Navy Department Communique No. 161

OCTOBER 19, 1942

Sourth Pacific (All dates are east longitude).

1. No recent troop activity or enemy landings on Guadalcanal have been reported. The strong force of enemy warships, transports, and cargo ships which is assembled in the Shortland Island area has been bombed repeatedly by Allied heavy bombers, as announced by General MacArthur.
2. On October 16th:
   • (a) Our dive bombers attacked enemy installations at Rekata Bay. Several antiaircraft batteries were bombed, fuel stowages were set afire and 12 enemy seaplanes were strafed and burned. One twin-engine bomber was shot down by “Wildcats,” and Army “Flying Fortresses” destroyed a large flying boat.
   • (b) Four direct bomb hits completed the destruction of two of the three transports which had been previously damaged and beached on the northwest coast of Guadalcanal.
3. On October 17th:
   • (a) During the morning U. S. surface vessels bombarded enemy positions on northwestern Guadalcanal. Heavy explosions and fires followed hits on ammunition dumps.
   • (b) Throughout the day our aircraft on Guadalcanal continued to attack enemy shore positions.
   • (c) During the night of October 17-18, Japanese surface forces shelled our installations on the north coast of the island.
4. On October 18th:
   • (a) During the early afternoon about 20 enemy bombers, escorted by an equal number of “Zero” fighters, attacked our positions on Guadalcanal. Our Grumman “Wildcats” intercepted and shot down 8 enemy bombers and 11 Zeros. Two of our fighters were lost.

North Pacific.

5. On October 17 (Washington date), Army “Liberator” bombers attacked the camp area at Kiska and bombed the ships which are beached in the harbor. Fifteen tons of bombs were dropped, but an overcast prevented observation of results. Antiaircraft opposition was light and no enemy aircraft were seen.