RNZAF activity in the Pacific 1945

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 18 May 1945.

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

Hut Destroyed at Teop Bivouac: AIB reports a probable staging and living area and three large "sac sac" huts 50' x 20' and two smaller lean-tos, all fairly new, at 637619 on the northeast coast. Slit trenches and a LMG are also at this camp. Twelve Piva Corsairs with 6 half-tonners and 18 325-pound depth charges had difficulty locating this target on the coast below Teop Bay, but all bombs were dropped in the estimated area destroying one hut and opening up the area. No other huts were seen. 56 strafing runs were made over the bombed area, unobserved. A hill at 680323 with a good view of the Numa Numa trail was seen to be cleared, had a fire smoking to 300 feet, and a stack of round steel rails lying on the ground near the fire.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 TEOP 0800 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                          18x325 D.C.

Factory on Southeast Coast Demolished: At Toimonapu (490675), an old iron copra factory building 100' x 20' has shown signs of recent use. Also, at Igua nearby, natives report 40 Naval personnel quartered in huts. Tac/r led a dozen fighters from NZ 22 to hit the factory with half-ton daisy cutters. The first bomb was a direct hit which completely demolished the factory and scattered a whitish powder over a 30-yard radius. They then attacked the huts near Igua. Tac/r strafed the target and the leader strafed it too. Six bombs covered the area, four were acattered, and one was a dud. Results were not. seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 TOIMONAPU-IGUA 1300 dr 12x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

Two New Hongorai Targets Hit: The rest of the day's strikes were aimed at Jap centers in southwest Bougainville. The earliest attack was a three-phase bombing of Pororei Ford and Tiger Track junction (958430) for 200 yards on either side of the ford. Patrols have contacted large forces in this area, and a POW confirms it also as a stores area. Tac/r led 11 Piva Corsairs from NZ 26 to the target at 0755. It was also smoked by mortar fire. All three 1000-pound stick bombs and eight 325-pound depth charges fell along the track on the west side of the ford. Five hit in line along the north side of the track, and six dug in along the south side. Results were unobserved. Twelve fighters from NZ 22 with 12 half-ton daisy cutters followed in at 0815, put all bombs in the area, and completely blasted it. Partial clearance was obtained for 400 yards along the track. 24 strafing runs brought no seen damage. Four Corsairs from NZ 16 completed the attack at 0820 with 4 half-ton stick bombs. The previous bombing made the target difficult to define. One hit was scored, one near miss, and two wide. No damage was observed.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 26 HONGORAI #11 0755 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                                           8x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ 22 HONGORAI #11 0815 dr 12x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 16 HONGORAI #11 0820 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Strong Defenses at Jap HQ Pounded: Eleven fighters from NZ 14 carried 6 half-ton stick bombs and 16 325-pound depth charges to a location a bit to the northeast of the morning Hongorai target. The objective was to smash the headquarters of the 13th Jap Regiment located in a strongly-held defense area at 973471. From 60 to 80 troops were said to be concentrated there.
Tac/r led the attack at 1212, and the target was also smoked by mortar fire. 18 bombs fell in the area, mostly in the NW portion. A big billowing red flame followed the hit of one bomb 15 yards SE of the mortar smoke. Two bombs hung and were dropped at sea. One plane returned early with engine trouble and jettisoned its bombs in the water.
Twelve Corsairs from 26 followed in at 1220 with 3 half-ton daisy cutters and 8 325-pound depth charges. Tac/r re-smoked the target. 8 bombs fell in the area, 1 on the west edge, 2 just east of the target, and 1 dud. The bombing opened up the trench system and destroyed several huts. Four fighters from NZ 16 with 4 half-ton stick bombs completed the strike at 1230. Tac/r re-smoked, and 3 bombs fell in the SE area of the target. One was 20 yards south. A sheet of dark orange flame rose 100 feet with very dark smoke.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 14 HONGORAI #6 1212 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                       16x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ 26 HONGORAI #6 1220 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                                        9x325 D.C. (1 dud)
4 F4Us NZ 16 HONGORAI #6 1230 dr 4x1000 G.P.

May 5th Strike Destroyed 12 Guns: Scouts bring word that the 5 May air attack in the Kara-Nakaru area (299340) netted 7 Japs killed and 12 A/A guns destroyed. Native reports are usually assessed "Doubtful" until confirmed from other sources.

Able-Charlies: A pair of Corsairs from NZ 16 made at A-C trip at 0700. They saw three or more 30' x 10' thatched huts in good condition located on a ridge in Lalahan Plantation (Buka). Another serviceable hut was noted at Hanpan. The oil slick at Tiperoi still lingers. Two fighters patrolled at 1035. They saw a probable mine floating 300 yards off shore between Draumoa and Fauro Islands. They also sighted a Nip in shorts walking west near Arigua. No strafing was reported.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 16 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700, 1035 No Bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(39 sorties - 23 1/4 tons)

Venturas Also Bomb Rabaul: Seven PVs hit buildings and the revetted storage area west of Rabaul at 0923, putting all 42 325-pound depth charges in the target area. Damage was not assessed, but photos on this strike and the Mitchell bombing were taken.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 RABAUL #3A 0923 dr 42x325 D.C.

Corsairs Watch Rabaul and Kill 31 Nips: A pair of Green Corsairs from NZ 21 patrolled the Rabaul area late Wednesday afternoon. They strafed and killed 13 Nips at Talili Bay, destroyed two dinghies and a truck. No A/A was met. Ten NZ 21 Corsairs watched Rabaul fields yesterday. They strafed and killed 1 Nip on Duke of York, 2 at Raluana Point, 15 in a barge in Lassim Bay (also sinking the barge), damaged a dinghy at Maulim Island, and sank a 15-foot boat in Massava Bay.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 21 RABAUL PATROL 16 May 1715-1900 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ 21 RABAUL PATROLS 17 May 0715-1705 No bombs.

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

Corsairs Bomb Roland Young: Four fighters made a diving attack on the nuts at Poland Young Plantation yesterday at 1039, putting eight 650-pound depth charges into the target for unobserved results.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 25 ROLAND YOUNG 1039 dr 8x650 D.C.

Sweeps Wreck Kapsu Bridge: Two Corsairs making coastal tours. Wednesday afternoon dived two half-tonners. One destroyed the bridge at Kapsu. The other did no observed damage to the Lauan Bay span. Six goats and a Jap were strafed and killed. Note: The Jap was the goat, too. Two fighters on morning tour yesterday dived two half-tonners at Medina, but both missed the building aimed at. Meagre inaccurate 20mm fire came from Namatanai #165144. This pair also strafed and killed a Nip at Samo.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 16 May 1455-1905 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 17 May 0630-1020 dr 2x1000 G.P.

