RNZAF activity in the Pacific 1945

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 21 April.

Lieutenant Colonel ANDERSON, Commanding Officer, led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Nakaru target #13, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.

The strike was airborne by 1404 and after joining as described above proceeded down the west coast of Bougainville to a point five miles south of Montopena Point. 306B21 returned early due to trouble with the starboard engine and jettisoned its bombs safely west of Empress Augusta Bay.

The formation then turned to a heading of 112° magnetic along the south coast of Bougainville. The flight leader then contacted two Piva Corsairs which preceded the formation and attempted to mark the target but the smoke bombs were duds. Approaching the target the formation crossed the coast and the Mibo River on a heading of 058° magnetic and turned into the bomb run when over the Porror River.

Bombs were released at 1524 from 10,300 feet on a heading of 030° magnetic with 160 knots indicated. The formation then broke away to the left and returned to base. All planes were safely on deck at Green by 1629.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Keen though the target was not marked most of the bombs hit the target area. The location of the bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-20 and 2 from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 22 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(91 sorties - 52 3/4 tons)

Robikai River Huts Bombed: The target consisted of one large, six medium and three small huts in an area of broken clearings under dense jungle 300 by 60 yards. Eight NZ 26 Corsairs put 3 out of 8 half-ton stick bombs in the area, and five more S to SW at the edge of the target. Then a fighter from NZ 18 dropped 3 parachute flares to smoke for twelve more NZ 18 Corsairs with a dozen half-ton daisy cutters. All hit the southern end of the target. Recco showed 3 huts in the northern end of the area still intact. The southern end was well cleared, with at least one hut badly damaged.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 26 Robikai 0820 dr 8x1000 G.P.
13 F4Us NZ 18 dr 3 para. Flares
                         12x1000 G.P.

Defenses at Pororei River Hit: Thirteen fighters struck the Jap strong-points in this area with two smoke spotters, six half-ton daisy cutters and eighteen 325-pound depth charges. 22 bombs were on the target. Two fell 200 yards southeast. There were three unusually large bursts, with thick black smoke. The target was completely cleared out. 54 strafing runs were made for unobserved results.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ 14 Pororei River 0835 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                                      6x1000 G.P.
                                                     18x325 D.C.

Defenses at Koriu struck, Too: At 1435 another 13 Corsairs followed their own smoke lead-in and put seven of their mixed load of 6 half-ton SBs and 18 325-pound DCs in the target area. They then were diverted by tac/r to a large pneumatic-tired trailer with some heavy camouflaged object on top of it 4000 yards south of Koriu in the road under trees. Two hits were scored only ten feet from the trailer and four were also very near it. 11 hit a distance of 15 to 80 yards from the trailer and in the jungle to the north. 48 strafing runs were made. Something on the trailer appeared to smoulder. Light smoke and fire also came from the Koriu target.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ 14 Koriu 1435 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                           6x1000 G.P.
                                         18x325 D.C.

Mibo River Ford Stores Again Hit: Another attack was made on the storage area and m/t park at the point where trucks on the main east-west road have to transfer all freight to handcarts for passage across the ford. Eight Piva Corsairs put 3 half-ton stick bombs to the southwest, and 1 in the center of the target. They then attacked a suspected m/t park on the other side of the road, getting 3 on the target and one 50 yards to the south. Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 26 Mibo River Ford 1115 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Muguai Huts Bombed by Green Fighters: 7 Corsairs put 11 out of 14 650-pound depth charges on Muguai #25, one was a bit long and two were duds. No results were seen. Another four Green fighters dropped 4 half-ton daisy cutters in Muguai #18 causing two columns of smoke to 250 feet.

For the Record:

7 F4Us NZ 24 Muguai #25 0945 dr 14x650 D.C. (2 duds)
4 F4Us NZ 21 Muguai #18 1450 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Nakaru Gets Punishment From Green Mediums: Six Venturas put all 36 of their quarter-tonners in the northern position of the hutted area at Nakaru #19 yesterday morning. 20 minutes later, smoke was still rising from the area hit. At 1400, a pair of Piva Corsairs dropped smoke for incoming Mitchells, but both bombs were duds. The 5 Marine PBJs scored 4 overshoots and 11 target hits with 15 half-tonners, but smoke and dust prevented observation of damage done. A sixth Mitchell returned early with engine trouble, jettisoning its 3 half-tonners at sea.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 3 Nakaru #19 0935 dr 36x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 26 Nakaru #13 1405 dr 2x100 Smoke (2 duds)
6 PBJs VMB 423 Nakaru #13 1524 dr 18x1000 G.P.

Kieta Barge Destroyed: A pair of Corsairs set out at 1255 to bomb a barge located at Kieta by a Boomerang. On arrival at Kieta, the Corsairs found the Boomerang had returned to base because of low fuel. The Corsairs were forced to jettison their bombs and return too. Two fighters returned to Kieta at 1350 on an A-C run and dropped two half-ton daisy cutters at 264924. One hit only 5 yards from the barge. The second fell 10 yards off. Tac/r reports the barge destroyed. They later strafed the barge twice and found one half of it completed smashed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 26 Kieta 1255,1350 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Special Combat Patrol Continues: Two Piva Corsairs made a tour of the Shortlands-Buin-Fauro area at 0610 yesterday, sighting campfire smoke east of the Ballale strip, and extensive gardens and possible slit trenches at Arigua Plantation (central east coast). Also two gun smokes were seen on the south side of Kangoo Hill. The sighting was made from a distance of 4 or 5 miles, so it is questionable if the guns were a/a. No bogie was sighted. 4 Green Mitchells patrolled the line A to B northeast of Buka 1900 to 0030 Friday night for negative results. Unserviceability grounded the Catalinas.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 26 Able-Charlie Search 0610 No bombs.
4 PBJs VMB 423 Special patrol 20 April 1900-0030 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(39 sorties - 17 1/4 tons)

Tobera Buildings Hit by Emirau PVs and PBJs: Seven Venturas put all 42 of their 250-pounders in an area of buildings and revetments a mile NE of the Tobera strip yesterday morning. Bombs were released from 10,000 feet. Results were unobserved. Twenty Marine Mitchells worked over the same area with 240 century Mark-4 demolition bombs a few minutes after the PVs. Ten went thru the center of the target. 12 hit 190120. 24 centered at 155138. 14 hit 190140. 108 struck around 177137. All references from the Tobera Flakintel map. One squadron was clouded off and put 52 on the SW corner of Matupi, and 20 in the water nearby.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 Tobera #37 1040 dr 42x250 G.P.
14 PBJs VMB-Emirau Tobera #37 1058 dr 168x100 Mk-4 Dem.
6 PBJs VMB-Emirau Matupi 1115 dr 72x100 Mk-4 Dem.

Rabaul Watched by Green Corsairs: The pair of fighters over Rabaul late Friday afternoon saw nothing. Five more pairs patrolled the area yesterday for negative results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 21 Rabaul Patrol 20 April 1715-1930 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ 21,24 Rabaul Patrols 21 April 0715-1715 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(29 sorties - 30 tons)

(A map showing the general location of these bridges)

NOTE: This is a harassing operation to Jap communications. The only through vehicle road from KAVIENG to NAMATANAI crosses these bridges on New Ireland's east coast. When one of these little bridges is destroyed, all M/T traffic between the main Jap centers is delayed until repairs have been made. The bridge itself may be just a few logs and planks hurriedly improvised into a traffic span, and the location may be a mere handful of native huts with few or no Japs in the vicinity, but each of these bombings has an important bearing on the lifeline of the island.

Recco PVs Damage Bridge: Continuing the attack on the Kavieng-Namatanai motor transport road, the morning Ventura low-leveled four 250-pounders which missed the Bohl bridge, and two more which blew the flooring off the Lossuk bridge. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from Bohl. A Jap swimmer was gunned and killed at Dampit. The afternoon PV sweep missed the Panemane bridge with five
250-pounders, and did no damage to a possible barge hide at the mouth of the Belik River.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 9 Morning Sweep 0650-1030 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 9 Afternoon Sweep 1300-1650 dr 6x250 G.P.

Corsairs Destroy Huts: Two pairs of corsairs patrolling Kavieng late Friday afternoon dived 2 half-ton daisy cutters on huts at Lossuk Bay, damaging several. Two more half-ton stick bombs fell for unobserved damage on gardens a mile north of the Roland Young Plantation. Four more Corsairs hit the Roland Young huts yesterday afternoon. Eight half-ton stick bombs were dropped but results were unobserved. Three pairs of Corsairs watched Kavieng until 1300 yesterday. They dropped a total of 6 half-ton daisy cutters, destroying three huts at Kapsu and damaging another hut at Roland Young. Strafing runs were also made at Korabin, Limonak Island, Kabien, Metakoko and Kono, all at the northwestern end of New Ireland.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 20 April 1400-1830 dr 4x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 23 Roland Young 21 April 1450 dr 8x1000 G.P.
6 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 21 April 0700-1300 dr 6x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 22 April.

Captain IVERSON, led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight raid on target number 15, Muguai, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.
The strike was airborne by 0848 and after joining up as described above proceeded down the east coast of Bougainville to Luluai Point. The flight then flew a heading of 216º magnetic for six miles for bombardiers to figure drift; then south to the Duero Range where a turn was made to a heading of 238º magnetic for four miles where the formation turned into the bomb run.
Bombs were released at 0955 from 10,000 feet on a heading of 208° magnetic at 160 knots indicated. When bombs were away the formation broke left and returned to base. All planes were safely on deck by 1053.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Five tenths cloud cover hampered the bombardiers and bombs fell in Muguai target #9 instead of #15. The location of bomb hits with relation to these targets is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 23 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(68 sorties-31 tons)

Special Patrols Negative: Saturday night 10 fighters watched the Shortlands-Buin-Fauro sector by turns from 1830 to 0220. At 2030 a light was seen flashing. It was off Kahili Point. At 2110, lights at the end of Kahili Strip were noted, also lights on the north side of Tonolei Harbor. From 1858 to 0135 Saturday night, four Marine Mitchells from Green guarded the area between the assigned points NW of Buka. Nil sightings. One PBY from Green patrolled eastern Bougainville from 0130 to 0420 Sunday morning, at which time the weather closed all patrols. Results were negative. Leaving station, the Black Cat dropped two century GPs on the Buka airstrip and two on Hahela Mission for unobserved results. Moderate inaccurate light A/A came from six positions near Buka strip.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ-26 Special Patrol 21 April 1830-0220 No bombs.
4 PBJs VMB-423 21 April 1858-0135 No bombs.
1 PBY VPB-53 22 April 0130-0420 dr 4x100 G.P.

