November, 1942

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.

(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.

(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.

(d) During the night of October 30-3q, Douglas "Dauntless" divebombers attacked enemy positions on the island.

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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.

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(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.

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(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.

(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

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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.

(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.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 10, NOVEMBER 16, 1942

By far the strongest Japanese attempt to date to recapture Guadalcanal has been completely frustrated by the aggressive action of Vice Admiral W. F. Halsey and his forces in the South Pacific Area.

The enemy transport force was almost annihilated, so that little if any assistance reached the Japanese land forces on Guadalcanal. Major General A. A. Vandegrift, USMC, with his Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces continued to have the situation well in hand.

The strong escorting and bombardment forces of the enemy, comprising a large portion of his fleet, were attacked by our surface forces in two heavy night engagements in the vicinity of Guadalcanal. They were also severely damaged by our aircraft, submarines and motor torpedo boats.

As a result all enemy forces were either destroyed or driven back and a major victory was obtained by our gallant forces.

Report of own and enemy losses have been announced by the Navy Department.

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.

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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.

(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.

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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.

(d) Five destroyers sunk.

(e) Eight transports sunk.

(f) One battleship damaged.

(g) Six destroyers damaged.

(h) Four cargo transports destroyed.

11. Two light cruisers and six destroyers are the only U. S. naval vessels reported sunk in the actions which were fought on November 13, 14, and 15. The next of kin of casualties will be notified by telegram immediately upon receipt of information.

No. 195 November 19, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. Reports just received from the South Pacific reveal that U. S. battleships took part in the action between U. S. surface forces and Japanese surface forces in the Guadalcanal area during the night of November 14-15.

2. Rear Admiral W. A. Lee, Jr., U. S. N., who commanded a task force, which included battleships, has reported that his force engaged a Japanese surface force in the Guadalcanal area during the night of November 14-15 and inflicted the following damage on the enemy:

(a) One battleship (or heavy cruiser) sunk.

(b) Three large cruisers sunk.

(d) One battleship damaged.

(e) One cruiser damaged.

(f) One destroyer damaged.

3. It is possible that this report of damage may include some of the damage already reported in Navy Department Communiqué No. 194.

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Clarification on this point must await the receipt of a complete summary of the action from the commander of naval forces in that area.

No. 196 November 20, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 18th:

(a) A group of Army "Flying Fortresses" attacked Japanese cargo vessels in the Buin area at the southeastern end of Bougainville Island in the Solomon group. Two hits were scored and 10 "Zero" fighters and 2 float biplanes were shot down.

(b) A group of Army "Marauders" also attacked the cargo vessels in this same area. Two "Zeros" were shot down.

2. It is now estimated that about 1,500 Japanese troop reinforcements were landed near Tetere during the night of November 2-3 as announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 180. About half of these enemy troops have since been killed and the remainder have been dispersed into the jungle.

No. 197 November 21, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 18th:

(a) Although enemy patrols were active, Army and Marine Corps forces advanced the western flank of our positions on Guadalcanal Island to the westward of Point Cruz.

(b) Army Lockheed "Lightning" fighters shot down three "Zeros" in the Buin area in addition to those previously reported in Navy Department Communiqué No. 196.

2. On November 19th:

(a) U. S. patrol activity on Guadalcanal resulted in the advance of our outpost line. About 35 Japanese were killed. U. S. forces suffered few casualties.

3. On November 21st:

(a) Eleven attack missions against enemy installations on Guadalcanal were carried out by our aircraft.

(b) Ground forces engaged in minor activities on Guadalcanal.

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4. A recent dispatch from Vice Admiral Halsey, whom the President nominated yesterday for temporary promotion to the grade of Admiral, has confirmed that the damage inflicted on the enemy, which was announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 195 is in addition to that reported in Navy Department Communiqué No. 194.

No. 198 November 22, 1942

South Pacific (all dates below are east longitude).