Kavieng Patrolled: Two Corsairs watching Kavieng late Wednesday afternoon dived 2 half-tonners on Kavieng buildings, but both bombs were duds. Two fighters on guard yesterday morning again put two 1000-pounders on Kavieng, this time unroofing a native hut, but caused no damage to buildings.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 16 May 1658-1845 dr 2x1000 G.P. (both duds)
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 17 May 0700-0830 dr 2x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 19 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(93 sorties-32 3/4 tons)

Mobiai Huts Bombed: The first strike of the day was down in the southwest area at a group of Jap-infested huts east of the ford of the Mobiai River at 093338. Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ-26 with a dozen 325-pound depth charges attacked at 0745. Ten bombs fell in three lines along the target area, with good coverage. One hit 150 yards east and one hang-up was jettisoned in the sea. Four fighters from NZ-16 followed in ten minutes later and put four 325-pounders in the east portion of the target for unseen damage.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-26 MOBIAI RIVER 0745 dr 12x325 D.C.
4 F4Us NZ-16 MOBIAI RIVER 0755 dr 4x325 D.C.

Isina Camp Attacked: Another early target was more to the south-east, at Isina (309713) where AIB reports a camp of 80 Japs. The tac/r smoke bombs hung, so radio direction guided the 12 fighters from NZ-14 that went in with 6 half-tonners and 18 325-pound depth charges. All bombs hit the target for unobserved results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-14 ISINA 0825 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                            2x1000 S.A.P.
                                            18x325 D.C.

Close Support Missions at Hongorai Continue: For the 4th day, attacks were made on enemy centers close to the front lines in southwest Bougainville. Defenses on the Tiger Track near Martin's Crossing (940445-942445) were hit by 13 Piva Corsairs from NZ-22 carrying 8 half-ton daisy cutters and five 650-pound depth charges. Smokey Joe's para smokes were duds, so he directed by R/T. Seven bombs fell in an area 100x60 yards in the south part of the target. Five were unobserved. One was a dud. 24 strafing runs were made over the target, unobserved.
Twelve Corsairs from NZ-22 carrying 12 325-pound depth charges later struck enemy positions east of Martin's Crossing (944446-946446) and 2 bombs fell in the target area, 7 opened up a clearing 200x150 yards about 200 yards south of the target, 3 fell unobserved. 24 strafing runs over the target scored no seen damage.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-22 HONGORAI #12 0825 dr 2 Para Smoke (both duds).
                                                            8x1000 G.P.
                                                             5x650 D.C. (1 dud).
12 F4Us NZ-22 HONGORAI #12 1150 dr 12x325 D.C.

Thirteen Huts Hit at Kikimogu: A dozen Piva Corsairs from NZ-14 with 6 half-ton daisy-cutters and 18 325-pound depth charges struck new huts at Kikimogu (250387) at 1140 yesterday. Fifteen bombs fell on the reported site of the first group of huts, and one bomb 50 yards west. No huts were seen. Four bombs were placed on huts 30 yards south of the designated target, damaging 3 or 4 with near misses. Four bombs dropped on huts 130 yards to the north, damaging 7 with near misses. Twelve strafing runs were made on the second target, and three over the whole area. A group of huts 200 yards NW of the target was strafed, firing one. Five huts 1000 yards NNW of the original mark were also strafed, and one more was set afire. Three or four huts were noted under trees on the east bank of the Silibai River, half a mile NW of the target. A possible wooden landing stage was seen in the river. Numerous huts were seen 200 to 300 yards north of the target. A 30-foot bridge of new timber was seen over the creek 800 yards NNW of the target.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-14 KIKIMOGU 1140 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                  18x325 D.C.

Muguai Attack Destroys Two Huts: Nine fighters from NZ-22 with nine 325-pound depth charges bombed enemy huts in the Muguai area at 345345 yesterday at 1140. The target was smoked with two flares. Four bombs then hit the designated area, destroying two huts and unroofing a third. Stores were noted in one of the destroyed huts. Five of the bombs were duds. Telephone posts with 10 to 14 wires crossed the road at 360364. A tin-roofed hut nearby was gunned also newly-stacked crops in gardens. No results noted. These gardens appear to have been harvested since 16 May.

For the Record:

9 F4Us NZ-22 MUGUAI 1140 dr 2 Smoke Flares.
                                                9x325 D.C. (5 duds).

40 Japs at Kovidau Again Hit: AIB reports that 40 of the Nips at this camp near Kieta survived previous attacks, but should be allowed to share the fate of their buddies. Eleven Piva Corsairs from NZ-26 therefore dropped 11 325-pound depth charges on this remnant at 1130. Tac/r smoked the west portion of the target (248822) and three bombs struck there. Four more went wide. The rest were directed by tac/r toward trees at the east end of the target area. Three hit as shown; one was wide. No results were observed.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ-26 KOVIDAU 1130 dr 11x325 D.C.

Able-Charlie: Two fighters from NZ-16 had a frustrated tour at 0700. They strafed a possible line or buoy in the channel between Harumo and Ailaunu Islands (west of Shortland), but nothing exploded. They strafed two Nips near Cape Putputun, but they had ducked back into their caves. Six unattended fires on the beach nearby were noted. Three 15 by 10 foot huts on the west bank of the Silibai River (2 miles NW Kara near freshly-worked gardens) were strafed, but neither smoke nor flame nor blast nor debris rewarded their gunnery.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-16 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCH 0700 No bombs.

CHOISEUL
(7 sorties-3 1/2 tons)

Huts at Poro Poro Destroyed: AIB reports 400 Nips evacuating by barge from Poro Poro. Seven Piva Corsairs from NZ-16 with 7 half-tonners went down to attack any barges or dumps they could find. None were seen, but five huts were bombed, destroying 3 and felling trees around the other 2. A red flash followed one bomb. Two boats and a canoe were left unserviceable by strafing.

For the Record:

7 F4Us NZ-16 PORO PORO 1200 dr 7x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(10 sorties-11 1/4 tons)

Venturas Hit Rabaul: Six PVs from Emirau were clouded off Vunakanau, so they hit the buildings and revetted area west of Rabaul at 1042 with 36 325-pound depth charges. Most of the load hit the target. A few were long or short. Damage was not assessed.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ-9 RABAUL #3A 1042 dr 36x325 D.C.

