The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-08
L Marines and Army Men Enlarge Area to More Than 90 Sq. Miles ALLIED PLANE ATTACK CONTINUES AS HOURS New Thrust May Be Larger Than Engagements of Last November
BY FRANK TREMAINE United Press Staff Correspondent}

= cA~@~@TA~@~~NA United Press Staff Correspondent
 Headquarters, United States Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, January 2. -- (De- layed) = (UP) = Japan is concentrating a big naval. transport force in the Soutt Pacific and a battle equal ir size and importance to Mid. way is developing, well in formed quarters reported today.
 Unofficial reports said that ont of the geratest concentrations O Japanese ships since the war start. ed is gathering in the Northern Solomon Islands and at Rabaul northeast of New Guinea.
 The Japanese already had large forces in these areas.
 An informant said of the situa. tion today:
 "Both sides have been pumping up their tires and getting ready tc go again"
 (This dispatch was filed before Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced a ferocious Allied plane attack, stin continuing after AS hours, Qn an eherny conv0ysson New scstlinea. Logical Belief
 It was believed most likely here, on the basis of logic that the Jap- anese were massing for a new blow against Guadalcanal island in the southern SolomonS where the United States marines and army men have now enlarged their area to more than 90 square miles, .18 miles along the beach and five inland.
 It was conceded that the enemy might be strengthening their New Guinea -Timor line, stretching vest ward from the Northeastern to the northwestern Australian zones, in view of Gen. MacArthur's successes in Papua.
 A new thrust against Guadalcanal probably would lead to a repetitoin of the Nov. 12-15 engagement and possibly might be of larger scale in view of reports of the size of the Japanese force and the fact thatt he United States is constantly increasing its forces throughout the world from its fast-moying produc. ton liners.
 In the Nov. 12-15 Solomons battle Japan lost g ships sunk, including a battleShip and five cruisers, and seven ships damaged, including a battleship and six destroyers. United States losses were two cruisers and six destroyers.
 Though it wa5 not officially claimed, United Press dispatches from the scene left no doubt that the second battleship sank.
 AIeutianS Bombed
 American airmen again bombed Japanese bases in the Solomons ane Aleutians, the Navy announced to. day, but results of these latest at, tacks were not reported.
 A communique said that on Wed. nesday, a force of Liberator heavy bombers attacked shore installations at Kiska in the Aleutians. Clouds prevented observation of results.
 In the Solomons a Marauder tWos engined bomber attacked the Jap- aneSe air base at Munda on New Georgia Island on Thursday (Islane time). Results were not reported Text of Navy communique, No 244: e North Pacific:
 "1. On January 6, a force of Liberator' heavy bornbers (Con- solidated B-2D dropped bombs on shire installations at Kiska. Clouds prevented observation of results.
 South Pacific (all dates east longitude): "2. On January ', a force of 'Marauder' medium bombers (Ndar- tin B-26) attacked the airfieid and installations at Munda on NeN
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