RNZAF activity in the Pacific 1945

[aircraftclocks]

I'm starting a thread on RNZAF activity as shown in US Naval war dairies. I will only include RNZAF entries, if US or RAAF assets were involved in the activity, they will be included as well.

The first entries for the year are:

Day Ending 0800 2 January 1945.

Not only were all strikes cancelled, giving the Sons of Heaven an unpremeditated holiday, but most patrols and sweeps were called off as well, due to weather.

NEW IRELAND
(3 sorties-1 1/8 tons)

North New Ireland Patrols:
Two Emirau Corsairs did little noticeable damage during their evening Kavieng patrol on Dec. 31, with 1 half tonner and a dud and the other unobserved.
The medium flak appeared as inaccurate and meagre from both the waterfront and the clearing in the north airfield.
The dusk sweep was called off due to weather and the dawn sweep on New Year's day bucked the weather for nearly three hours.
Two bombs were dropped, one reported as unobserved, the other as a dud which was left on the Kapsu plantation. The third 250 pounder came home due to release failure.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrol 31 Dec. dr 2x1000.
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn sweep 1 Jan. dr 2x250.

NEW BRITAIN

(6 sorties-No bombs)

Rabaul Patrols: Not only were all strikes cancelled due to weather but the patrols were flown from 1030 to 1330 only, covered by 6 Green Corsairs.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ Rabaul patrol No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE

(6 sorties- 1 ton)

Bougainville Patrols: Four Piva Corsairs flew dawn and dusk patrols with negative results.
For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 24 Dawn patrol No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 24 Dusk patrol No bombs.

SEARCHES FOR 1 JANUARY
Emirau searches were negative in a south equatorial storm, track and cover reported as follows; Victor 100 and 80, Uncle 100 each, Tare 100 and 90.

For the Record:

3 PV NZ 4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.

[clint]

Great stuff, a family member was flying with 4 Squadron during this time.

[aircraftclocks]

Day ending 0800 3 January 1945

On the main road of Talili Bay stationary trucks were flamed by fighter strafing fire. At the same time, four more similar vehicles were apparently totally disabled in the Tunnel Hill Road. Panapai airfield on New Ireland is pounded by considerable tonnage from Emirau.

NEW BRITAIN

(28 sorties - 2 tons)
Sweeps KO Trucks: in the morning four Piva Corsairs descended upon three stationery trucks on the Talili Bay main road with four quarter-tonners.
The trucks were subsequently fired and destroyed by strafing.
Meagre and accurate 40MM flak was received from Hospital Ridge, one of our aircraft being hit and subsequently crash landing at Green.
The pilot was uninjured but the plane was washed out.
The Watom-Pondo Sweep concentrated on four trucks on Tunnel Hill Road and consisted of four Piva Corsairs.
The trucks were subsequently strafed and considered destroyed by the pilots, although they were not fired.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 Duke of York-Cape Archway Sw. 0900 dr. 4x500
4 F4Us NZ 21 Watom-Pondo swoop. 0900 dr. 4x500

Rabaul Patrol: Twenty Green Corsairs did patrol duty in the Rabaul area.
A new flak position gave them considerable trouble by sending up heavy, meagre and accurate fire.
This position is reported 300 yards South of the southernmost taxiway on Keravat field.
The first flight stayed on deck due to weather. All night flights were cancelled.

For the Record:

20 F4Us NZ Rabaul patrol 0815-1720 No bombs.

CHOISEUL
(12 sorties - 5 tons)

North Choiseul Nip Mission: One dozen New Zealand Corsairs from Piva socked the Nips of Poroporo on the North tip of Choiseul but no results were claimed.
Two bombs were duds and a hung bomb was brought safely home. The remainder was said to have been left in the target area.

For the Record:
12. F4Us NZ 24 Choiseul 0700 dr. 12x500 Inst.
12x325 D.C.

BOUGAINVILLE
(18 sorties - 6 3/4 tons)

Mawaraka Barge Area: Eight Piva Corsairs struck at the Mawaraka area on the Central West coast of Bougainville led in their attack by one Boomerang.
Their loads were effectively dropped and consisted of a dozen quarter-tonners and four 325 pound D/Cs.

Old Vivie Hit: Four Piva Corsairs hit Old Vivie with eight quarter-tonners and left one hut slightly damaged by one bomb.

Plantation Hit: Tearouki Plantation in NE Bougainville was bombed and strafed by two Piva fighters with four quarter-tonners away. Results were unobserved.

Bougainville Searches: Able-Charlie searches were conducted by four New Zealand Corsairs from Piva with unobserved results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 24 1120 dr. 4x325 D/C
dr.12x500
4 F4Us NZ 24 1420 dr. 8x500
2 F4Us NZ 24 1400 dr. 4x500
4 F4Us NZ 21 A/C Search 0745 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND

(29 sorties - 25 tons)

New Ireland Dawn Sweep: A low-level attack made by one Emirau Ventura drew light accurate and meagre flak from Messi plantation when it dropped its eight quarter-tonners on huts in the Lamernewei plantation area on the NW coast of New Ireland.
No results were sighted. The closing Kavieng patrol, truck reconnaissance and dusk sweep were cancelled.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 4 Dawn Sweep dr. 8x500 G.P.