NEW IRELAND
(12 sorties-6 1/2 tons)

Corsairs Hit Jetty and Bridge: Two fighters on Kavieng patrol late Thursday afternoon dived a half-tonner which missed a Kavieng hut, and another which scored a direct hit on the Kavieng jetty.
Two fighters on afternoon sweep Thursday put a hole in the approach to the Dallum bridge with two 1000 pounders. Two fighters on morning run yesterday dived a half-tonner which damaged the Lossuk bridge, and a second 1000-pounder which cratered the approach to the Fessoa span. Meagre inaccurate 20 mm fire came from Namatanai. Several huts were strafed for unseen damage.
Two fighters over Kavieng in the early morning put two half-tonners on huts under trees at Panapai 086153 for unobserved results. Meagre inaccurate 20 mm fire came from nearby.
Four Corsairs hit the Lemakot bivouac with eight 650-pound depth charges at 1135, putting six in the target, one close and one not seen. No damage was visible.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 17 May 1655-1845 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 17 May 1500-1916 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 MORNING SWEEP 18 May 0630-1055 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 18 May 0655-0850 dr 2x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-25 LEMAKOT 18 May 1035 dr 8x650 D.C.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS

Snooper? The track of one aircraft coming from the southeast at 97 knots caused a red alert 17 May at 1315 Z-time. The aircraft was heard crossing the coast and was over Momote at low altitude, though not seen. We scrambled at 1430 but made no contact. No further radar plots were recorded. All clear at 1440 Z.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 20 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(74 sorties - 20 1/2 tons)

Defenses at Buin Road Knoll Attacked: A number of new targets in the Hongorai area were attacked yesterday in support of the Third Division. None of these targets is identical with defenses hit on previous days though the pin-pointing is almost the same. Twelve fighters from NZ 14 with 2 half-ton G.P.s, 4 half-ton S.A.P.s and 18 325-pound depth charges hit enemy defensive positions at 945429 yesterday morning. Mortar smoke drifted, so the location of the target was hard to tell. Tac/r therefore directed the bombing. 18 hits were scored and 6 went wide. The area was well blasted and three small fires were started. Eight Corsairs from NZ 22 followed in on the same target with eight 325-pound depth charges, 4 were duds. Two fell on the NE corner of the target area, and two went wide. Results were not seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 HONGORAI #8 0758 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                         4x1000 S.A.P.
                                                        18x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 22 HONGORAI #8 0800 dr 8x325 D.C. (4 duds)

Concentration on Tiger Track Hit: Eight Piva fighters from NZ 16 with eight 325-pound depth charges attacked enemy lines of communication and troop concentrations along Tiger track east of Martin's Crossing (953443-955446). Again, mortar smoke was laid and tac/r directed the bombing. Four hits were put in the target, three outside, and a dud. Results unobserved.
Then twelve Corsairs from NZ 26 with a dozen 325-pound depth charges followed on the same target and put all 12 bombs between smoke markers laid by friendly artillery. Results were not seen. Twenty-four strafing runs were made over the whole area, unassessed. Considerable radio interference was noted.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 16 HONGORAI #9 0835 dr 8x325 D.C. (1 dud)
12 F4Us NZ 26 HONGORAI #9 0840 dr 12x325 D.C.

A Third Concentration Bombed in Same Area: Twelve Piva fighters from NZ 14 with 4 half-ton daisy cutters and twenty 325-pound depth charges made an 1130 attack on an enemy group located along the Tiger track at 955433 to 956431, also aiming at their lines of communication through there. The target was smoked by mortar, and bombing was again emceed by the tactical reconnaissance plane. All bombs fell in the target area in a north-south line 100 yards wide for 250 to 300 yards. Three large red flashes were caused, then billowing black smoke which hung in mushroom formation. Whitish planks were thrown up over the tree-tops. Undergrowth appeared well cleared. Thirty-six strafing runs over the area and along the edges added nothing further in blasts or fire.

For the Records

12 F4Us NZ 14 HONGORAI #10 1130 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                         20x325 D.C.

Huts at Muguai Flattened: Eight fighters from NZ 22 with smoke bombs and eight 325-pound depth charges attacked huts at stores in the Muguai area at 354351. The leader smoked the target, and all bombs fell in the area. One hut was demolished, and several slightly damaged. One storage hut on 12-foot stilts was crashed. One strafing run was made on a tin-roofed hut at 360364 for unseen results. Camouflaged huts seem to be hidden by many of the tree clumps in the general vicinity.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 22 MUGUAI 1140 dr 8x325 D.C.

Huts on Oamai River Also Attacked: AIB brought word of six large huts containing Japs under the trees 20 yards from the river bank at 154331. Ten fighters from NZ 26 dropped 4 half-tonners and six 325-pound depth charges on them at 1205. Three bombs straddled the road. The rest fell in the target area for good coverage. One dud fell unobserved.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 26 OAMAI RIVER 1205 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                       6x325 D.C. (1 dud)

Able-Charlies: Two fighters from NZ 22 made an A-C tour at 0655. They strafed a Nip at Lontis and a small fire at Arigua, unobserved. They also sighted a mine or buoy washed up on the beach at Kessa.
Another pair from NZ 22 on patrol at 1035 with a 650-pound depth charge and a 325-pound depth charge dropped both bombs on a small island up north at 226709 in Matchin Bay, clearing the center of the target. Two strafing runs were unassessed. A pair of Japs on Lebau Island (off NW coast of Bougainville below Taiof Island) were strafed and probably killed. Other strafing runs were made on caves at Hanahan, gardens at Hanpan and Nips on a jetty at 071108 (Buka). Nil damage.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0655,1035 dr 1x650 D.C.
                                                                                1x325 D.C.