1. Information has just been received that a U. S. destroyer which participated in the night action of November 14-15 during the Battle of Guadalcanal (November 13-15) was damaged by an enemy torpedo and sank the following evening as a result of this damage, while enroute to a U. S. base.

2. The officers and crew of the destroyer were rescued by another destroyer. No loss of life has been reported.

3. The loss of this destroyer was not included in previous reports of U. S. vessels lost during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

No. 199 November 23, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 22d:

(a) The advance of U. S. forces on the west flank of their positions on Guadalcanal Island is continuing slowly in the face of stubborn enemy resistance. No other ground activity on the island was reported.

(b) U. S. aircraft from the airfield on Guadalcanal carried out continuous attacks on enemy positions west of the Matanikau River.

No. 200 November 24, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. During the night of November 22-23, U. S. aircraft attacked enemy positions on Guadalcanal Island.

2. During November 23d, U. S. forces continued limited advance west of the Matanikau River. Japanese troops were active in the Mambulo and upper Matanikau River regions.

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No. 201 November 25, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 23d:

(a) A U. S. Marine patrol on Guadalcanal killed 70 Japanese and captured 5 machine guns in an enemy encampment on the north slope of Mambulo. Marine casualties were 2 wounded.

(b) Dive bombers and fighters from Guadalcanal attacked enemy installations at Munda on the western end of New Georgia Island. A direct hit was scored on a warehouse.

No. 202 November 26, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 25th:

(a) At 3 a. m., one enemy plane dropped bombs to the south of the airfield on Guadalcanal Island. Some personnel casualties were suffered.

(b) There was no ground activity of importance on Guadalcanal.

No. 203 November 27, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are cast longitude).

1. On November 26th:

(a) At 4 a. m., two enemy bombers dropped bombs on U. S. positions on Guadalcanal Island. No damage was suffered. U. S. dive bombers maintained patrol over enemy positions throughout the night of November 26-27.

(b) U. S. Army and Marine Corps troops engaged in mopping up isolated enemy patrols. No major ground activity was reported.

No. 204 November 28, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 23d and 24th, U. S. aircraft from Guadalcanal bombed enemy installations in the Munda area of New Georgia Island. All buildings in the vicinity were destroyed.

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2. At midnight on the night of November 26-27, 7 Army "Flying Fortresses" attacked the Kahili airdrome near Buin on the island of Bougainville. Sixteen hits were scored on the runway and large fires were started. No enemy opposition was encountered.

3. On November 27th:

(a) U. S. patrols on Guadalcanal Island killed 50 Japanese and captured a number of machine guns in local operations west of Point Cruz.

(b) During the night two enemy bombers dropped bombs near the mouth of the Lunga River. No damage was suffered.

No. 205 November 29, 1942

North Pacific.

1. On November 26th Army "Flying Fortresses" attacked a small enemy cargo vessel off Attu Island. Three bomb hits set fire to the vessel which, when last seen, appeared to be sinking. Army fighters, which accompanied the "Fortresses," strafed enemy antiaircraft installations on the island. No U. S. planes were lost.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On November 28th.

(a) U. S. forces on Guadalcanal Island engaged in minor patrol activity incident to the consolidation of our positions.

(b) U. S. aircraft carried out a night attack on enemy shipping in the Munda Bay area in the New Georgia Islands.

3. Minor Japanese activity has been observed recently in the Munda Bay area. Japanese destroyers have shelled native villages in the western islands of the New Georgia Group.

No. 206 November 30, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 28th:

(a) U. S. patrols on Guadalcanal Island destroyed a considerable amount of enemy arms and ammunition in the upper Lunga River region. Other operations on the island were confined to minor ground activities.

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(b) Army "Flying Fortresses" attacked an enemy convoy west of the New Georgia Islands. The convoy consisted of 2 cargo ships escorted by 3 destroyers. Five bomb hits were scored on one of the cargo ships. Three of the 10 "Zero" fighters which intercepted were shot down. The "Fortresses" received no serious damage.