North New Ireland patrols:

Panapai Huts Smoked: Eleven Emirau Corsairs managed to smoke huts, after the twelfth plane had returned to base due to operational trouble.
They made a dive-bombing attack on the Panapai hut area and of their twenty-two half-tonners, twenty stratled the target, only two bombs landing in the water.
Jap flak of all sizes emanated from northeast and southeast Kavieng strip with no accuracy but intensity.
Twin fighters, six in number took care of Kavieng.
Two pairs of these found the A/A fire to be of heavy and medium calibre but inaccurate and meagre.
Their bombs overshot the building one mile N of Panapai while the remaining pair missed the southern tip of Nusalik Island with their ton-load.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng Patrol dr. 20x1000
6 F4Us NZ 19 0615-1500 dr. 6x1000

New Ireland Targets:

Borpop Popped. One Leatherneck Mitchell from Green dropped four quarter-tonners on Namatanai airdrome and the other two planes saturated Borpop with ten of the same.
PV's Hit Plantation; Eight Allied Green Venturas disposed of a sizeable load composed of 46 quarter-tonners on the Mageh plantation and came home. Two bombs hung.

For the Record:

3 PBJs VMB 423 New Ireland dr. 14x500 G.P.
8 PVs NZ 1 New Ireland dr. 46x500 G.P.

SEARCHES FOR 2 JANUARY
Beefsteak searches were negative with 100 track and cover for Tare and Victor and 95 for Uncle.
Admiralties Venturas reported negative sightings with full track in both sectors and poor weather.
Cover was 70 for Able and 80 for Baker.

For the Record:
3 PVs NZ 4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VPB 146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[camtech]

NZ5367 was the corsair "washed out"

[aircraftclocks]

Day ending 0800 4 January 1945

Twenty-six Mitchells from our Emirau based squadrons slap Kavieng strip and revetments, damage being unobserved due to cloud cover.
Piva fighters accounted for at least a half dozen huts, smoked and fired three trucks and peppered eleven more with tacer in addition to one small car.

New Ireland
(40 sorties - 36 1/2 tons)

Kavieng Patrol: Two pairs of Emirau Corsairs flew the N. New Ireland patrol, and dropped four half tonners at buildings on Nusalik Island.
Results were unobserved. Two of the aircraft received heavy, inaccurate and meagre A/A from unknown positions.
The dusk patrol was weathered out.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrol dr 4x1000 GP.

Nokon Blazes: Four Green Corsairs made good by starting a fire with smoke billowing to 300 feet at Nokon Village in south-eastern New Ireland having been weathered out of Belik River bridge.
Six quarter tonners were evidently responsible.
Two bombs hung and were later dropped on Rabulut also in that area, one of the bombs reported as a dud.

For the Record:

4 F4Us South-east New Ireland dr 8x500 GP.

New Ireland Dawn Sweep: No bombs were dropped by the Ventura from Emirau which flew full route from 0600 to 0930.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 4 Dawn sweep No bombs.

Panapai Area Huts Crushed: Huts at 2500 yards from Panapai field took a beating delivered by four Emirau Corsairs carrying two half tonners each.
Their dive-bombing attacks caused large explosions and flak was reported heavy, inaccurate and meagre from unobserved positions.

Truck Recco Negative: The PV flying the truck reconnaissance found no targets, and the hop was shortened by weather.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 19 1035 dr 8x1000 GP.
1 PV NZ 4 1241-1500 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(25 sorties-5 1/2 tons)

Gazelle Sweep Brings Destruction:
York-Archway Jackpot: A quartet of Piva fighters hit the enemy hard around noon yesterday when they sowed destruction along the Keravia Bay area.
Three of their quarter-tonners hit a tin-roofed bungalow, while three more were dropped on huts in Davaun Village.
Two additional drops liquidated two more huts, one located on the Bay, the other at Tawliva Village.
Effective strafing fire brought the score of huts to three certain in the Keravia district and accounted for two trucks smoked and one fired.
Our tracer fire was seen to hole eleven different trucks and one small car.
Flak was medium and inaccurate from a hill south of Keravia Village.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 1225-1330 dr 8x500.

Green Ventura Heckles Rabaul at Night: Three quarter-tonners were left on Vunakanau field, two on Rabaul Town and one on the Lakunai strip on the night of January 1-2.

Rabaul Patrols: On the evening of the 2nd, four Green Corsairs took care of the Rabaul area, while on the morning of January 3 patrols were curtailed, allowing only four fighters on station.
In the afternoon eight Green Corsairs strafed a 3 ton truck on the Bulu Road loaded with vegetables. Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

1 PV Rabaul heckler Jan. 1-2 dr 6x500.

4 F4Us NZ Rabaul patrol Jan. 2 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ Dawn patrol No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ Rabaul patrol (1250-1715) No bombs.

Watom-Pondo Sweep Scores: Four Piva fighters dropped their eight quarter tonners in the Talili Bay area, with excellent results, and sprayed .50 cal. destruction on one hut.
The bombs demolished two and damaged three huts. Light, moderate and inaccurate flak from Talili and Liguan Bays left our pilots and planes unscathed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 1245-1335 dr 8x500.

BOUGAINVILLE
(32 sorties - 11 1/2 tons)

South Bougainville Hit: Our enemies in the Hongorai bivouac area were pummelled again yesterday morning, being ushered to the target by a RAAF Boomerang and having received similar blows on December 29th.
Ten Piva Corsairs dropped their eggs and reported six half tonners in the area, while two of the same dosage overshot the target by 100 yds. and the other two were short 150 yds.
All additional fighter octette spilled sixteen depth charges within a fifty yard radius of points smoked by the Boomerang which preceded them, three of the bombs turning out as duds.
Three strafing runs helped to make the mission a success.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 21 Hongorai Bivouac dr. 10x1000
8 F4Us NZ 24 " " dr. 16x325 D.C.

Able-Charlie Searches Strike Out: A pair of Piva Corsairs strafed Nips and huts in the morning and early afternoon on the Leuss-Avis Road in NE Bougainville as well as the Tearouki plantation which was hit on Jan. 2nd.
Two fighters flew the dawn patrol with no observations.