Hongorai Area Bombed and Strafed: The 3rd Division asked for bombing and strafing of the road and ford west of the main Hongorai crossing. This would aid a long-range patrol moving forward to this area by harassing Jap troops in the vicinity and diverting their attention. 12 Piva Corsairs attacked at 0900. Four from NZ-14 with 2 half ton stick bombs and six 325-pound depth charges put 6 in the northern sector of the target, one 15 yards NE, and one 50 yards SW. Eight planes from NZ-26 dropped 4 half-ton stick bombs in the southern sector, two 150 yards west, one 70 yards north and one dud. Altogether, 32 strafing runs were made. No results were observed.
At 1350 another attack was made. Eight Corsairs from NZ-26 put all eight of their 1000-pound daisy cutters in the southern sector of the target for good coverage, clearing the target. They then made 16 strafing runs for unseen damage. Four more planes from NZ-14 added 2 half tonners and six 325-pound depth charges all in their assigned area, causing a big flash of flame in the NE corner and another small fire with blue smoke. Six strafing runs were made for unobserved results.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-14 Hongorai River Ford 0900 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                              6x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-26 0900 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ-26 1350 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-14 1350 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                 6x325 D.C.

Clean Up Attack Made on Koriu: The Jap defenses at the Koriu road junction were given a final going-over yesterday morning at the request of 3rd Division. Five Corsairs from NZ-14 smoked the target, then dropped their usual 2 half ton daisy cutters and six 325-pound depth charges. Four of the 8 fell in the target area, one was a dud, one hit 30 yards SE, and two were 100 to 150 yards NW. All were unobserved as to results. 15 strafing runs were also made for no seen damage. Another ten runs were made on a large tray-type truck camouflaged 500 yards north of the Taitai road junction. It did not smoke.

For the Record:

5 F4Us NZ-14 Koriu 1125 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                          2x1000 G.P.
                                            6x325 D.C. (1 dud)

Green Bombings Hampered by Clouds: At 0915, eight NZ-21 Corsairs found Nakaru hard to define, so all eight half-ton daisy cutters were dropped in an area between Nakaru #18 and 19 for unseen results. At 0955, six Marine PBJs couldn't get a proper aim on Muguai because of cloud adumbration, so their full load of 18 half tonners fell short of Muguai #15 and landed on the other side of the river in the northwest corner of Muguai #9 for no seen damage. Adverse weather cancelled the afternoon strikes on Nakaru #20 and Muguai #16.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-21 Nakaru #18, 19 0915 dr 8x1000 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-423 Muguai #9 0955 dr 18x1000 G.P.

Barges at Umum Bay Bombed: Tac/r was to show four fighters where to drop their four half-ton daisy cutters, but because of trouble pin-pointing this north coast target, the bombs only fell in the approximate area, and no damage was seen. The area was thoroughly strafed, but results were still unobtrusive.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-26 Umum Bay 1350 dr 4x1000 G.P.

A-C Search Spots Pill-Box: A pair of Piva Corsairs on Able-Charlie duty at 0620 found a pillbox between Moses Landing and Bitoi in the Shortlands. It was dome-shaped with 10-foot long gun openings facing the sea. Its location was in the palms 30 feet from the beach. Slit trenches were right along the bay shoreline. A new hut on Gomai Island was also strafed for unseen damage. Another A-C search was made at 1400 for nil sightings.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-14 Able-Charlie Searches 0620,1400 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties-no bombs)

Rabaul Watched by Green Corsairs: The pair of fighters over Rabaul late Saturday afternoon saw nothing. Five more pairs patrolled the area yesterday for negative results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-24 Rabaul Patrol 21 April 1715-1930 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-21, 24 Rabaul Patrols 22 April 0700-1715 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(28 sorties-23 1/2 tons)

Venturas Start Fires at Lemakot: In a low-level attack on the Lemakot bivouac, seven Venturas made 21 target runs between 0840 and 0910, putting all 42 of their 250 pounders in the target.
Three small fires were started. No A/A was met. 7400 rounds were also pumped into the area.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ-9 Lemakot 0840-0910 dr 42x250 G.P.

Recco PVs Destroy Bridge, Crater Road, Ruin Huts: The morning sweep yesterday netted three craters in the Lossu road made by a trio of 250-pounders, and another two craters in the Lamussong road made by three more eighth tonners. 3000 rounds were fired, damaging huts and imperiling Jap gardeners.
The afternoon run loosed another half-dozen 250-pounders. Two destroyed the Ramut bridge. One ruined a Bohl hut. Three cratered the road at Libba bridge. 1600 rounds fired a Borpop hut and flattened two gardeners. Other huts were damaged.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 0630-1330 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1300-1700 dr 6x250 G.P.

Corsair s Hit Bridge and Huts: The two pairs of fighters watching Kavieng late Saturday afternoon put 3 half tonners on Panemane and Nusalik huts for unobserved damage. They also strafed from North Cape to Fangelawa, and beached canoes at Bagaterre. Four fighters dived eight half-ton daisy cutters on gardens south of Fangelawa Bay, but clouds hid the resulting damage.
Four pairs of Corsairs patrolled Kavieng yesterday. They put one dead and one live half-ton daisy cutter on the Lemakot bivouac unobserved, cratered the Bohl bridge approach with another pair, flattened Nusalik huts with two, and slightly damaged a pair of large huts at Medina with the last two bombs. They also strafed targets at Kaut Bay, Ray, Roland Young, Fangelawa and Balgai.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 21 April 1430-1850 dr 3x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-23 Fangelawa 22 April 1850 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 22 April 0710-1620 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 23 April.

Major LOWELL, Operations Officer, led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight raid on target number 9, Nakaru, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.

The strike was airborne by 0802 and after joining up as described above proceeded down the east coast of Bougainville to Koromira Point. From Koromira Point a course of 154° magnetic was flown to the Poritana River for bombardiers to figure drift. The flight then took a heading of 233° magnetic to a point east of Mt. Gulcher and turned into the bomb run.

The target was covered by .6 to .7 of cloud cover and a 180° turn was made. The bomb run was then made on a heading of 020° magnetic. Bombs were released from an altitude of 10,100 feet at 160 knots indicated air speed. Following the bombing the formation broke right and returned to base. All planes were safely on deck at Green by 1020.

All the bombs were in the target area with good coverage. The location of bomb hits in relation to the target are shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 24 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(62 sorties - 50 tons)

Mobiai Troop Area Hit: At 101336 on the map there is an area lately developed by the Japs either as a new bivouac site or staging point. New huts are under construction and fresh tracks have quickly become well worn. At 0830 yesterday, twelve Piva Corsairs attacked this Mobiai River target. Nine out of 12 half-ton daisy cutters were put in the area, two more were duds, and one hung and was jettisoned at sea. The undergrowth was well flattened and many small cleared areas were seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 26 Mobiai River 0830 dr 12x1000 G.P. (2 duds)

Oamai Hutted Area Again Bombed: Last hit January 18th, considerable new activity has been noted in and about Tokuaka (205225 on the map). There are 15 to 20 huts in this Oamai River area, and these were the targets for a dozen Piva fighters led there by tac/r at 1200 yesterday. Six half-ton stick bombs hit the target, 3 more fell on the eastern end, two went 100 yards west, and one struck 100 yards east. All results were unobserved. 18 strafing runs were made on Mibo River Ford for unseen damage. 24 gun swoops were made on gardens on the east side of the Oamai River. No damage was seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 26 Tokuaka 1200 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Green Planes Continue Attacks on Nakaru Huts: Eight Corsairs started the day by bombing Nakaru #21 at 0840. They dropped two 650-pound depth charges each. 14 of the 16 hit the target, one was a bit short, and one hung and was later jettisoned safe at sea. No A/A was met. Results were unobserved.
At 0926, six Mitchells put all of their 18 half-tonners in Nakaru #9 for unseen damage. Then at 1445, six PBJs put another 18 half-tonners 200 yards south of Nakaru #14 amongst huts, but did not count the damage.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 24 Nakaru #21 0840 dr 16x650 D.C.
6 PBJs VMB 423 Nakaru #9 0926 dr 18x1000 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB 423 Nakaru #14 1445 dr 18x1000 G.P.

Venturas Hit Ebery's Lease and Cause Explosion: Unable to sight Nakaru #9 because of heavy clouds, 7 Green PVs struck gun positions at Ebery's Lease at 0855. They put all 42 quarter-tonners in a train covering two-thirds of the length of Ebery's Lease in a southerly direction past the eastern edge of the gun positions to the trees at the end of the Lease. A large explosion came from the trees. White smoke rose to 1500 feet. The planes met moderate accurate light A/A from the target area.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 3 Ebery's Lease 0855 dr 42x500 G.P.

Muguai Lightly Bombed: Only 4 Green Corsairs visited the Muguai section yesterday. They came over at 1500 with a half-ton daisy cutter each, putting three on Muguai #4 for unobserved results. One hung and was later dropped in a bivouac area at northern Buka for unseen results. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 Muguai #4 1500 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Able-Charlies Strafe Nips and Raise Unexplained Smoke: A pair of Piva fighters on A-C search at 0830 strafed two Japs fishing off a derelict barge at Cape Friendship, probably killing them. No barges were seen in Papas Harbor. Two more Corsairs ayeceed at 1405. While in flight, they were directed to bomb a launch in the creek opening into Papas Harbor. The message was not received clearly, so they bombed the approximate location with their 2 half-ton stick bombs. They caused a sudden plume of whitish smoke 300 feet high. Then then strafed this smoke twice during the five minutes it lasted. No results were observed. Two strafing runs were also made on a hut at the south end of Porton Plantation for unseen damage. The road to Ratsoa Point past the south end of Porton showed extensive signs of M/T traffic around the old bomb craters. Four Nips were seen on the beach below Numa Numa, but the planes were too high to surprise them.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 26 Able-Charlie Searches 0830, 1405 dr 2x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(45 sorties - 20 3/4 tons)

Emirau PVs Bomb Vunakanau: Six Venturas hit the possible plane hide and personnel area at area #9B with 36 eighth-tonners at 1115 yesterday from medium altitude. The bombs landed between 157078 and 146078.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 Vunakanau #9B 1115 dr 36x250 G.P.

Corsairs Guard Rabaul: Two Green fighters watched Rabaul late Sunday afternoon for nil sighting. Five pairs of Corsairs patrolled the area yesterday. They strafed three probably serviceable barges in Keravia Bay near Davaun for unobserved results, and met intense inaccurate light A/A from a position on the shore beyond the barges containing four machine guns.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 21 Rabaul Patrol 22 April 1715-1845 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ 21,24 Rabaul Patrols 23 April 0720-1715 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(53 sorties - 29 1/4 tons)

Recco PVs Aim at Bridges: The morning Ventura low-leveled four 250-pounders which cratered the road each side of the Soalaba bridge, missed the Libba bridge with another, and returned one hang-up to base. Strafing with 2200 round did some damage to huts. 12,000 propaganda leaflets were also scattered. The afternoon sweep missed the Mongai and Ulunono bridges with two pairs of eighth-tonners though two more blew a hole in the approach to the Fessoa bridge. 3100 rounds were expended on various targets for unassessed damage.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 9 Morning Sweep 0630-1040 dr 5x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 9 Afternoon Sweep 1300-1640 dr 6x250 G.P.

