Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2020 16:22:02 GMT 12
STRAFING JAPANESE
NEW ZEALAND CORSAIRS
(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News.) BOUGAINVILLE, June 2,
Corsairs of the R.N.Z.A.F. are now joining in attacks on the Japanese, in the Northern Solomons, New Britain, and New Ireland areas. The pilots, many of whom are veterans of fierce air battles in the earlier phases of the Solomons campaign, would like to have a chance of meeting Zeros with their Corsairs, but the Japanese air opposition is now all on the ground. The New Zealanders still have plenty to do, however, with both Warhawks and Corsairs, ranging far and wide, bombing and strafing an imposing assortment of targets.
In a Rabaul sweep four Corsairs, led by Flying Officer Barney Williams, of Ellsthorpe, Hawke's Bay, accounted for two Japanese and a barge. He and his flying mate had some exciting moments when, after pursuing a Japanese truck near a bridge, they found themselves right over Rabaul, a target for the guns in one of the most heavily fortified areas in this part of the world. Anti-aircraft fire came from all directions, but the New Zealanders dodged their way through. Williams's Corsair was holed in the port wing, but flew home without trouble.
"We must have scared hell out of the Nips in Rabaul," said Williams. "They did not expect us, and as we came over the town we could see Japs diving for cover in all directions and trucks scattering everywhere."
"Truck-busting" is becoming one of the specialities of the Corsairs. Previously Flight Lieutenant Guy Robertson, of Ashburton, led a section in to strafe two trucks north of Rabaul. As the Corsairs came in the Japanese drivers and passengers panicked into the jungle. One truck, possibly carrying petrol, burst into flames, and the other was quickly converted into scrap iron. The squadron commander, Squadron Leader S. R. Duncan, of Nelson, contributed four more trucks to the score during a strafing mission in northern New Britain.
EVENING POST, 6 JUNE 1944
NEW ZEALAND CORSAIRS
(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News.) BOUGAINVILLE, June 2,
Corsairs of the R.N.Z.A.F. are now joining in attacks on the Japanese, in the Northern Solomons, New Britain, and New Ireland areas. The pilots, many of whom are veterans of fierce air battles in the earlier phases of the Solomons campaign, would like to have a chance of meeting Zeros with their Corsairs, but the Japanese air opposition is now all on the ground. The New Zealanders still have plenty to do, however, with both Warhawks and Corsairs, ranging far and wide, bombing and strafing an imposing assortment of targets.
In a Rabaul sweep four Corsairs, led by Flying Officer Barney Williams, of Ellsthorpe, Hawke's Bay, accounted for two Japanese and a barge. He and his flying mate had some exciting moments when, after pursuing a Japanese truck near a bridge, they found themselves right over Rabaul, a target for the guns in one of the most heavily fortified areas in this part of the world. Anti-aircraft fire came from all directions, but the New Zealanders dodged their way through. Williams's Corsair was holed in the port wing, but flew home without trouble.
"We must have scared hell out of the Nips in Rabaul," said Williams. "They did not expect us, and as we came over the town we could see Japs diving for cover in all directions and trucks scattering everywhere."
"Truck-busting" is becoming one of the specialities of the Corsairs. Previously Flight Lieutenant Guy Robertson, of Ashburton, led a section in to strafe two trucks north of Rabaul. As the Corsairs came in the Japanese drivers and passengers panicked into the jungle. One truck, possibly carrying petrol, burst into flames, and the other was quickly converted into scrap iron. The squadron commander, Squadron Leader S. R. Duncan, of Nelson, contributed four more trucks to the score during a strafing mission in northern New Britain.
EVENING POST, 6 JUNE 1944