For the Record:

2 F4Us Able-Charlie 0900 No bombs.
2 F4Us Able-Charlie 1300 No bombs.
2 F4Us Dawn patrol. No bombs.

Mawaraka Mauled: An Aussie Boomerang showed eight Piva fighters to their target late yesterday morning, this being the Nip hang-outs in the Mawaraka area, West central Bougainville.
Six half-tonners were left where the Boomerang directed, and one bomb was wide, the other hung. Thorough strafing fire added to the effectiveness of the flight.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 21 1130 dr. 8x1000

SEARCHES FOR JANUARY 3

The three Beefsteak sectors had perfect weather on their negative searches.
Except for Tare, which had only 15% cover all track and cover was complete.
Brewer searches saw nothing and flew full track and 90 cover in good weather on both sectors.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VPB 146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 5 January 1945.

Emirau Mitchells finding weather unfavorable for their primary mission, left their impressive tonnage on targets along the coast. Bougainville fighters took care of watercraft and one Jap while making some keen observations. The South Bougainville patrol did considerable damage in the Shortlands district.

NEW IRELAND
(34 sorties - 38 1/2 tons)

Dawn Ventura Leaves Deposit: The morning PV from Emirau lobbed over half-dozen eigth-tonners on some huts located at Lakuramau plantation with no comment.

Truck Killers Overshoot: No results were claimed by the truck-recco PV who overshot Panemansu bridge with his six packages of an eighth ton each.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-4 Dawn patrol dr. 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ Truck & Recco dr. 6x250 G.P.

Kavieng Patrols Deal Death: Six Emirau Corsairs flying in pairs brought death and destruction to enemy personnel and material.
The first pair overshot some buildings on the Southern tip of Nusalik Island with two half-tonners.
As the pair swooped down to K.O. a truck 3 miles S of Panapai, flak from a 37 MM position holed one plane badly with intense fire.
A Jap gunner busying himself around the emplacement has been saved the trouble of hari-kari.
The next pair dropped another ton of death on buildings at the S tip of Nusallk Island destroying two huts and damaging others.
The last pair was weathered out, returning to base with their bombs left at sea.

For the Record:

6 F4Us Kavieng Patrols 0831-1700 dr. 4x1000 G.P.

BOUGAINVILLE
(42 sorties - 17 tons)

Able-Charlie Boys Destroy a Lot and See More: The four Corsairs flying in pairs did some damage by strafing, accounting for the sinking of a 10 foot boat north of Soipai Island, north-east of Shortland and the end of one Nip and a canoe in Toborei Bay on the central east coast of Bougainville.
They also strafed a 14 foot boat five miles west of Moila point on the south coast. They noticed a serviceable jetty on the south side of Munia Island, south of Fauro with tracks leading to a cliff.
Moreover, a gun emplacement is believed to be located 1 mile west of Moila point.
A road block exists two miles north of Shishigatero in the southwest interior of Bougainville and a timber control tower seems to be located on Fosai on the northeast Shortlands coast.
Two Piva Corsairs flew the Dawn patrol and sighted nothing of interest.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 Able-Charlie Search 0615 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 24 Dawn patrol No bombs.

Dusk patrol: The twin-fighter dusk patrol on January 3 went out as usual.

East Coast Target Trounced: Numa Numa was the center of attention for one dozen New Zealand birdmen yesterday morning who dropped six tons on Numa Numa trail suspected to be a Jap supply dump, with no comment.
Strafing fire was thorough.

Mawaraka Asiatics Got Repeat Performance: These Japs drew another eight of our fighters for the second time in 24 hours with the same four ton reward. All half-tonners were delivered in the target area.

Gazelle Sweep Octette performed Admirably on Sohanna Island: Being weathered but around New Britain, eight of our fighters scattered their loads on the island off the northwest coast of Bougainville.
Two bombs were left in the vicinity of autos on the north tip of the island, two more near some reported coast gun installations, and three in the vicinity of heavy positions.
Added to those were four more delivered on a wooded area and two on smoke on a ridge. A gun position South of those plotted received a bomb and answered with moderate, inaccurate and medium flak but no tracer observed.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 24 Dusk patrol Jan 3 No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ 21 Numa Numa 0830 dr. 12x1000
8 F4Us NZ 21 Mawaraka 1125 dr. 8x1000
8 F4Us NZ 24 Sohanna 0925 dr. 16x500

South Bougainville patrol Blitzes Shortlands: A quartett of Piva Corsairs sang a song to the Nips in the Shortlands area and adjoning atolls yesterday afternoon.
Two of their quarter-tonners demolished three huts on a ridge inland from Shortland harbour while four more plastered other huts on the south coast of Morgusaia.
One egg was left on Faisi Island and another on some huts near the Sanai river mouth. A two foot mine was observed two miles west of Fauro Island.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 S. Bougainville patrol. dr. 8x500

NEW BRITAIN
(25 sorties - 1/2 ton)

Rabaul patrols: Four Corsairs flew the dusk patrols on January 3. The next day twenty Emirau fighters covered the same area. They ran into some meagre, inaccurate and light flak near the Mother Crater while accurate fire of the same size and intensity emanated from Waira Point on Duke of York's east coast, one plane was holed twice but retaliated by strafing and firing a large, empty truck at Raluana.
A twelve foot dinghy was probably destroyed in Garerr Bay, due east of Cape Lambert, by more accurate bursts. One Nip became a casualty at Langinoa plantation. Other patrols gave in to weather and hugged the deck.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 19 Dusk Patrol 1715-1810 No bombs.
20 F4Us NZ 19 0712-0915 & 1205-1510 No bombs.

SEARCHES FOR JANUARY 4

Beefsteak searches were negative, Tare and Uncle scoring 100 in both track and cover, whereas Victor claimed 70 track and 60 cover in rainy weather.
Brewer searches had full track and 95 cover in both sectors.

For the Record:

3 PV NZ 4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PV VPB 146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 6 January 1945.

