davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
Strategic Isles Held
Best Harbor in SoIomons Seized by Marines
in Battle Described by Treeaskis

of Tulagi, are connected by a
stone causeway half a mile In
length. Gavutu. about three
quarters of a mile long and hall
a mile wide, has a relatively good
harbor from which a deep chan
mel runs to NTulagi.
Tanambogo. in peacetime, had
the only golf course in the Solo
mons. The course was used chiefly
by British officials and employees
OF plantations in the area. y
OF the two smaller islands
'Gavutu probably had been put &c
the greatest use by the Japs
while they had possession. 1t was
well equipped with machine shops
docks and a ship repair yard fol-
small vessels. It's harbor, on the
east, is fringed with protecting
coral reefs.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
by international News Service

Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo
the Solomon islands whose capture
by United States marines is de-
scribed by ms War Correspondent
Richard Tregaskis in his eyewit-
ness dispatch from Tulagi, are
grouped within two-mile area ir
the approximate center of the
lower Solomons. \[
NTulagi. site of the biggest and
best harbor in the islands, was
the objective of the first marine
assault because of its great stra
tegic value. Gavutu and Tanam'
bogo both are small, heavily
wooded and billy, with chiefly q
nuisance value" to forces in pos
session of them.
Gavutu and Tsnambogo, lyint
one and three-fourths miles wes'
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
SOIOI1lOIlS
Fighting
Eases Off

WASHINGTON. Aug. % UNS)
"A navy department spokesman
today said that up to $40 p. m
yesterday (EWT) mo reports
have been received from the navy
department to indicate there had
been any new actions in the
Solomons area"
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
LONDON SEES ACTION

LONDON. Aug. 20 UNS).-A
renewal of the naval battle in the
Solomon Islands is rapidly de-
veloping. the naval correspondent
of the Daily Express declared to-
day.
The third phase of the struggle
is coming to head, he declared,
as three japanese aircraft carriers
and four battleshipS are preparing
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29

GEN. MacARTHUR'S HEAD
QUARTERS IN AUSTRALIA,
Aug. 29.-Allied bombers blasting
the Japanese landing force on the
eastern tip of New Guinea scored
a direct hit on an ammunition
dump and flames and debris roared
/ 500 feet into the air. IL was re-
ported today. Hand-to-hand fight
ing ragged on the beach and the
Jungle morass fringing Milne Bay
Official communicates gave scant
news of the battle but a military
spokesman suggested the japanese
invaders had walked into a trap
in New Guinea.
Seasoned Australian troops are
bearing the brunt of the fighting
in Milne Bay. but a small force OF
American service troops are CO.
operating in the battle, 1t was re-
vealed.
BLAMEY IN CHARGE
The action is under the direction
OF Gen. Sir. Thomas Blamey, Aus.
tralian commander of GROUND
forces in Southwest Pacific area.
Allied forces are in close con
tact with the enemy and heavy
fighting continues, an official com
reported. Squadrons o.
medium bombers continued at
lacks on the japanese shore posi-
tions and started numerous fire.
in fuel and ammunition dumps
and supply stores, the communi
que added.
NO HEAVY ARTILLERY
A weak enemy attack on Por
Darwin, on the Australian nortl
shore. caused no damage. Onl.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
lWPB Chiefs
Quit as Nelson
|Criti1izes Staff
Decision TO Change
Distribution Of Steel
Blamed for Blowup

WASHINGTON. Aug. 20 QNS).
"A new blowup in the War Pro-
duction Board was reported today
after Donald Nelson began his
tough" policy in handling the
nations arms output.
Reese II. Taylor, chief Of the
much-criticized iron and steel
branch, and r. c. Allen, deputy
chief, confirmed reports that they
have submitted their designations.
Nelson. il was said, has decided
to accept the resignation Of Tay-
lor. who hopes to return next
month to his job as president OF
the Union Oil Company OF Cali
fornia. No action has been taken
on the Allen resignation, which
was submitted to A. I. Henderson.
head of WPB's materials division.
ORDER PROTESTED
Reports were current that Tay-
lor and Allen turned In their res
ignations in protest against q
decision by Nelson to change q
proposed program for distributing
the nations steel supplies through
a system of quotas and ALLEGATIONS.
Taylor, who was largely respon-
sible for development OF the pro-
gram, denied, however, that there
was any basis for the reports. He
said that he took his WPB post
last May Is with the understand
ling that 1t was on a temporary
basis.
Allen declined TO comment on
reports that his resignation was a
result of the change In the steel
plans. He said that Taylor's
resignation made it necessary for
him TO resign so that Taylor's
successor could name his own
deputy.
REPORT RELEASED
Last week Frederick Libbey,
WPB's steel section consultant.
was ousted for disclosing to a
reporter part of report greatly
criticizing the branch with waste
and inefficiency.
The law was laid down to the
iWPB yesterday when Nelson sum-
moned 100 of his branch chiefs
and their assistants before him
and told them that 1T just takes
too damned long to get things
done in this organization"
Demanding general speed-up
Of the war production pace. Mel
son said:
As the casualty lists como
In, the people are going 10 ask
why we did not do more Now
! n the time % do that more
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
Send Them
News of Home