Corsairs Patrol Kavieng and Hit Huts: The Kavieng area was guarded late Sunday afternoon by a pair of Emirau fighters dropping two half-ton daisy cutters which damaged two huts at Roland Young Plantation. Another pair of Corsairs got good coverage but unseen results diving four half-ton stick bombs yesterday afternoon at Nusalik Island huts. They also strafed from Bagaterre Bay to the Roland Young Plantation. Meagre inaccurate M/G fire came from Panapai 134109. Four pairs of fighters patrolled Kavieng during the day. They put two half-tonners on an island southeast of Hausen, destroying several huts, dropped one on Lemakot huts for no seen damage, smacked a Roland Young hut with a direct hit, missed the Lossuk bridge with one, and cratered the road near the Lauan Bay bridge with their last two.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 22 April 1710-1805 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 23 Nusalik Island 23 April 1525 dr 4x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 23 April 0720-1600 dr 7x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 24 April.

Captain IVERSON, Assistant Operations Officer, led four PBJs of VMB-423 in a low level bombing and strafing of target #17, Nakaru, Bougainville. The strike was planned to surprise the enemy relying upon the direction of approach and speed of the planes to achieve this effect. The planes on the strike were PBJ-1Js with the eight gun nose and joined up in a diamond.

The raid was airborne by 0817 and proceeded down the west coast of Bougainville to Empress Augusta Bay where it turned left on a heading of 102º magnetic to near Mt. Taroka. Here at an altitude of 4,000 feet contact was made with two Piva Corsairs which on direction of the flight leader marked the target with smoke bombs.

The formation then headed toward the mouth of the Mibo River losing altitude and turned east at the Mibo River Ford with an altitude of 2,000 feet. At the river ford the flight went into four planes line abreast and started the run going down to tree top level.

The bombing and strafing was done at 0930 on a heading of 084º magnetic at tree top level with an indicated air speed of 220 knots. The flight broke right and was safely at base by 1037.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Although eight bombs hung and were returned to base the balance were in the target with good coverage and the target was thoroughly strafed. Two fires were started in the center of the target, one with black smoke to 600 feet and one with grey smoke to 200 feet. No photographs were taken.

2 F4U from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 24 April.

Major LOWELL, Operations Officer, led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Nakaru target #3, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.
The raid was airborne by 1418 and after joining up as described above proceeded down the east coast of Bougainville to Montopena Point. From this point the flight leader contacted the Piva Corsair which preceded the formation and marked the target with a smoke bomb. The planes then flew parallel with the coast to a point opposite the south of the Mobiai River, turning inland over the mouth of the river for eight miles on 025° magnetic to check drift. The formation then flew on 112° magnetic course for 13 1/2 miles to a point south of Kara Airstrip from where the bombing run was made.

The bombing run was made on a magnetic heading of 026° with the first section at 10,400 feet, the second section at 10,200 at 160 knots indicated air speed. Bombs were away at 1529. The formation then broke away to the left and returned to Green with all planes safely on the deck by 1630.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

All bombs hit the target. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-24, 1 from NZ-20 and 5 PV-1 from NZ-3 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 25 April 1945.

NEW IRELAND
(26 sorties-19 1/2 tons)

Venturas Heckle Roads and Bridges: The morning sweep by an Emirau PV netted some damage to the Bohl and the North Belik bridges as six 250-pounders were low-leveled on these targets.
Six Venturas bombed the road north of Bohl River from nine to ten, dropping 36 300-pounders on 18 low-leveled runs. The road was holed in 12 places.
The afternoon PV dropped six 250-pounders from minimum altitude. Two damaged the south Balus bridge, 3 holed the approach to the south Libba bridge, and one hang-up was jettisoned. Targets of opportunity were also well strafed.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 0630-1030 dr 6x250 G.P.
6 PVs NZ-9 East Coast Road New Ireland 0900-1000 dr 36x300 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1330-1730 dr 6x250 G.P.

Corsairs Hit Lemakot Twice: Four fighters put all 8 half-ton daisy cutters in the Lemakot bivouac area at 1000 for unseen damage, then strafed from Cape Sali to Lossuk Bay. Another four Corsairs scored good coverage on the same target at 1540, destroying at least two huts with a drop of eight 1000-pound stick bombs.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-23 Lemakot 1000 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-23 Lemakot 1540 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Kavieng Patrol Bombs Bridges: The two Corsairs watching Kavieng late Monday afternoon dived two 1000-pounders on the Medina River bridge and shook off some of its planking. Four pairs of fighters guarded the Kavieng area yesterday. They dived a half-tonner which damaged the Lossuk bridge, another which scored on the north Balus bridge, two which missed the Lagagon bridge, two which cratered the approach to the Bohl bridge, and one which missed the Mongai bridge. They also strafed from Cape Lemeris to Fangelawa.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 23 April 1610-1800 dr 2x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 24 April 0710-1550 dr 7x1000 G.P.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(101 sorties- 56 1/4 tons)

Defenses at Hiru Hiru Hit Three Times: At 0825 yesterday, tac/r led 12 Piva Corsairs to Jap positions on the Buin road ahead of our forces and a dozen half-ton daisy cutters were dropped, clearing the area. A pronounced column of smoke rose from the center of the target area. One plane was holed by bomb blast. 24 strafing runs were also made on the target for unobserved results.
Another twelve fighters repeated the dose at 1230, getting 10 of their half-ton stick bombs in the target, one 100 yards north, and one dud. Good coverage cleared away more of the undergrowth. Twelve strafing runs were made for unseen damage.
At 1450 another ten Corsairs came over with smoke bombs, six 1000-pounders and twelve 325-pound depth charges. Owing to extremely poor weather, only six bombs were dropped. Three fell in the target area, but 3 wore 100 yards SE. The others were jettisoned unobserved on Kuvuvulu Island (off the south coast).

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-26 Hiru Hiru 0825 dr 12x1000 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-26 1230 dr 12x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
10 F4Us NZ-14 1415 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                   6x1000 G.P.
                                  12x325 D.C.

Dump Area at Aku Well Flattened: At 2nd Corps request, stores or ammunition located in the heavy jungle off the road loop at Aku were attacked by 13 Piva Corsairs at 0805. Six half-ton daisy cutters and eighteen 325-pound depth charges were dropped. 16 hits were scored in the target area, flattening the jungle, but showing no damage. Eight more were dropped on two targets 500 and 1000 yards S. Two huts destroyed, 1 damaged. 12 strafing runs were made on the first target for unobserved results. A cable was noted strung across the ford between two large trees at 043363.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-14 Aku 0805 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                         6x1000 G.P.
                                        18x325 D.C.

Green Starts Fires and Explosion at Nakaru: At 0930 four Marine Mitchells low-leveled Nakaru huts with 24 eighth tonners. They all hit the target, starting two fires with black smoke rising to 600 feet. Eight more 250-pounders hung and were returning to base. No A/A was met. At 1012 five Green Venturas put all 30 of their quarter-tonners in Nakaru #17, causing an explosion with black smoke to 400 feet. This blast was from the southeastern corner of the target.
At 1520 four more Venturas dropped two dozen 500-pounders right in the central section of the target area at Nakaru #3. Results were not observed.
At 1529 six Green Mitchells added 18 half tonners, all in the target for unseen damage. 2 Piva Corsairs smoked their area.

For the Record:

4 PBJs VMB-423 Nakaru #17 0930 dr 24x250 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 Nakaru #17 1012 dr 30x500 G.P.
4 PVs NZ-3 Nakaru #3 1520 dr 24x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-14 Nakaru #3 1520 dr 4x100 Smoke (1 dud)
6 PBJs VMB-423 Nakaru #3 1529 dr 18x1000 G.P.

Muguai Hit Twice: 8 Green Corsairs dropped 8 half ton daisy cutters on Muguai #10 at 0900. Seven fell in the eastern part of the river bridge target area. One hung and was jettisoned at sea. Results were not seen. No A/A was encountered. At 1500 four more fighters put six 650-pound depth charges in Muguai #11 and two near misses. Damage was not assessed. Flak was not met.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-Green Muguai #10 0900 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-24 Muguai #11 1500 dr 8x650 D.C.

New Squadron Flies Familiarization Hops: Six fighters from NZ-22 did Able-Charlie searches from 0630 to 1040 yesterday. Possible meagre inaccurate light machine gun fire came from Oema Island (off the southeast coast). Six more Corsairs went out from 1035 to 1300. They strafed a Nip at the mouth of the Crepers River and an upturned dinghy on the beach north of Dewau Plantation (Buka). They also gunned smoke in the Lontis area. Gardens were noted on the west coast of Buka between Bei Point and Cape Hanpan.
Another half dozen fighters made the rounds from 1430 to 1635. They strafed 12 Nips swimming east of Massungon Island (off central west coast of Buka). Casualties were not assessed. They strafed a Jap at Lontis, and smoke 400 yards from the mouth of the Luluai River. Also, they observed a boat and a barge on the north coast of Ballale. Meagre inaccurate 20 mm fire came from 100 yards inland.

For the Record:

18 F4Us NZ-22 Able-Charlie Searches 0630-1040
                                                       1035-1300 No bombs.
                                                       1430-1635

Results of Previous Strikes: Native police report direct hits and Jap houses destroyed at Tetekuts on April 20th. Casualties have not yet been counted, but "good work" was done. Scouts from Ratsua report at least 20 Nips killed there in the Pora Pora strike April 15th. These results will be included in the end-of-the-month Summary.

NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties-no bombs)

Rabaul Vigil Only Air Activity: Two Corsairs watched the Rabaul area late Monday afternoon for nil sightings. Five pairs of fighters patrolled yesterday. They strafed and damaged a boat and smoked a hut at Upulin, and smoked another hut at Kerawara. Both places in the Duke of York group. Adverse weather forced the last patrol to return to base.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-24 Rabaul Patrol 23 April 1715-1900 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-21, 24 Rabaul Patrols 24 April 0700-1730 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 25 April.

Lieutenant Colonel ANDERSON, led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight raid on target number 14, Muguai, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.

The strike was airborne by 0847 and after joining up as described above proceeded down the east coast of Bougainville to Oema Island. The flight then took a heading of 139º magnetic for three miles for bombardiers to figure drift then on a heading of 242º magnetic to Popotala Island and turned into the bombing run.

Bombs were released at 1000, the first section bombing from 10,400 and the second section from 10,200 feet on a heading of 319º magnetic. After the bombs were released the formation broke away to the right and returned to Green. All planes were safely on the deck by 1118.

