a result of enemy air attacks off
Guadalcanal, must be presumed lost at sea en route from Tulagi to a southern
repair base. The Jarvis has been
overdue for several weeks and intensive search by ships and aircraft has failed
to locate her or reveal any trace of her personnel. It is assumed that she was sunk by enemy submarines or aircraft.
2. The U. S. S. Little
(small auxiliary transport) has been sunk by the enemy in recent operations in
the Solomon Islands area. Approximately half of the personnel of the Little
were saved.
3. The next of kin of those
lost have been notified.
No. 132.
September 25, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are cast longitude).
1. On September 21 Army
heavy bombers (Boeing Flying Fortresses) bombed and strafed Gizo Island in the
New Georgia Group of the Solomon Islands and attacked enemy installations at
Rekata Bay on the northern coast of Santa Isabel Island.
2. On September 23 Army
bombers again attacked Rekata Bay.
Docks and buildings were damaged and one small float plane was shot
down.
3. On September 24 Army
bombers attacked a force of enemy transports near Shortland Island, in the western
Solomons. This attack was opposed by
about 20 Japanese fighters. Three hits
were scored on the transports and 1 enemy fighter was shot down.
93
4. Marine patrols on
Guadalcanal have been active in attacking scattered enemy units. These operations have been supported by Navy
and Marine Corps Douglas dive bombers which have bombed and strafed enemy-held
villages and other points of resistance.
No. 133.
September 28, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On September 24 a small
force of heavy Army bombers attacked enemy installations on the island of
Kiska. Results were not observed.
2. On September 25 a strong
force of Army bombers and pursuit planes, accompanied by planes of the Royal
Canadian Air Force, attacked shore installations and ships at Kiska. Two submarines were strafed, 6 seaplane
fighters were destroyed on the water and a seventh was shot down. Bomb hits started fires on 1 of the 2
transports (or cargo ships) which were found in the harbor and the damaged ship
was last seen listed and beached. It
was estimated that 150 Japanese were killed or wounded.
No. 134.
September 28, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. U. S. Marines on
Guadalcanal and Florida Islands in the Solomon Archipelago are continuing
active patrol operations against Japanese ground forces. Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers have
supported our ground forces in both search and attack. Several small enemy detachments have been engaged
and destroyed and our positions have been expanded somewhat.
2. During the period
September 25th to September 28th, inclusive, Army, Navy and Marine Corps flyers
destroyed 42 enemy aircraft and damaged 3 others without combat loss of any U.
S. planes.
3. On September 25th heavy
Army bombers attacked Rekata Bay, Tonolei Harbor, and Japanese ships southeast
of Buka Passage. At Rekata Bay an enemy
seaplane was damaged on the water and several small-gun emplacements were
strafed. At Tonolei Harbor one bomb hit
was scored on an enemy cruiser and three seaplanes were shot down. A Japanese seaplane tender was damaged by
one bomb hit in the action southeast of Buka Passage.
94
4. On September 26th heavy
Army bombers in force attacked enemy ships near Shortland Island. One cruiser was hit and left burning and a
large transport (or cargo ship) was heavily bombed and also set afire. This ship probably sank. Six enemy seaplanes were shot down and a
seventh was damaged.
5. On September 27th 18
enemy bombers escorted by 13 fighters attacked our positions at
Guadalcanal. Intercepting Navy and
Marine Corps fighters shot down 4 bombers and 5 fighters.
6. On September 28th 25
enemy bombers escorted by 18 "Zero" fighters attacked our Guadalcanal
installations. Navy and Marine Corps
fighters again intercepted and forced the attacking bombers to jettison their
bombs into the sea. Twenty-three enemy
bombers and 1 fighter were destroyed.
No. 135 September
30, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. At about noon on August
8th a Japanese torpedo plane crashed into and set afire the U. S. S. George
F. Elliott (naval transport, formerly the S. S. City of Los Angeles)
during the torpedo attack announced in paragraph 9 of Navy Department Communiqué
No. 115. Burning gasoline started fires
which could not be extinguished and the Elliott was abandoned and
destroyed. There were few casualties
and the next of kin of those lost have been notified.
2. The U. S. S. Gregory
(small auxiliary transport) was recently sunk by enemy gunfire off
Guadalcanal. Most of her personnel were
saved and the next of kin of those lost have been notified.
No. 136 October
2, 1942
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations against the enemy in Far Eastern
waters:
1 large seaplane tender sunk.
1 large cargo passenger ship sunk.
1 large freighter sunk.
2 medium sized cargo ships sunk.
2 medium sized cargo ships damaged and probably sunk.
1 large tanker damaged.
95
2. These actions have not
been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué‚.
No. 137 October
2, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On September 27th Army
Liberator bombers dropped bombs on enemy ships and shore installations at
Kiska. One Zero fighter was shot
down. Damage to bomb objectives could
not be determined. All our planes
returned.
2. On the same date near the
island of Attu three Army bombers attacked a transport, escorted by a
destroyer. Near misses damaged the
transport which, when last seen, had stopped.
3. During the morning of
September 28th a strong force of Army 3 heavy bombers, escorted by pursuit
craft, again bombed enemy ships and buildings at Kiska. Zero fighters and antiaircraft batteries on
surface vessels attempted to repel this attack. A transport and a submarine were damaged and probably sunk and
five Zero fighters were shot down. One
of our pursuit planes was lost.
4. During the afternoon of
September 28th Army bombers again attacked the Kiska area, strafing and bombing
ships and shore facilities. Results of this attack are not known.
5. During this same
afternoon Army planes attacked an enemy cargo ship northwest of Kiska. The ship was bombed and strafed and left in
a damaged condition.
No. 138 October
3, 1942
North Pacific.
1. U. S. Army troops,
covered and supported by units of the U. S. Navy, have recently occupied
positions in the Andreanof group of the Aleutian Islands. Occupation was effected without enemy
opposition. Army aircraft, including
B-24 (Consolidated) and B-17 (Flying Fortress) bombers, and P-38 (Lockheed
Lightning), P-39 (Bell Airacobra), and P-40 (Curtiss) pursuit planes, are now
operating from air fields in these islands.
2. On September 29th the
enemy cargo ship which was attacked northwest of Kiska on the 28th was again
bombed and strafed by Army air-
96
craft. No opposition was encountered and the ship
appeared to have been abandoned.
3. On September 30th, in the
face of considerable antiaircraft opposition.
Army Consolidated B-24's bombed ships in the harbor at Kiska. An enemy transport was set afire by two
direct hits. The camp area also was
bombed and several fires resulted. All
our planes returned.
No. 139 October
5, 1942
Pacific Area.
1. The U. S. S. Grunion
(submarine) has been overdue in the Pacific for some time and must be presumed
to be lost.
2. The next of kin of the
personnel of the Grunion have been notified.
No. 140 October
5, 1942
North Pacific.
1. Army bombers, operating
from our new bases in the Andreanof group of the Aleutian Islands, are making
almost daily raids on Kiska. Weather
conditions have favored these operations and the enemy has been under continual
fire.
2. On October 1st and 2d
many demolition and incendiary bomb hits were scored on the camp area and the
seaplane hangar. Five enemy seaplanes
were shot down during the raid on October 2d.
3. Although no hits were
observed on the three cargo ships present at Kiska, subsequent photographic
reconnaissance revealed that two of these ships were damaged by bombs and were
beached.
No. 141 October
5, 1942
South Pacific
1. U. S. Marines are
maintaining their positions on Guadalcanal while our air forces are continuing
to attack the enemy over a wide area.
Clashes with enemy patrols
have been frequent but there has been no major change in positions. In spite of our determined air attacks it
has not been possible to prevent the enemy from landing small troop
reinforcements on Guadalcanal under cover of darkness.
97
2. On September 29th:
(a) A small group of
Japanese heavy bombers with strong fighter escort raided our positions at
Guadalcanal. Our fighters shot down
four enemy fighters and forced the bombers to jettison their bombs before
reaching their objectives.
(b) Navy and Marine Corps
dive bombers, assisted by Army pursuit planes, raided enemy small craft
carrying supplies to troops on Guadalcanal and bombed and strafed enemy troops
and equipment ashore.