Nothing makes a sailor or
soldier happier than news
from home.
To make Il more conven-
lent for you TO send the news
and gossip TO your man in
uniform, The Detroit Times
prints EVERY SUNDAY a
chatty letter about Michigan
doings--a summary Of the
weeks events, entitled Dear
Buddy"
You can make a member
OF our armed forces happier
by clipping or copying the
Dear Buddy" letter from
the Sunday Times each week
and mailing il TO him. Be
sure TO get
SUNDAYS TIMES
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29

Isub-machine gun. killing at least
six Japs in each. He was seer
dragging eight bodies from one
dugout that he had wiped out
single-handed.
Cpl. George F. Brady Of New
York City attacked a group OF
Japs. killed two with his sub.
machine gun and, when the CUR
jammed, killed a third with Its
butt. Then he killed two more
with a knife he carried in his belt
PRIEST UNDER FIRE
Capt. George r. Stallings OF
Augusta, Ga, led the advance to-
ward the Gavutu hill through the
thickest sort of japanese fire. He
personally accounted for several
Japs.
The Rev. FIR. James J. Fitz.
gerald OF Chicago administered
last rites for the dying on the
beach and hill, constantly under
fire. American doctors consistently
distinguished themselves with
bravery in ministering to the
wounded.
Col. Johnnie Blackan Of Texa,
cleaned out five dugouts with
TINT bombs like Torgerson's. Sgt
Max Keplow of Toledo. o., killed
three Japs playing dead on q
beach, then charged up a hill anc
cleaned out two big dugouts con
nected by tunnels.
SHOT s JAPS
Platoon Sgt. Harry M. Tully Of
Hastings. Neb.. avenged the death
of several of his best friends
Colby calculating the tactics OF
three japanese who were snipine
from a small aperture in a dugout
he located the range with tracer
bullet. set his sights and calmly
shot them all
Casualties on both sides were
heavy. At Gavutu, japanese cas-.
ualties were between 800 and 800
More than 300 of the enemy were
killed the first day. by a tally OF
the bodies the next morning, and
many more were buried alive
when a dugout was blown up.
The conquest of Tanambogc
was equally costly.
The first marine assault was
thwarted by gasoline fires or
neighboring docks, silhouetting the
troops wedged between two con.
crete piers and raked by the heav.
lest japanese fire.
COxswAIN KILLED
The third marine landing boat
did not reach the dock because il:
coxswain was killed and il turned
in confusion. The other two boat:
escaped. one with wounded.
On the following morning. 1t
Col. Robert G.. Hunt took In strong
forces and landed on Tanambogc
through the hardest kind of fight.
ing and completed the occupation
of the little island.
One fighting marine Lieutenant
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
WATCH SHOT OFF

During this spirited action, Tor
gerson's wrist watch was shot of
and he suffered a flesh wound on
his lower arm. His trousers were
blown off by one of the explosions.
Cpl. Ralph w. Fordice OF Con-
neaut Lake. Pa, mopped up six or
seven dugouts, principally with a
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
Merchant Ship Burns
At Pier; II Injured

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. %
UNSD "A four-alarm fire roared
through a small. loaded merchant
ship today as it prepared to sail
from a South Philadelphia pier.
A Waterman discovered the
blaze, of undetermined origin, at
2 ;09 a. m. and. within compare
lively few minutes. large sheets
of flame lighted the riverfront and
painted red glare in the sky. AT
least 10 persons were injured or
burned and a number of firemen
were affected by smoke.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
NEUTRALITY ASSUMED

