Navy Department Communique No. 53

MARCH 12, 1942

The Navy Department issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 4 p. m. (e. w. t.) March 12, 1942:

Far East.
A U. S. submarine has sunk three enemy freighters and one passenger cargo ship in Japanese waters.
These sinkings are in addition to those reported in all previous communiqués.

Central Pacific.
On March 10th, two large Japanese four-engined seaplanes were detected west of Midway Island. They were intercepted by four of our fighter planes based on the island. One of the enemy planes was shot down. The other escaped. One of our fighters was damaged and the pilot wounded. He succeeded in returning to base safely.
There is nothing to report from other areas.