(c) Enemy installations at
Rekata Bay were bombed and strafed by our search planes. Fires were observed ashore and two enemy
seaplanes were destroyed.
3. On September 30th:
(a) Rekata Bay was attacked
by Navy dive bombers. A munitions dump
was set afire and two enemy aircraft were damaged.
(b) Navy and Marine Corps
dive bombers and Army pursuit planes continued attacks on enemy troop
concentrations and supply dumps on Guadalcanal.
4. On October 1st:
(a) Army pursuit planes
continued attacks on enemy ground forces on Guadalcanal.
(b) Navy and Marine Corps
dive bombers and torpedo planes attacked four Japanese destroyers to the south
of the New Georgia group. These ships
are believed to have been covering a small landing which the enemy made at Viru
Harbor on the night of September 30th.
One destroyer was hit and damaged and when last seen was dead in the
water.
(c) Army Flying Fortress set
fire to a small boat off Greenwich Islands [1] at the southeastern end of
Malaita Island.
5. On October 2d:
(a) The Japanese again
attacked Guadalcanal with a small group of bombers, heavily protected by fighters. Our intercepting fighters shot down four
enemy fighters. No bombs were dropped.
(b) Army heavy bombers
attacked Rekata Bay but results were not observed.
[1] The Greenwich Island
referred to in the above is the Kapingamarangi Island ... Known as Greenwich
Island.
98
No. 142.
October 6, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
Based on reports received up
to 5:30 p. m., e. w. t.
1. On October 3d:
(a) A small group of
Japanese bombers, preceded by about 30 Zero fighters attempted to raid U. S.
installations on Guadalcanal.
Antiaircraft batteries shot down two enemy fighters while nine more of
the attacking Zeros were shot down by seven Navy Wildcat fighters. The enemy bombers turned back and dropped no
bombs. One U. S. plane was lost but the
pilot was saved.
2. During the night of
October 3d-October 4th Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers attacked an enemy
heavy cruiser and several destroyers which were engaged in landing troop
reinforcements on Guadalcanal. At least
one hit was scored on the cruiser. One
of our planes was shot down but the crew was saved.
3. On October 4th:
(a) Shortly after daybreak a
group of Navy and Marine Corps torpedo bombers scored two torpedo hits on the
cruiser which was still smoking as a result of the previous bomb hit.
(b) Army pursuit planes and
Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers bombed and strafed Japanese troops and
supply dumps on Guadalcanal.
4. During the above period
there was little activity between ground forces on Guadalcanal. The enemy continued to land small
detachments of troops on the island under cover of darkness.
No. 143 October
7, 1942
North Pacific.
1. (a) Reconnaissance by our
aircraft has failed to detect any signs of continued enemy occupancy or
activity on Attu and Agattu in the western Aleutians for several weeks.
(b) In the latter part of
September, Army aircraft bombed Attu, destroying most of the buildings on the
island. A study of photographs made
during the raid revealed no trace of the enemy on Attu at that time. A similar situation has been observed at
Agattu.
2. Attacks by our aircraft
on Kiska continue. On October 5th, Army
Liberator bombers, escorted by fighters, dropped many demolition and incendiary
bombs on the camp area. Hits were made
on the seaplane
99
hangar, and six enemy
seaplane fighters were shot down. Only
light antiaircraft opposition was encountered and all of our aircraft returned.
No. 144 October
8, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
given are east longitude).
1. During recent weeks our
long-range reconnaissance aircraft observed a large number of enemy ships
concentrating in the Shortland Island area, south of the island of
Bougainville.
2. On October 5th, Navy
carrier-based aircraft from a task force under the operational control of Vice
Admiral R. L. Ghormley, attacked the enemy ships while long-range bombers under
the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur coordinated in the attack plan with
simultaneous raids on Japanese bases in nearby islands. These latter raids have been announced by
General MacArthur.
3. Despite unfavorable
weather, our carrier-based aircraft inflicted the following damage on enemy
ships and installations.
(a) One heavy cruiser
damaged by heavy bombs.
(b) One transport damaged by
heavy bombs.
(c) One seaplane tender
damaged by light bombs.
(d) Two cargo ships damaged
by light bombs.
(e) One cruiser and one
destroyer strafed in the harbor at Shortland Island.
(f) Four four-engined flying
boats destroyed on the water at Faisi and six damaged by strafing.
(g) Two seaplanes and two
bombers destroyed in the Shortland Island area.
(h) Airfield at Kieta
damaged by bombs.
4. Our task force suffered
no loss of personnel or planes and no damage to any ship.
5. The necessity of preserving
radio silence, in order to avoid disclosure of our ships' positions, delayed
receipt of the above report of the action.
No. 145 October
9, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On October 6th, Army "Liberator" bombers, escorted by
"Airacobra" and "Lightning" fighters, dropped approximately
7 tons of bombs
100
on the area surrounding the
seaplane hangar at Kiska. Eight more
tons of bombs were dropped on the camp area and fires were started.
2. Two cargo ships in the
harbor were attacked and one was left on fire and sinking. The radio station was damaged by
strafing. One seaplane was destroyed on
the water and another was damaged.
3. Reconnaissance over Attu
and Agattu on the same date failed to reveal any enemy activity on these
islands.
Atlantic.
4. The U. S. Coast Guard
Cutter Muskeget, formerly the S. S. Cornish of the Eastern
Steamship Lines, has been overdue in the Atlantic for some time and must be
presumed to be lost.
5. The next of kin of the
personnel of the Muskeget have been notified.
No. 146 October
10, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
cast longitude).
1. During the night of
October 5-6, Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers and torpedo planes from
Guadalcanal attacked six enemy destroyers which had been located by our search
planes. These ships were attempting to
assist enemy landing operations at the northwestern end of the island. One destroyer was sunk and another damaged.
2. During the night of
October 7-8, the enemy continued to reinforce his troops on Guadalcanal.
3. During the evening of
October 8th, Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers and torpedo planes, assisted by
fighters, attacked an enemy surface force northwest of Guadalcanal. This force, containing one cruiser of the Kako
class and five destroyers, was covering enemy landing operations on the
northwestern tip of the island. The
cruiser received one torpedo hit and was further damaged by bombs. For enemy seaplanes were shot down during
the air battle which followed our attack and two of our planes were lost. Airplane observers reported the cruiser
still burning on the afternoon of October 9th.
4. Additional details have
been received of the coordinated attacks on enemy ship concentrations and
Japanese bases in the northwestern Solomon Islands, which were announced in
Navy Department Communiqué‚
101
No. 144. These attacks, on October 5th, were executed
simultaneously in three phases, namely:
(a) Carrier-based planes
from a Pacific Task Force attacked enemy
ships in the Shortland Island area and bombed the airfield at Kieta
(previously reported).
(b) Army heavy bombers from
the Southwest Pacific attacked Japanese bases in nearby islands (previously
reported).
(c) Army, Navy, and Marine
Corps land-based aircraft in the South Pacific attacked enemy positions at Buka
Island, Gizo Island, and Rekata Bay.
At Buka the parking area was
bombed and several planes were damaged.
At Gizo results were not observed.
At Rekata Bay beach installations were bombed and two seaplanes were shot
down. One seaplane and a small launch
were destroyed on the water.
No. 147.
October 12, 1942
(All dates are east
longitude).
1. Certain initial phases of
the Solomon Islands campaign, not announced previously for military reasons,
can now be reported.
2. Reconnaissance during
last June and July revealed enemy activity of marked significance in the
Japanese controlled Solomon Islands. An
airfield was in process of construction on Guadalcanal Island and facilities of
other nearby bases were being expanded rapidly. This expansion in the Solomons, together with increased activity
in Eastern New Guinea, clearly indicated that the enemy was attempting to
establish and maintain control of the air and sea in the Solomon Islands
area. Establishment of such control would
have put the Japanese in a position to launch a sea-bourne thrust at Port
Darwin and Australia, and would have seriously threatened our supply lines to
Australia and New Zealand as well as to our island bases in the New Hebrides,
New Caledonia, and the Fiji Islands.
