Evening star., 1942-08-15
Japanese Acknowledge Landings
Bv Marines on Solomon Island;
Airport Taken by u.s. >VichyHears
Positions BEING
Consolidated,
Navy Asserts
b the Associated Press.

japanese dispatches dChlioWi-
edged for the first time today
that United States Marines have
landed "on one of the Solomon
Islands" and that japanese
troops were engaged in fierce
fighting to ward off the Amerl-
can borne invasion.
In Washington the Navy an
nounced that the Marines were
Progressing satisfactorily" in con-
solidating hard-won beach heads
on three islands in the Solomons.
A terse Navy communique on the
first big offensive OF the United
States and the United Nations gave
only the barest details, but the an
nouncement, given out late yester-
day, left little doubt that they were
winning the early rounds Of con-
fiict that, if successful, may lead
eventually to an assault on Japan
itself.
There were indica tions, too, that
Allied flyers had won vital superb
ority in the Southwest Pacific skies.
Airdrome Reported Seized.
Reuters heard the Vichy radio
broadcasting a report that United
States forces had captured a Japa-
nese airdrome on one Of the Sol
omon Islands.
DISPATCHES to the London Daily
Mail from Walter Farr, the news
papers Washington correspondent,
said the United States Marines were
''believed to have seized the two
small islands of Makambo and Ga
vutu near Tulagi' in the Solomons.
If true, this would mean that the
Ieathernecks had footholds in at
least five and possibly six islands
and apparently were spreading out
in a general attack on the southeast
group of the chain OF islands.
The Daily Mail said United States
warships had come Ito close grips
with large units of the Japanese
Navy" and that for seven days they
had been dealing crippling blows
to enemy naval power.
An English war correspondent
cahled his London paper from Sgd
ney. Australia, that the Americans
have or soon will have complete
control of Tulagi Island major
point Of attack.
Fighting Due TO Continue.
. So strongly entrenched were the
marines, he added, that only the
heaviest reinforcements" could dis
lodge them. At the same time, he
declared that the japanese appar-
emily were prepared to risk a big
naval action to hold the Solomons
and the fighting would continue for
weeks.
While acknowledging the landings
by the marines, the japanese, in a
dispatch to DNB, official German
news agency, said, "the huge naval
battle of the Solomon Islands which
resulted in overwhelming victory for
the japanese Navy has been con-
cluded according to latest reports
This was the second time the Japs
had claimed conclusion of the naval
battle.
I'm its main phases, the battle
lasted without interruption three
whole days beginning August T. the
DNB dispatch said.
Fierce Fighting.
"Only few enemy units sue
ceeded in escaping. apparently ir
the direction of Australia.
Pierce fighting is reported to be
taking place between japanese
forces and United States marines
who have landed on one Of the Sol
omon Islands"
Toxic offered no explanation O
how American leathernecks estab
lished beachheads, even on one is
land, in the face of It's claims t,
have routed Allied naval forces.
=, BY contrast, the Navy communi
que late yesterday declared:
Naval units are engaged in pro
tecting our lines of communication
Gin the Solomons) and escortinI
supply vessels to our occupyin
forces"
This clearly indicated the Jap
.anese feet had not dispersed Allie,
naval forces and that steady Allie
reinforcements probably were NOV
Ing to bolster the marines.
Contrast With Earlier Boast.
Previously, the japanese ha
.boasted that the naval battle wa
a one-night engagement, claimin
40 Allied warships and supply yes
sells had been sunk or damaged, an
y Japanese military spokesman as
serted the marines had been re
pulsed.
winging far out over the Sout
Seas. giant United States Army fly
ing fortresses and attack bombe
we're striking 'round-the clock blow
TO prevent the enemy from tran,
porting reinforcements to the bait
scene.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur's heat
quarters said Allied flyers pounce
again on a Japanese convoy, inclut
ing troop transports, en- route towal
tbs Coloroops of New Britain a