All bombs except two were in the target area with a good coverage. The relation of bomb hits to the target is shown in the attached photographs.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

2 F4U from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 25 April.

Captain IVERSON, led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight raid on target number 24, Muguai, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.
The strike was airborne by 1348 and after joining up as described above proceeded down the east coast of Bougainville to Koromira Point. At this point the flight leader contacted two Piva Corsairs which preceded the formation to drop a smoke bomb on the target. The flight then took a course of 150° magnetic for six miles to check drift, then turning to 240° magnetic for 14 miles to a point above Mt. Gulcher, followed by a 173° magnetic course went of Mt. Gulcher and parallel to Kara Airstrip for 5 miles from where the bombing was made.

The bombing run was made on a heading of 150° magnetic with the first section at 10,000 feet, the second section at 9,900 feet and at an indicated airspeed of 160 knots. Bombs were away at 1456 after which the flight broke away to the left and proceeded back to Green. All planes were safely on deck by 1608.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

All bombs hit in the target. The location of the bomb hits in relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-20 and 2 from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 26 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(90 sorties-57 1/4 tons)

Chabai Dump Area Blasted: A heavily-used motor transport track from Tarbut in northern Bougainville disperses near Chabai at 268744 into a cleared area under timber. This is probably a dump area. At 2nd Corps request, 12 Piva Corsairs came over at 0805 yesterday and put 5 half-ton daisy cutters in the target area. Another six fell 200 yards west. One hung and was jettisoned. The northern portion of the target was well cleared. Good gardens were noted all around the area. Five strafing runs were made on three huts, a mile to the NNW. One was destroyed, one blew its top, and one was unobserved. A concrete water tank was also strafed and destroyed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-26 Chabai 0805 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Hongorai Gun Positions Attacked: In close support of the Army, 13 Piva Corsairs on stand-by made a 1005 strike on a suspected gun area near the lower Hongorai River ford. They carried smoke, six half-ton stick bombs and 18 325-pound depth charges. 18 hits were scored in the target area, 5 fell 100-200 yards outside, one hung and was returned to base. The area just south of the target was also strafed. The undergrowth was well flattened, but no results were observed.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-14 Hongorai River 1005 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                                         6x1000 G.P.
                                                        17x325 D.C.

Kieta Concentration Hit: At AIB request, eight Piva fighters dropped 8 half-ton daisy cutters on 273017 in the Kieta area, location of the largest number of Jap troops in the entire district. This point is a camp under palms. Seven stick bombs hit the area, leaving it well cleared. One bomb struck 200 yards north.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-26 Kieta 1200 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Pororei Defenses Struck: The last big strike of the day for Piva planes was at the Jap positions grouped near the Pororei River ford over which the Australian Army forces are aiming to advance. 13 Corsairs carried 8 half-ton stick bombs and 14 325-pound depth charges. Also, smoke bombs. At 1440 they put 18 hits in the target and four 200 yards southeast. The undergrowth was well cleared but results were not seen. 36 strafing runs revealed no more. Before bombing, a possible blast lane was noted. It ran NNW through shrubs from the target middle, was 30 feet long and 4 1/2 feet wide. The foliage along it was slightly discolored.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-14 Pororei 1440 dr 2x30 Smoke
                                             8x1000 G.P.
                                            14x325 D.C.

First Green Attack Weathered off Muguai: Eight Green Corsairs were clouded away from Muguai #20, so dropped their 16 650-pound depth charges on Buka. They destroyed 2 huts at Lonahan and completely demolished the mission house at Lemanmanu.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-24 Buka 0930 dr 16x 650 D.C.

PVs and Mitchells Unload on Muguai: At 0938, six Green Venturas dropped 36 quarter tonners on target #14 at Muguai, but clouds spoiled their sighting and all bombs fell well short in the jungle, frightening three parrots. Next, six Marine PBJs put 18 half tonners in Muguai #14, but clouds hid the results.
At 1456 a pair of Piva Corsairs smoked Muguai #24 and six Mitchells put all 18 half tonners within 200 yards of the marker for unobserved results. 30 good huts were noted at 142406.
Four Green Corsairs aimed at the sawmill near Muguai at 1530 with 4 half ton stick bombs, putting 2 in the target and 2 on the edge for unseen damage. No A/A was met on this or any of the other strikes.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ-3 Muguai #14 0938 dr 36x500 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-423 Muguai #14 0950 dr 18x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-14 Muguai #24 1500 dr 4x100 Smoke
6 PBJs VMB-423 Muguai #24 1500 dr 18x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-21 Muguai Sawmill 1530 dr 4x1000 G.P.

NZ-22 Able-Charlies Nip a Nip or Two: Six Corsairs from the new Piva squadron did A-C searches from 0840 to 1300. They sighted a possible A/A position on the south end of Maifu Island (south coast), and 4 open barges (apparent derelicts) on the NE tip of Benana Island (south of Fauro). Another four fighters flew A-C tours from 1225 to 1625, strafing the coast line from Hanahan Mission to Hanpan, killing one or maybe two Japs. Well-camouflaged huts were noted in the area. They also strafed a hut and garden at Barougo (southeast interior) for unseen damage, strafed a tin hut at Rorovana, smoke at Lontis, and suspected movement in a Shortland garden. All results were unobserved.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ-22 Able-Charlie Searches 0840-1300 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-22 Able-Charlie Searches 1225-1625 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(45 sorties-24 tons)

Emirau PVs Bomb Rabaul: Buildings and a revetted storage area on the west side of Rabaul came under the bomb sights of 8 Emirau Venturas at 1025 yesterday in a medium altitude attack with four dozen 325-pound depth charges. 16 fell in the target, but 32 splashed in the harbor.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ-9 Rabaul #3A 1025 dr 48x325 D.C.

Green Corsairs Stalk Rabaul: From 0715 to 1705, five pairs of fighters roved the skyways over Rabaul for negative results.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ-21, 24 Rabaul Patrols 0715-1705 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(35 sorties-29 1/2- tons)

Venturas Damage Bridges: The morning sweep scored two road craters and damage to the Matakan bridge with 6 250-pounders. The afternoon runs damaged the north Salik bridge with a similar load.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 0625-0947 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1300-1700 dr 6x250 G.P.

Corsairs Destroy Bridges: The two fighters patrolling Kavieng late Tuesday afternoon dived 2 half-ton daisy cutters on the Bolegila bridge, but only cratered the road.
Four Corsairs put 8 half tonners on the Lemakot bivouac, getting 6 in the target for a flash of flame to 150 feet. Two bombs hung and overshot.
Four pairs of fighters watched Kavieng yesterday, diving 8 half tonners on various targets. Two made the south Balus bridge unserviceable. One missed the Kapsu bridge. Two cratered the Lagogon road. Two destroyed the Bolegila bridge. One unplanked the Lossuk bridge. They also silenced meagre inaccurate automatic fire at Panapai 127093, killing two Japs. Meagre inaccurate light A/A also came from 095077 and 073092.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 24 April 1600-1830 dr 2x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-23 Lemakot 25 April 1545 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 25 April 0700-1610 dr 8x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 26 April.

Captain IVERSON led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight strike against Jap installations on Kieta Penensula when clouds prevented the bombing of Muguai #16, Bougainville, the scheduled target. The strike was composed of two, three plane sections javelin down.

The raid was airborne by 1348 and after joining up as described above proceeded down the east coast of Bougainville to Koromira Point. From here a heading of 210º magnetic was flown for six miles for bombardiers to figure drift. The formation then flew fourteen miles on a heading of 154º magnetic where it turned to 228º magnetic.

On direction of the flight leader two Corsairs dropped smoke bombs to mark the target but three attempted bombing runs from different directions failed to find an opening in the clouds which would permit bombing.

The strike then proceeded northeast to the alternate target at Kieta Bay. Bombs were released at 1534 from 10,500 feet on a heading of 220° magnetic at 160 knots indicated. After bombing the formation broke away to the right and returned to base. All planes were safely on deck at Green Island by 1628.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

All bombs fell in the sea just southwest of the target. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-20 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 27 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILL-BUKA
(101 sorties-62 3/4 tons)

Bomb Barrage Precedes Aussie Advance at Hiru Hiru: Fifty-three Piva Corsairs bombed and strafed an enemy concentration in depth on both sides of the road below Hiru Hiru. The target area extends 25 yards in on each side. The map references are 903453 to 907447. Forty-one planes struck in the morning, plus another dozen in the early afternoon.
The morning attack had tac/r lead-in and mortar smoke. 16 Corsairs from NZ-14 put 6 half-ton daisy cutters and 26 325-pound depth charges in the location indicated. A big sheet of red flame with very heavy black smoke came from the north side of the road 150 yards east of the smoke marker. Tac/r reported excellent bombing and good coverage. Three Allied tanks were seen around the bend of the road 300 yards west of the mortar smoke markers. 11 Corsairs from NZ-26 next put 8 of their 11 half-ton stick bombs in the smoked area and 3 slightly east, all in line. They then made 9 strafing runs, unobserved. Finally, 14 Corsairs from NZ-22 put 12 half-tonners in the target, plus 2 unobserved, then made 9 strafing runs for unseen damage. Tac/r reported good coverage for all three squadron attacks. Another 12 Piva fighters bombed the same target at 1405. Four from NZ-14 carried 2 half-ton daisy cutters and six 325-pound depth charges. They put four on the target and were then directed to a possible gun position at 916434 where they scored their other four, getting unobserved results. Five strafing runs were also made, but no damage was noted.
The last run over Hiru Hiru was by 8 fighters from NZ-26 carrying 8 half-ton stick bombs. They were directed to the same gun site and put all eight 1000 pounders in the vicinity. No direct hit was scored, but a tree was felled. One plane was holed by bomb blast.

For the Record:

16 F4Us NZ-14 Hiru Hiru 0730-0930 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                         26x325 D.C.
11 F4Us NZ-26 Hiru Hiru 0730-0930 dr 11x1000 G.P.
14 F4Us NZ-22 Hiru Hiru 0730-0930 dr 14x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-14 Hiru Hiru 1405 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                6x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-26 Hiru Hiru 1405 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Green Bombs Raise Black Smoke Columns at Nakaru: Coming in at low level, three Marine Mitchells placed 19 out of 24 eighth tonners in Nakaru #9 at 2040 Wednesday night. Five more 250-pounders were dropped a mile north of the target. Results were not observed. The area was also well strafed. Moderate inaccurate medium flak came from unseen positions.
Yesterday at 0830, eight Corsairs from Green put 7 out of 8 half-ton daisy cutters and one near miss on Nakaru #20, raising two columns of black smoke from the target.
At 1435 another eight Green fighters bombed Nakaru #18 for another 7 hits and 1 close with 650-pound depth charges. Results were unobserved. See Ground Situation page 5 in results from previous air strikes on Nakaru.