A sound thrashing was meted out in the Toboi district, suspected hideout for Jap aircraft. Enemy flak paralyzes but does not disable one of our own Corsairs.

New Britain
(68 sorties - 49 1/2 tons)

Green Seahorses and Venturas Add to Toboi Pounding: Eight Mitchell and five PVs scattered nine tons in the Toboi floatplane area with 90% area hits.
Meagre, inaccurate and heavy AA was encountered near Sulphur Creek, and at the junction of the Malaguna-Tunnel Hill road.

Truck Burns: Twenty Green fighters swept the Rabaul area. Their strafing fire fell on three trucks of which one burned. Moderate, accurate, and medium AA was encountered two miles south of Vunakanau strip at a road Junction.

For the Record:

8 PBJs VMB 423 Toboi dr 8x1000 GP.
5 PVs NZ 1 Toboi dr 20x500 GP.
20 F4Us 0645-1630 No bombs.

York-Archway Sweep Makes Good Haul: One ton of destruction fell upon a 20 foot barge on the beach opposite Kabanga Plantation just south of Cape Gazelle with the compliments of four Piva fighters.
The barge then was riddled in strafing runs.
In addition an open truck was smoked five miles east of Raluana Point and two trucks were pumped full of lead on the Old Carman road north of Rabaul.

Watom-Pondo Fighter Lands Lame Aircraft Skillfully: The Watom-Pondo quartett met an exciting reception of moderate accurate and light AA between Talili Bay and Tunnel Hill road.
The flak holed one of our Corsairs in six places, paralyzing the starboard rudder control, but the plane crash-landed on the home base.
The ton-load of bombs was left on huts in the Rataval area and a 20 foot barge was destroyed by scorching strafing fire on the beach at Massava Bay.
The pilot was unable to pinpoint the flak.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 York-Archway 1020-1140 dr 4x500.
4 F4Us NZ 21 Watom-Pondo 1010-1100 dr 4x500.

BOUGAINVILLE
(39 sorties - 14 tons)

Dusk Patrol: Two Piva Corsairs took care of the usual dusk patrol on Jan. 4.

Twelve Corsairs Spell Trouble in N. Bougainville: One dozen Piva fighters took a flier in the area of Manob Village yesterday A.M., known as a Nip concentration and possible supply dump.
Their quarter-tonners were well distributed. Six hit in the vicinity of the south dump, two of which reached the target, two overshot and two more were believed duds.
Another half dozen were destined for the north dump. Three others hit some huts but one splashed water and another hung up to be jettisoned.
Six more reached the beach area and one struck the north tip of Sohana Island for good measure, calling forth a welcome of meagre, inaccurate and moderate flak.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 24 Dusk patrol Jan. 4 No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ 24 Manob 0700 dr 22x500.

Nip Camp Attacked: Four Piva fighters struck a Nip camp between a cluster of trees and Manob Point in northern Bougainville late yesterday morning.
Eight quarter tonners were delivered, four of which were direct hits. The other three were within fifty yards of the camp and one dud was reported.
The area which could easily be identified as well used, received additional strafing attention.

Kaino Wireless Station Tapped: Yesterday morning, eight Piva fighters made an attack in the vicinity of Kaino, harboring what is believed to be a radio station.
The rocks chosen as landmarks could not be located, but the fours tons were left at the edge of a clearing with two of the bombs pronounced duds.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 1125 dr 8x500.
8 F4Us NZ 24 1045 dr 16x500.

South Bougainville Patrol Observes Activity: Four Piva Corsairs left two tons on some Nip gardens in the vicinity of Ambutuai river.
Ten inhabited huts were strafed located under trees on the peninsula at the mouth of the Mailal river.
The tracks along the coast east of Moisuru Village appear well used.

Able-Charlie Search Sees Boat Hideaway: Possible boat marks were observed by the four Piva fighters searching yesterday morning and afternoon. Three marks were reported at Porovana Bay.

Scramble Search: Two Piva Corsairs looked for suspected barges but saw nothing.

Dawn Patrol: Two fighters flew the dawn patrol with no observations.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 S. Bougainville patrol 1430 dr 4x1000.
4 F4Us NZ 21 Able-Charlie Searches 0745-1300 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 21 Scramble Search No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dawn patrol Jan. 5 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(16 sorties - 11 1/2 tons)

Weather Fouls North New Ireland Dusk Ventura: The dusk sweep of Jan. 4 was weathered out, dunked its bombs and came home.

Dawn Sweep Drops on Huts: This Ventura left a half dozen quarter tonners on huts in Lauan Village but saw nothing.

Plantation Building is No More: Three Emirau PVs liquidated a building on the Lamussong Plantation and strafed the area thoroughly.

No Trucks But Bridge: Six quarter-tonners belonging to the truck recco PV left their racks from medium altitude to hit a bridge at Logagon.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 4 Dusk sweep Jan. 4 Jettisoned.
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn sweep dr 6x500 GP.
3 PVs NZ 4 Lamussong dr 18x500 GP.
1 PV NZ 4 Truck Recco dr 6x500.

Kavieng Patrols Molest Huts: A half dozen Emirau fighters flew duett carrying a half-tonner each. Two bombs missed the Lossuk bridge, two more were released near some huts, and two others near a bridge on Balus Plantation. The dusk sweep was cancelled.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrol 0910-1530 dr 6x1000.

Corsairs Miss Bridge: A quartett of Green fighters left a ton near the Belik river bridge which they reported to be merely a foot bridge. No damage was done.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 1123-1129 dr 4x500 GP.

SEARCHES FOR 5 JANUARY
Beefsteak searches nothing with the following track and cover: Tare 35 and 35 Uncle 100 and 80 Victor 20 and 20. Weather was reported as poor south of the equator.
Brewer searches were negative in fair weather, the last hundred miles being covered by a front. Full track was accomplished for both sectors with 80% cover for Able and 85 for Baker.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VPB-146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[Dave Homewood]

Interesting they referred to the US Marine Corps PBJ Mitchells as Seahorses.

