Evening star., 1942-11-07
Mild Resistance
Met in Crossing
Ma|imbiu River
Marines Again Repel
Enemy Attacks on
Western Flank

United States Army troops. en-
countering only Eight enemy
resistance" have crossed the
Malimbiu River, a few miles
south of Koli Point on the north
coast of Guadalcanal, in Extend
ing their operations on that is
land in the Solomons, the Navy
announced in a cOmmunique
this afternoon.
The advance appeared to be
maneuver to isolate a threatened
japanese beachhead in the Koli
point area.
The communique also announced
that on the western flank of the
American defense area in Guadal-
canal marines again had repulsed
enemy counterattacks.
For the first time since October
20, the communique continued, Jap
bombers struck at Guadalcanal, but
failed to do any damage, although
clouds prevented American fighters
from engaging them.
Text of Communique.
The text of the Navy commute
que follows:
"On November 5: (a) A force Of
u enemy aircraft, composed Of
bombers and escorting fighters, at
tackled our positions on Guadalcanal.
Although clouds prevented air con-
tact with the attacking enemy
planes; our airfield and installations
were not damaged.
"(B) United States aircraft main
tanned continuous patrol over
enemy positions bombing and STRAIT
ing troop concentrations and sup
plies.
"(C) During the night of Novem-
Der So. United States marines re-
| pulsed light attacks against our
| western flank in the vicinity of
Point Cruz.
"On November g.:
"(A) United States Army troops
crossed the Malimbu River, a few
miles south of Koli Point, on the
north coast of Guadalcanal. Only
light enemy resistance was encoun.
tered"
Enemy Beaten of.
Lodged between two enemy forces
awaiting a chance to spring on the
! American-held airbase in Guadal-
| canal, marines and soldiers beat of
several strong enemy assaults from
the west, the Navy reported last
night.
The Americans clung to their land
gains obtained in an offensive start
ed last Sunday, the Navy said, and
repulsed the counterattacks west of
Matanikau River with heavy losses
to the enemy"
The Japanese attempts to stall the
Army-marine offensive in Guadal-
canal occurred the night of Mo-
vember As, the Navy said, and drew
withering fire not only from United
States ground forces but from planes
as well.
No Japanese aerial opposition was
mentioned and apparently the
American planes retained control Of
| the air.
Hot Fight Near Buna.
The Allied advance in New Guinea
to the west of the Solomons also
collided with Japanese ground troops
and presumably a fierce battle was
raging about so miles south of the
enemy's coastal base at Buna.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Aus
tralian command announced today
(South Pacific time) that the Allied
troops which have pushed the Jap
anese back more than half way
across the island from their drive on
the Port Moresby base, had encount.
cred strong resistance near Oivi.
Allied bombers for the third sue
cessive day raided enemy occupied
towns in Portuguese Timor, north
west of Australia, dropping explo-
sives on barracks and supply in
stallations and starting several fires.
Jap Losses Heavy.
Japanese casualties in the three
lAOlACAio.OAu kJOAOlllOIio CdlIlpdl6ll WcI0
estimated by Secretary of the Navy
Knox at more than four or five times
as great as the American losses.
Mr.. Knox told press conference
yesterday that this ratio was con-
tinuing and he attributed it to SUI
perior American craftsmanship. He
cautioned, however, against conclu-
sions that "this is a finished fight"
The Japanese warships which
withdrew from the Solomons battle
area late last week still remained a
threat to the American hold on
Guadalcanal's air base and the Sec
retary asserted that I'VE thoroughly
expect and confidently expect that
they will come back" Meanwhile,
he added, both the American and
enemy fleets have more time to
strengthen their forces for the next
sea battle.