For the Record:

3 PBJs VMB-423 Nakaru #9 25 April 2040 dr 24x250 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-21 Nakaru #20 26 April 0830 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-24 Nakaru #18 26 April 1435 dr 8x650 D.C.

Muguai Also Hit by Green Mediums: Finding most of Muguai #15 cleared, four Venturas put two dozen quarter tonners in a center pattern on Muguai #28 at 0855 for unseen damage.
At 1525 another five PVs put 30 more 500-pounders in a stick from the center of the southern edge of the target to the north-western corner of Muguai #16, but jungle obscured the damage done.
At 1500 two Piva Corsairs smoked Muguai #16 and six Marine Mitchells put all 18 of their half tonners in the target area for unseen damage, according to Piva reports.

For the Record:

4 PVs NZ-3 Muguai #28 0855 dr 24x500 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 Muguai #16 1525 dr 30x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-14 Muguai #16 1500 dr 4x100 Smoke (2 duds).
6 PBJs VMB-423 Muguai #16 1500 dr 18x1000 G.P.

Buoi Attack Weathered Out: Eight Piva Corsairs with half ton daisy cutters were enroute to bomb a gun position at Buoi Plantation in the north, but were recalled to base due to stormy weather. All bombs were jettisoned at sea.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-22 Buoi 0800 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Able-Charlie: Due to engine failure and unfavorable weather, the two fighters out at 1405 were recalled to base before completing the usual round.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-22 Able-Charlie Search 1405 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(57 sorties-40 1/2 tons)

Venturas Loose Four-Dozen 300-Pounders: The "dawn" run low-leveled two 300-pounders which missed the Fatmilak bridge, two which holed the Libba bridge approach, one which missed the Kimidan bridge, and one which damaged a Sicacui building. Six PVs destroyed 2 huts and damaged 6 at Labur Bay on the central west coast with 6 of their 36 300-pounders. 8 wiped out the Soalaba bridge and made 2 road craters nearby. 2 holed the road at Salik River. 2 missed Pire huts. 4 destroyed 4 buildings at Himau. 3 missed the Puk River bridge. 2 ruined a building at Cape Reis. 2 missed the north Puk bridge. 6 destroyed a 100-foot hut at Samo. 1 missed a Mageh hut. 10,000 rounds were also gunned at targets of opportunity. The afternoon PV recco destroyed the Libba bridge with four 300-pounders but missed the Bohl bridge with two more. Moderate inaccurate medium A/A came from two known positions at Halss Plantation.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 0630-1040 dr 6x300 G.P.
6 PVs NZ-9 New Ireland 0915-1020 dr 36x300 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1220-1630 dr 6x300 G.P.

Corsairs Bomb Huts and Bridges: The pair of fighters over Kavieng late Wednesday afternoon dived 2 half tonners which cratered the road at Medina bridge. They also raked a Nip in a Roland Young garden. He can now be planted. Three fighters put 6 half-ton daisy cutters on Kapsu Plantation, wrecking 3 huts and damaging others. They also cratered the road.
Four pairs of Corsairs watched Kavieng yesterday. They missed the Laminnis bridge with 2 half-tonners, badly damaged a house three miles north of Lamernewi with another 1000-pounder, missed Koko huts with one, missed the Mongai bridge with one (plus another dud), and damaged the Bohl bridge with two.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 25 April 1615-1810 dr 2x1000 G.P.
3 F4Us NZ-23 Kapsu 26 April 14?? dr 6x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 26 April 0700-1610 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties-no bombs)

Corsairs Guard Rabaul Fields: The pair of Corsairs over Rabaul Wednesday afternoon had nil sightings. 5 pairs of fighters patrolled yesterday, Two huts on Credner Island were destroyed and a small boat was probably sunk by strafing.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-24 Rabaul Patrol 25 April 1710-1300 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-21,24 Rabaul Patrols 26 April 0720-1740 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 28 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(68 sorties-50 1/2 tons)

Big Flash Caused in Umum Ammo Dump: At AIB request, 12 Piva Corsairs attacked a large ammunition dump at 378091 (Umum Gorge) which has been supplying Ratsua and Buoi defenses by road during the day and by boat at night. At 0810, 8 planes from NZ-22 dropped 8 half ton daisy cutters. Their leader's bomb hung and the next two aircraft following him sent their bombs wide. Five of the other six bombs were 100 to 400 yards west of the target. One was on target. Four fighters from NZ-26 put all four of their half tonners in the target area, causing a big flash and heavy black smoke. A quantity of burned 44-gallon drums plus empty ammunition cases were reported in the area cleared by the bombing. 16 strafing runs were made for unseen results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-22 Umum 0810 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-26 dr 4x1000 G.P.

One Direct Hit on 75 mm Position at Buoi: Two enemy 75 mm guns are known to be in the western end of Buoi Plantation. They have been firing on our troops in the NE end of Soraken Peninsula. At 2nd Corps request, 12 Piva Corsairs attacked these guns at 1150. Four planes from NZ-26 put one 1000-pound daisy cutter in the target area, 1 under 70 yards, 1 over 30 yards and one unobserved. Considerable smoke was seen. Twelve strafing runs were also made, for unobserved results. 8 fighters from NZ-22 dropped another eight stick bombs, scoring one direct hit, 2 over 100 yards, 2 under 100 yards, and three which fell 15 yards inland from the target. 16 strafing runs were made. No damage was seen.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-26 Buoi 1150 dr 4x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-22 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Ammo Dumps and Huts at Porror Also Struck: A prisoner-of-war revealed that the 3rd Company of the 6th Engineer Regiment, complete with weapons and ammunition, were located in camouflaged huts at the Porror River between points 204328 and 204334. At 2nd Corps request 12 Piva Corsairs visited them with daisy cutters and depth charges at 1325 yesterday. 8 planes from NZ-14 dropped 2 half-ton stick bombs and 14 325-pound depth charges, getting 8 in the target area (but of these, two depth charges were duds). The other 8 fell 300 yards south of the target. A large flash of red flame was seen, and a wisp of blue smoke. 15 strafing runs added no seen damage. Then 4 planes from NZ-26 scored 4 out of 4 half-tonners in the target, plus 16 strafing runs, but observed no results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-14 Porror River 1325 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                 14x325 D.C. (2 duds)
4 F4Us NZ-26 dr 4x1000 G.P.

More Ammo Stores Bombed at Kahili: Planes from Green concentrated their attention on reported ammunition stores at several points near the Kahili strip. Thursday evening three Mitchells started out with 8 eighth-tonners each, but one turned back with engine trouble. The other two low-leveled Kahili #4 at 2050, getting all sixteen 250-pounders in the target area. A large fire was started, and crews could still see it burning as they flew home. Moderate accurate to inaccurate light A/A came from unseen positions east of Ebery's Lease and along the coast line near Kahili strip.
Yesterday morning at 0929 eight Venturas dropped 48 quarter-tonners in the target area, walking from the south side of the target through the tall trees to the west of the target. However, results could not be seen because of the jungle. No A/A was met.
Six Marine Mitchells followed in at 1002 and put 15 half tonners in the target, plus eight 250-pounders just cast of the target for unseen results. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from known sites at Kahili strip.

For the Record:

3 PBJs VMB-423 Kahili #4 26 April 2050 dr 16x250 G.P.
8 PVs NZ-3 Kahili #4 27 April 0927 dr 48x500 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-423 Kahili #4 27 April 1002 dr 15x1000 G.P.
                                                                  8x250 G.P.

Two Nakaru Hutted Areas Struck: At 0900 eight Corsairs from NZ-24 at Green scored 15 out of 16 650-pound depth charges in Nakaru #18. One more was 50 yards short. A direct hit was scored on the road in the target area. No A/A was met. At 1536 four Marine PBJs low-leveled Nakaru #11 with all 32 eighth-tonners in the target. They started a fire smoking high above the trees. The area was then thoroughly strafed. Meagre inaccurate medium A/A came from a point 3 to 4 miles north of Moila Point.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-24 Nakaru #18 0900 dr 16x650 D.C.
4 PBJs VMB-423 Nakaru #11 1536 dr 32x250 G.P.

Gun at Torokori Gets 2 Near Hits: A pair of Corsairs on A-C search at 1005 put 2 half-ton daisy cutters near a reported artillery gun site on the south tip of Torokori Island (north of Soraken). Meagre accurate fire came from this gun. Its calibre may be 7.7. Results were unobserved. A square-sterned rowing boat 300 yards north of the Buoi Plantation jetty was also strafed for unassessed damage.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-22 Able-Charlie Search 1005 dr 2x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(8 sorties-no bombs)

Bad Weather cancelled Emirau strikes on Vunakanau and Tobera, and the Green Corsair strike on Muguai. Two Green Corsairs patrolled Rabaul late Thursday afternoon, strafing and damaging two trucks and a car at Kabanga Plantation enroute back to base. Yesterday only three pairs of Corsairs covered Rabaul before weather closed in at 1200.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-21 Rabaul Patrol 26 April 1730-1845 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-21 Rabaul Patrols 27 April 0710-1200 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(16 sorties-10 tons)

Recco PVs Crater More Roads: The morning Venturas yesterday cratered the road at Fessoa bridge with three 300-pounders, pitted the road at the Soalaba bridge with two more, but missed the Bakan Plantation bridge with their sixth bomb. 2750 rounds were also expended in strafing targets of opportunity. The afternoon Ventura missed all tries at the Balik and Libba bridges and the Cape Lemeris road with six 300-pounders. 2300 rounds were spent strafing.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 0620-1035 dr 6x300 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1240-1630 dr 6x300 G.P.