An assumption that Spain would
remain neutral was mentioned
yesterday by President Roosevelt
when he revealed his plan fol-
helping Spain restore her art and
literary treasures and develop ar
increased tourist trade after the
war.
He said any idea that such aid
was for the purpose of persuadine
Spain to remain neutral would be
unfair, that such a thought i'm.
pugned the decent motive behind
the plan.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
The War
Today
Jops Refuse
To Risk Full
Solomon Fleet
BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE
United Pres. stan Correspondent

moment are having roush go
ing both in the waters near
the Solomon Islands and on
the Chinese mainland, with
the result that it appears their
strategic plans may be upset
considerably.
The first Japanese attempts
to drive the Americans from
their foothold in the Solomon
Islands have failed and their
fleet apparently has run for
safety.
There is a chance that 1t
can be reformed for another
attempt on a larger scale
later, but il Is obvious that 1T
will have TO be greatly
strengthened, especially in the
air. The Americans, mean
while, will be developing their
positions.
Thus, it is possible that to
drive us out of the Solomons,
the Japanese will have to risk
a good part of their fleet in a
major engagement.
This they may not care or
dare to do. since they would
be up against our land-based
planes, and they learned a
costly lesson in the Coral Sea
and Midway battles.
IF THE Americans remain
In undisputed possession of
the southeastern Solomons,
the threat to the New Zea-
land-Australian supply line
presented by Tulagi, which
we now hold, will have been
removed.
Also, the American forces
should be able to move step
by step through the Solomons
to the Bismarck Archipelago.
Thus menaced from the
East and by General Mac
Arthur's forces from the
South, the Japanese would
most likely find their posi-
tons on New Guinea unten-
able and the long struggle to
roll them back from the Dutch
Indies and the Philippines
would be well under way.
PROGRESS BEING made
by the Chinese, aided by
steadily growing American air
power. also is encouraging.
According to the latest re-
ports, the Chinese have
broken into the outer defenses
of Chuhsien and Lishui in
Chekiang Province.
II the Chinese can take and
hold these two cities, it would
be possible for the Americans
to develop bombing bases from
which the main japanese
island of Honshu could be
bombarded.
Our Flying Fortresses al
ready have shown in Europe
what they can accomplish.
1T TAKES no great stretch
of the Imagination to visualize,
eventually, an aerial offensive
against japan on the lines of
the one now being waged
against Germany.
Honshu's smaller area and
the concentration of her war
industries in such compact
areas as the region of Osaka,
Nagoya, Kobe and Kyoto
makes Japan highly vulner-
able TO aerial attack.
THESE CONSIDERATIONS
may alter any plans Japan
may have had for an attack
on Siberia or in India.
Japan had been expected to
attack Siberia by this time,
the season being right. How
ever. Hitler has not yet ac-
complished his detectives in
Russia, which may be another
factor to hold the Japanese
back.
There remains India. II
Japan does not attack there
shortly after the end of the
rains next month, 1t will APP
pear that she is stymied in
that direction also.
However, 1t would be foolish
to underestimate the Japa.
nese.
They must be Infatuated by
their present lack Of progress
and may break out in some
dfxartt1v. - sko 49, -.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29

LONDON. Aug. 20 INS).-Tht
Toxic radio claimed today that
three large American warships, ir
addition to previous reports. were
heavily damaged in the sea battle.
off the Solomon Islands. according
to a broadcast heard by Reuter-,
news agency.
Forty-three American ships were
sunk or damaged during the Solo
mons engagement, the Toxic re-
port said. In previous commu
niques the Japanese claimed onl,
that an American destroyer hat
been sunk and two aircraft car
riers damaged.
THE japanese claims were
obviously exaggerated TO cover
the fact that the Solomon Is
lands have been wrested away
from the Jap defenders by forces
of the United States navy and
marine corpS.)
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
CONTINUED from Page One)