[aircraftclocks]

Looks like our crash landed aircraft was NZ5358.

[davidd]

Definitely some fairly original use of the English language in there Dave! Do not understand why the Marine Corps PBJ's were referred to as "Sea Horses", unless it as an allusion to the squadron concerned.
David D

[aircraftclocks]

Looking at the weekly report of aircraft and pilot availability, Green had one PBJ-1D squadron located there with 11 aircraft and their 45 pilots. VMB-423 known as the Seahorse marines.

[Dave Homewood]

David, it has to be VMB-423, who had a seahorse as their emblem and were known as The Seahorse Marines:

[Dave Homewood]

Ah, snap

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 7 January 1945.

The Jap installations on Bougainville draw numerous corsairs, spreading destruction on personell, roadways and huts. The bridge at Moisuru is reported destroyed.
Twenty-eight tons fell on Northern New Britain yesterday as reported by the Air Corps at Nadzab, but only slight damage was claimed. Strafing fire from Green Corsairs liquidated Nips and holed trucks. Unidentified fighters were seen.

BOUGAINVILLE

Moisuru Bridge Blasted: On the south coast of Bougainville the bridge on the river was liquidated by one dozen Piva fighters.
Two columns of white smoke rising to 200 feet were caused. All bombs hit within the area.

Dusk patrol: Two Piva Corsairs flew the Dusk Patrol on January 5.

Taki Village Area Bombed and Strafed: Eight Piva Corsairs hit the Taki village area on the southeast coast of Bougainville yesterday morning.
Each fighter carried one half-ton and all bombs hit home. The target was strafed successfully.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 21 Moisuru 0830 dr, 12x1000
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dusk Patrol Jan 5 No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ 21 Taki 1140 dr. 8x1000

Northern Village Hit: Avis village, on the NE coast of Bougainville received two quarter ton bombs from each of eight Piva Corsairs in addition to strafing fire.
All bombs except one struck within the area.

Able-Charlie Searches See Barge Hideout: Two pairs of Corsairs fulfilled these searches during the early and late morning yesterday.
They strafed bivouac fires on the shoreline of Pipia and Toborai bay, as well in the observation post in the cliff at Piedu Island. A mangrove area was well strafed.
Six new native huts were observed in the north interior of Buka Island at Lemanmanu mission.
Two new jetties with two huts were seen just south of the mission as well as two large huts at Skotolan mission in the southwest Buka.
A barge hideout was observed in the northwest corner of Tonolei harbor.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 24 Avis village 1655 dr. 16x500
4 F4Us NZ 24 Able-Charlie Search 0600-1000 No bombs.

South Bougainville patrol Scores: Four Piva fighters flew the patrol during early afternoon yesterday and dropped eight quarter-tonners.
Seven bombs landed on huts South of Morgusaia Island located southeast of the Shortlands.
One of these huts burned but was not claimed. The remaining bomb hit a 30 foot barge with a pointed bow located on a reef fifty yards from Aikiki Island west of the Shortlands.
The barge burned fiercely after strafing was accomplished.

Twin Fighters scramble for Crashed Corsairs: Two F4Us searched for the 2 Corsairs which collided in mid air yesterday morning.
One of the planes crash landed in the bush with slight injuries to the pilot while the other was lost in the sea.

Two Corsairs on Dawn Patrol: No observations were made on the morning of January 6.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 S. Bougainville patrol 1245 dr. 8x500
2 F4Us NZ 24 Crash Scramble 0940 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 24 Dawn Patrol. January 6 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND

Dawn Ventura Drops at Low Level: An unobserved two-hundred foot drop was delivered by the early morning Emirau PV, consisting of a half-dozen quarter-tonners.
Huts in Katherine Bay on the west coast of New Ireland were the target.

Japs Get Dusting in North: Nearly 3000 rounds of ammunition riddled Japs at Lossuk Bay delivered by the Truck Recco Venturas from Admiralty.
Excellent coverage was reported with eighteen eighth tonners.

Road Cratered by Patrol: Four Emirau fighters flew in pairs and dropped half-tonners, a couple of them falling near a bridge at Cape Salli just north of the Lakurafange plantation.
A roadway was cratered, and one bomb undershot a bridge at Lossuk Bay.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 4 Dawn Patrol 0554-0922 dr. 6x500
3 PVs NZ 4 Truck Rocco dr. 18x250
4 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng Patrols 1015 & 1510 dr. 4x1000 G.P.

SEARCHES FOR JANUARY 6

Beefsteak searches saw no Nips, track and cover reported as follows: Tare both 100, Uncle each 95, and Victor 40 and 60. A small front was encountered on the west leg of the Victor sector.
Brewer searches were negative with full track and cover.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VPB 146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[chinapilot]

Many thanks for posting these - great stuff.

Really like the scribe’s sardonic sense of humour.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 8 January 1945.

The suspected plane park south of Toboi wharf was bombed by eighteen Mitchells and Venturas toting twenty-four tons of destruction. Half of this tonnage was claimed on target.
Four Bougainville fighters put bombs near heavily-laden barges hidden in Tonolei Harbor. Twelve Piva Corsairs blast Moisuru dump with four tons of bombs, send up sheet of flame. Patrol blasts three huts at Mailal River. Gear from missing PV positively identified in crash-boat pickup northwest of Bougainville.

NEW BRITAIN
(35 sorties - 33 tons)

Eighteen Planes Hit Toboi: Eight Mitchells and four Venturas from Green and six Mitchells from Emirau teamed up in a good strike on a suspected floatplane park just south of Toboi wharf.
The Green PBJs dropped sixteen half-tonners and four quarter-tonners, with 85% on the target.
The Venturas dropped 24 quarter-tonners, getting 75% coverage. All bombs were released at high levels.
The Emirau Mitchells sent three dozen quarter-tonners through a hole in the clouds. These hits were well south.

