The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-09-17
|SETBACKS FOR | LAPS IN SOLOMONS
Continued from Page D

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 The communique on two attacks on the enemy in the Aleutians was the first mention of that fog shrouded area since August g. But it told of a large-scale attack by fighter escorted American Army heavy bombers to Kiska which must have destroyed much of that main enemy base in the island chair of Alaska.
 Other Jap Casualties In addition to the enemy snlps sunk and damaged, 800 troops were killed or wounded, six planes were destroyed and fire was set to store houses and supply dumps. Not single American plane was lost during tho attack as result of enemy action, the Navy reported. Admiral Chester w. Nimitz report ed in Pearl Harbor, however, that two pilots of P-38 fighters were kill ed when their planes collided. Also significant was the apparent feebleness of the Japanese defenses at Kiska. The Navy made no men, tion of enemy resistance to the "strafing attack" on September 4 of the low altitude bombing and straf- ing attack on September IA during which most of the damage was in- f1icted the Navy said this:
 'The enemy attempted to repel this attack with planes and weak anti aircraft resistance"
 The Navy disclosed that the Marines on Guadalcanal are not en- gagged solely in defensive fighting. It reported that patrols were active, indicating that they were seeking to flush out enemy detachments in the interior jungles
 Ranged Over SoIOmons Meanwhile, army flying fortresses and navy and marine corps dive bombers and torpedo planes ranged over the northwestern Solomons, carrying the fight to the enemy. They intercepted a force of Japa- nese cruisers and destroyerS of Choiseul island, about 200 miles from Guadalacanal. Two of the cruisers were hit, raising to at least 2 the number of Japanese ships sunk or damaged since the marines launched the Solomons offensive Aug. '.
 The flying fortresses, for the sec ond time in two days, struck at Rekata bay on Santa Isabel island, about 140 miles northwest of Gua- dalcanal. Shore installations were bombed and set afire.
 Discussing the progress of the battle on Guadalcanal, the navy's latest communique on South Pacific action said:
 'The intensity of the fighting on Guadalcanal island has decreased and the marines are still holding their positions. Marine patrols con- tinue active"
 This was a cheerful contrast to Tuesdays announcement that the Japanese had been making violent attempts by land, sea and air since last Saturday to retake Guadal- canal.
 In AIeutians Also
 Aside from the losses inflicted on the Japanese, the navy'S announce ment of the action in the Aleutians was significant because of its dis closure that land-based American fighters, which normally have comparatively short flying range, had been equipped with extra gas tanks. perhaps detachable belly" tanks such as those used by Japa- nese fighter planes,
 Nearest American base to Kigka is Dutch Harbor, about $50 miles to the east.
 The big bomber-t Lighter raid on Klska occurred last Monday. the nav yaaid. These were the losses inflicted on the enemy.
 Gank-To mine sweeperk.
 Damaged Three submarines, three large cargo ships and several
 pianeS destroyed - Four "zero" fighters, Q large patrol plane and one small seaplane.
 Fersonfel = Approximately 800 Japanese soldiers Killed or wounded.
 Shore installations hlt -- Store houses an dsupply dumps Co the camp area fet aflge.
 The ship losses brought to at least 9t the Japanese Naf vetsols and auklllaries sunk e damaged tinee the enemy venluFed into the Aieuilans im June,
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