October, 1942

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.

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-

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

(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

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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‚

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

(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.

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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.

(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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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(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.

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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:

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(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.

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.

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.

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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

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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.

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(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.

(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.

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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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