Corsairs Drop 5 Duds: The two fighters on patrol over Kavieng late Thursday afternoon dived two half-ton daisy cutters on Logagon bridge, but the bombs failed to explode. Three pairs of Corsairs watched Kavieng yesterday until grounded by weather at 1330. They dived two half-tonners on a Nauson Island hut, but both were duds. One 1000-pounder holed the Lauan approach, another cratered the Bolegila approach and one pitted the Laminnis road. The sixth half-tonner fell on Kapsu, but did not go off. Score: 5 out of 8 bombs were duds.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 26 April 1630-1840 dr 2x1000 G.P. (both duds)
6 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 27 April 0715-1330 dr 6x1000 G.P. (3 duds)

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 29 April 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(83 sorties-56 tons)

100 Jap Sailors Bombed: AIB requested the elimination of two groups of Naval personnel bivouacked at Kumiliogu (269472) and Palikdonan (249428) in southwest Bougainville. They arranged to have both targets marked by flags. Tac/r led 12 Piva Corsairs to hit the 40 Japs camped at Kumiliogu. At 0805, four planes from NZ-14 carrying 2 half-ton daisy cutters and six 325-pound depth charges put 3 on the target, 2 sixty yards north, and 3 fifty yards north. One bomb demolished a hut on the west side of the track. Eight fighters from NZ-22 then put seven 1000-pound stick bombs in the target (plus one dud), getting good coverage and causing prolonged smoke. 16 strafing runs were made for unobserved results. As a result of the bombing, the target was considered destroyed.
60 more Japs at Palidonan were hit at 1120. Eight Corsairs from NZ-22 set out with 8 half-ton daisy cutters, but two returned to base, jettisoning their bombs at sea. Of the others, 4 bombs were in the target area, 1 undershot 75 yards, and 1 was 100 yards over. Several huts were seen to be flattened. 36 strafing runs were made for unobserved damage. A quartet from NZ-14 then added 2 half-ton stick bombs and half a dozen 325-pound depth charges. Bad weather caused scattered drops damaging two huts. 24 strafing runs were made over two groups of six huts each, and eight were damaged. Two more groups of six huts were seen near the stream 100 yards north of Kumiliogu, and 30 large huts plus many smaller ones at 143425 (Musaraka). In all, there appear about 100 huts in the area. While circling, a native appeared and waved a white flag, unassessed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-14 Kumiliogu 0805 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                 6x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-22 Kumiliogu 0805 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ-22 Palidonan 1120 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-14 Palidonan 1120 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                 6x325 D.C.

24 Corsairs Support Army: Two attacks were made on enemy defense positions midway between the Hongorai and the Pororei River, north of the main Buin road. At 0850 eight fighters from NZ-26 put 5 half-ton daisy cutters in the target area, plus 5 in extension of the target to the east. Results were not seen. Then four planes from NZ-14 added two 1000-pound stick bombs and six 325 pound depth charges to area 100 yards square on the north side of the road for unobserved results. 12 strafing runs were made for unassessed damage. At 1150 eight NZ-26 Corsairs scored 3 half-ton daisy cutters in the same Hongorai defenses, one 400 yards to the east. These caused a cloud of heavy black smoke lasting 5 minutes. Then 4 more bombs on a new target further north, for unseen results. 12 strafing runs were made on both targets, but no damage was observed. Four NZ-14 planes dropped 2 half ton stick bombs, 4 quarter-ton daisy cutters and two 325-pound depth charges in the target area, unobserved.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-26 Hongorai River 0850 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-14 0850 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                 6x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-26 1150 dr 8x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-14 1150 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                   4x500 G.P.
                                   2x325 D.C.

Large Explosion Caused at Muguai: At 0955 eight Green Corsairs put 3 half-ton daisy cutters in the Muguai #20 area and 5 nearby for unassessed damage. At 1040 five Venturas hit Muguai #28 with 28 quarter-tonners in the northwest corner of the target. They caused a large explosion with thick black smoke. Two more bombs landed in the center of the area, and two on the Ebery's Lease side of the river later resulted in a big explosion with white debris thrown up in a cauliflower effect. No A/A was met. At 1435 four Corsairs from Green put five 650-pound depth charges in Muguai #10, and three more near misses. Results were unobserved. As the planes approached, dense smoke was generated east of Kahili, and continued until after the planes left.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-21 Muguai #20 0955 dr 8x1000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 Muguai #28 1040 dr 32x500 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-24 Muguai #10 1435 dr 8x650 D.C.

Kahili Blasted and Blazed by Mitchells: A successful attack was made on Kahili #5 by six Marine PBJs from Green at 1401 yesterday. 18 half tonners were dropped on the area, causing a series of
small explosions. This led to a large blast and flames throughout the area. No ackack was met. Four Venturas came over at 1515 and saw the fires still burning, with smoke rising to 5000 feet. The PVs put 20 quarter tonners in the target for unseen damage. Three bombs hung and were dropped north of the target. Again, no A/A was encountered.

For the Record:

6 PBJs VMB-423 Kahili #5 1401 dr 18x1000 G.P.
4 PVs NZ-3 1515 dr 23x500 G.P.

Able-Charlies Hit Nip and Destroy Hut: Two Piva fighters made a tour at 0655. They strafed two huts at Kara, holed a 400-gallon tank on the east tip of Harumo Island, strafed a hut on Laumona Island, sank a rusty iron mooring buoy 200 yards northeast of Momalufu Island, fired and destroyed a large hut 100 yards inland on Benana Island, wounded a Nip swimming off Bauvo Island, and saw well-kept gardens at Bitioi and huts at Sirukiai. All these locations are in the islands south of Bougainville.
Two more Corsairs did an A-C run at 0955, dropping two half-tonners on the southern tip of Torokori Island for unobserved results. Four strafing runs were also made but no damage was seen.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-14 Able-Charlie Searches 0655 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-26 Able-Charlie Searches 0955 dr 2x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(13 sorties -no bombs)

Corsairs Guard Rabaul: Five pairs of fighters patrolled Rabaul fields from 0710 to 1710. They strafed and destroyed a 15-foot boat on Watom Island, and three outrigger canoes at Mualim Island, also damaged a boat at Watara (Duke of York).

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ-21, 24 Rabaul 0710-1710 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(24 sorties-18 1/4 tons)

Venturas Destroy Four Bridges: The morning sweep took off at 0700, stopped at Green with engine trouble, then returned to base at 1755. Two 300-pounders were dropped on the Fessoa bridge, but missed. Four hit and destroyed the Bohl River bridge. Six PVs hit swamp installations at Libba, knocking out both bridges with 30 300-pounders. 30 strafing runs were made and 5000 rounds gunned.
The afternoon PV destroyed the Logagon bridge with six 300-pounders in a low-level attack.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 0700-1755 dr 6x300 G.P.
6 PVs NZ-9 Libba 0850-0940 dr 30x300 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1300-1715 dr 6x300 G.P.

Corsairs Bomb Lemakot and Watch Kavieng: 8 fighters put 16 half-ton daisy cutters on the Lemakot bivouac at 0830, blasting the area wide open. Four pairs of Corsairs patrolled Kavieng during the day, diving 8 half tonners which fell unobserved at Lauan, Fangelawa, Panapai and Saie, but probably damaged a hut at Katu.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-23 Lemakot 0830 dr 16x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 0710-1550 dr 8x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 30 April 1945.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS

Two Docks at Manus Holed by Jap Raiders: The dusk sweep Saturday by two fighters from NZ-19 was negative, as always. But fifteen minutes after midnight, one, or possibly two, Jap aircraft attacked two of our advance base sectional docks in Seeadler Harbor. One plane was probably a low-powered single-engine type. It was seen making a very low approach, and had an unusual engine noise. Two minor explosions were then heard. These were probably bomb hits that slightly damaged ABSD #4 on its southeast end at water level. Then came a violent explosion, believed to be a torpedo. This was undoubtedly the hit which caused severe damage to ABSD #2 amidships below water level on the northeast side. There was no ship damage, and no personnel casualties. Observers state that one plane then crashed into the sea. No radar plot was obtainable before or after the attack. RNZAF frequency 7425 was jammed from 2330 to 0200. The transmitter was located by direction finder as being in the Rabaul area. The dawn sweep Sunday by two fighters from NZ-19 was negative, as usual.

NEW IRELAND
(14 sorties-9 tons)

Ventura Destroys Lossu Huts: The Sunday morning PV recco destroyed a pair of huts at Lossu with two 300-pounders, cratered the road at Pinikindu with two more, and sank a final two into the road at Ramut. A stop was made at Green enroute to base. The proposed Tobera strike was weathered out, and the afternoon PV got too late a start to be reported this issue.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 29 April 0630-1500 dr 6x300 G.P.

Corsairs Wreck Ulunono Huts: Two pairs of fighters patrolled Kavieng at 0710 to 0900 and 1450 to 1614. They dived 4 half-ton daisy cutters. Two demolished 5 huts at Ulunono. Two fell unobserved on the Lossuk storage area. The second and third patrols were weathered out.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 0710-0900,1450-1614 dr 4x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties-no bombs)

Sub Seen Saturday in Wide Bay: The 5th Australian Division reported a yellow periscope 18 to 24 inches out of water spotted at F7627 which is about 4 miles offshore from Iwai in the lower Wide Bay area. The periscope was proceeding southeast at about 6 knots. It had a full view of our barge activity. The time was 281500 K. Reliability of report assessed A1 by First Australian Army.
Weather Limits Patrols: Two Green Corsairs patrolled Gazelle fields from 1710 to 1900 late Saturday afternoon for negative results. Yesterday five pairs of fighters were over Rabaul until 1635, but then returned to base early because of low clouds.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-21 Rabaul Patrol 28 April 1710-1900 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-21,24 Rabaul Patrols 29 April 0715-1635 No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(79 sorties-32 1/2 tons)

Silibai Huts Smashed and Cindered: A busy settlement of about 20 huts, half in sight and half under trees, is located on the Silibai River in southwest Bougainville. It was attacked yesterday at 0825 by 12 Piva Corsairs with tac/r lead-in. Two areas were smoked. One at 227310 and the other at 227337. A total of 6 half-ton daisy cutters and 18 325-nound depth charges were dropped. 20 hit the first target and destroyed 6 or 7 huts besides burning three. Four hits in the other target area left it completely cleared, according to tac/r estimate. One heavily-constructed hut was seen to be destroyed.
Six Corsairs from NZ-22 were scheduled to hit this same area at 1205, but were weathered out and jettisoned their six 650s safe at sea.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-14 Silibai River 0825 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                    18x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ-22 1205 dr 6x650 D.C.

Buin Pill-Boxes Bombed and Strafed: Twelve Piva Corsairs attacked Jap defenses on both sides of the Buin road at 946433 at 0920 yesterday. Four half-ton stick bombs covered the target area for 100 yards along the north side of the road. The other eight daisy cutters covered the corresponding area on the south side of the road. 24 strafing runs were also made over the target area.
Another 12 Piva fighters were scheduled to attack near this same target at1130, but were weathered out. They dropped their bombs safe in the sea. It is interesting to know the message of assurance the Japs are feeding the natives in this area. They are saying: "The Americans are not too strong, and they will soon be defeated by the arrival of the Germans."

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-26 Buin 0920 dr 12x1000 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-26 1130 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                    9x650 D.C.

Green Venturas Bomb Muguai: At 0915 PVs sent 32 quarter tonners into Muguai #29, two short near the river, and two short into target #15. The jungle hid resulting damage. 8 Green Corsairs set out to bomb Muguai #30 at 0730 but were weathered off the target and landed at Piva with all bombs.

