New pursuit plane called world’s best
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Pittsburgh officer safe on ‘bombed-to-hell’ ship
Once erroneously reported dead on Reuben James, lieutenant comes back with Marblehead
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U.S. bombers pound big Jap fleet massing north of Australia
Naval units assemble in zone of invasion; enemy attack on Caledonia seen
By Brydon C. Taves, United Press staff writer
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Battle raging on Burma Road
Japs advance on U.S. air base in China
By Robert P. Martin, United Press staff writer
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Wall Street rumors say –
House group may rescind approval of profits tax
Financial quarters favor lowering of 94% levy on corporate income
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U.S. War Department (May 8, 1942)
Army Communiqué No. 220
Philippine theater.
The War Department has been unofficially informed through a broadcast from the Japanese-controlled Manila radio station of what are purported to be the terms of the capitulation arranged after the fall of Corregidor. As a condition precedent to the cessation of attacks on the island forts, the Japanese are said to have insisted upon the immediate surrender of the scattered American and Philippine troops operating on the various islands of the archipelago.
In order to avoid further unnecessary sacrifices, General Wainwright is reported to have reluctantly acceded to these terms and to have broadcast appropriate orders to his field commanders.
The War Department has received no official information on the subject and has no knowledge of whether or not the reported conditions have been met.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
General MacArthur’s Headquarters No. 20
Heavy naval and air fighting continues.
In addition to previous enemy losses reported, our forces have now sunk one enemy aircraft carrier and badly damaged a second, which it is believed will be a total loss.
We also sunk one heavy cruiser and badly damaged a second.
Our own losses have not been reported.
U.S. Navy Department (May 8, 1942)
Navy Communiqué No. 78
Southwest Pacific.
A naval engagement between our forces and those of the Japanese has been in continuous progress in the general area southward of Bismarck Archipelago in the Coral Sea, since Monday, May 3, and there is no indication yet of a cessation. Japanese losses are believed to be:
| Sunk | Damaged |
|---|---|
| One aircraft carrier | One aircraft carrier |
| One heavy cruiser | One heavy cruiser |
| One light cruiser | One light cruiser |
| Two destroyers | One seaplane tender |
| Four gunboats | Two transports or cargo vessels |
| Two transports or cargo vessels |
Details of losses and damage to our forces are not fully known at present but no credence should be given to claims that have been or may be put out by Tokyo.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
The Pittsburgh Press (May 8, 1942)
GREAT SEA-AIR BATTLE RAGES
17 Jap ships sunk, damaged; outcome of conflict in doubt
Foe loses 10 war vessels off Australia; U.S. toll ‘unreported’
By Joe Alex Morris, United Press foreign editor
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