Evening star., 1942-06-16
U. 5. Flyers Sink
Jap Cruiser, Damage
7 Ships Off AIeutians
One Aircraft Carrier,
; Other Cruisers Among
Enemy Casualties
3, ttt Associated Press.

By TIE Associated Press.
The japanese Navy appeared
today to be reeling under the
third smashing attack it has suf-
fered at the hands of the Ameri-
can Air Forces in as many oper-
ational areas of the Pacific.
Following the Coral Sea and Mid
way Island victories, III the South
western and Middle Pacific arenas,
respectively, the Navy Department
reported late yesterday that Amer
lean flyers were pounding a Jap
anese invasion force in the north, off
the Aleutian Islands.
While reports on the progress of
the battle were inconclusive, Jap
anese losses listed thus far included
the sinking of one cruiser and the
damaging of one aircraft carrier, at
least three cruisers, one destroyer,
one gunboat and one transport.
Damage to some of the vessels was
described as severe.
There were no reports of Amer
lean losses.
Army Bombers Sink Cruiser.
Although 1t was not mentioned
specifically in the naval commu-
nique, 1t. Gen. Henry H. Arnold,
Army air chief, said flight of B-26
bombers had sunk a cruiser in the
Aleutians and dropped torpedo on
the deck of carrier He made this
disclosure in telegram of congratu-
1ations to Glenn L. Martin of Bal
timore, builder of the B-26s. Army
bomberS we're used as torpedo planes
for the first time in the Midway
battle
In communique breaking its
three-day silence on what appears
to have been a desperate attempt
by the japanese to gain a toehold
on the barren, rocky island chain
stretching away from Alaska, the
Navy said attack operations were
being continued by both Army and
Navy flyers.
Except for these continuing air
attacks upon the enemy landing
parties and their supporting naval
contingents," the communique said,
'the general situation in the Aleu-
tian Islands appears unchanged"
This was taken by some observers
10 mean that the enemy had failed
to improve his position over the
week end by landing at any point
other than Attu, craggy little islet
that marks the Westernmost tip of
the Aleutian chain, 1859 nautical
miles from Dutch Harbor.
Attu of Little Value.
Attu, which is surrounded by
treacherous reefs, and is almost con-
stantly fogbound, was considered of
little military value, although it
might be used as listening and
reconnaissance base.
In addition to Attu, the enemy
was reported last Friday to have
sent few ships into the little har-
Dor at Kiska. Today authorities said
they had been driven out.
The communique, based on re-
ports received until pm. yesterday
read.
North Pacific area:
Il. The Army and Navy are con-
tinuing air attacks against the jap
anese forces which recently were
reported to have landed on western
islands of the Aleutian group.
%. Foul weather and fog, char
ecteristic of this locality at all sea-
sons, are hampering our reconnais-
sance and attack operations, but
reports to date indicate that at
least three cruisers, one destroyer,
one gunboat and one transport have
been damaged, some of them Sc
verely.
"3 Except for these continuing
air attacks upon the enemy landing
parties and their supporting naval
contingents, the general situation
in the Aleutian Islands appears un-
changed"
While the latest engament ap-
parently has not yet been resolved,
strategists were inclined to believe
the japanese imperial command
had suffered paralyzing defeats in
three major campaigns:
l. To sever the American supply
line through the Coral Sea. pre-
liminary to an attempt to invade
Australia.
2. To capture Midway Island and
use it as springboard for grand
assault on Pearl Harbor
3. To establish bases in the north
for an invasion of the American
continent.
Aside from their offensive nature,
all three ventures would have car
ried considerable importance as de-
fensive measures as well.
Leaving out the Aleutian score
pending more complete reports, a
compilation of the enemy's losses in
the first two engagements, Coral
and Midway, add up to 18 ships
sunk, including three aircraft car
riers and four cruisers; three prob
ably sunk, including one carrier ano
cruiser, and at least 27 damaged.
Midway Successes Cited.
In his Martin telegram Gen. Ar
mold mentioned successes in the
Midway battle as well as in the
Aleutians. At Midway, he said, a
flight of four B-26 medium bombers
scored one positive hit and one
probable hit on Jap cruiser or
battleShip.
The text of the Arnold telegram
as given out by Mr.. Martin follows