The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-09-08

QOWn py tlAC 1NhNys DSAAhAN Q SuA rage of thousands of tons of high explosives from naval guns. hori- zontal and dive bombing and ail strafing and dive bombing and air heads on Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Florida islands.
 I was aboard a heavy cruiser as the invasion armada made its night approach for attack at dawn. An idea of the size of the fleet may be gained by a naval officers remark during the night, Did you get look at Broadway"
 Some of the transports in the long rows of ships were using their blink CTS, giving the effect of long high way lighted by winking lights.
 Yesterday overcast skies furnished concealment for one force, but dur ing the night 1t was calm and clear Before sunset last night we were within 100 miles of the Solomons.
 I wandered about the ship and at midnight went to the gun control room. The gunnery officer was seated in a canvas back chair like those used by Hollywood directors. His head was covered with a can vas hood and telephone gear.
 Checked Every Gun
 At frequent intervals he checked every gun on the ship, sometimes telling the gun watches to stand up and stretch" to be sure everyone was wide awake.
 Well" he said, "all quiet so far. Apparently he hasn't been discov- cred yet"
 We proceeded at leisurely pace, well ahead of schedule. Just before 2 a. m. lookout reported Land sighted"
 It was Guadalcanal of our bow. The gunnery officer peered through the blackness with his field glasses.
 You young fellows, have better eyesight than I have" he said. T can't see it."
 From above us came the voice of the look out, former University of California tackle.
 Why I can smell land" he said. Tt smells something like guavas, l can amell a lot of vegetation"
 Somebody said, Good morning, you Jap b S." Breakfast was served at 2:3o a. m.
 In the wardroom officers had scrambled eggs, bacon and coffee. They knew 1t would be their last meal for some time.
 went topside again. The moon was directly above the island. Men were alert at their stations, They were a calm, confident crew. . Heck" said a chief signalman T know there is chance we may not get out of this alive. and I don't want to die any more than any one else does. But if I can do anything to help beat the Japs am going to do 1t. And if I am going to die,"- he shrugged-"then guess my number is up, that's all"
 Suddenly Came Whistle
 Suddenly there came the long, high pitched whistle signaling gen. ,eral quarters, then the command "All hands man your battle sta- kions,nn then the bugle, and finally the incessant changing of the bell.
 We could see Guadalcanal plain iy now. A lookout said that it is about time the Japs turned on a neon sign to welcome the U. s. navy"
 ''Never mind" sailor said, we'll give them a neon of our own
 Motors of our scout observation planes were being warmed up, A wind sprang up and thin vapory rain replaced the clear weather of few hours earlier.
 Say said a lookout, Its too damned quiet. Maybe those Japs moved away and gave us this island"
 Then flares arose from the island.
 With sharp explosive cracks, our planes were catapulted and sped toward the island.
 Then salvos came from the cruis- er immediately ahead of us. Our big guns opened up a moment later and Ehe deck shuddered. Then the sec- ondary began, with automatic weap- pns sending their shells straight Into the shore.
 The volume of noise was soon be- Vond imagination.
 Several miles of our bow flames slaot up from burning Japanese patrol boat. Our transports had heir surf boats in the water now.
 Geysers os earth and debris shot ID as shells landed along the shore line. Our planes, some in sight and Eome out of sight, were dropping Lons of bombs.
 Dive Bombers Low Driven
 The dive bombers went so low