3. It was necessary,
therefore, that these designs of the enemy be blocked by our capturing and
utilizing his key positions in the southeastern Solomons. This was accomplished on August 7th, when U.
S. forces surprised and captured Japanese positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi
area, as described in Navy Department Communiqué‚s 107 and 115 and Admiral
King's statement on August 10th.
102
4. Vigorous opposition was
offered to the consolidation of our positions.
Throughout August 7th and August 8th, enemy planes carried out raids on
our shore positions, transports and fleet units. These raids did not prevent U. S. Marines from seizing most of
the key positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area by the afternoon of August
8th. Meanwhile, additional troops,
supplies and equipment were being unloaded from transports and supply ships,
and it was imperative that these operations be successfully completed. To this end screening groups of allied
cruisers and destroyers were placed on both sides of Savo Island to guard the
western entrances to the transport area.
An additional screening force was stationed near the transports to
provide close coverage within the harbor.
5. At about 11:45 a. m. on
the night of August 8-9, enemy aircraft dropped flares over our transports and
supply ships. Simultaneously, a force
of enemy cruisers and destroyers skirted the south coast of Savo Island at high
speed, headed in the direction of the transports and supply ships which were
silhouetted in the illuminated area. The rapidly moving enemy sighted our covering unit located
southeast of Savo and opened fire immediately with guns and torpedoes,
seriously damaging and setting fire to the Australian cruiser, H. M. A. S. Canberra. It later became necessary to abandon the Canberra
and she sank the following morning, as already announced. Following a brief engagement with our
southeastern screen the Japanese altered course to proceed through the passage
northeast of Savo Island. Here the
Japanese force encountered our northeast screen of cruisers and destroyers and
a battle at dose range resulted. The
action was fought with guns and torpedoes, with targets illuminated by
searchlights and starshells. The enemy
fire was heavy and accurate and the U. S. cruisers Quincy and Vincennes
were hit repeatedly and sank during the night.
A third cruiser, the U. S. S. Astoria, was badly damaged and
burned throughout the night. She sank
the following morning.
6. It was not possible to
determine the extent of damage inflicted on the Japanese ships by our screening
forces. The enemy withdrew to the
northwest without attempting an attack on our transports and supply ships. Although a majority of the personnel was
saved, there still were many casualties as a result of the sinking of the four
Allied cruisers. The next of kin of
those lost and wounded have been notified.
The loss of these four cruisers has now been offset by the appropriate
reallocation of ships which is made possible by new ship construction.
103
No. 148 October
13, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On October 9th:
(a) During the morning
Marine Corps aircraft attacked a Japanese force of two light cruisers and four
destroyers in the area north of New Georgia Island. A direct hit damaged one of the cruisers and when last seen she
was down by the bow. The second cruiser
was also attacked and minor damage was reported. Three of the enemy seaplanes which attempted to fight off our
attack were shot down.
(b) Navy and Marine Corps
search planes bombed enemy antiaircraft installations at Rekata Bay and strafed
seaplanes on the water. The results of
this attack are not known.
2. On October 11th:
(a) Four waves of Japanese
bombers with fighter escort totaling about 35 bombers and 30 fighters attempted
to bomb our positions at Guadalcanal.
Army, Navy, and Marine Corps fighters intercepted and forced the bombers
to drop their loads in an open field.
Eight enemy bombers and 4 Zero fighters were shot down. Two U. S. fighter planes were lost.
(b) United States Marines
succeeded in extending our positions to the westward on the north shore of
Guadalcanal Island after 2 days of offensive operations. Army fighters assisted by strafing enemy
troops and installations and the enemy suffered many casualties.
No. 149 October
13, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On various occasions
during recent weeks the Japanese were successful in increasing the number of
their troops on Guadalcanal Island by night landings from cruisers, destroyers,
and small transports. Navy and Marine
Corps aircraft from Guadalcanal persistently attacked these landing parties but
air attack alone did not stop the landings.
For this reason a task group of United States cruisers and destroyers
was ordered to intercept enemy ships attempting further landings.
2. At about midnight on the
night of October 11-12, this task group engaged a force of enemy cruisers,
destroyers and transports to the westward of Savo Island. After a 30-minute battle fought with guns
and torpedoes, the enemy was forced to abandon his landing attempt and
withdraw. Several of our ships received
minor to moderate damage, and
104
one U. S. destroyer was
sunk. During the engagement our forces
sank one heavy cruiser (Nati or Atago class), four destroyers and
an enemy transport of about 5,000 tons.
3. During the morning of
October 12th, Navy and Marine Corps torpedo planes and dive bombers left
Guadalcanal to locate and attack the retreating enemy ships. At about 10 o'clock, two enemy cruisers were
overtaken south of New Georgia Island.
A torpedo hit was obtained on one cruiser, and several bombs exploded
nearby. The cruiser was left dead in
the water and burning.
4. During the afternoon of
October 12th, an air group from Guadalcanal attacked an enemy cruiser and a
destroyer, also in the area south of New Georgia Island. A direct bomb hit severely damaged and
stopped the cruiser. When last seen her
crew were abandoning ship. It is
believed that this cruiser had been damaged during the previous
engagements. A direct hit and several
near misses set fire to the destroyer accompanying the cruiser, and she was
left in a sinking condition.
5. Reports received to date
indicate that as a result of the night action of October 11th-12th and the air
attacks on October 12th, the enemy suffered the following minimum of damage:
(a) One heavy cruiser sunk.
(b) One cruiser badly
damaged and out of action.
(c) Four destroyers sunk.
(d) One medium-sized
transport sunk.
(e) One destroyer probably
sunk.
6. The destroyer mentioned
in paragraph 2 was the only U. S. ship lost in these actions.
No. 150.
October 13, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On the 8th, 9th, and 10th
of October, Army heavy bombers, escorted by fighters, continued to bomb enemy
installations and ships in the harbor of Kiska. Both demolition and incendiary bombs were used. Targets for these bombings were chiefly the
camp and hangar area and enemy ships in the harbor. Fires were observed ashore and damage was reported on the ships
in the harbor.
105
2. In these attacks only
moderate antiaircraft opposition was experienced and no hostile planes were
observed in the air. Although receiving
minor damage all of our planes returned.
3. The various types of Army
aircraft employed in these raids were:
Consolidated
"Liberator" bombers.
Boeing "Flying
Fortress" bombers.
Lockheed
"Lightning" fighters.
Bell "Airacobra"
fighters.
No. 151 October
14, 1942
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations against the enemy in Far Eastern
waters:
(a) One heavy cruiser sunk.
(b) One medium-sized cargo
ship sunk.
(c) One small cargo ship
sunk.
(d) One small tanker sunk.
(e) One large tanker
damaged.
(f) One medium-sized cargo
ship damaged and probably sunk.
(g) One medium-sized tanker
damaged.
(h) One small trawler sunk.
These actions have not been
announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué‚.
No. 152 October 14, 1942
The following communiqué‚ is
based on reports received up to 7:30 p. m., October 14 (Washington time):
South Pacific (all dates
below are east longitude).
1. On the night of October
13-14, Japanese surface vessels bombarded our airfield and shore installations
on Guadalcanal.
2. Information has just been
received that during the early morning of October 15th, troops from enemy
transports covered by naval units were landing on the north coast of
Guadalcanal to the westward of our positions.
106
No. 153 October 15, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
below are east longitude).
1. Dispatches from our forces in the South Pacific reveal the
following chronological developments leading up to the current battle in the
Guadalcanal area.
2. On October 12th:
(a) During the morning, Army
Flying Fortresses bombed the airfield and shore establishments on the island of
Buka. Fires were started and 10 wrecked
or damaged bombers and fighters were observed on the ground.
(b) Army bombers hit and set
fire to one cargo ship at Buin and damaged another. Six enemy fighters were shot down.
(c) Navy and Marine Corps
aircraft attacked enemy ships south of New Georgia Island (reported in Navy
Department Communiqué‚ No. 149)
3. On October 13th:
(a) During the afternoon the
airfield at Guadalcanal was twice bombed by enemy aircraft. Three enemy planes were shot down and one U.