For the Record:

6 PV NZ-3 Muguai #29 0915 dr 36x500 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-24 Muguai #30 0730 No bombs.

Nakaru Not Struck, but Direct Hits on Aitara Pill-Boxes: At 1245, weather prevented a bomb drop on Nakaru by 13 Piva Corsairs with 4 half ton daisy cutters and 20 325-nound depth charges, but their secondary objective was accurately plastered. This target was a pill-box area at the mouth of the Hongorai River near Aitara. First it was smoked, then 8 hits were scored in the area. Two were direct hits on two pill-boxes. No visible damage was seen. They were then weathered off Mibo River Ford targets and jettisoned the rest of their load safe in the sea. Five strafing runs were made on the Aitara area for unobserved results. Six Marine PBJs from Green were due to bomb Nakaru #36, but returned all bombs to base because of adverse weather.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-14 Aitara 1245 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                            2x30 Smoke.
                                            20x325 D.C
6 PBJs VMB-423 Nakaru #36 1430 No bombs.

Able-Charlies: Two Corsairs out at 0720 observed well-kept gardens at Arawa Bay. A search for barges at Matchin Bay was negative. Two more fighters out at 1020 had nil sightings.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-22 Able-Charlie Searches 0720, 1020 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 1 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(122 sorties-67 tons)

Enemy Defenses and Bivouac at Ratsoa Bombed: One of the most active areas in northern Bougainville is at map reference 315701. Supporting 11th Brigade operations in the area, 19 Piva Corsairs attacked at 0805. Thirteen planes from NZ-14 led off with a 30-pound smoke bomb in the center of the target, then dropped part of the load which included 6 half-ton daisy cutters and eighteen 325-pound depth charges. All 7 hit the target area, opening it up. No huts were seen, but many tracks were evident. A clearing 80 yards further south was then smoked. Three camouflaged trucks were located there. 16 bombs fell in the smoked area. One direct hit destroyed a truck. The other two vehicles were badly damaged. One half-tonner hung and was jettisoned at sea.
Six Corsairs from NZ-26 then put all six of their 650-pound depth charges in the second target, one within 5 yards of the trucks, 36 strafing runs were made on the trucks. These fighters also strafed a possible machine gun position revealed by blue smoke at 286761, They also noted a water-logged barge and two rowboats at Ratsoa jetty and a cave containing boxes in the cliffs at 313751.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-14 RATSOA 0805 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                                6x1000 G.P. (1 dud).
                                               18x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ-26 dr 6x650 D.C.

Hongorai River Defenses Again Hit: In support of the Army forces in the south, 13 Piva Corsairs struck Jap positions along the east-west road east of 945433 with a dozen 650 pound depth charges at 0825. First they smoked the target, then all 12 depth charges scored in the area. 37 strafing runs were also made. No results were seen. Another 13-plane attack on the same target and a similar bomb load took place at 1135. After smoking the area, 9 hits were scored in the target and 3 about 50 yards west of the edge of the Hongorai River. The road was opened up to a width of 50 to 100 yards as far as the culvert over a small intersecting stream.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-22 HONGORAI RIVER 0825 dr 3x30 Smoke.
                                                            12x650 D.C.
13 F4Us NZ-22 1135 dr 3x30 Smoke.
                                 12x650 D.C.

Small Ammo Dump at Nakaru Hit: Nineteen Piva fighters were detailed to drop 6 half-ton stick bombs and six 650-pound and 18 325-pound depth charges on a point near Kara Airdrome (226314) where a small munitions supply, huts and personnel were concentrated. Smoke hit at 227316 and six NZ-26 planes put three 650s at that point, plus three more on a suspected A/A position 50 yards north. No results were seen. Smoky Joe considered the flash of smoke incendiary gave appearance of A/A. Position 100 yards east of first target was smoked and 12 planes from NZ-14 put 8 hits close to the mark. The ammo dump was then indicated by strafing and 8 hits opened up the track running east-west from the north-south track to a garden at the river bend. No huts were seen. Another track at 225313 was indicated by strafing and hit with the last 8 bombs. All fell close. Finally, 12 strafing runs were made over the entire area for unobserved results.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ-26 NAKARU (226314) 1100 dr 6x650 D.C.
13 F4Us NZ-14 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                          6x1000 G.P.
                         18x325 D.C.

Mounted Gun at Runai Bombed and Strafed: A pair of fighters attacked a gun on a truck at the Buin-Aitara road fork at 1345 with four 325-pound depth charges. All bombs fell within 5 to 10 yards of the target and it was then well strafed. No results were observed. Tac/r led two more Corsairs to the same target and smoked near it. Two 650-pound depth charges hit the smoke, but not the gun. Directed by the earlier two planes, these Corsairs strafed south of the road. A possible A/A burst was seen. Four more fighters returned to this mounted gun target at 1600. It was not visible but one 325-pound depth charge hit exactly where it was reported to be, and seven more fell within a 15-yard radius. The undergrowth was well cleared, disclosing an apparent truck chassis with a piece of light metal at the end. There was no indication of gun or fragments. An unidentified dark object was seen 150 yards SW along the track.
Finally, two fighters from NZ-26, unable to locate the gun, dropped two 650s nearby for unseen damage. Tac/r will check this target 1 May.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-14 RUNAI 1345 dr 4x325 D.C.
2 F4Us NZ-26 dr 2x650 D.C.
4 F4Us NZ-14 1600 dr 8x325 D.C.
2 F4Us NZ-26 1610 dr 2x650 D.C.

Green Hits Muguai Six Times: Sunday at 0830, eight Green Corsairs from NZ-24 dropped sixteen 650 pound depth charges on Muguai #30, scoring 14 hits and two 300 yards over. They later landed at Piva. Yesterday at 0855, these same fighters put six 650-pound and eight 325-pound depth charges on Muguai #4 at the same time another 8 Corsairs from NZ-22 struck with 8 half-ton daisy cutters. In the confusion, bomb hits were not plotted. At 0937, five Venturas centered all their 30 quarter tonners in Muguai #24 for unassessed damage.
Four Green Corsairs put eight 650-pound depth charges on Muguai #25 at 1410. Six were direct hits, and two were near misses.
Six Marine Mitchells started a ten-minute fire with black and white smoke rising to 300 feet when their 18 half-tonners fell in Muguai #28 at 1450.
Finally, another five Green Venturas put another 30 quarter tonners squarely on Muguai #28 at 1520, causing a quantity of smoke.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-24 MUGUAI #30 29 April 0830 dr 16x650 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-24 MUGUAI #4 30 April 0855 dr 6x650 D.C.
                                                                8x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-21 MUGUAI #4 0855 dr 8x1000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 MUGUAI #24 0937 dr 30x500 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-24 MUGUAI #25 1410 dr 8x650 D.C.
6 PBJs VMB-423 MUGUAI #28 1450 dr 18x1000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 MUGUAI #28 1520 dr 30x500 G.P.

Able-Charlies Bomb and Strafe Water Targets: Two fighters on A-C search at 0710 strafed two Nips in a canoe at the SE tip of the Shortlands. Another pair of Corsairs on A-C duty at 1020 bombed wooden structures on the east branch of the Hari River and strafed tracks nearby. No results were observed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-26 Able-Charlie Searches 0710,1020 dr 2x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

NEW BRITAIN
(35 sorties-32 1/2 tons)

Rabaul Patrolled for nil sightings as weather permitted during the day. Four pairs of Corsairs were on station.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-21, 22 RABAUL Patrols (0700-0905) (1215-14??) (1500-1725) No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(31 sorties-27 3/4 tons)

Venturas Destroy Lossuk Bridge: The late sweep Sunday missed both the Bohl and the Libba bridges with two trios of 325-pound depth charges. The morning PV yesterday low-leveled six 300 pounders. Three completely destroyed the Lossuk bridge. The others missed the crossing at Ramut. 1600 rounds were gunned at Karu cattle. Many of the herd of 100 were slain.
Six Venturas got good coverage on the Borpop bivouac with 36 325-pound depth charges from medium altitude at 0930. Then 8600 rounds were gunned at the camp from low level.
The afternoon PV cratered both approaches to the Fessoa bridge with six 300 pounders, then strafed various targets with 1150 rounds.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 29 April 1430-1715 dr 6x325 D.C.
1 PV NZ-9 Morning Sweep 30 April 0630-1040 dr 6x300 G.P.
6 PVs NZ-9 BORPOP 0930-1000 dr 36x325 D.C.
1 PV NZ-9 Afternoon Sweep 1230-1600 dr 6x300 G.P.

Corsairs Watch Kavieng: Two fighters guarded the air over Kavieng from 1500 to 1615 Sunday, diving two half-ton daisy cutters which flamed a camouflaged revetted dump and damaged huts at Lossu.
Four pairs of Corsairs yesterday patrolled Kavieng. They put a dud on Fessoa. Other drops with their 8 half-ton stick bombs destroyed 3 huts at Lossu, damaging others there and at Medina.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 KAVIENG Patrol 29 April 1500-1615 dr 2x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-23 KAVIENG Patrols 30 April 0715-1600 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 2 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(110 sorties-63 1/4 tons)

Camps of Two Jap Specialist Groups Bombed: At 2nd Corps request, attacks were made on two bivouacs located by prisoner-of-war information at 238352 and 238371 on the Silibai River, west of Kara.
The first point is at Kanaura and houses the Material Platoon of the Jap 6th Engineers. Eleven Piva Corsairs from NZ-14 struck at 0800 with smoke bombs, four half-ton daisy cutters and sixteen 325-pound death charges. The target was marked, and then cleared by eight hits. Smoky Joe then smoked 249349 which contained 6 new huts (including two of Quonset size), three lean-tos, and one hut under construction. Twelve hits were scored within 50 yards of the smoke. Two huts were destroyed and 4 damaged. Four strafing runs were unobserved.
At 238371 (near Kikimogu) the captured Jap reported the members of the notorious Pacification Squad of the 6th Engineers had their quarters. This group uses arm-twisting and other methods of persuasion to maintain the "loyalty" of the local natives. Thirteen Piva Corsairs from NZ-22 attacked this hutted area with a dozen 650-pound depth charges at 0825. The area was smoked, and five hits fell in the designated spot. Six others scattered to the west. One was a dud. A strafing run was made on the only hut seen, but no damage was done. No activity or personnel could be seen.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ-14 KANAURA 0800 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                                  4x1000 G.P.
                                                 16x325 D.C.
13 F4Us NZ-22 KIKIMOGU 0825 dr 3x100 Smoke.
                                                12x650 D.C. (1 dud)

Self-Propelled Gun Hide Again Hit: A dozen Piva fighters from NZ-26 put twelve 650-pound depth charges along the Runai-Aitara track from 964417 west to 963417 at 0835. The object of this pattern was to hit the ground defenses, and perhaps the gun on the truck that was spotted at the road fork day before yesterday and may then have been disabled. Two of the depth charges fell at the north end of the pardon and 8 at the south end. One undershot 150 yards northeast. One hung and fell in the jungle two miles away. Results were unobserved.
Another attack was made at 1200 by 11 Piva Corsairs from NZ-26, each with a 650-pound depth charge. This time one hit was made at the west tip of the garden, three 50 to 150 yards east, three on the southwest corner, all unobserved. The third section of planes was weathered off, so they dropped their four on a large well-kept garden about two miles east of Monoitu Mission, scoring three center hits and one nicking the edge. Two strafing runs were also made on this garden. No results were observed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-26 RUNAI 0835 dr 12x650 D.C.
11 F4Us NZ-26 1200 dr 11x650 D.C.