CHOISEUL
(8 sorties - 4 tons)

Poro Poro Hut Destroyed: Aiming for the second day at a reported evacuation point on the north end of Choiseul, eight Piva Corsairs from NZ 16 dropped eight half-tonners at 1130. Four fell in the vicinity of the only hut sighted. It was destroyed. A garden caught two more bombs, resulting in very black smoke. The last two half-tonners fell short.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 16 PORO PORO 1130 dr 8x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(34 sorties -47 1/2 tons)

Venturas Also Bomb Vunakanau: Hitting the same plane revetment area east of Vunakanau strip that the Mitchells later bombed at 1012, six PV at 0915 centered 14 300-pounders in the target, and 22 somewhat to the south. No damage noted.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 VUNAKANAU #11A 0915 dr 36x300 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(18 sorties - 14 1/4 tons)

Corsairs Destroy 3 Huts: The two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol Friday dived 2 half-tonners on Kavieng gardens, unobserved. The afternoon sweep by another pair of fighters netted 3 huts destroyed at Fangelawa by a pair of half-tonners. Nips at Cape Reis and Fangelawa were strafed. Meagre accurate 20mm fire came from an unseen position at Namatanai. Yesterday two Corsairs on dawn sweep dived 2 half-tonners for two misses at the bridge over the Nubai River (east coast, below Namatanai). An orange flame and a five-minute column of black smoke rewarded strafing near the Selik River. Two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol 0705 to 0905 dived 2 half-tonners at the Balus bridge, but missed. They also thoroughly strafed a barge at the NW corner of Nusa Island for unreported results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 18 May 1650-1855 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 18 May 1455-1930 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 19 May 0640-1045 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 19 May 0705-0905 dr 2x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 21 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(110 sorties - 47 tons)

40 Planes Bombed Buin Road Knoll: Preliminary to ground advance, Corsairs from all four Piva squadrons blasted an area of strong Jap resistance (945429 to 956419), covering 50 yards on either side of the knoll to 200 yards east of the Pororei River Crossing. Waves struck at short intervals from 0735 to 0830.
Twelve fighters from NZ 22 led in with eleven 700-pound and two 325-pound depth charges. All were on the target. Next, 8 fighters from NZ 16 dropped three 325-pound depth charges and five half-tonners. Five were on target, 2 undershot 50 yards and 1 was a dud. Twelve Corsairs from NZ 26 added 5 half-ton stick bombs and 7 325-pound depth charges. Eight were hits in the target. The last four were dropped on a gun north of Runai, as directed by tac/r. Three hit 20 yards off and one was 15 yards off. Finally, eight fighters from NZ 14 with 4 half-ton daisy cutters and a dozen 325-pound depth charges put 14 bombs in the target, and two 50 yards off.
Though results of these air strikes were unobserved, the primary objective was accomplished. One Company of the 24th Battalion advanced and occupied the knoll. Three other companies moved forward abreast of them, and came astride the Buin Road at 953421 where further action was in progress.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 BUIN ROAD KNOLL 0735 dr 11x700 D.C.
                                                                2x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 16 BUIN ROAD KNOLL 0755 dr 3x325 D.C. (1 dud)
                                                            5x1000 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ 26 BUIN ROAD-RUNAI 0810 dr 7x325 D.C.
                                                               5x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 14 BUIN ROAD KNOLL 0830 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                           12x325 D.C.

Rimai Gun Again Hit: At 0950 another eight fighters from NZ 26 put six half-ton daisy-cutters and a pair of 325-pound depth charges on the same gun north of Runai mentioned above. Two fell on the target area, one hit 25 yards west, and five fell 30 yards away. No results were seen. Twenty-four strafing runs were also made for unobserved damage. Another four planes from NZ 26 dropped 4 half-ton S.A.P.s there at 1205 for one hit and three 15 yards off. No damage assessed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 26 RUNAI 0950 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                           2x325 D.C.
4 F4Us NZ 26 RUNAI 1205 dr 4x1000 S.A.P.

Huts in Mobiai River Area Attacked: A dozen Piva Corsairs from NZ 22 with twelve 700-pound depth charges followed tac/r direction at 1130 to bomb ten or more huts near the Mobiai River at 067364.
These huts are on the west side of the main trail, and AIB reports them as a Jap center. 10 bombs hit true, one was 150 yards south, and one was jettisoned. No damage was seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 MOBIAI RIVER 1130 dr 12x700 D.C.

Troop Concentration at Mibo River Hit Hard: Three squadrons bombed Japs near the Mibo River ford at 1135 yesterday. First eight Corsairs from NZ 14 put all but one of their dozen 325-pound depth charges and four 650-pound depth charges in the target area. Results were not seen, but definite M/T trucks were noted running from the road to the undergrowth NE of the target and 30 yards south of the road at the ford. Four fighters from NZ 26 added a half-ton daisy cutter and three 325-pound depth charges. Then eight Corsairs from NZ 16 finished up with quartets of half-tonners and 325-pound depth charges. Four were on target, one fell 50 yards west, but three were duds. No damage was assessed for any of the reported target hits.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 14 MIBO RIVER FORD 1135 dr 12x325 D.C.
                                                              4x650 D.C.
4 F4Us NZ 26 MIBO RIVER FORD 1140 dr 1x1000 G.P.
                                                            3x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 16 MIBO RIVER FORD 1145 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                            4x325 D.C. (3 duds)

Laguai Camp Bombed: Tac/r reported 18 huts in a spruce camp area at Laguai, west of Nakaru at 271304. Eight fighters from NZ 16 and another 8 from NZ 22 followed tac/r to this area at 1455. The first eight planes got all eight of their half-ton daisy-cutters in the target area for good coverage. Then the eight Corsairs from NZ 22 placed eight 700-pound depth charges right on top of the daisy cutters. No damage was assessed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 16 LAGUAI 1455 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 22 LAGUAI 1500 dr 8x700 D.C.

Able-Charlies: Two fighters from NZ 14 on A-C tour at 0700 strafed huts and cooking fires near Kikimogu. Three Nips were seen but they disappeared before strafing. Three possible gun emplacements were strafed at 275382 northwest of Kara for unseen results. Two built-up log gun emplacements on the southwest tip of Poporang Island were strafed for unassessed damage. A mine was seen floating north of Fauro Island. Another two Corsairs did a 1020 patrol. They strafed a rusty buoy off Faruma Island. Four Nips seen in the water south of Inus had disappeared when the aircraft came within range. The undergrowth was strafed, hopefully.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700,1020 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(5 sorties - 7 1/2 tons)

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

Venturas Destroy Bridges: Six PVs from Emirau scoured New Ireland coasts from 1000 to 1100 yesterday, dropping a dozen 300-pounders and two dozen quarter-tonners. They destroyed the Lamussong and Mongai bridges, damaged the south Pinikindu, Lossuk, and North Salik bridges, holed the approaches to the south Kimidan, Lossuk and Fatmilak bridges, destroyed a Kapsu hut and strafed various huts and gardens with 12,350 rounds for unseen damage.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 NEW IRELAND 1000-1100 dr 12x300 G.P.
                                                           24x500 G.P.