morning of August z. shortly after
the first aggressive landing or
Florida Island and before the
Guadalcanal attack. The invasion
of Gavutu followed later, and
Tanambogo the next day.
All the japanese planes in the
vicinity-15 seaplanes were caught
in the water and on rampS-were
machine-gunned by navy planes
which set them afire and sank
them.
The marines then landed un-
opposed on the Tulago beach
pushed toward the jungle and
ridge of the island, then started
their dangerous progress in fan
ming out over the length of the
narrow little island.
EXPOSED TO SHIPPING
They met their first resistance
few yards away, when they
found a nest of dugouts, from
which they were exposed to heavy
sniping
The marines pushed through the
snipers, but the dugouts resisted
for hours.
ut was impossible 10 approach
the dugOuts except from one
direction" Col. Merritt A. Edi-
son Of Chester, VT. said. zone
man had to crawl TO the duEegt
and try to destroy II with dyffa-
mite grenades while cOntin-
uOusIy exposed TO deadly fire.
"And no dugOut could be con-
sidered wiped out until all the
Japs inside were dead. The ma
rines had to go clear inside and
wipe them out.
'Tn one dugOut, we found IL
dead Japs."
JAPS USED MORTARS
The japanese also operated
mortarS.
Mai. Justin C. Chambers OF
Washington. d. C., suffered two
broken wrists and severe lacera-
tions of his face and legs in one
mortar explosion.
After he was injured. he con-
tinued in action for several hours
and. that night, though hospital
lied. got TO his feet and personally
directed the removal of wounded
TO the rear.
A former British cricket field
surrounded on three sides by hills
was found heavily pillboxed.
II was the scene Of one OF the
fercest pieces of fighting.
ADVANCE STOPPED
Mai. Kenneth ID. Bailey and hi.
troops found an advance impos
sible against the Japanese ma
Chine guns, pouring forth blister
ing fire. So he crawled TO the
top Of one emplacement and trieC
TO kick rocks away from the en-
trance. He was shot in the leg
and replaced by one of his men
but his successor also was unable
70 take the position.
The japanese organized a coun
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
lib Days,
Kaiser
Ship Goal

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug.
20 (UP).--Henry J. Kaiser, the
construction wizard, pointed his
toward an 18-day keel
to-launching schedule for Liberty
ships today after one of his yards
set a 24-day record.
Meanwhile, he prepared for new
interviews with, government au-
thorities on his plan to build a
feet of 500 giant cargo planes for
the armed services and denied that
he had bought structural steel in
the BLACK market"
Kaiser announced he would
make another trip to Washington
after watching completion of the
worlds fastest shipbuilding job,
launching of the 10.500-ton Lib
erty ship John Fitch" "a days
after its keel was laid at his Rich
mond yard No. ?.
RECORD AFTER RECORD
The record bettered a 26-day
job completed only the night be-
fore, without fanfare, in one OF
Kaiser's Oregon yards. The rec
ord previously was SO days. and
until a year ago no boat of the
Liberty ship size had been built
in less than 100 days.
Kaiser predicted that within a
few months his yards would be
building Liberty ships in Is days
from keel-laying to launching.
Talking to reporters after the
launching. Kaiser indicated that
he now is more concerned over
his plane program than his steel
troubles with the Office of Price
Administration. He declined to
give details, but indicated he and
Howard Hughes, aircraft designer,
speed flier and his partner in the
proposed cargo plane program,
have worked out a well-rounded
plan to place before Washington
officials.
Kaiser denied that there ives a
BLACK market" in steel or that
his companies had made irregular
purchases.
OPA INJUNCTIONS
The OPA at Cleveland has OBJ
tanned an injunction against him
forbidding purchases in violation
of price ceilings.
There Is no such thing as a
black market I'm steel" Kaiser
said. Neither / nor any one
connected with me has ever
bought steel on this so-called
black market
"What Is called black
market Is nothing more than
perhaps hundred thousand
dealers, customers of the steel
corporations who carry stocks
OF steel In their warehouses for
sale at ceiling prices specified by
Leon Henderson.
I'VE have not at any time
paid prices I'm excess of those
established and approved by
Henderson. 1 am only inter
ested In winning the war and
winning IL as quickly as
pOssibIe"
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
YANKS AND AUSSIES

to resume the offensive against
the Allied fleet and the American
marine forces holding bases in the
Tulagi area.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29