For the Record:
8 PBJs VMB-423 Toboi 1024 dr 16x1000
                                               4x500.
4 PVs NZ-1 Toboi 1024 dr 24x500.
6 PBJs VMB-Emirau Toboi 1023 dr 36x500.

Tomavatur Radar Again Hit: Four Corsairs sent two half-tonners and two 650-pound depth charges on the radar installation at Tomavatur, south of Vunakanau Drome, during the late afternoon.
Results were negative. The last strike on this target was December 30th, and claimed a hit.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-Green Tomavatur 1647 dr 2x1000
                                                      2x650 D.C.

Saturday Corsairs Clip Nip: Four F4Us patrolling Rabaul around supper time strafed three Japs in swimming at Rapatur on Watom Island. One Jap was killed.

Heckler Sows Ton and a Half: During the evening of January 6th one Ventura scattered six quarter-tonners over Rapopo, Lakunai and Rabaul. Clouds obscured the results.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul patrol 1715-1805 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-1 Rabaul patrol 2205-2400 dr 6x500.

Rabaul Patrols: Two flights of four Corsairs each covered the Rabaul area during January 7th. Other patrols were weathered No observations were reported.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul patrol 0820-1015 1438-1635 No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(33 sorties -11 1/4 tons)

Corsairs Again Hit Moisuru: A dozen Piva fighters landed sixteen depth charges in the Moisuru dump area, plus another eight just off the target.
Two pilots reported a large sheet of flame touched off by the hits.

Four Tons on Ebery's Lease: Eight Coreairs visited Ebery's Lease near Kahili airdrome yesterday and plastered suspected Jap concentrations with sixteen quarter-tonners.
Fifteen splashed the target; one fell in a cultivated area which appeared neglected and unused.

Barge Hideout Uncovered: Saturday's Able-Charlie search reported barges tucked in the northwest corner of Tonolei Harbor, Four F4Us gave them a Sunday punch with eight quarter-tonners - all aimed at two heavily-laden barges under trees growing in the water.
Two bombs fell close to each barge, but dense foliage prevented observation of damage done. Meagre, inaccurate machine-gun fire spouted from the northeast shore.
More of the same quality ackack, with tracer added, came from the ridge inland.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-24 Moisuru 0830 dr 22x325 D.C.
                                                 2x500
8 F4Us NZ-24 Ebery's Lease 1155 dr 16x500.
4 F4Us NZ-24 Tonolei Harbor 1300 dr 8x500.

Dusk Patrol: The two Corsairs on duty night before last reported no bogies.

South Patrol Mauls Mailal River Huts: Four fighters dropped four half-tonners on Quonset-size huts at the mouth of Mailal River on the south coast of Bougainville.
Three of the buildings were blown to bits; a fourth is now minus its roof; and a small foot bridge was smashed. The area was also well strafed.

Able-Charlie Search: Four fighters, in pairs, made the usual round with no noteworthy incidents to report.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-24 Dusk patrol Jan. 6 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-21 S. Bougainville patrol 1450 dr 4x1000.
4 F4Us NZ-21 Able-Charlie search 1115 & 1040 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(20 sorties-17 1/2 tons)

Bombs on Fatmilak and Cape Lemeris Saturday: Two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol Saturday afternoon dropped two 1000-pounders on a garden in the Fatmilak area.
The dusk patrol Ventura put six quarter-tonners on Cape Lemeris huts in a low level attack. Results were not observed.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-19 Kavieng patrols Jan. 6 1500-1800 dr 2x1000.
1 PV NZ-4 Dusk patrol Jan. 6 dr 6x500.

Corsairs Bomb North Cape and Lamussong: Two pairs of F4Us on Kavieng patrol dropped two half-tonners in the personnel area of North Cape, and two more on huts at Lamussong, New Ireland. Results were not observed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-19 Kavieng patrol 1955-1500 dr 4x1000.

SEARCHES FOR JANUARY 7

Beefsteak PVs had negative search. Track and cover was as follows: Tare - 80 and 80; Uncle - 100 and 95; Victor - 90 and 90. There were solid middle clouds, with some showers near their base.
Brewer Venturas reported full track in fair weather, and negative search, A forty-mile front was encountered 150 miles out. Cover was reported as 80 percent for Able and 85 for Baker.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ-4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VFB-146 Admiralties 300 miles sectors.

SPECIAL SEARCHES
Hunt for Missing Ventura and Liberator Continues: Eight Piva Corsairs, by pairs, searches for our missing PV-1. Four additional Corsairs fine-tooth-combed the Shortlands and islands to westward.
There was no sign of life or activity on any of the following: Aikiki, Harumo, Harumokiki, Saigamona and Gomai. A well-kept garden, 25 yards square, was noted on Gomai Island.
A possible mine is anchored 20 yards off the point between Komaliai and Tupankoi Points on the north shore of Shortland Island, Two Corsairs from Green covered area below Feni with negative results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-21 Special search No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-21 Shortland special search No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-Green Feni special search No bombs.

Wreckage from Missing Ventura Found: A green oiled-cloth dinghy cover, stencilled NZ4623, was salvaged yesterday noon by a crash boat about 25-30 miles northwest of Bougainville north strip.
Other property of the same plane was recovered. Four Piva Corsairs, an Emirau PV and a crash boat made an exhaustive search but found no trace of personnel. Two F4Us were scrambled, but their report was negative.

For the Record:

4 F4Us Piva Special search
1 PV Emirau Special search
2 F4Us Piva Special search 1525.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 10 January 1945.

