Navy Department Communique No. 57

MARCH 18, 1942

The Navy Department issued the following communiqué today:

Far East.
Combined operations of American and Australia island-based forces were conducted recently against Japanese ships and land installations in and near Salamaua and Lae in New Guinea.
These operations are believed to have resulted in the sinking of two enemy heavy cruisers; heavy damage to and the probable sinking of one light cruiser; damage to a fourth cruiser; the probable sinking of one destroyer; the possible sinking of two destroyers and damage to one large destroyer.
Five transports or cargo ships were either sunk or gutted by fire and run aground. One heavy bomb hit was secured on each of two transports, one troop ship was damaged and left burning and three other transports were damaged.
One aircraft tender was heavily damaged and two gunboats were damaged, one of which was left burning and is believed to have sunk. One mine sweeper was left in flames and probably sank. Three seaplanes were shot down and many small boats were demolished. Considerable damage was done to enemy shore installations, aircraft runways and antiaircraft batteries.
The heavy losses inflicted on the enemy by the combined American and Australian forces were accomplished with the loss of but one plane. The U. S. submarine Shark has been overdue in the Far East for more than a month and must be presumed to be lost. The next of kin of the personnel of the Shark have been notified.
During the month of December, the U. S. submarine Sealion which was under extensive overhaul at Cavite, was so damaged as to necessitate her demolition to prevent her use by the enemy in the event of capture.
Early this month the damaged U. S. destroyer Stewart was demolished in the drydock at Sourabaya to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. Previous efforts to put her in serviceable condition had failed.
There were no personnel casualties in the case of the Sealion and the Stewart.
There is nothing to report from other areas.