Sweeps and Patrols Curtailed by Weather: The Saturday afternoon Kavieng patrol was cancelled, but two Corsairs made the coastal sweep from 1500 to 1625, gliding two half-tonners into a But But garden for unseen damage, then returning early because of rain. The Sunday morning sweep and patrol were called off on account of bad weather. Four Corsairs hit Lemakot at 1035, diving eight 650-pound
depth charges into the bivouac for good coverage of the northern corner of the target, unassessed.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 19 May 1500-1625 dr 2x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 25 LEMAKOT 20 May 1035 dr 8x650 D.C.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 22 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(55 sorties -26 tons)

Suspected Sub Sighted, Starts Scramble, Sought Sans Success: At 1150 yesterday, one of our planes sighted a possible submarine near the northeast entrance to Buka Passage. Its position was 5°24' South 154°44' East, and its course 092°. This report has not been assessed as completely credible. Two Piva Corsairs scrambled at 1230 and searched the Buka and Matchin Bay area for negative results. They also carried out two square searches east of Buka for nil sightings. Two PBYs and a PBJ took off from Green at 1400 and searched an area 10 miles east of Buka Passage for nil sightings during more than two hours of search.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-26 1230 No bombs.
2 PBYs VPB-53 Sub Search 1400 No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB-423 1400 No bombs.

Close Support by Piva Corsairs Helps Aussie Push: A 900-yards stretch from 958417 to 963410, southwest of the Buin Road, was bombed and strafed yesterday morning from 0800 to 0900. All four squadrons united on this target, under the direction of tac/r, to soften Jap resistance in this area preparatory to further advances by the 58/59 Battalion of the Australian Army.
Eight Corsairs from NZ-26 with 6 half-ton daisy cutters, one half-tonner with a delay fuse, and one 325-pound depth charge first put 6 in the area and 2 over to the east. Then eight fighters from NZ-16 put four 325-pound depth charges and four half-tonners in the target, though one was a dud. A dozen Corsairs from NZ-22 followed in with five half-tonners and seven 700-pound depth charges for 11 in the area and one well south. Finally, a dozen Corsairs from NZ-14 loaded with six 650-pound and 18 325-pound depth charges landed all but two hang-ups in the area. This pair was jettisoned at sea.
Tac/r reported excellent bombing and good coverage. The ground forces advanced and occupied the area, finding seven dead, and capturing arms, ammunition and documents.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-26 BUIN ROAD 0800 dr 7x1000 G.P.
                                                   1x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-16 0815 dr 4x325 D.C. (1 dud).
                                 4x1000 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-22 0830 dr 5x1000 G.P.
                                  7x700 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ-14 0845 dr 6x650 D.C.
                                 18x325 D.C.

Able-Charlies Kill Two Nips: A pair of Corsairs from NZ-26 on A-C tour at 0750 killed a Jap between Tenekau and Arigua, also strafed and hit a floating mine or buoy in Komaliai Bay (Shortland Is.).
Another pair of fighters out on patrol at 1005 dropped two half-ton daisy cutters on a group of huts at the north tip of Teop Island for unseen damage. They strafed and killed one Jap on the tip of Cape Nehus, and saw others who ducked too fast. Wheel marks of a wide-based vehicle were seen along the beach 300 yards west from Moila Point to the bush.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-26 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0650, 1005 dr 2x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(32 sorties-24 tons)

Rabaul Truck Park Bombed by PVs: A pair of Emirau Venturas made a medium-altitude attack on a truck park at the east edge of Rabaul Town at 1213 yesterday. They put 12 quarter-tonners from 167080 to 166064. Only four were in the target area. Results were not seen.

For the Record:

2 PVs NZ-9 RABAUL #37 1213 dr 12x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(8 sorties-2 tons)

Twenty Japs Killed: The two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol Sunday afternoon dived two half-tonners at Lissinung huts, destroying one. They discovered a concrete pill-box on North Cape.
Two fighters on afternoon sweep missed with two 1000-pounders at Dallum, but claimed 20 out of 100 Japs strafed on the beaches between Balus and North Cape.
Yesterday's dawn sweep and Kavieng patrol were unable to reach their areas because of bad weather, so returned with all bombs.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 20 May 1650-1820 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 20 May 1455-1750 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 MORNING SWEEP 21 May 0650 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 21 May 0700 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 23 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(114 Sorties - 47 3/4 tons.)

Largest Jap Camp in Kieta Area Again Bombed: Recent strikes have partially cleared the Nip concentration on Iron Ridge. This is said to be the biggest enemy camp in the Kieta area. It was hit again yesterday by 12 Piva Corsairs from NZ 22 carrying 2 para smoke flares, a 700-pound depth charge and 11 half-ton daisy cutters. All bombs fell on the target at 273917, leaving the area well cleared. A strafing run was made, for unseen damage. Forty to sixty bee-hives were seen at 261928. Twenty millimeter fire came from Puk Puk Island and 263933 Kieta.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 KIETA 0805 dr 2 Para Smokes
                                           1x700 D.C.
                                         11x1000 G.P.

Another Buin Road Knoll Cleared by 6 Tons: Monday afternoon, Australian troops attacked a knoll at 944430 east of the Hongorai and south of Buin Road and were repulsed by 70 or 80 Japs defending this feature with many guns. A tank attack was also thrown back. An air attack early yesterday morning was made on this 125 by 75 yard strong-point. Twelve fighters from NZ 14 put six 650s and 18 325-pound depth charges on the knoll at 0800. One was a dud, two fell 30 yards northwest, and 21 hit the target and cleared the area. Eight planes from NZ 16 followed with seven 325s and a 700-pound depth charge all on target for unobserved results. The knoll was then taken by the Australians, and except for some mines, the position had been completed reduced. Forward and rear companies of the 24th Battalion reestablished contact by this advance.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 BUIN ROAD KNOLL 0800 dr 6x650 D.C.
                                                             18x325 D.C. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ 16 BUIN ROAD KNOLL 0805 dr 7x325 D.C.
                                                             1x700 D.C.

Palidonan Concentration Blasted: Eleven fighters from NZ 26 worked on a force of about 30 Japs armed with light machine guns at 231403 just east of the Porror River and about 3 miles north of the Buin Road. Five half-ton daisy cutters and six 325-pound depth charges were dropped in the target area in a line to the southeast. Three huts were destroyed. Also a large cloud of black smoke and debris rose from the area. A 12 by 10 foot hole was uncovered. This may have been a dugout. Scattered huts were noted. One group of 6 brand-new huts may possibly be decoys. No strafing attacks were reported.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 26 PALIDONAN 0820 dr 5x1000 G.P.
                                                     6x325 D.C.