S. fighter was lost.
(b) By nightfall U. S.
auxiliaries had landed reinforcements for our troops at Guadalcanal. Although these ships were attacked by enemy
bombers, no damage was suffered and our ships unloaded and withdrew.
(c) During the night of
October 13-14, the airfield and shore installations at Guadalcanal were heavily
bombarded by an enemy surface force believed to have contained battleships,
cruisers and destroyers (reported in Navy Department Communiqué‚ No. 152). Shore batteries scored three hits on enemy
destroyers during the bombardment.
4. On October 14th:
(a) During the afternoon
Guadalcanal airfield was attacked by two separate groups of enemy bombers, each
with fighter escort. Our fighters were
unable to intercept the first flight, which contained about 25 bombers. During the second attack they shot down 9 of
the 15 bombers in the group and destroyed 4 fighters. One U. S. fighter was lost.
5. On October 15th:
(a) During the early morning
(reported in Navy Department Communiqué‚ No. 152) enemy transports, covered by
destroyers, cruisers, and
107
a battleship, were sighted
off Savo Island. This force proceeded
to land troops on the north coast of Guadalcanal Island to the westward of our
airfield. An aircraft striking group
attacked the enemy ships and reports indicate that three direct hits were made
on one transport and that two other transports were left burning. The Japanese battleship was damaged and one
enemy fighter was shot down.
6. Other enemy forces
including heavy units have been sighted in the vicinity of Guadalcanal.
7. U. S. Army troops are participating in the defense of
Guadalcanal.
No. 154 October 15, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
below are east longitude)
1. During the night of October 14-15, our positions on Espiritu
Santo Island in the New Hebrides group were shelled by an enemy ship, believed
to have been a submarine.
2. Shortly after noon on
October 15th, our shore positions on Guadalcanal were bombed by about 2-7 enemy
bombers. No details were reported.
3. On the afternoon of
October 15th, the three enemy transports which were reported damaged in Navy
Department Communiqué‚ No. 153 were observed beached and still burning.
4. On the afternoon of
October 15th, enemy surface forces, including two transports were still in the
vicinity of Savo Island.
5. No report pertaining to
land-fighting on Guadalcanal has been received.
No. 155 October 16, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On October 11th, Army long-range bombers dropped 6 tons of
demolition bombs on the camp area at Kiska.
Results were not observed.
2. On October 14th, Army
"Liberator" bombers, accompanied by "Lightning" fighters,
dropped incendiary bombs on the camp area at Kiska starting many large
fires. No enemy aircraft opposition was
encountered. Our fighters strafed and
destroyed three enemy seaplanes on the water.
One of our fighters was lost.
3. Three beached and two
sunken ships, the result of previous bombings, were observed in the vicinity of
the harbor at Kiska.
108
No. 156 October
16, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
below are east longitude).
1. A large number of enemy
troops with equipment have been landed on Guadalcanal Island and our positions
are now being shelled by enemy artillery on the island.
2. The following additional
details of the action in the Solomon Islands in recent days have been received:
(a) During the morning of
October 14th our search planes strafed and damaged nine enemy planes on the
beach at Rekata Bay.
(b) During the same
afternoon Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers, with fighter escort, left
Guadalcanal and made two attacks on the enemy transports which were approaching
the island. Minor damage was reported
and one U. S. fighter was lost.
(c) During the night of
October 14-15, our positions on Guadalcanal were shelled by enemy vessels to
the northward of the island. U. S.
motor torpedo boats attacked these ships and reported one probable torpedo hit
on a cruiser.
3. A large group of enemy
ships has been observed in the Buin-Faisi area near Shortland Island, in
addition to the various units in the southeastern Solomons.
No. 157 October 17,
1942
North Pacific.
1. On October 15th:
(a) Army
"Marauder" bomber (Martin B-26's) attacked and damaged an enemy cargo
ship in Gertrude Cove on the south coast of Kiska Island. At least one direct hit set fire to the
ship, which was seen still burning several hours later. One U. S. plane was shot down by
antiaircraft fire.
(b) Army
"Marauders" also attacked two Japanese destroyers to the
northeastward of Kiska. Both destroyers
were damaged, one by three hits and the other by one hit, resulting in probable
sinking of the former.
109
No. 158 October
17, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
below are cast longitude).
1. Although large numbers of
Japanese troops are known to be on Guadalcanal Island, there has been, as yet,
no full-scale land fighting.
2. Our land, sea, and air
forces of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps are engaged in meeting a serious
enemy assault, the outcome of which is still undecided. Our losses in the current fighting, to date,
have been minor, but in a battle of this nature losses must be expected.
3. The following additional
details of the action in recent days have been
received:
(a) During the air attack on
Guadalcanal, shortly after noon on October 15 (reported in Navy Department
Communiqué‚ No. 154), three enemy bombers and five fighters were shot down.
(b) During the night of
October 15-16, enemy surface vessels bombarded our positions on Guadalcanal for
about an hour. Naval aircraft made a
night torpedo attack on a group of enemy vessels to the eastward of the
Solomons. One torpedo hit on an enemy
cruiser was reported.
(c) During the morning of
October 16th, our aircraft from Guadalcanal attacked enemy troop positions
along the northwest coast of the island.
During the late afternoon Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers attacked
two enemy transports and accompanying destroyers in the area west of New
Georgia Island. Direct hits damaged and
set fire to one transport and the second is believed to have been damaged by
near misses.
All information on the
fighting in the Solomons which is not of value to the enemy is being announced
as soon as possible after being received.
No. 159 October
18, 1942
South Pacific (all dates
below are east longitude).
1. The Japanese are
continuing to bomb our airfield and shore positions on Guadalcanal Island and
it is believed that enemy troops and equipment are being disposed for a strong
assault against our airfield,
2. There have been no
reports of enemy landings on Guadalcanal since October 15th, but heavy
concentrations of enemy ships are still reported in the Buin-Shortland area.
110
3. On October 16th, Army
Flying Fortresses and Navy and Marine Corps aircraft repeatedly attacked the
enemy troops and equipment which have been assembled in force on the northwest
end of Guadalcanal.
4. On October 17th:
(a) During the early morning
about 14 enemy bombers escorted by 3 fighters attacked our airfield and shore
positions. U. S. fighters and
antiaircraft batteries reported the destruction of all of the bombers and 2 of
the fighters.
(b) During the early
afternoon another group of about 15 enemy bombers and a number of fighters
carried out a second raid on our positions.
One enemy bomber was reported probably destroyed and 1 U. S. plane was
lost during the morning and afternoon raids.
No. 160 October
18, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On October 16th Army
"Marauder" bombers carried out low-altitude bombing attacks on two
Japanese destroyers to the northwestward of Kiska. The attacks lasted about 45 minutes and resulted in five hits on
one of the destroyers and four hits on the other. Heavy explosions and fires resulted and when last seen both ships
were stopped and burning and the crews were abandoning ship. One "Marauder" was lost.
No. 161 October
19, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. No recent troop activity
or enemy landings on Guadalcanal have been reported. The strong force of enemy warships, transports, and cargo ships
which is assembled in the Shortland Island area has been bombed repeatedly by
Allied heavy bombers, as announced by General MacArthur.
2. On October 16th:
(a) Our dive bombers
attacked enemy installations at Rekata Bay.
Several antiaircraft batteries were bombed, fuel stowages were set afire
and 12 enemy seaplanes were strafed and burned. One twin-engine bomber was shot down by "Wildcats," and
Army "Flying Fortresses" destroyed a large flying boat.
111
(b) Four direct bomb hits completed the destruction of two of the
three transports which had been previously damaged and beached on the northwest
coast of Guadalcanal.
3. On October 17th:
(a) During the morning U. S.
surface vessels bombarded enemy positions on northwestern Guadalcanal. Heavy explosions and fires followed hits on
ammunition dumps.
(b) Throughout the day our
aircraft on Guadalcanal continued to attack enemy shore positions.
(c) During the night of
October 17-18, Japanese surface forces shelled our installations on the north
coast of the island.
4. On October 18th:
(a) During the early
afternoon about 20 enemy bombers, escorted by an equal number of
"Zero" fighters, attacked our positions on Guadalcanal. Our Grumman "Wildcats" intercepted
and shot down 8 enemy bombers and 11 Zeros.
