Navy Department Communique No. 171

OCTOBER 27, 1942

South Pacific (All dates are east longitude).

1. The following reports of action in the Solomon Islands area have been received:
2. On October 25th:
   • (a) During the morning, a Japanese destroyer sank the U. S. S. Seminole (fleet tug) and a small harbor patrol boat near the Island of Tulagi. Our shore batteries opened fire on the destroyer and scored three hits. Grumman “Wildcats” from Guadalcanal strafed and further damaged the destroyer.
   • (b) During the morning, an Army “Flying Fortress” on a search mission was attacked by six “Zero” fighters. One “Zero” was shot down and the “Fortress” returned safely.
   • (c) Two U. S. mine sweepers engaged three enemy destroyers near Guadalcanal. Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers joined in the action and sank two of the enemy destroyers.
   • (d) During the night of October 25-26, enemy troops were active on Guadalcanal and succeeded in piercing our lines on the south side of the airfield. Army troops threw back the attack and regained their positions. Marine troops were active on the western flank and reported small gains in heavy fighting.
3. On October 26th:
   • (a) During the morning, U. S. bombers and fighters from Guadalcanal again attacked the enemy cruisers and destroyers which were attacked twice on October 25th (as announced in communiqué‚ No. 169). One direct hit was scored on an enemy cruiser.
   • (b) During the night of October 26-27, Navy Consolidated “Catalinas” attacked an enemy force 400 miles northeast of Guadalcanal. One enemy carrier was hit by a torpedo and an enemy cruiser received two bomb hits. Heavy antiaircraft fire was encountered and one of our planes was damaged.
4. Further reports on the naval air battle which was fought to the eastward of the Stewart Islands, on October 26th, reveal that:
   • (a) One enemy carrier was badly damaged.
   • (b) A second enemy carrier was damaged.
   • (c) One enemy cruiser was badly damaged.
   • (d) One battleship was hit.

The above action was first reported in Navy Department communiqué‚ No. 169.