Word: shortland
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Last week's announcements told of stout Jap resistance, particularly around Shortland Island, 300 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. In a raid on shipping at nearby Buin, U.S. bombers encountered 45 Zeros. In a raid on the same area the following day, eleven Zeros, two U.S. bombers, six U.S. fighters were shot down. Later that week, low-flying bombers had to duck through strong ack-ack fire to score direct hits on four Jap cargo ships...
What the Corsair had shown, in its first combat in the Shortland Islands, the public did not yet know. But once again the U.S. had been reminded that there is many a long month between the flying of a new aircraft prototype and its appearance on the fighting front. Until that day comes, it is too early for any man to say that a plane is good...
...Fortress to land. Saunders became Airbase Commander, quickly got the field into better condition, established air supply lines for gasoline, parts and crews. At heart still a tackle (West Point 1924-25), Blondie was a Flying Commander, too, led many a bombing mission. On a raid over the Shortland Islands his pilot and co-pilot were killed. Saunders took the controls, crash-landed on a beach from which he and other survivors were picked up next...
...lost 17 more planes in one attack on Henderson Field. At week's end the Jap landed artillery and brought it close enough to shell U.S. positions, now under attack from land, sea and air. The Jap was willing, and apparently able, to pay the price. Near Shortland Island, 300 miles north of Guadalcanal, he held ready a heavy concentration of ships...