Two of our fighters were lost.
North Pacific.
5. On October 17 (Washington
date), Army "Liberator" bombers attacked the camp area at Kiska and
bombed the ships which are beached in the harbor. Fifteen tons of bombs were dropped, but an overcast prevented
observation of results. Antiaircraft
opposition was light and no enemy aircraft were seen.
No. 162 October
20, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. Large numbers of enemy
warships and auxiliaries are still reported in the Solomons area, but there
have been no further enemy landings on Guadalcanal Island.
2. Army, Navy, and Marine
Corps aircraft bombed enemy troops and supply concentrations on Guadalcanal
throughout October 18th and 19th. No
report has been received of any offensive thrust against our positions by these
enemy troops since their landing on October 15th.
3. On October 19th, Army
"Flying Fortresses" bombed Rekata Bay and fires were started.
112
North Pacific.
4. On October 18th
(Washington date), Army "Liberator" bombers dropped 12 tons of bombs
on enemy shore installations at Kiska and on a beached ship in the harbor. Fires were observed in the camp area.
No. 163 October
21, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
cast longitude).
1. The U. S. S. Meredith
(destroyer) and the U. S. S. O'Brien (destroyer) have been lost within
the last few days as the result of enemy action in the Solomon Islands
area. The report of casualties has not
yet been received, but it is believed that all personnel of the O'Brien
and many of the personnel of the Meredith were rescued. The Bureau of Naval Personnel will notify by
telegram the next of kin of those lost as soon as information is received.
2. Large numbers of enemy
ships continue to be sighted in the northern Solomons and small units have been
located and attacked in the southern Solomons.
There has been little recent troop activity on Guadalcanal and our
aircraft are continuing to bomb the enemy positions.
3. On October 19th:
(a) During the early
afternoon enemy aircraft attacked our Guadalcanal positions. Our Grumman "Wildcats" shot down
two "Zeros" and one "Wildcat" was lost.
(b) During the late
afternoon our Douglas "Dauntless" dive bombers attacked three enemy
destroyers to the westward of Guadalcanal.
One destroyer was damaged and an escorting enemy seaplane was destroyed.
(c) During the night of
October 19-20, naval aircraft attacked an enemy cruiser to the westward of
Guadalcanal. The cruiser was damaged
and stopped by at least one bomb hit.
4. On October 20th:
(a) During the early morning
naval aircraft bombed enemy supply dumps and positions on northwest
Guadalcanal.
(b) During the late morning
approximately 30 "Zero" fighters flew over our airfield. They were followed, about an hour later, by
16 enemy bombers with fighter escort.
During these attacks 2 enemy bombers and 7 "Zeros" were shot
down. Two U. S. fighters were lost.
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No. 164 October
22, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. No report of any material change in the military situation in the
Solomon Islands has been received. On October 20th a minor enemy thrust against
the western flank of our troop position on Guadalcanal was repulsed.
2. During the night of
October 20-21, an enemy bomber was shot down over Guadalcanal. The bomber, which is believed to have been
on a reconnaissance mission, was destroyed by antiaircraft fire.
3. Our aircraft continue
active in seeking out and bombing enemy troop and supply concentrations on
Guadalcanal Island.
No. 165 October
23, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On October 21st:
(a) U. S. troops repulsed a
small enemy force which attacked the western flank of our positions on
Guadalcanal Island.
(b) During the late morning,
seven enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked our Guadalcanal
airfield. Antiaircraft batteries
destroyed one bomber and damaged two others.
Our Grumman "Wildcats" intercepted and shot down six enemy
fighters. Two of our fighters were
lost.
(c) Douglas
"Dauntless" dive bombers attacked enemy positions on Russell Island,
about 30 miles northwest of Guadalcanal.
2. On October 22d:
(a) In the early afternoon,
several groups of enemy planes attacked our airfield during bad weather. Grumman "Wildcats" intercepted and
shot down one of these groups consisting of five bombers.
(b) During the night of
October 22-23, an enemy ship, believed to have been a submarine, shelled our
positions on Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides.
No. 166 October 24, 1942
Central and South Pacific.
1. U. S. naval forces have
recently carried out operations in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands with the
following results:
114
(a) Two small enemy patrol
vessels were sunk by gunfire near Tarawa Island.
(b) One enemy destroyer and
one merchant ship were damaged by gunfire near the same island.
(c) No heavy enemy forces
were encountered during the operations.
2. There has been no report
of any new action in the Solomon Islands area.
No. 167 October 25, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. During the night of
October 22-23, U. S. long-range aircraft attacked enemy ships in the Shortland
Island area of the Solomon Islands. Bombs and torpedoes inflicted the following
damage on enemy vessels:
(a) One light cruiser
damaged by one direct and one probable torpedo hit.
(b) One destroyer damaged by
a bomb hit.
(c) One heavy cruiser (or
battleship) possibly damaged by a torpedo hit.
All of our planes returned.
2. During the late morning
of October 23d, our airfield at Guadalcanal was attacked by 16 enemy bombers
escorted by 20 "Zero" fighters.
Our Grumman "Wildcats" intercepted and shot down 1 bomber,
damaged 3 others and destroyed the entire fighter escort.
3. During the night of
October 23-24, enemy troops, using tanks and heavy artillery barrage, made four
attempts to penetrate our western defense lines on Guadalcanal. Our Army and Marine Corps troops and
artillery batteries repulsed each attack and destroyed five enemy tanks.
4. During the early morning
of October 24th, an additional enemy attack against our western defense lines
was broken up by our aircraft and artillery. One U. S. plane was lost.
5. During the night of
October 24-25, U. S. aircraft attacked an enemy surface force of several
cruisers and destroyers about 300 miles northeast (of Guadalcanal. One cruiser was reported probably damaged by
a torpedo.
115
6. On October 25th:
(a) During the morning
troops from enemy transports were landed on the northwest end of Guadalcanal
Island. No amplifying report on these
operations has been received.
(b) During the day Douglas
"Dauntless" dive bombers from Guadalcanal made three attacks on an
enemy force of cruisers and destroyers immediately north of Florida
Island. One enemy cruiser was damaged
by bombs and the force withdrew.
No. 168 October
26, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. The U. S. S. Wasp
(aircraft carrier) was sunk in the South Pacific on September 15th as the
result of an enemy submarine attack.
The Wasp remained afloat for 5 hours after being attacked and
sank at a time when there were no enemy forces in the vicinity. For this reason the announcement of her loss
was delayed as long as there remained a probability that the enemy was unaware
of her sinking.
2. The Wasp,
operating in company with a task force in the South Pacific area, was engaged
in covering the movement of reinforcements and supplies into Guadalcanal when
she was torpedoed at approximately 2:50 o'clock on the afternoon of September
15th. Three torpedoes struck the Wasp
in the vicinity of her magazines and gasoline tanks, resulting in many
explosions and serious fires throughout the ship.
3. About 15 minutes after
the torpedo hits, a heavy explosion rocked the Wasp. Other explosions followed in the vicinity of
the hangar deck. The fires could not be
brought under control, and, about 3 hours after the attack, it became necessary
to abandon ship.
4. At about 8 p. m., when
all hopes of extinguishing the flames and saving the Wasp had been
abandoned, a U. S. destroyer sank her with
torpedoes.
5. About 90 percent of the
personnel of the Wasp were rescued. The next of kin of those lost and
wounded have been notified.
No. 169 October
26, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On October 25th the Japanese launched a coordinated land, sea and
air attack against our positions on Guadalcanal Island. Army and Marine
116
Corps troops and aircraft on
Guadalcanal opposed these attacks in heavy action throughout the day. On October 26th a U. S. carrier Task Force
exchanged aerial thrusts with a strong enemy force northeast of
Guadalcanal. An incomplete resume of
these engagements with the enemy, based upon reports received to date, is given
below.
2. On October 25th:
(a) During the early morning,
enemy troops launched a determined attack against the southern flank of our
positions on Guadalcanal. Army and
Marine Corps troops held their positions.
(b) About the middle of the
morning, a force of enemy cruisers and destroyers shelled our Guadalcanal
positions from the northward.