Huts of 200 Japs Near Laguai Hit Twice: At 1035, nine Piva Corsairs from NZ 16 with 4 half-tonners and five 325-pound depth charges were weathered off Laguai huts at 257216, but attacked six or more huts 1200 yards southwest, putting three bombs on the target, and one dud, for unseen damage. Three more bombs fell 20 yards south of the road to Mibo River ford, and one hit north of the road. One bomb fell 400 yards north of the ford. No damage was seen. Fresh vehicle tracks were seen on the Buin Road at Silibai River ford. Twelve Corsairs from NZ 22 followed at 1115 with a dozen half-ton stick bombs on Laguai huts at 244293, location of 200 Japs, according to AIB reports. Eight hit the target marked by flares, one fell 100 yards east, one went 50 yards west, and two were duds. Results were not observed. They strafed three huts and storehouses 1200 yards NE of the target for unassessed damage. A dozen planes from NZ 26 added 6 half-ton stick bombs and six 325-pound depth charges all on target, unobserved.

For the Record:

9 F4Us NZ 16 LAGUAI 1035 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                             5x325 D.C. (1 dud)
12 F4Us NZ 22 LAGUAI 1115 dr 2 Smoke Flares
12x1000 G.P. (2 duds)
12 F4Us NZ 26 LAGUAI 1115 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                              6x325 D.C.

Koriu Gun Position Cleared, Found Empty: Tac/r led 12 Piva fighters from NZ 14 to a gun position at 988374 on the Koriu Road at 1130 yesterday, and six 650s plus 18 325-pound depth charges were dropped. Eight hit the area and cleared it. An empty gun pit was disclosed. Sixteen bombs were then dropped on a reported truck at 001397. One bomb landed three yards from the vehicle. The area was also strafed. Two burnt-out trucks were seen 40 yards west of the target, and seven more wrecked trucks in the garden area 150 yards southwest. Caterpillar tracks as wide as the road were noted.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 KORIU 1130 dr 6x650 D.C.
                                            18x325 D.C.

Monoitu Gun Position Hit, Fully Destroyed: At 1715, tac/r led 12 fighters from NZ 14 in another gun hunt. This time the target was at 990384 in the Monoitu area. Six 650s and 18 325-pound depth charges were again the load. The first eight bombs spattered the general area. The ninth was a direct hit. Bright red flames glared under the trees. Ammunition exploded. The gun pit collapsed. Tac/r assessed the gun as completely destroyed. The remaining bombs were dropped in the surrounding jungle to catch any personnel there or caches of ammo. No results were observed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 MONOITU 1715 dr 6x650 D.C.
                                                18x325 D.C.

Able-Charlies: Two fighters from NZ 16 on A-C run at 0700 sighted a Jap at Lonahan, but he vamoosed before the planes could gun him. A pair of Corsairs out at 1020 made a negative search. Two fighters on recco at 1350 killed a Nip in the Muguai area.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 16 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCH 0700 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 16 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCH 1020 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 22 RECONNAISSANCE 1350 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(15 sorties - 20 1/2 tons)

Rabaul Walked Over by PV Bombs: Ten Emirau Venturas attacked personnel and stores east of Tawui Point at 1050 yesterday with 60 quarter-tonners dropped from medium altitude. 54 were in the target, mostly walking from north to south, west of the center. 6 were 250 yards off the target.

For the Record:

10 PVs NZ 9 RABAUL #30 1050 dr 60x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(12 sorties - 5 tons)

Fighter Friation Fribbling: The two Corsairs guarding Kavieng Monday afternoon dived their half-tonners, missing a North Cape pillbox and a large Kavieng hut. The pair of fighters on afternoon sweep Monday did no damage to the Dallum cliff road with their two. The morning tour yesterday cratered the approach to the Lossuk bridge with their pair, also strafed a buoy 300 yards off Malapai. The morning Kavieng patrol put two half-tonners near Panapai huts, starting a small fire. Meagre inaccurate tracered medium A/A came from Kavieng 075166.
Four Corsairs bombed the Amba bivouac with eight 250-pounders. All hit the area. No results were seen. The area was also well gunned. All in all, the pulverization of New Ireland by yesterday Corsair action was trifling.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 21 May 1655-1845 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 21 May 1450-1845 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 22 May 0650-1100 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 22 May 0650-0900 dr 2x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 25 AMBA 22 May 1045-1110 dr 8x250 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 24 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(82 sorties - 35 1/2 Tons )

Jap Camps at Kaino Bombed: A bivouac area at 180840 near Kieta. was marked by native fires, and eleven Piva Corsairs attacked it at 0750 yesterday. Eight fighters from NZ 22 dropped 2 para smoke flares and 8 half-ton daisy cutters. Six bombs cleared an area 100 by 50 yards on the eastern side of the river, inland from the garden for unobserved results. The target was also strafed, unobserved, and a small fire 15 yards from the beach at Makaka was gunned. Three Corsairs from NZ 26 added a half-ton stick bomb and two 325-pound depth charges. Two fell on the target and one hit 250 yards west, unobserved.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 22 KAINO 0750 dr 2 Para Smoke
                                            8x1000 G.P.
3 F4Us NZ 26 KAINO 0755 dr 1x1000 G.P.
                                           2x325 D.C.

Nakarau Huts Attacked: AIB reports six large houses 1000 yards north of the main Buin Road at 229321 where Lt. Colonel Sibara interviews all troops passing through the area. Heavy concentrations of Japs are grouped at this center. Thirteen Piva Corsairs from NZ 14 dropped six 700-pound and 18 325-pound depth charges in the area smoked. Then eight fighters from NZ 26 added 6 half-ton daisy cutters and a pair of 325s. All bombs hit the target, but results were not assessed.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ 14 NAKARAU 0810 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                                 6x700 D.C.
                                                18x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 26 NAKARAU 0820 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                2x325 D.C.

Personnel and Guns at Hari #2 Hit: Three large huts and small lean-tos at 018370 were the target for twelve Corsairs from NZ 16 attacking at 1045 with five 650s and seven 325-pound depth charges. Weather interfered with the bombing. Five hit the target, 3 were 100 yards northwest, 1 fell 100 yards southwest, 2 fell off during the dive, and 1 was a dud. Huts to the south, and the area north of the target were undamaged.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 16 HARI #2 1045 dr 5x650 D.C.
                                                7x325 D.C. (1 dud)

Jap Huts at West Mobiai Blazed: Eight Piva fighters from NZ 22 with 2 para smoke flare and 8 half-tonners struck 10 to 12 huts reported by tac/r on the west side of the east-west trail (067364) near the Mobiai River. All bombs hit the area identified and a flame up to 100 feet was caused by the first bomb.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-22 WEST MOBIAI RIVER 1120 dr 2 Para Smoke
                                                                   8x1000 G.P.

