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U.S.A NAVAL SUCCESS
JAPANESE ANNIHILATED
CRUISER AND DESTROYERS
NO AMERICAN LOSSES
(From Our Special Representative).
SOMEWHERE IN AUSTRALIA, Aug 8.---A Japanese naval force
attempting to run the Allied blockade of the New Georgia group was
Intercepted and annihilated in on hour's action in Kula Gulf late on
Friday night. A cruiser and 2 large destroyers were definitely sunk and
the remaining vessel--another large destroyer---was probably sunk. We
suffered no losses.
This Is the fifth "Tekio Express" intercepted and destroyed or driven
off while trying to break through with reinforcements or supplies to the
forward Japanese garrisons in the New Georgia group.
The force was intercepted west of Kulambangra Island while
epparently trying to slip through Blackett Strait to Vila, the only im
portant enemy base still operating in the New Georgia group. Vila is
in Kula Gulf, opposite Bairoko.
In ground fighting mopping-up as continuing at Munda and American
forces are now pushing northward without opposition towards Bairoko,
8 miles away. The Japanese garrison at Bairoko is believed to be
smaller than the force which defended Munda butt it is well dug in and
may take time to tllminate.
The weight of the American bom
ber force is now being switched to
Bairoko. Yesterday 6 types of air
craft battered the defences with 43
tons of bombs, followed by low-level
strafig passes. Fires were started on
both sides of the harbour and anti
aircraft guns were quickly silenced.
The only Japanese counter-stroke
yesterday was a raid by a mixed
foace of 60 divebombers and fighters
on Rendova Island. Three dive
bombers were shot down by ack-ack
and 3 Zeros were destroyed by our
fighters. The attacking force caused
light casualties in an American field
hospital.
Following receipt of a dispatch
announcing that organised resistance
at Munda ceased at 3 pm on Thurs
day, General MacArthur sent the
none Help
following commendatory message to
Admiral Halsey: 'The operations re
aulting in the capture of Munds re
present a splendid performance
which reflects great credit not only
on you personally but upon your
local commanders and all com
ponents of the forces engaged
ground, naval and air. Please ex
press to them my appreciation of
their determined and purposeful
effort and my congratulation on their
complete victory."
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