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spence -> RE: 15th January 1942 (4/13/2006 8:49:37 PM)
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DATELINE AUKLAND: 16 January, 1942
In a daring action a mixed force of Allied cruisers steamed into battle near Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides yesterday. The Japanese forces, including at least 5 battleships, suffered disproportionately heavy losses given their overwhelmingly superior firepower, A Japanese cruiser and 3 destroyers were sunk, several other cruisers and destroyers damaged, and hits scored on several battleships. The American cruiser Louisville and Free French destroyer Le Triophant went down fighting in the action but gave as good as they got. HMNZS Achilles, which played a pivotal role in bringing the German pocket battleship Graf Spee to bay in 1939, again distinguished itself against a far more powerful foe.
Over the last several days Japanese forces have landed on and captured some of the islands in the New Hebrides. Attacks by Allied air forces, including New Zealand flyers, have damaged numerous transports, some severely but have been unable to stem what is apparently a major Japanese offensive into the South Pacific. Unchecked this Japanese drive could pose a serious threat to this city and the rest of New Zealand. At least with this action the enemy has been served notice that he will pay a heavy price for his naked aggression.
DATELINE SAN FRANCISCO: 15 January, 1942
Twelve Naval District Headquarters today reported that Allied naval forces had attacked and probably sunk a Japanese submarine approxiamately 180 miles WSW of San Francisco. A large oil slick and patch of debris was observed following the attacks. There were no Allied losses.
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