Enemy Concentration at Porror River Then Hit: The next target in a morning of small jobs was a 12-plane attack on Japs at 195322 (the Buin Road ford east of Aku). Eight half-ton daisy cutters and four 325-pound depth charges covered the target for unseen damage. One was a dud.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 26 PORROR RIVER 1205 dr 8x1000 G.P.
                                                         4x325 D.C. (1 dud)

Huts Damaged at Iula: Four fighters from NZ 26 with four half-tonners bombed huts at Iula (260436), 4 miles NW of Kara, at 1455. Three bombs hit the target and one overshot. The wall of a 40-foot hut was blown in. Three other huts were damaged.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 26 IULA 1455 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Able-Charlies: Two fighters from NZ 22 on A-C tour at 0655 strafed three possible large naval guns at Pupukuna Point (487302) near Kahili. Two were left smoking. Huts at Kahili 468355 were strafed and a hut on Fauro also gunned for unseen damage. An oil slick on Buka Passage was noted. Two Corsairs up and around at 1030 strafed gardens in the Shortlands, unassessed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0655,1030 No bombs.

Recco Reports: Two fighters from NZ 14 made a reconnaissance of the Nakaru area at 1425. They were weathered off this section so they made two runs along the Buin Road between Hari and the Oamai Rivers, noting that a number of fords are now bridged. A second pair of recco planes from NZ 14 flew over the same general area. They gunned smoke at 296346. Then they sighted a heavy gun of about 150mm at 292346 in a circular pit, uncamouflaged (and possibly a decoy). A duplicate installation was seen between the garden at 292346 and the garden to the south. Two light machine guns on a mount projecting five feet above the ground, and two other automatics in two log-and-earth pillbox-type constructions also projecting 4 to 5 feet above ground, were seen. They strafed a 3-ton truck at 297297, smoking it slightly. Nakaru #5 and 6 are very active, with gardens in good condition, tracks well worn, and 12 huts either completed or under construction.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 RECONNAISSANCE 1425 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(34 sorties - 47 1/2 tons)

Venturas Hit Tobera Secondary Strip: Six Emirau PVs put their 36 quarter-tonners on Tobera at 1010, getting 6 in the runway area, and the others from 111081 to 104079. A large flash and explosion was caused at 106179, west of the revetments near this short auxiliary strip.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 TOBERA #4 1010 dr 36x500 G .P.

NEW IRELAND
(20 sorties - 15 tons)

Corsairs Hit Huts and Boats: Two fighters on Kavieng patrol late Tuesday afternoon dived 2 half-tonners which holed the approach to the Kapsu bridge. The pair on afternoon sweep dived 2 half-tonners for possible damage to a hut at Hunter Point. They also smoked a house at Gilingil Point and killed 8 Nips in 3 small boats in Lanisso Bay, sinking two of the boats and holing the third. Two Corsairs on morning tour yesterday dived 2 half-tonners which missed the Katendan and Salik bridges, meeting meagre accurate and meagre inaccurate 20mm fire from cast of the Halis Plantation (Namatanai area). The pair of fighters on Kavieng patrol yesterday morning put 2 half-tonners on Kavieng for unseen damage. Four Corsairs hit Borpop huts at 1145 with 8 quarter-tonners. All but two were in the target area. Two huts were destroyed. The late sweep was cancelled and the late Kavieng patrol was weathered out.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 22 May 1655-1846 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 22 May 1450-1931 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 23 May 0650-1035 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 23 May 0715-0850 dr 2x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 25 BORPOP 23 May 1145 dr 8x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 23 May 1655-1730 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

WEEKLY REFORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 22 MAY 1945.

UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT

ADMIRALTIES

NZ-17                                       18 F4U                      17                     27                       NZ #4 S.U.

EMIRAU

VMB-413                                   12 PBJ-1D                 12                     44                       VMB-413
VMB-433                                   12 PBJ                      12                     49                       VMB-433
VMB-443                                   12 PBJ                      12                     48                       VMB-443
NZ-9                                         16 PV-1                    15                     14                       NZ #10 S.U.
NZ-25                                       19 F4U                     18                     26                       NZ #5 S.U.

GREEN

VMB-423                                   12 PBJ-1J                 12                     49                       VMB-423
VPB-53                                     19 PBY-5A                17                       5                       CASU 58.1
                                                 1 TBF-1                   1
                                                 1 SBD-5                  0
*NZ-3                                                                                                                         *NZ #14 S.U.
*NZ-21                                                                                                                       *NZ #30 S.U.
*NZ-24                                                                                                                       *NZ #3 S.U.

BOUGAINVILLE

VMR-152                                 12 R4D-5                   10                    47                        VMR-152
VMR-153                                 12 R4D-5                   12                    51                        VMR-153
NZ-14                                     18 F4U-1D                 16                    16                        NZ #2 S.U.
NZ-22                                     18 F4U-1                   15                    25                        NZ #31 S.U.
NZ-26                                     18 F4U-1                   14                    25                        NZ #1 S.U.
NZ-16                                     18 F4U-1                   15                    24                        NZ #25 S.U.

* SECURED AT GREEN AND ENROUTE JACQUINOT BAY.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 25 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(61 sorties-31 tons)

Officer Lodgings Destroyed at Kanaura: AID reports that a Jap officer and numerous other ranks live in six houses about 50 yards east of the road north to Kikimogu (northwest of Kara) at 235362. Natives were to mark this target with red lap-laps to guide a bombing attack. At 0800 yesterday 8 Piva Corsairs from NZ-14 with 4 half-ton daisy cutters and twelve 325-pound depth charges laid all bombs within a 50-yard radius of the center of the target. One direct hit destroyed one large hut. Twenty strafing runs on the edges of the bombed area demolished another hut. Storage lean-tos at 185335 were strafed, unobserved. Another eight fighters from NZ-14 with the same load of half-tonners and 325s returned to this same target at 1505 and again put all bombs in the target area, covering an area 150 by 50 yards south of the earlier strike. Two more huts were destroyed. Several strafing runs added no observed damage.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-14 KANAURA 0800 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                              12x325 D.C
8 F4Us NZ-14 KANAURA 1505 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                              12x325 D.C.

Hari Huts and Lean-tos Hit: Eleven Piva Corsairs from NZ-16 with ten 700s and a 325-pound depth charge smoked a group of shelters at 023376 at 0800, then dropped 9 bombs in the area and two 50 yards east. Three huts seen before the strike were not seen afterwards. Was it magic, a mirage, a miracle? Seems likely the bombs mashed 'em to oblivion.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ-16 HARI #1 0800 dr 2x100 Smoke.
                                               10x700 D.C.
                                                 1x325 D.C.

