Navy Department Communique No. 213

DECEMBER 5, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On December 3d an air striking group of dive bombers and torpedo planes from Guadalcanal attacked a small enemy force of light surface vessels about 150 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. Results of the attack are not known.
2. On December 4th:
   • (a) A Marine Corps “Raider” patrol on Guadalcanal killed 16 Japanese, captured a mortar, several machine guns, and some ammunition in the region of the upper Lunga River.
   • (b) Another U. S. patrol killed five Japanese and destroyed a machine gun position in the area west of Point Cruz.