RNZAF Corsairs in the Pacific

[rayo]

Weekly Review no. 145 (1944)
Introduction of RNZAF Corsairs in the Pacific.

Another gem from the NFU courtesy of ArchivesNZ

[Dave Homewood]

Marvellous. No. 20 (Fighter) Squadron, the first unit to convert to the Corsair, doing so at Santo. I met two pilots who were with the squadron at that time, Gavin Gullery and Tony Pierard.

[hbpencil]

Nice. Out of interest, does anyone know what those objects are slung beneath the P-40s at 7:18? They look like some sort of barrel or perhaps a bundle of incendiary stick bombs.

[davidd]

hbpencil,
Yes, pretty certain those are some kind of incendiary cluster, although I would hesitate to state exactly which model at the moment, probably (nominal) 500 pounders. Also something seldom seen clearly on Corsairs is the IFF Mk. III aerial under the belly, visible in film clip between 704 and 707. You can also get a fair idea of the types of flying equipment being worn at this time (presume May/June 1944, Torokina, Bougainville), a good mix of US Navy, and RAF gear, former contributing flying suits, most helmets and goggles, also probably oxy equipment, parachutes. RAF gear visible includes Mae Wests, and some goggles. Could not see any NZ-made stuff being worn, although possibly some helmets still in use at this time. Edit: just spotted that pilot of 5222 has the NZ-type (with cut-outs) helmet, seen in rear view. Also liked the rather unusual under-view (through the palm fronds) of the sections of four passing overhead and peeling off, presumably preparing to land. The "NZ" number worn by the Jeep (MT04) seems highly unusual, possibly these temporally "on loan" vehicles had locally allocated numbers (most of the US equipment used in forward area by RNZAF was NOT supplied under Lend-Lease) rather than from the series allocated by Air Department in Wellington.
David D

[alanw]

Apr 29, 2017 11:06:57 GMT 12 hbpencil said:

Nice. Out of interest, does anyone know what those objects are slung beneath the P-40s at 7:18? They look like some sort of barrel or perhaps a bundle of incendiary stick bombs.

Had first though it may have been a 250Lb Depth Charge, but on closer inspection
it's a little short, and does not have the tail section if it was.



As DavidD says most likely a bundle of incendiary devices, perhaps similar to this photo link

pwencycl.kgbudge.com/images/B/o/Bombs__loading_incendiaries_full.jpg

Regards

Alan

[Dave Homewood]

We discussed these incendiary bundles a few months back when spotted on a P-40N, and Ron Hildreth confirmed they were just that. Pretty much like the bundles dropped by the heavy bombers over Europe, they are bundles of hexagonal fire bombs. The RNZAF targeted gardens and camps with them I believe.

[davidd]

My guess for the "bomb" carried by the P-40 is the 500 pound AN M-8 cluster (made up from 128 individual AN M-54 incendiary bombs, each complete "bomblet" weighing 4 lb, and just over 21 inches long). The active material was "Thermate", an improved version of Thermite. The official description of the igniting action of these clusters is as follows:- "Spring loaded safety plunger is depressed by adjacent bomb; upon release from cluster, it jumps out, leaving the firing pin riding on a creep spring. On impact the firing pin overcomes its creep spring and strikes primer, igniting the thermate which melts the steel body and releases molten iron." These were known as an intensive type of incendiary, "which burns as a unit, confining its intense heat to a relatively small area. The bombs are small in size and are always dropped as clusters to give area coverage. They are normally employed against targets having a high percentage of roof coverage, such as industrial establishments and crowded residential areas. Since the bombs have heavy nose plugs and substantial case strength (the AN M-54 case was made of steel sheet, and the filling weight per bomb was just 1.6 lbs), some penetration can be expected, and the high burning temperature of its filling will be effective in industrial areas." As there were not many "industrial" or "residential" areas in the South and South West Pacific areas, it would seem that these munitions were provided to these theatres for use against just about any man-made construction that might be used by the Japanese armed forces in the operational areas.
David D

[Dave Homewood]

They dropped them onto the gardens after they'd been sprayed with diesel too, to set them ablaze and destroy the crops.

