Evening star., 1942-10-17
Engagement Nay Even
Surposs Midway or
Coral Seq Battles
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
An apparently decisive conflict
for domination of the Southwest
Pacific ragged in the Solomon
Islands today between American
forces and strengthened Japa-
nese troops supported by a heavy
invasion fleet.
The enemy's effort to dislodge the
marines and Army troops from the
important Guadalcanal air base
which the Americans seized last
August, brought heavy fire from
newly landed japanese artillery and
bitter ground fighting.
In addition to enemy transports
which have poured reinforcements
to the Japanese-held north shore
OF the island and the warships which
have shelled American positions, the
Navy reported yesterday that large
enemy fleet concentration had been
sighted near Shorthand Islands. 26O
miles northwest OF Guadalcanal.
Major Battle Indicated.
al dOeNA OCl . od" llhC11lOOu VI d
major sea battle in this crucial con-
f1ict of the Solomons, possibly even
greater than at Midway or in the
Coral Sea. But the Navy carefully
guarded its feet movements and
gave no indication Immediately as
to what counter-a activity might be
under way.
Secretary of the Navy Knox said
late yesterday there was "a stiff
fight" in the Solomons which had
not been determined, but that he
expected an American victory.
We're giving out the news just as
fast as we can," he told a press
conference.
Asked if he thought the American
positions could be held, Secretary
Knox replied:
Il certainly hope So I expect So
don't want to make any predic-
tions, but every man out there, af1oat
and ashore, will give good account
of himself"
Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Aus
VI oAioll llSoAlHUdl lCpOl UCo ldOO
night that Allied planes, continuing
to support American forces in the
Solomons. had bombed large
enemy merchant ship at BUN across
the passage from Shorthand Island.
The results were not learned.
The Navy also disclosed that some
of it's motor torpedo boats were en-
1onaI ~, ,a Cn1Np,ope ootiN,,
said they had attacked enemy war
ships shelling the American posi-
tions on Guadalcanal, the night of
October 14-15, and reported a prob
able hit on cruiser.
During the defense of their Quad
alcanal base the marines captured
from the Japs 40 American-bui
75-millimeter guns which they be-
lieve fell into enemy hands in the
Philippines fighting several months
ago, a report from the South Pa
cific stated.
Planes Pound Kiska.
While the Americans fought to
hold their Guadalcanal springboard
for an aerial offensive against the
rest of the japanese occupied
islands the enemy invaders in the
Aleutian Islands at the opposite end
of the Pacific war front were un-
dergoing terrific bombardment.
The Navy reported that on Thurs
day explosives and incendiaries were
rained on Kiska, the last Japanese
foothold in the islands. Many large
fires were started and three enemy
seaplanes destroyed on the water.
An additional isle in the Aleutians
was taken over by American forces,
1t was announced.
The United States planes, operat-
Ing from the Army's advanced base
In the Andreanof group of the Aleu-
tions, met no resistance from enemy
planes, but one American fighter
was lost, apparently by anti-aircraft
fire,