(c) During the early
afternoon, our Douglas "Dauntless" dive bombers from Guadalcanal
attacked a force of enemy cruisers and destroyers north of Florida Island. A direct bomb hit damaged and stopped 1 enemy
heavy cruiser. Shortly after this
attack, about 16 enemy dive bombers attacked our airfield. Five of these bombers were shot down. Nine more enemy bombers attacked the
airfield soon after this last action and inflicted minor damage.
(d) During the late
afternoon, our dive bombers from Guadalcanal again struck at the force of enemy
cruisers and destroyers north of Florida Island. One bomb hit was reported on a heavy cruiser. Army "Flying Fortresses" struck at
this same force about 10 minutes later and scored two bomb hits on an enemy
light cruiser which was left burning and dead in the water.
(e) Enemy fighters were
active over our positions periodically throughout the day. Seventeen of these planes were reported to
have been destroyed by our Grumman "Wildcats."
3. On October 26th, a
Pacific Fleet carrier Task Force exchanged air attacks with strong enemy forces
northeast of Guadalcanal. The U. S. S. Porter
(destroyer) was sunk by enemy action and one of our aircraft carriers was
severely damaged. Other U. S. vessels
have reported lesser damage. Two enemy
aircraft carriers were damaged in this action, the details of which are still
incomplete.
4. The Bureau of Naval
Personnel will notify, by telegram, the next of kin of those lost or wounded in
the above actions as soon as information is received.
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No. 170 October
27, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On October 23d, Army
"Liberator" bombers, accompanied by Lockheed "Lightning"
fighters, dropped 18 tons of bombs on the camp area and submarine base at
Kiska.
2. On October 24th, Army
"Flying Fortresses" raided Kiska and dropped bombs in the vicinity of
the submarine base.
3. During the above raids
Japanese antiaircraft shore batteries were active, but no enemy planes were
seen. A number of hits in the target areas
were observed, but the extent of damage could not be determined.
No. 171 October
27, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. The following reports of action in the Solomon Islands area have
been received:
2. On October 25th:
(a) During the morning, a
Japanese destroyer sank the U. S. S. Seminole (fleet tug) and a small
harbor patrol boat near the Island of Tulagi.
Our shore batteries opened fire on the destroyer and scored three
hits. Grumman "Wildcats" from
Guadalcanal strafed and further damaged the destroyer.
(b) During the morning, an
Army "Flying Fortress" on a search mission was attacked by six
"Zero" fighters. One
"Zero" was shot down and the "Fortress" returned safely.
(c) Two U. S. mine sweepers
engaged three enemy destroyers near Guadalcanal. Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers joined in the action and sank
two of the enemy destroyers.
(d) During the night of
October 25-26, enemy troops were active on Guadalcanal and succeeded in
piercing our lines on the south side of the airfield. Army troops threw back the attack and regained their
positions. Marine troops were active on
the western flank and reported small gains in heavy fighting.
3. On October 26th:
(a) During the morning, U.
S. bombers and fighters from Guadalcanal again attacked the enemy cruisers and
destroyers which were attacked twice on October 25th (as announced in
communiqué‚ No. 169). One direct hit was scored on an enemy cruiser.
118
(b) During the night of
October 26-27, Navy Consolidated
"Catalinas" attacked an enemy force 400 miles northeast
of Guadalcanal. One enemy carrier was hit by a torpedo and
an enemy cruiser received two bomb hits.
Heavy antiaircraft fire was encountered and one of our planes was
damaged.
4. Further reports on the
naval air battle which was fought to the eastward of the Stewart Islands, on
October 26th, reveal that:
(a) One enemy carrier was
badly damaged.
(b) A second enemy carrier
was damaged.
(c) One enemy cruiser was
badly damaged.
(d) One battleship was hit.
The above action was first
reported in Navy Department communiqué‚ No. 169.
No. 172 October
28, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On the night of October
26-27 our troops on Guadalcanal repulsed several small-scale enemy thrusts against our positions.
2. Enemy losses in men and
equipment in the troop actions on the island since October 23d have been very
heavy as compared to our own.
3. No report of any other
action in the Solomon Islands area has been received since the issuance of Navy
Department Communiqué‚ No. 171.
No. 173 October
29, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
cast longitude).
1. On October 27th:
(a) During the morning, our
aircraft from Guadalcanal attacked enemy shore installations and aircraft
moored in Rekata Bay. Fires were
started and four seaplanes were destroyed on the water.
(b) During the day, aircraft
from Guadalcanal bombed enemy gun positions to the westward of our
airfield. An antiaircraft battery and
an ammunition dump were destroyed.
(c) During the late
afternoon, an enemy assault on our positions succeeded in piercing our
lines. Army and Marine Corps
successfully counterattacked and our original positions were regained. Two
additional enemy thrusts were repulsed.
119
2. No report of any recent
action at sea or landing of enemy troop reinforcements has been received.
No. 174 October
30, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
cast longitude)
1. During the day of October 28th, activity ashore Island was
confined to small skirmishes between U. S. and enemy patrols. U. S. aircraft
from Guadalcanal continued to bomb and strafe enemy positions to the westward
of the airfield. In the late afternoon,
U. S. fighters destroyed 2 enemy seaplanes at Rekata Bay. A total of 12 Japanese light tanks were
destroyed in action during the past week.
2. During the early morning
of October 29th, enemy bombers attacked our positions on Guadalcanal. All bombs dropped in the water and no damage
was suffered.
3. During the night of
October 29-30, U. S. motor torpedo boats attacked an enemy destroyer, believed
to have been engaged in reinforcing or supplying enemy troops on
Guadalcanal. One torpedo hit was scored
on the destroyer which was stopped when last seen.
No. 175 October
31, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. The U. S. aircraft
carrier announced in Navy Department Communiqué‚ No. 169 as severely damaged
subsequently sank. She was twice
attacked by enemy bombers and torpedo planes on October 26th near the Santa
Cruz Islands in the South Pacific. The
first attack which occurred during the forenoon caused heavy damage and the
carrier was taken in tow in an attempt to salvage her. During the afternoon, a second attack caused
further damage below the water line and she began to list. Personnel were removed at this time and the
carrier later sank.
2. Reports to date indicate
that there were few casualties. The
next of kin of those lost will be notified by telegram immediately upon receipt
of information.
3. This carrier and the U. S.
destroyer Porter were the only U. S. vessels lost in the above
engagement.
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No. 176 November
1, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On October 29th:
(a) U. S. aircraft continued
attacks on enemy positions on Guadalcanal Island.
(b) During minor ground
operations two enemy 75-millimeter guns were captured west of the Matanikau
River.
(c) During the late evening
a Douglas "Dauntless" dive
bomber attacked two enemy destroyers near Tassafaronga. No hits were scored but the destroyers were
driven westward toward the Russell Islands.
2. On October 30th:
(a) During the early morning
our dive bombers attacked enemy destroyers in the vicinity of the Russell
Islands. Results of the attack have not
been reported. One dive bomber failed
to return.
(b) During the morning seven
Grumman "Wildcats" attacked the enemy at Rekata Bay. Three "Zero" float planes and two
biplanes were shot down and buildings and a fuel dump were strafed and set on fire.
(c) During the morning U. S.
surface ships bombarded enemy positions on Guadalcanal. The cannonading lasted more than 2 hours and
some artillery and several buildings and boats were destroyed.
No. 177 November
1, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. The first detailed report
of the naval air battle which was fought on October 26th, to the eastward of
the Stewart Islands, was received by the Commander in Chief, United States
Fleet, this afternoon from Vice Admiral Halsey, Commander of the South Pacific
area. In this report the following
damage to the enemy was detailed:
(a) Four to six heavy bomb
hits on an aircraft carrier of the Zuikaku class.
(b) Two medium bomb hits on
another aircraft carrier of the same class.
(c) Two heavy bomb hits on a
battleship of the Kongo class.
(d) One heavy bomb hit on a
second battleship.
(e) Five medium bomb hits on
a cruiser of the Tikuma class.
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(f) Torpedo and bomb hits on
a heavy cruiser.
(g) Two torpedo hits on a
heavy cruiser.