[hbpencil]

Thanks for the info, appreciated.

[pjw4118]

A great piece of film

[davidd]

Have finally obtained some more detailed notes on the use of those incendiary bombs by RNZAF aircraft in South Pacific.

First source is the 7-page report (undated) compiled by Wing Commander C W K Nicholls, RAF, OC RNZAF Fighter Wing at Torokina from February to May 1944. On page 5 he details the introduction of this ordnance. "By mid-March [1944] Rabaul city (sic) had (been?) almost completely wiped out and the Wing commenced incendiary raids on the large supply areas at Vunapope and Rataval. Five hundred pound incendiary clusters consisting of 126 four pound incendiaries were carried on these raids. The attacks caused very fierce fires in these areas and were kept up for several weeks to attain the maximum of destruction. After the first few attacks the enemy shifted his Ack-Ack from the airfields to the main storage areas, particularly at Vunapope where A/A fire was very intense. Persistent attacks cleared out these areas almost completely and we returned to the attack on the airfields which had again been made serviceable by the Japanese." Note number of bomblets mentioned here (126) is two less than several other sources state, probably in error.

Second source is an 11-page report (including 8 pages of appendices) titled "Report on Selection and Employment of Bombs and Depth Charges by RNZAF against Targets in Islands Area (formerly NORSOLS)", unfortunately undated but would have been very late in WW2, not long before surrender, perhaps June or July 1945. No clues as to authors. On page 1 of this report, it is noted that: "The next development was the use of 500-lb incendiary clusters by P-40's against suitable targets in New Britain and Bougainville. These M-7 clusters contained 128 x 4 lb incendiaries, which were released at 6,000 feet. It was found that strong winds caused the bombs to drift up to 200 yards. After a short experimental period, this type of attack was discontinued."

A check of the summary of bombs dropped by the RNZAF in Pacific showed that a total of 33 strikes using this weapon were carried out by P-40 squadrons between 24th March and 2nd June 1944 (flown by Nos. 19, 14, 16, and 17 Squadrons) totalling 523 sorties. Targets were the following stores areas: Vunapope, Talili Bay, Rataval, Rabaul township, Toboi wharf (Rabaul), west coast of Matupi Island (Rabaul), Vunakambie, Vunakanau, Tobera airfield, and Duke of York Islands. Also some so-called "petrol" incendiaries were dropped by P-40s on Bougainville targets between 7th and 11th May, these being modified 75 US gallon belly (drop) tank filled with a mixture of 50% aviation gasoline and 50% diesel oil, with two 4 pound incendiary bomb strapped to it. Only eight sorties were flown with these "new" weapons, by pilots of 16 and 17 Squadrons, targets being Porton Plantation, Monuitu Mission, and Area Bay. These bombs were described as "moderately" successful.

2nd June 1944 was the final operational flying by RNZAF P-40s, and initially their Corsair replacements were not used as fighter bombers for various reasons. However from 3rd July they were toting 1,000 pound GP bombs, and for a period of just over a month (28th July to 3rd September) these Torokina-based aircraft participated in eight strikes utilising the 500 pound incendiary cluster bomb, mostly against Rataval (6 strikes), Vunapope (one), and a sawmill at Keravat (one). One further strike with these weapons was mounted against the Ralum supply area on 15th October 1944, bringing total of Corsair sorties with these incendiaries to 157. It is believed that the October strike actually used the 500 pound cluster bomb, with Napalm filling, rather than the earlier types which were filled with Thermate or magnesium.

[30sqnatc]

Apr 29, 2017 12:08:46 GMT 12 davidd said:

hbpencil,
... The "NZ" number worn by the Jeep (MT04) seems highly unusual, possibly these temporally "on loan" vehicles had locally allocated numbers (most of the US equipment used in forward area by RNZAF was NOT supplied under Lend-Lease) rather than from the series allocated by Air Department in Wellington.
David D

And the 'Jeep' is actually a Dodge Command Car, the only photo I have seen of one in NZ use.