Imperial Valley press., 1942-11-03
Marines Attack
On CuudoIcunoI

advance positions on Guadalcanal
island; one group of Marines ad
vancing two miles west of Matani-
kau river-the scene of bloody
fighting 10 days ago; American air
men carrying death and destruc-
ton to enemy troops and inStalla-
tions en- Guadalcanal and nearby
enemy bases.
Japanese forces, having failed to
bulge the Americans during their
all-out land, sea and air attack of
the last fortnight. appeared to have
abandoned the offensive for the
time being.
JAPS QUIET DOWN
On the basis of naval communi-
queS, the last Japanese offensive
was Tuesday (SolomOnS time) of
last week when the enemy pierced
American lines, was finally thrown
back and then failed on two sub
sequent thrustS. The only action
by the enemy mentioned since then
was a bomber attack on Thursday,
but the bombers were forced to jet
tison their loads in the ocean and
no damage was suffered by Amer
leans.
Naval observers said it still was
too early to appraise the situation
enthusiastically But the fact re-
NAMED that the news from Quad
alcanal this week was the best to
come from there since thep relude
to the battle of 10 days ago began
early in October.
Naval officials warned against at
taching too much Importance to
the land offensive on Guadalcanal.
They said it was purely local IN
character, apparently aimed at drlV-
ing the enemy from a salient tnat
was close to and threatened the
western limits of the vital air
fields.
PRELUDE
They conceded however, that it
come from there since the prelude
ton and there was feeling in ma
or oust the major enemy troop
concentrations on the island might
be in the making.
The Navy'S last communique Tor
Sunday (Solol/ons time) said only
this of ground activity; =,
"On Guadalcanal island a small
force of US. Marines, supported
by Boeing Flying FortresSes,
crossed the Matanikau river and at
tackled the enemy to the westward
One wave of Marines made an ad-
vance of two miles with campara-
lively few casualties
us. fighters and dive-bomberS
attacked enemy positions on Quad
alcanal throughout the day. Enc
my artillery fire was silenced ano
the japanese were reported to DC
retreating slowly"
NOT WON YET
That report coupled with the con-
tinued failure of the japanese
fleet to reappear after last week
battering at the hands OF Amerl'
can airmen did much to dispel par
of the pessimism here during re-
cent weeks. But all naval anc
military quarters agreed that TN
battle of the SolomonS was ions
way from being won.
AS has been the case since Au
gust 7, when Marines stormed th'
beaches in the Guadalcanal-Tulag
area to wrest major bases from tn
Japanese, American airmen are au
ministering a terrific beating u
enemy troops and installations
During the high point OF the enc
my's last offensive, American al
activity necessarily resorted to de
fensive operations in and aroun'
the Guadalcanal area. But report
for Sunday (SolomonS time) snow
ed Army, Navy and Marine ocmp
ers carrying their bomb loads U
the enemy again. For the frs
time. Army Flying Fortresses ap
peared in the role of air supper
for ground soops, supporting tn
Marines who advanced two mile
westward.
JAP BASE RAIDED
Inc Cnly OJlIcl d1IiOli i'l'ot W
thus far for last Sunday was anoth
er raid on the japanese base a
Rekata Bay, 1875 miles northWes
of Guadalcanal on Santa lsab6
island. Buildings were strafed an
a fire started; five enemy plane
were destroyed on the beach. Ih
attackers suffered some damaR
from heavy anti-aircraft fire. ou
all returned to their base.
1t was the 21st raid by America
airmen on Rekata Bay since sep
tember 13. The total number c
enemy airplanes destroyed at ina
base now stands at 81, while
others have been reported damaged
Rekata Bay is important TO IN
Japanese since it is their neareS
base to Guadalcanal and the onl
important one from which they ca
fly medium-ranged planes to Quad
alcanal.
Last nights communique ais
brought up to date action for las
Friday. 1t was a day of naval an
air action, there being no groun
cctiyity on Guadalcanal,