Navy Department Communique No. 34

JANUARY 26, 1942

The Navy Department issued the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up to 4 p. m. (e. s. t.) today:

Far East.
U. S. naval forces have scored further successes against Japanese convoys in the Makassar Strait. Heavy hits on enemy destroyers and transports have been effected. While it is still impossible to estimate total damage inflicted by our combat vessels, the known results are substantial.
Additional reports to the Navy Department of continuing action state that an American submarine has torpedoed an enemy aircraft carrier, which is believed to have sunk.
Dispatches also advise that another U. S. motor torpedo boat under the command of Ensign George Cox sank a 5,000-ton enemy vessel in a second torpedo boat raid close to Subic Bay.
The attack succeeded in the face of heavy fire at close range from enemy shore batteries and machine-gun fire from the Japanese ship. The motor torpedo boat penetrated the water adjacent to its objective despite net and boom defenses laid down by the enemy.
Participating in the attack with Ensign Cox were Lt. John D. Bulkeley, MTB squadron commander and Lt. (jg) Edward G. DeLong, squadron engineer.
There is nothing to report from other areas.