Evening star., 1942-08-26

Two Destroyers Damaged.
Observers yesterday, while not
knowing definitely that the
United States forces had been
able to get land based planes onto
the islands during their brief
tenure, based their predictions on
outcome of the battle largely on
the possibility of the aircraft
being there. Naval officials
commented orally on the pres
ence of the fighters based there
today, indicating that this was
one of the most important as
poets OF the engagements that
still continue.
The damaged ships which were
named in today's communique were
two destroyers and four additional
vessels classified only as miscel-
laneous.
The Navy told of new attack
that occurred yesterday on Guadal-
canal when the island was ap-
preached by Is -motored bomb
ers escorted by IL Zero fighters.
Three U. s. Planes Lost
"Our fighters met this force and
shot down seven bombers and five
Zero fighters" the Navy said. Our
loss was one fighter" This engage
men was in addition to the attack
reported yesterday in which United
States forces shot down 81 enemy
planes. The American loss was not
known definitely yesterday but to-
day was placed at three planes in
that engagement.
One of the enemy destroyers listed
today as damaged was hit by dive
bombers during the previously re-
ported shelling of Guadalcanal Sum-
day night and early Monday morn
ing. The two communiques issued
within slightly more than "a hours
of each other show that the Japs
have suffered damage to at least 13
ships and have lost 80 planes in their
attempt to recapture a foothold in
the strategic Solomon Islands.
Text of Announcement.
The text of the communiQue fol-
lows:
South Pacific.
1t is still too early to estimate the
outcome of the battle at sea being
fought off the Solomon Islands, but
reports to date reveal that our forces
at Guadalcanal are holding their
positions in the face of strong enemy
thrusts and in each action have in
f1icted heavy damage on the attack
ing Japanese forces.
2. During the previously recorded
shelling of Guadalcanal Island on
the night of August 1924 (Washing-
ton date) our dive bombers damaged
an enemy destroyer.
3. The enemy force of transports,
cruisers and destroyers which ap-
preached Guadalcanal from the
northward on August "a (Washing-
ton date) was attacked by United
States Marine and Naval aircraft
based on Guadalcanal. In addition
to the cruiser which was previously
reported burning fiercely, one de-
stroyer and four additional ships
were left burning and the transport
which was reported to have been Int
during this attack was later seen
abandoned as the enemy force with
drew.
4. The performance of our fighter
aircraft based at Guadalcanal has
been outstanding. As previously re-
ported, a strong enemy air attack
on Guadalcanal during the after
noon of August % washington
date was intercepted by these
fighters. Twenty-one enemy planes
were shot down. Our loss was three
plants. On August Is washington
date) Guadalcanal was attacked by
is two-motored bombers escorted by
II Zero" fighters. Our fighters met
this force and shot down seven
bombers and five Zero" fighters.
Our loss was one fighter.
S. The results, to date, of the
battle for the retention of our foot
hold in the Southeastern Solomons
are encouraging.