Navy Department Communique No. 104

AUGUST 12, 1942

1. Operations in the Solomons are still in progress.
2. It has been confirmed that the United States Marines have landed as scheduled on three islands in the vicinity of Tulagi. The Marines are engaged in consolidating their positions. Supporting naval forces have been engaged in bitter fighting, details of which are not yet available. United States Army and Australian aircraft are continuing attacks on enemy landing fields and shore-based aircraft.
3. There is substantial evidence that the Japanese had planned and had well underway the development of an enemy base in the Tulagi area.
4. Until more details are available it is impossible to elaborate further on these operations. All available communications facilities are overtaxed by urgent messages concerning operations.