Bougainville had a big day. Various strikes and patrols ranged, oyer the island from Avis to Moila Point bombing and strafing with good results at a barge hideout, a jetty, huts, camps and a possible gun position. Corsairs from Green scored two direct hits with depth charges, destroying northern screen of Nip radar at Tomavatur, south of Vunakanau Drome.
Ten and a half tons hit true at Namatanai on New Ireland.

BOUGAINVILLE
(48 sorties - 13 1/2 tons)

Corsairs Hit Rorovana Bay: Twelve fighters led by tactical reconnaissance bombed Rorovana huts with eight 325-pound depth charges and eight quarter-ton G.P. bombs.
Eight more quarter-tonners were dropped on a suspected barge hideout in the bay, and this target was well strafed. No results were seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-24 Rorovana Bay 0720 dr 8x325 D.C. 16x500 G.P.

Four Hits on Jetty at Tonuru: Eight Corsairs, again led by tactical recco hit huts and a jetty at Tonuru (near Arawa) with sixteen 500-pounders.
Two hits destroyed the end of the jetty and two more crumpled the approach. Two hits fell in the vicinity of the huts, one splashed in the water, one was a dud, and eight landed inland of the jetty.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-24 Tonuru 1100 dr 16x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Old Vivie Visited Again: Four fighters led by tactical reconnaissance hit the Jap defense positions east of Old Vivie with eight 325-pound depth charges. Five were on target. Two overshot.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-24 Old Vivie 1240 dr 8x325 D.C. (1 dud)

Eight Huts Destroyed at Avis: Two Corsairs, one with 325 pound depth charges and the other with 500 pound GPs, destroyed at least eight huts at Avia. One of the quarter-tonners caused a column of black smoke rising to 300 feet.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-24 Avis 1345 dr 2x325 D.C.
                                        2x500 G.P.

Camp of Jap High-Ranking Officer Gets Two Tons: Anxious to stop the war worries of another of the Emperor's double-domes, two Corsairs dropped four half-tonners beside the tree under which the camp of a top Jap officer was reported to be hidden. Strafing produced white smoke. Camp site was north of the Red River, on the central east coast.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-21 Red River 1445 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Nips, Barges, Boats and Guns: Sixteen F4Us, working in pairs from daylight to sundown, strafed a suspected barge hideout at the mouth of the river one mile north of Moila Point.
They also strafed a possible camouflaged gun position at Sirukiai (on Shortland Island).
In addition, these patrols killed three Japs at Nuhu (on Morgusaia Island), wounded and probably killed another at Cape Nehus on the NE coast, and chased ten into the bush at Lonahan on the SE coast.
"Six groups of tracks in the sand between Mobiai River and Kakuruai on the SW coast might mean troops landing from small boats" one patrol reported.

For the Record:

16 F4Us NZ-21 Bougainville patrols 0550-1530 No bombs.

Dusk and Dawn Patrols: Two fighters at dusk on the 8th, and two more at dawn on the 9th bracketted the day's activities of the Piva flyers.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-24 Dusk Patrol Jan. 8 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-21 Dawn Patrol Jan. 9 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(21 sorties -20 1/2 tons)

Double Crater Blasted in Road: Two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol Monday each potted the road with half-tonners. Meagre, inaccurate light A/A, with tracers, came from North Cape. The Monday dusk patrol PV dropped six 500-pounders at Mongai Bridge but results were unobserved.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-19 Kavieng Patrol Jan. 8 1500-1815 dr 2x1000 G.P.
1 PV NZ-4 Dusk Patrol Jan, 8 dr 6x500 G.P.

Ton-and-a-Half Drops: The Tuesday dawn patrol delivered six quarter-tonners at low level on Lamernewei huts (west of Fatmilak), and the truck recco Ventura repeated the dose at the Japs Medina hangout.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-4 Dawn Patrol dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-4 Truck Recco dr 6x500 G.P.

Lamussong Lashed at Low Level: Three Venturas in mid-afternoon plastered huts at Lamussong with 18 quarter-ton bombs from minimum altitude.
Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ-4 Lamussong 1520 dr 18x500 G.P.

Namatanai A/A positions Hit Hard: A combined Corsair and Ventura strike left 21,000 pounds in the target area at Namatanai on the SE coast of New Ireland.
Eight Corsairs dropped four half-tonners and four quarter-tonners right in the area of anti aircraft positions, and then strafed the target.
Five PVs followed with a low level strike at nearby personnel areas and got full coverage with 30 quarter-tonners.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-Green Namatanai 1030-1050 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                               4x500 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-1 Namatanai 1050 dr 30x500 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(29 sorties - 1 3/4 tons)

Corsairs Kill Nip at Urou: Four Corsairs on Rabaul patrol strafed three Japs Monday at Urou on Duke of York Island. One fell dead. Meagre, inaccurate light A/A came from Port Hunter. Tuesday's Rabaul heckler was unable to release bombs because of mechanical release failure.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrol Jan. 8 1720-1815 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-1 Rabaul Heckler Jan. 9 0120-0218 All bombs returned.

Two Direct Hits on Tomavatur Radar: Four Corsairs completely destroyed the northern screen of the radar installation at Tomavatur (south of Vunakanau Drome) with two depth charges squarely on the bull's eye. The rest of their eight eggs fell with negative results. Meagre, inaccurate medium A/A came from a known position northeast of the radar.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-Green Tomavatur 1415 dr 4x325 D.C.
                                                      4x500 G.P.

Rabaul Patrols Sink Canoe and Japs: Twenty fighters covered Rabaul from dawn to dusk. One good target was a canoe at Jacquinot Point. Strafing sank the boat and killed the two Japs in it.

For the Record:

20 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrols 0630-1715 No bombs.

