Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-09

Japanese aircraft carrier, but
Gen. Douglas MacArthur's head
quarters had no confirmation.
BATTLE CEASES \N.
Macarthur reported in his lat
est communique:
"No. FL
Tho great naval and air
battle of the northeast coast of
Australia has temporarily
ceased.
This action represents the
continued efforts of the Japa-
nese to extend their aggressive
conquests toward the south and
southeast.
THE first efforts aimed at
expanding japanese air bases,
but our air force consistently
and effectively attacked Japa-
nese air fields during the past
six weeks, dlslocating japanese
plans through the destruction Of
installations and aircraft.
FIND CONCENTRATIONS
"Our reconnaissance revealed
q gradual building up OF Japa-
nese naval and transport ele-
ments for c0-Ordinated attack
by combined forces, which was
initiated several days ago.
"Our naval forces then at
tackled In interrogation.
They were handled with
marked skill and fought with
admirable courage and tenacity,
and the en- my has been re-
pulsed.
"Our attacks will continue"
Japan had received its biggest
defeat of the war. II was indi,
Gated that now the question wa.
whether the Japanese feet, witt
endorsements, would accept the
challenge to further combat.
Japan's definite warship losses
were an aircraft carrier. a heavy
cruiser, a light cruiser, two de.
stroyers and four gunboats sunk
and an aircraft carrier. a heavy
cruiser. a 9.000-ton seaplane ten
der, and light cruiser damaged
heavily. In addition four cargo
vessels or transports were sunk
Though American losses had not
been announced, il was understood
that they were comparatively
light.
CARRIER EXPLODEs
First direct reports of the en-
,agement told how United States
Navy dive bombers had screamed
Town on Japanese ships into an
Inferno OF anti-aircraft fire and
lad blown one aircraft carrier IA
pieces while a second burst into
DANES from stem TO stern.
Two dive bombers hurtled on
he first carrier and landed their
bombs squarelv on its deck.
Great chunks of debris flew
from the ship before it's torn HULK
rolled over and sank within 9
matter OF minutes.
II was estimated that anywhere
up TO 1000 Japanese officers and
men went down with il or leaped
nto the churning sea.
Torpedo bombers joined dive
,ombers in the attack, it was re-
,orted, and set the second carrier
flame.
There were unofficial reports
hat the navy planes had caught
ONE japanese warships concen-
as at Pearl Harbor,
IF guard but in the heat OF battle
and had attacked them in waves.
hrieking down, singly, in pairs or
n threes. 10 drop their bombs on
he button.
LOSE 100000 TONS
Reports Of the action reached
ere bit by bit, and headquarters
,arned that though the Japanese
ad suffered a clear reverse, it
must be determined whether II
yas a conclusive one.
But the United States Navy had
pheld its proud tradition. the
apanese feet had suffered its
reatest reverse in its history. and
australia had been saved from
lvaSion.
1t was estimated that an all the
nemy had lost up to 100000 tons
warships. as against 114.100
ons lost by the British and 1l3, ABS
,st by the Germans in the Battle
T Jutland, the biggest sea battle
modern history.