Navy Department Communique No. 186

NOVEMBER 8, 1942

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On November 6th:
   • (a) U. S. forces advanced eastward to the Metapono River, 4 miles east of Koli Point on Guadalcanal Island. No contact with the enemy main body in this area was made. There was no other troop activity on Guadalcanal during the day.
   • (b) Army dive bombers made several attacks on enemy positions during the day. A large ammunition dump and a gasoline stowage were destroyed.
2. On November 7th:
   • (a) During the early morning our motor torpedo boats attacked two enemy destroyers off Lunga Point, north of our position on Guadalcanal. One of the destroyers is believed to have been sunk.
   • (b) During the forenoon a small U. S. auxiliary, engaged in transporting supplies to Guadalcanal was damaged by an enemy torpedo.
   • (c) During the morning our troops continued to advance to the eastward in the vicinity of the Metapono River.
   • (d) During the afternoon of November 7th, U. S. aircraft attacked an enemy surface force about 150 miles north of Guadalcanal. Enemy planes attempted to protect the formation which consisted of 1 light cruiser and 10 destroyers. The enemy cruiser was badly damaged and possibly sunk and 1 destroyer was badly damaged. Five float-type “Zeros” and 7 float-type biplanes were destroyed. Four of our planes failed to return.