SEARCHES FOR JANUARY 9

No Japs sighted by Beefsteak PVs. Track and cover as follows:
Tare - 100/100; Uncle - 75/75; Victor - 100/95. A front area was encountered to the north on the Uncle sector. Other areas had only low scattered clouds.
The Brewer searches were also negative. Track and cover were 100/95.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ-4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VPB-146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 9 January 1945.

Combinations of Corsairs, Mitchells, and Bostons sowed a pattern of destruction on Rabaul's neighboring Tobera Drome and Gilalan Plantation. Corsairs on Kavieng patrol landed two half-tonners on a bridge and a road at Fessoa. Piva fighters scored seven hits on Jap defense positions near Numa Numa.

NEW BRITAIN
(47 sorties - 19 1/4 tons)

Nineteen Tons on Tobera: Eight Corsairs dropped eight quarter-tonners and eight 325-pounders in the Tobera personnel area.
Then eight Marine PBJs spotted 36 eighth-tonners and 4 quarter-tonners on the same target from medium altitude.
Finally, seven PVs put 42 quarter-tonners in the same Tobera personnel zone for unobserved results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-Green Tobera dr 8x500 GP
                                         8x325 GP.
8 PBJs VMB-Green Tobera dr 36x230 GP
                                            4x500 GP.
7 PVs NZ-4 Tobera 1100-1116 dr 42x500 GP.

Rabaul Patrols Destroy Outrigger Canoe: The four patrolling Corsairs Sunday evening had an uneventful sweep, but yesterday twenty F4Us were credited with the destruction of one outrigger canoe by strafing off the southwest tip of Duke of York Island.
The usual heckler mission was cancelled because of adverse weather.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrols. 1635-1815 No bombs.
20 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrols. 0645-1730 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(9 sorties - 7 1/2 tons)

Patrols Bomb Ulunono and Fatmilak: Two fighters dropped a half-tonner each near a bridge at Ulunono plantation on the late Sunday patrol.
No effective results were reported. The dusk patrol Ventura dropped six quarter-tonners on Fatmilak from a low level.
Results were not observed.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng Patrols Jan. 7. dr. 2x1000 G.P.
1 PV NZ 4 Dusk Patrol. Jan. 7. dr. 6x500

Sicacui and Beno Harbor Get 1 1/2 Tons: The dawn patrol Ventura spilled four quarter-tonners on a large new hut at Sicacui (on the Gazelle Channel), and two more on nearby Beno Harbor huts.
No hits were made.

Truck Rocco Unloads on Lakurumau: One Ventura bombed huts with six 500-pounders at Lakurumau, on the east coast, but results were not observed.

Bridge Damaged at Fossoa: Two pairs of Corsairs on Kavieng patrol hit a bridge and cratered a road at Fessoa, at the east coast near Fatmilak, with half-tonners.
Another 1000-pounder overshot the Balus plantation bridge, and one bomb was a dud.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 4 Dawn Patrol dr. 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 4 Truck Recco. dr. 6x500
4 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng Patrols 0905-1500 dr. 4x1000 (1 dud)

BOUGAINVILLE
(46 sorties - 10 3/4 tons)

5 1/2 Tons Poured on Poroporo: Eleven Corsairs hit reported Nip concentrations at Poroporo, on the north coast of Choiseul, with eleven half-tonners, all bombs falling in the target area.
On the return flight, one Jap was killed and a canoe with four occupants was strafed off Fauro.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 21 Choiseul 0800 dr. 11x1000 G.P.

Fifteen planes Soak Old Vivie: Directed by tactical reconnaisance, four F4Us hit Jap defense positions east of Old Vivie (about 8 miles SW of Numa Numa) with eight 325 lb. depth charges.
Seven were on the target area; one was a dud. Eleven Corsairs followed up with eight more half-tonners - seven hitting, and one jettisoned at sea. Then the four non-bombers strafed the area.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 24 Old Vivie 1230 dr. 8x325 D.C. One dud.
11 F4Us NZ 24 Old Vivie 1230 dr. 8x1000 G.P.

Nine Patrols Criss cross Bougainville-Buke: Eighteen Piva fighters renged over Jap held territory from sun-up to supper, with various results.
Huts were strafed at Lontis (north shore of Buka), Avis (next to Tinputs Mission), the Shortland and Fauro Islands. Several Nips were sprayed with lead and one probably killed.
The Louss-Avis read was strafed. Meagre, inaccurate light MG fire, with tracer, came up from the south edge of Lontis Plantation.
One plane received two lone time-fused bursts from near Avis. A probable barge hideout was noted at Toborei.
Trails along the east coast of Buka show signs of wheeled traffic. The trail between Taki and Kieta on the east coast seem well used, with foot bridges observed.

Dawn Patrol: Two fighters flew the usual before breakfast look-around.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 24 Dawn Patrol. No bombs.
18 F4Us NZ 24 Bougainville Patrols. 0600-1700 No bombs.

SEARCHES FOR JANUARY 8

Beefsteak PVs reported no sightings. Front beyond 1° North in Victor sector only. Good weather now in Tare.
Track and cover for Tare was 100 and 100, Uncle 95 and 95, Victor 50 and 50.
Brewer searches covered full track with 90 percent cover each.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ-4 Emirau 300 mile sectors.
2 PVs VPB-146 Admiralties 300 mile sectors.

[davidd]

Enjoying these quite detailed daily accounts of activities over and around Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland, quite a different style to the NZ narratives! Also very detailed geographic locations not normally seen in NZ accounts, the writer of these notes obviously had access to some very good local maps.
David D

[aircraftclocks]

These are in fact taken from the secret daily intelligence summaries for the Commander Aircraft Northern Solomons. Declassified only 8 years ago.
There is also more general information including what's happening in the Philippines and the daily schedule promulgated by the commanding general, as to who is doing what, when and where. Maps are included but these generally just show strafing and bombing limits in place at any given time.