2. Reports indicate the
definite destruction of more than 100 hundred enemy aircraft and the probable
destruction of about 50 others.
3. The above action was
first reported in Navy Department Communiqué No. 169 and subsequent reference
was made thereto in Navy Department Communiqué No. 171.
No. 178 November
2, 1942
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations against the enemy in Far Eastern
waters:
(a) Two large tankers sunk.
(b) One large passenger
cargo ship sunk.
(c) Two medium-sized cargo
ships sunk.
(d) Two small cargo ships
sunk.
(e) One converted carrier
damaged and set on fire.
(f) One destroyer damaged.
(g) One medium-sized tanker
damaged.
These actions have not been
announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
No. 179 November
2, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On October 30th:
(a) U. S. aircraft made
three attacks on enemy positions on Guadalcanal Island.
(b) A formation of six
"Zero" fighters was intercepted over Guadalcanal by five Grumman
"Wildcats". Four of the enemy
fighters were shot down without damage to our planes.
(c) There was no ground
activity on Guadalcanal.
(d) During the night of
October 30-3q, Douglas "Dauntless" divebombers attacked enemy
positions on the island.
122
2. On November 1st:
(a) Grumman
"Wildcats" attacked enemy installations at Rekata Bay. Buildings were strafed and a fire was
started. Five enemy planes were
destroyed on the beach. Our planes
suffered some damage from heavy antiaircraft fire, but all returned to their base.
(b) On Guadalcanal Island a
small force of U. S. Marines, supported by Boeing "Flying
Fortresses," crossed the Matanikau River and attacked the enemy to the
westward. One wave of Marines made an
advance of 2 miles with comparatively few casualties.
(c) U. S. fighters and dive
bombers attacked enemy positions on Guadalcanal throughout the day. Enemy artillery fire was silenced and the
Japanese were reported to be retreating slowly.
No. 180 November
3, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. During the night of
November 1-2, U. S. dive bombers continued attacks on enemy positions on the
northwestern end of Guadalcanal Island.
2. During the morning of
November 2d, U. S. destroyers bombarded enemy positions on Guadalcanal, west of
the Matanikau River, supporting our land attacks in that area.
3. During the night of
November 2-3, the Japanese landed troop reinforcements to the eastward of our
positions on the north coast of Guadalcanal Island.
4. Revised reports have been
received containing the following corrections to the report of damage inflicted
on the enemy during the naval air battle which was fought on October 26th, as
announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 177:
Subparagraph (d) of
paragraph No. 1 should read "One heavy bomb hit on a light cruiser"
(instead of a battleship).
Subparagraph (g) of
paragraph No. 1 should read "Three torpedo hits on a heavy cruiser"
(instead of two torpedo hits).
A subparagraph (h) should be
added to paragraph No. 1 to read "Four heavy bomb hits on a heavy cruiser
of the Mogami class."
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No. 181 November
4, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On November 2d, U. S.
forces on Guadalcanal Island continued to attack the enemy to the westward of
our positions and made some small gains.
Army and Navy planes gave close support to our ground
forces by bombing and strafing enemy troops and positions. About 20 enemy machine guns and 2 small
artillery pieces were captured. The
advance to the west continued during the morning of November 3d. No report of troop activity on the eastern
flank of our positions has been received.
2. There is nothing to
report from other areas.
No. 182 November
5, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On November 1st, Army aircraft
bombed enemy supply dumps and troop concentrations on the north coast of
Guadalcanal Island in the vicinity of Kokumbona. No opposition was encountered.
2. On November 3d:
(a) U. S. troops continued
successful attacks against enemy positions west of the Matanikau River. Three field pieces, twelve 37-mm. light
artillery guns and 30 machine guns were captured and 350 Japanese were killed.
(b) During the night of
November U. S. naval forces shelled 3-4 enemy positions near Kokumbona.
(c) During the night of
November 3-4, further enemy forces were landed on the north coast of
Guadalcanal, east of Koli Point. After an initial repulse at dawn on November
4th, U. S. Marines are pressing their attack on these enemy troops.
No. 183 November
6, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. During the night of
November 4-5:
(a) Japanese troops launched
several strong counterattacks against U. S. forces in the area west of the
Matanikau River on Guadalcanal Island. These attacks were repulsed with heavy
losses to the enemy.
124
(b) Our air forces strafed
enemy troops during continuous air patrols which were maintained over the enemy
lines.
2. There has been no change in our eastern positions in the vicinity
of Koli Point.
No. 184 November
7, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On November 5th:
(a) A force Of 27 enemy
aircraft, composed of bombers and escorting fighters, attacked our positions on
Guadalcanal Island. Although clouds
prevented air contact with the attacking enemy planes, our airfield and
installations were not damaged.
(b) U. S. aircraft
maintained a continuous patrol over enemy positions, bombing and strafing troop
concentrations and supplies.
(c) During the night of
November 5-6, U. S. Marines repulsed light attacks against our western flank in
the vicinity of Point Cruz.
2. On November 6th:
(a) U. S. Army troops
crossed the Malimbiu River, a few miles south of Koli Point, on the north coast
of Guadalcanal. Only light enemy
resistance was encountered.
No. 185 November
7, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. A minimum of 5,188
Japanese have been killed by U. S. forces in land-fighting in the
Tulagi-Guadalcanal area of the Solomon Islands since our occupation of
positions in this area on August 7, 1942.
This figure is based on an actual count of enemy killed in actions
ashore and does not include estimates of those killed in enemy-controlled areas
where no count could be made.
2. These known casualties
suffered by the enemy were the result of the following actions:
(a) 1,000 Japanese were
killed during our occupation of positions on the Islands of Tulagi, Gavutu,
Makambo, and Tanambogo on August 7th and 8th.
(b) 670 of a force of 700
Japanese were killed near the mouth of the Tenaru River on the morning of
August 21st.
125
(c) 500 Japanese were killed
during severe fighting on Guadalcanal Island on the night of September 13-14.
(d) 2,000 Japanese were
killed during operations extending from October 22d to October 27th.
(e) 1,018 Japanese were
killed by bombs, hand grenades, surface force bombardment, aircraft strafing,
artillery, machine gun and rifle fire and in hand-to-hand combat during minor
skirmishes, snipings and small-scale engagements between Army-Marine Corps troops
and the enemy from August 6th to November 7th.
3. During the month of
October, 369 enemy planes were destroyed by U. S. forces in the South Pacific
area.
4. No report of further
action in the Guadalcanal area has been received since the issuance of Navy
Department Communiqué No. 184.
No. 186 November
8, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On November 6th:
(a) U. S. forces advanced
eastward to the Metapono River, 4 miles east of Koli Point on Guadalcanal
Island. No contact with the enemy main
body in this area was made. There was
no other troop activity on Guadalcanal during the day.
(b) Army dive bombers made
several attacks on enemy positions during the day. A large ammunition dump and a gasoline stowage were destroyed.
2. On November 7th:
(a) During the early morning
our motor torpedo boats attacked two enemy destroyers off Lunga Point, north of
our position on Guadalcanal. One of the
destroyers is believed to have been sunk.
(b) During the forenoon a
small U. S. auxiliary, engaged in transporting supplies to Guadalcanal was
damaged by an enemy torpedo.
(c) During the morning our
troops continued to advance to the eastward in the vicinity of the Metapono
River.
(d) During the afternoon of
November 7th, U. S. aircraft attacked an enemy surface force about 150 miles
north of Guadalcanal. Enemy planes
attempted to protect the formation which consisted of 1 light cruiser and 10
destroyers. The enemy cruiser was badly
damaged and
126
possibly sunk and 1
destroyer was badly damaged. Five
float-type "Zeros" and 7 float-type biplanes were destroyed. Four of our planes failed to return.
No. 187 November
9, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. On November 7th:
(a) U. S. troops continued
to advance from the area near the Metapona River to the eastward along the
northern coast of Guadalcanal Island.
(b) There was no fighting in
the area west of our positions on Guadalcanal.
2. On November 8th:
(a) U. S. planes attacked
ground installations and destroyed six landing boats on the beaches to the
westward of our positions on Guadalcanal.