"Your Own Horoscope" by
Frances Drake. IL one Of many
famous features In The Detroit
Times
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29

ter-attaek and, using machine
guns, grenades and rifles. sue
ceeded in breaking through the
American lines at one point.
The enemy counter-attack wa:
halted, however, by marine re-
serves.
There were many examples oil
Conspicuous gallantry.
One sergeant attempted to blow
out a cave with grenades, bu,
found the Japs would throw them
out as fast as he tossed them in
TRIED DYNAMITE
The doughty American sergeant
then attempted to heave dynamite
into the cave. 1t was thrown
back at him, the explosion splin-
tering his leg.
That's where he lost his tenn
per. He ran inside. shooting his
machine gun and killing four Japs
who were shooting at him with
automatic rifles.
Eight other japanese were found
dead in the dugout. presumably
killed by the first fusillade.
Some of the dugouts held from
30 to IS men, and occupants could
be reached behind the narrow
shallow doors only by throwing in
explosives.
1 Inspected some OF these dug
outs after their capture and saw
piles of bodies in the wreckage.
FIGHTING SAVAGE
The Japs evidently had been told
that surrender was useless. In one
case, three Japs had one pistol be.
tween them. They fought until
their ammunition was gone. except
for three shells, then one of them
shot his companions and himself
The marines fought savagely
Imopping up the dugouts, one by
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
.Japs Pounded
In New Guinea
BY LEE VAN Alta
Int'i News service stan Correspondent

three bombers were sighted over
the city.
A spokesman at General Mac
Arthur's headquarters said that
the Japanese landing force al
Milne Bay was made up OF light
infantry equipped with mortars
but lacked heavy artillery. The
invaders were landed from three
small transports escorted by q
cruiser and a destroyer. he de-
lclared.
The Allied forces are now fight
ing to prevent the Japanese land
ing force from infiltrating into the
Jungle surrounding the 10-mile-
wide bay and joining other enemy
forces at Kokoda, on the mountain
ridge directly across the New
Guinea Peninsula from Port
Moresby, main Allied base on the
island.
Latest reports indicated the en-.
envy was being held on Che beach
head in the blight of the bay.
YANKS AND AUSSIES
Planes attacking in the Milne
Bay area are American-made ligh,
bombers with both American ant
Australian crews. But the airmer
who have scored brilliant yictorie:
over the enemy since the landing
last Tuesday night are principally
Australian aces returned from thu
other war fronts, military spokes
man said.
"The Japs have walked into
tho first prepared trap they have
encountered In their steady
drive southwark" the spokesman
declared.
They are supposed TO be on
the offensive, but actually they
= are lighting for their lives"
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
u. ). Increases
lis Aid TO Spain;
Sends Food, Oil
Vigilance Maintained
to Keep Supplies From
Reaching Axis Nations

WASHINGTON, Aug. % (UP).
"A considerable increase in Amer
lean trade with Spain. enabling
Spanish leaders 10 work their way
back from the threatened eco
nomic collapse following the dis
astrous civil war, has occurred
during recent months, it was re-
vealed today.
American supplies going to
IS pain, particularly petroleum
products, are carefully supervised
$50 that none will become avail
able to the Axis. it was learned
United States authorities, Of.
ficials disclosed. recently refused
to furnish crude oil to a Spanish
refinery in the Canary Islands
until American technicians were
permitted to visit the facilities
and remove all equipment fol
making high-octane gasoline.
Spain is importing lubricatinl
oil and automobile gasoline, but
shipments of high-octane fuel
necessary for airplanes, is barred
FOOD FURNISHED
In addition to petroleum. tn,
United States is supplying SpaiI
with food products, tobacco ant
fertilizer and some mining ma
lchinery. In return. this countr.
obtains wolfram. mercury, zinc
concentrates. wool. green olives
cork, almonds. raisins and SOM
olive oil.
Alexander w e d dell. forme
'lUnited States ambassador L
Spain, told reporters on his return
Ito this country last February tina
Spain generally was eager to re
main neutral.
I If it could manage to keep IL
ECONOMY intact. he said, it prob
ably could avoid popular unres
(which might thrust it into tn
war.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
REPORT RELEASED

As the casualty lists como
In, the people are going 10 ask
why we did not do more Now
n the time 70 do that more"
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
FELT ACK-ACK BLASTS

Wethen few along the rail
road, tearing up the rails for at
least three miles and scoring
direct hit on the bridge" he said
All planes returned safely.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-29
BLAMEY IN CHARGE

A weak enemy attack on Port
Darwin, on the Australian north
shore, caused no damage. Only