Piva Corsairs Put 7 1/2 Tons on Muguai: Ten fighters struck target #10 at Muguai with a mixed load of 4 half-ton daisy cutters and fourteen 325-pound depth charges at 1130. One plane dropped smoke, but owing to low clouds and bad light, it was hard to be sure this was the assigned area, or a similar river bend to the north. All 18 bombs hit near the smoke for unobserved results. Pilots noted that Kara strip appeared serviceable. At 277357, three wooden huts of Quonset size were noted between the garden and the north end of Kara Strip. Another Muguai area (#31) was smoked by a Corsair from NZ-22, and ten other aircraft followed with 7 hits in the smoked area and 3 within 50 yards. Their load was a 650 each. Foliage was stripped from the area's trees, revealing a large new hut on which the smoke bomb had landed. It was still smoking when the planes left. No activity was seen, but there were a large number of very well-kept gardens. Two Japs were killed by strafing.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ-14 MUGUAI #10 1130 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                                     4x1000 G.P.
                                                     14x325 D.C.
11 F4Us NZ-22 MUGUAI #31 1130 dr 3x100 Smoke.
                                                       10x650 D.C.

Green Also Bombed Muguai: At 0840, eight Corsairs from NZ-24 put 6 out of 8 quarter tonners and 6 out of 8 650-pound depth charges in the huts at Muguai #11. The other hits were nearby. No results were seen. Unable to reach the Muguai area, eight NZ-21 Corsairs at 1630 bombed the Jap camp at Namkario (in from Baniu Harbor), getting all 16 650-pounders in the area, unassessed. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-24 MUGUAI #11 0840 dr 8x500 G.P.
                                                     8x650 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-21 NAMKARIO 1630 dr 16x650 D.C.

PVs and PBJs Hit Nakaru: The eleven huts at Nakaru #37 (271364) were said to be such hives of activity, we naturally itched to scratch them.
At 0922, eight Green Venturas put 47 quarter tonners along the western part of the target for unseen damage. One bomb hung and was returned to base. Two gun flashes came from north Kara sites.
At 0949, six Marine Mitchells from Green bombed the same hut cluster, putting 4 half tonners on the target and 10 more walking out to the north. A fire was started. Four more hits were not reported. Meagre inaccurate to accurate medium and heavy A/A came from known positions on Kangu Hill. Weathered out of Nakaru #28, six Mitchells at 1506 attacked Kangu Hill gun positions. The full load of 18 half tonners fell in the clearing at the top of the hill. Clouds hid the results. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ-3 NAKARU #37 0922 dr 47x500 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-423 NAKARU #37 0949 dr 18x1000 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-423 KANGU HILL 1506 dr 18x1000 G.P.

Six Corsairs on Patrol: Able-Charlie searches at 0700 and 1100 by pairs of Piva fighters were negative. A tour at 0900 saw smoke rising 100 feet through the trees on the seaward edge of Arigua Plantation (central east coast). Meagre inaccurate A/A came from three guns of undetermined calibre at Kangu Hill.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ-16 Able-Charlie Searches 0700, 0900, 1100 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(43 sorties-42 3/4 tons)

Tobera Plane Hides Peppered by Emirau: Clouded off the assigned area, 6 Venturas hit a possible float-plane hide at Tobera from medium altitude at 1140, getting 35 300 pounders in the target, and one long. 25 PBJs hit another hide area a short time earlier from 11,000 feet, scoring 62 half-tonners in the target and 13 over the taxiway area. Results were not seen. No A/A was reported.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ-9 TOBERA #2 1140 dr 36x300 G.P.
25 PBJs VMB-Emirau TOBERA #1 1058 dr 75x1000 G.P.

Green Corsairs Watch Rabaul: The late pair of Corsairs Monday patrolled Rabaul from 1725 to 1900 but saw nothing. Five pairs of fighters guarded the area yesterday until weather closed in at 1615. One camouflaged hut on Ulu Island was smoked in a Duke of York strafing.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-21 RABAUL Patrol 30 April 1725-1900 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-21,24 RABAUL Patrols 1 May 0720-1615 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(21 sorties-15 1/4 tons)

Corsairs Kill Jap: Kavieng was patrolled late Monday by two Corsairs. They dived 2 half-ton daisy cutters on Lossuk huts. One was a dud. The other was unobserved. The suspected float plane at Tunschui was not seen. Two pairs of Corsairs made a dawn sweep yesterday, stopped at Green and returned to Emirau at 1245. They strafed and killed a Jap at Panapai. Two Corsairs watched Kavieng from 0710 to 0835, diving a half-tonner on Katu huts for unseen damage. Four planes made an afternoon sweep but were only out 80 minutes when storms drove them home. Four half-ton daisy cutters were dropped on Mane Island huts at 1540 but clouds hid resulting damage.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 KAVIENG Patrol 30 April 1610-1810 dr 2x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
4 F4Us NZ-23 KAVIENG Patrols 1 May 0640-1245 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-23 0710-0835 dr 1x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-23 1540-1700 dr 4x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 3 May 1945.

NEW BRITAIN
(5 sorties-no bombs)

Rabaul Patrols Limited by Weather: Only four Green Corsairs did guard tours over Rabaul yesterday. At 0930, planes were forced by impending storms to return to base. Enroute they strafed and destroyed one boat, damaged another, and destroyed a hut on Utuan Island, Duke of York group. Weather prevented scheduled patrols for the rest of the day. Report now received of negative Ventura search Monday for sub sighted two miles off Powell Harbor 1455 by AIB.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-3 POWELL HARBOR 30 April 1455-1555 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-24 RABAUL Patrols 2 May 0710-0930 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(4 sorties-2 tons)

Most Hops Weathered Out: Only four Corsairs flew from Emirau yesterday. Two made an early sweep, diving two half-ton daisy cutters on the Fangelawa bivouac for unobserved results. Two Corsairs guarded Kavieng from 0720 to 0840, diving two more 1000-pound stick bombs into Lossuk Bay huts, destroying several. All planes were then grounded until dusk.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 Morning Sweep 0655-0835 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-23 KAVIENG Patrol 0720-0840 dr 2x1000 G.P.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(86 sorties-44 1/2 tons)

Hongorai River Defenses Probed: The next forward thrust by the Australian Army in southern Bougainville will cross the Hongorai River. This stream follows a twisting course in a general north-south direction. It is most vulnerable at three crossings. The middle crossing is a ford for the main east-west track (known as the Buin Road). A mile to the north is a shallow place called Martin's Crossing. About a mile to the south is a log crossing for a secondary track extending east-west in that area. All three crossings are defended by Jap positions. Bombing attacks, plus strafing, will enable the 24th Battalion of the Australians to move up to the river. At 0801 yesterday 12 Piva Corsairs from NZ-26 struck the southernmost of these targets (located at 944421, and labeled, for convenience, Hongorai A). The defenses are situated west of the river. Twelve 650 pound depth charges were dropped and ten fell in line along 500 yards of track, causing one large flash. One bomb was a dud, and one hang-up was jettisoned near the mouth of the river. The same crossing was bombed at 0815 by another twelve fighters from NZ-14. They carried six half-ton daisy cutters and eighteen 325-pound depth charges. All bombs appeared to fall along the north side of the track. 36 strafing runs along the bush on both sides of the bombed area produced no seen results. One plane was slightly damaged in prop and tail fin, probably by bomb blast. At 1052, the first of two attacks was made on the center or Buin Road crossing. This target will be called Hongorai B. Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ-22 put a dozen 650-pound depth charges west of the ford. They all fell in an area about 300 by 100 yards along the center of the road and 100 yards north. About 50 yards of track was cleared.
Then 12 more fighters from NZ-26 hit this target at 1115. Artillery smoked the east and west ends of the target areas, and put additional smoke in a bomb crater 150 to 200 yards south of the target. Four 650s wore placed along the target for 60 to 70 yards west from the river. The other eight fell on the smoked crater.
Only one strike was made on Martin's Crossing, the northern-most of the three Hongorai River strong-points (and to be called Hongorai C). Twelve Piva fighters from NZ-14 carried 6 half-ton stick bombs and 18 325-pound depth charges. At 1145 they came over the defenses. Smoke shells failed to indicate the target, so bombs were dropped on the area indicated in briefing. 16 fell in this area. 4 landed 100 yards northeast. 3 fell 200 to 300 yards northeast. One hung and was jettisoned at sea. 15 strafing runs were made. Results were unobserved.
The Army reports that this air support enabled their battalion to advance 1000 yards.

For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ-26 HONGORAI "A" 0801 dr 12x650 D.C. (1 dud).
12 F4Us NZ-14 HONGORAI "A" 0815 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                         18x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ-22 HONGORAI "B" 1052 dr 12x650 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ-26 HONGORAI "B" 1115 dr 12x650 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ-14 HONGORAI "C" 1145 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                         18x325 D.C.

Green Hits Nakaru, Kahili and Muguai: At 0845 eight Corsairs put 8 half-ton daisy cutters on an area between the Oamai and Porror Rivers at Nakaru. Five tracks focus on this area. Six hits were scored, and two near misses. No results were observed. Revetted dumps at Kahili were hit at 0925 by 6 Marine Mitchells. Their load of 18 half tonners covered the target, starting a fire with grey smoke rising to 600 feet. Weathered off Kahili, three Venturas attacked scattered huts and a possible dump east of Ebery's Lease (Muguai #14) at 0855, putting 29 quarter tonners in the northeast portion of the target. One tripped and fell in Ebery's Lease. Results were not seen. No A/A was met by any of these three attacks.
All afternoon strikes were cancelled because of heavy weather.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-21 NAKARU #33 0845 dr 8x1000 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-423 KAHILI #3 0925 dr 18x1000 G.P.
3 PVs NZ-3 MUGUAI #14 0855 dr 30x500 G.P.

Patrols Sight Suspicious-Looking Huts: The 0700 pair of A-C Corsairs saw 4 Nips working in a garden 150 yards square near Turiboiro Mission (interior of south Bougainville), but no attack was made. Able-Charlies by two more pairs of fighters at 0830 and 1015 were negative. Two Corsairs making the rounds at 1200 sighted three huts 15' x 100' near Arawa Plantation. One had an iron roof camouflaged with green and brown paint. Thatched huts stood nearby. Freshly-cut palms were noted on the coast of Shortland Island opposite Harumo Island. A dirt ramp cut in the beach was seen at Maliusai Bay on the west coast of Shortland.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-16 Able-Charlie Searches 0700, 0830, 1015, 1200 No bombs.