(b) U. S. aircraft destroyed
three float-type biplanes at Rekata Bay.
(c) A U. S. destroyer
bombarded enemy areas cast of Koli Point on the north coast of Guadalcanal.
(d) Early on the night of
November 8-9, U. S. motor torpedo boats attacked two enemy destroyers in
Indispensable Strait and scored a torpedo hit on one of the destroyers.
3. The U. S. destroyer
announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 149 as having been sunk during the
night action of October 11-12 was the U. S. S. Duncan. The next of kin of the 5 officers and 58
enlisted men who were killed or are missing have been notified.
No. 188 November
11, 1942
North Pacific.
1. On November 9th:
(a) U. S. Army planes
destroyed seven float-type enemy "Zeros" in an attack on Holtz Bay,
Attu Island. No opposition was
encountered and all our planes returned.
(b) U. S. Army bombers
attacked and damaged two enemy cargo vessels at Kiska. One of our planes was damaged by enemy
antiaircraft fire, but all returned.
127
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
2. On November 10th:
(a) During the morning, two
Grumman "Wildcats" dived through a formation of 15 "Zeros"
at an altitude of 27,000 feet near Guadalcanal. One "Zero" was shot down.
(b) U. S. troops, supported
by Army planes, continued offensive operations against the enemy on the eastern
and western flanks of our positions on Guadalcanal Island.
(c) During the late
afternoon, U. S. planes attacked a force of five enemy destroyers to the
eastward of New Georgia Island. Results
were not observed.
3. Recent reports state that
eight float-type "Zeros" and eight
float-type biplanes (instead of five and seven respectively) were
destroyed in the action announced in paragraph 2 (d) of Navy Department
Communiqué No. 186.
No. 189 November
12, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. During the morning of
November 11th, Grumman "Wildcat" fighters intercepted 2 enemy
dive-bomber formations over Guadalcanal Island. The first attack was made by 10 enemy bombers and 12
fighters. Our fighters shot down 6
bombers and 5 fighters. The second
attack was made by 25 bombers and 5 fighters.
Our "Wildcats" shot down six of the enemy bombers. Three additional enemy bombers and 2
fighters were reported as probably destroyed during the encounters. Seven U. S. fighters were lost.
No. 190 November
12, 1942
Far East.
1. U. S. submarines have
reported the following results of operations against the enemy in Far Eastern
waters:
(a) One large transport
sunk.
(b) One large tanker sunk.
(c) One large cargo ship
sunk.
(d) One medium-sized cargo
ship sunk.
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(e) One medium-sized
auxiliary ship sunk.
(f) One small cargo ship
sunk.
(g) One small patrol vessel
sunk.
(h) One destroyer damaged
and believed sunk.
These actions have not been
announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
No. 191 November
13, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
cast longitude).
1. On November 12th:
(a) At about dawn U. S.
naval forces commenced bombardment of enemy positions to the westward of our
positions on Guadalcanal Island. Shore
batteries were silenced and large fires were started. Seventy-five Japanese landing boats, some of which had been
previously damaged, were found at Tassafaronga. Thirty large landing boats were destroyed by ships' gunfire and
several others were damaged.
(b) At 2:15 p. m., the
bombardment was interrupted by an enemy air attack. Twenty-three Japanese
torpedo bombers, escorted by 8 "Zero" fighters, attacked our surface
ships in the vicinity of Guadalcanal.
Twenty-eight Grumman "Wildcats" intercepted and shot down 16
enemy bombers and 5 "Zeros".
Nine enemy planes were shot down by ships' antiaircraft fire.
(c) During the above attack
a Japanese plane, disabled and burning, crashed into the U. S. S. San
Francisco (heavy cruiser), killed 30 of her personnel, and damaged the ship
slightly. A 5-inch shell from an enemy
shore battery damaged the U. S. S. Buchanan and killed 5 of her
crew. The San Francisco
and the Buchanan were the only U. S. ships damaged in this action. The next of kin of those killed and wounded
will be notified by telegram immediately upon receipt of information.
Caribbean area.
2. On November 12th (Washington,
D. C., date) the U. S. S. Erie (gunboat) was damaged during an attack by
an enemy submarine. The Erie was
beached off the southern coast of Curacao.
No report of casualties has been received but next of kin will be
notified immediately upon receipt of information.
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No. 192
November 14, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude).
1. A series of naval
engagements which commenced on the night of November 12-13 in the Solomon
Islands area is still in progress. Both
sides have suffered losses.
2. No details will be
reported while the battle continued. To
announce details of these actions while the battle is in progress would furnish
the enemy with information of definite value to him.
No. 193
November 15, 1942
South Pacific.
1. Numerous enemy surface forces are active in the southeastern
Solomons in an attempt to reinforce the enemy troops now on Guadalcanal and to
disrupt our delivery of supplies to our forces which now occupy shore positions
in this area.
2. The current land, sea,
and air actions in the Solomon Islands are the result of a determined effort on
the part of the Japanese to recapture positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area.
3. The engagements are
continuing.
No. 194 November 16, 1942
South Pacific (all dates are
east longitude)
1. The following resume of recent events in the Solomon Islands area
is based upon preliminary reports from the battle area and is necessarily
incomplete.
2. Air reconnaissance during
the early days of this month revealed a heavy concentration of Japanese
transports, cargo ships, and combatant units of the enemy fleet in the New
Britain-Northwestern Solomons region. An
attempt by the enemy to recapture our positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area
of the southeastern Solomons was indicated and on November 10th it became
evident that the expedition was being launched in force.
3. Japanese naval forces
approached the southeastern Solomons from the north as other detachments,
including many transports, moved southeastward toward Guadalcanal from Rabaul
and Buin, where expeditionary forces had been assembling.
130
4. General MacArthur's
aircraft were of great assistance to our naval forces, both before and during
the naval actions. Army bombers made
repeated successful attacks on units of the Japanese invasion fleet at Rabaul
and at Buin. (These attacks were announced by United Nations Headquarters in
Australia.)
5. The spearhead of the
Japanese attack was a force composed of two battleships of the Kongo
class and a number of other vessels believed to have been 2 heavy cruisers, 4
light cruisers, and about 10 destroyers.
This unit reached the Guadalcanal area shortly after midnight on the
morning of November 11th, intending to bombard our shore positions prior to a
large-scale landing from a large group of transports which had been observed in
the Buin-Shortland area. This Japanese
bombardment force was formed in 3 groups.
As they approached the bombardment area they were engaged by units of
our fleet and the ensuing battle was fought at close range. It was during this engagement that Rear
Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan, U. S. N., was killed in action. During this furious night engagement the
Japanese seemed confused and during the latter part of the battle 2 of the 3
Japanese groups were firing at each other.
Shortly thereafter the enemy fire ceased and the Japanese withdrew from
the battle and retired to the northward.
6. During the day of
November 13th, U. S. aircraft made continuous attacks on damaged Japanese ships
which remained in the area. During the
late afternoon a large formation of at least 12 enemy transports, under heavy
naval escort, headed toward Guadalcanal from the Bougainville area. As a preliminary to the proposed landing an
enemy surface force bombarded our positions at Guadalcanal shortly after
midnight on the morning of November 14th.
Later in the morning, as the transport group drew near to Guadalcanal,
it was struck heavily by our air forces and at least 8 of the transports were
sunk. The remaining transports
continued toward Guadalcanal.
7. During the night of
November 14-15, U. S. naval surface forces again engaged Japanese surface units
in the Guadalcanal area. Details of
this engagement have not yet been received.
8. On the morning of
November 15th, four enemy cargo transports were found beached at Tassafaronga,
about 7 1/2 miles west of our positions on Guadalcanal. These transports were attacked by air,
artillery and naval gun fire and were destroyed.
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9. On the morning of
November 15th, our patrol aircraft reported the Japanese forces withdrawing to
the northward, and no reports of any further action have been received.
10. During the engagements described
above the Japanese suffered the following losses and damage:
(a) One battleship sunk.
(b) Three heavy cruisers
sunk.
(c) Two light cruisers sunk.
(d) Five destroyers sunk.
(e) Eight transports sunk.
(f) One battleship damaged.