Laguai Camp Opened Up: Tac/r reported a juicy target at 257296 (near Kara). Within an area of 200 yards, under umbrella-type trees, 18 huts of varying sizes housed much activity. Twelve fighters from NZ-16 smoked this spot, then dropped a dozen 700 pound depth charges at 1115. Ten hit the area, with two 40 yards wide. Results were not specific as to hut destruction, but the area was seen to well opened up.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-16 LAGUAI 1115 dr 2x100 Smoke. 12x700 D.C.

One Strike on East Coast: Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ-22 with a dozen half-tonners attacked an enemy camp area at Rankama (233922) near Kieta. Ten bombs fell in the target, covering a 300 by 150 yard area. Two more fell wide. No results were seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-22 RANKAMA 0755 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Able-Charlies: Two Piva Corsairs from NZ-14 on A-C tour at 0700 strafed a camouflaged hut at Tohatsi, cooking fires at Cape Hanpan, and 6 huts along the coast between Cape Lemankoa and Cape Tandeki. No results were seen. A square white flag was seen on a tree-top 100 yards inland just below the Luluai River mouth, and another on a pole on a tree-top 500 yards to the north.
Two fighters at 1045 made the rounds and strafed three huts at Poporan, two more at Bekut (central interior of Buka). No damage seen.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-14 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700, 1045 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(26 sorties-26 tons)

NEW IRELAND
(18 sorties-16 tons)

Corsairs Draw A/A Fire: The two fighters on morning sweep yesterday dived two half-tonners on a gun position at Kavieng 098114. Both bombs were close. Moderate fairly accurate light A/A came from the target. Two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol put 2 half tonners on huts NW of the strip for unseen damage, meeting moderate fairly accurate tracered light fire from Kavieng 098114 (same as above).

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-25 MORNING SWEEP 24 May 0635-1035 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 24 May 0700-0??0 dr 2x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 26 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(94 sorties-32 1/4 tons)

Huts Destroyed at Teperoi Supply Dump: Tac/r reports large huts and lean-tos still standing on the northwest side of the area bombed on 14 May. Fuel dumps, 2'x4' cases, and camouflaged tracks were noted. One barge, damaged in the last raid at its staging point, is now high and dry on the beach. Tac/r led eleven Piva Corsairs from NZ-14 to this east-coast target at 0755 yesterday. Four half-ton daisy cutters and 18 325-pound depth charges were carried. Four huts at 824284 took four bombs. Two huts were destroyed. Two more bombs hung and were jettisoned at sea. Sixteen bombs fell on 6 large huts and 2 native canoes under construction. Two huts were destroyed and one badly damaged. Two heavy oil slicks were seen at the Teperoi inlet.
At 0805, eight fighters from NZ-26 with 5 half-ton stick bombs and three 325-pound depth charges attacked the same area. Their first bomb demolished the barge hide-out at 826293. Two bombs fell in the area of one hut and four lean-tos at 843282. One overshot 50 yards. The hut and three of the shelters were destroyed. Huts north of the first target were attacked with four bombs. Two fell in the target area, one went 70 yards west, and one hang-up was dropped at sea. Results were not seen. Twelve strafing runs on the hutted area at 788314 (Inus) added no further destruction to the day's score.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ-14 TEPEROI 0755 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                               18x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-26 TEPEROI 0805 dr 5x1000 G.P.
                                              3x325 D.C.

100 Japs and a Churl: AIB reports the last bombing in the Luluai River area (430546) had good results on the five score Japs and their rascally C.O. at this southeastern camp site. Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ-16 with five 700-pound depth charges, seven 500-pounders, and a pair of 100-pound smoke bombs hit point 425546. All bombs fell on the smoked area, for unobserved results. Eight strafing runs were made on a reported dump 300 yards northeast of the target. No damage noted.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-16 LULUAI RIVER 0750 dr 2x100 Smoke.
                                                        5x700 D.C.
                                                        7x500 G.P.

A/A and Wireless Station Attacked: Native scouts brought word of a defense site at 461592. Japs with anti-aircraft and a wireless station are grouped on a ridge there. The place is near Natokina, and is in the Luluai River area. Tac/r led 12 fighters from NZ-16 to this target at 1130, smoked it, and a dozen 500-pounders were dropped. Eleven overshot 50 to 200 yards. One was a dud. One plane was holed by possible 20 mm. fire from an undetermined position. Eight Piva Corsairs from NZ-26 with 4 half-ton daisy cutters and four 325-pound depth charges were shown huts in the same area by tac/r. Four bombs destroyed 3 huts and damaged another. One plane with hydraulic trouble jettisoned its bomb at sea. Another with a flat battery was unable to release, so brought the bomb back to base. 18 strafing runs over the target added no observed results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-16 NATOKINA 1130 dr 12x500 G.P. (1 dud).
8 F4Us NZ-26 NATOKINA 1140 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                                 4x325 D.C.

Numa Numa Target Not Sighted, Not Hit: Four Piva Corsairs from NZ-26 set forth at 1435 with four 325-pound depth charges to bomb reported huts on the coast at 788314. The huts were not sighted. One bomb fell 50 yards inland, one just short of the assigned pin-point, one on the shore just outside the target area, and one plane with hydraulic trouble jettisoned its bomb at sea. No results were observed.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-26 NUMA NUMA 1435 dr 4x325 D.C.

Traffic Center at Aku Bombed: Tac/r reports six buildings and a well-used M/T track at 175323, just south of the main Buin Road at Aku, roughly half-way to the front lines from Kahili in south-west Bougainville. Twelve Piva fighters from NZ-14 with four half-ton daisy cutters and eighteen 325-pound depth charges smoked this target at 1110 and landed 11 bombs within 30 yards of the smoke. Only three went wide. Another hut group at 182323 received 6 bombs within 40 yards of the smoke, one wide, and one dud. Results were not seen from those bombings or from 20 strafing runs over the whole area.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-14 AKU 1110 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                         4x1000 G.P.
                                        18x325 D.C. (1 dud).

Bombs on Commando Road Help Army Advance: At Third Division request, thirteen Corsairs from NZ-22 with a dozen half-ton stick bombs and a 700-pound depth charge attacked 150 Japs in pill-boxes and fox-holes near the Commando Road at 992450 (Monoitu area) in close support of the ground forces. Mortars smoked the target at 1430 and ten bombs fell in line along the target area. Three went wide to the east. As a result of this bombing, the Third Division troops occupied the positions and continued 200 yards still further east.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-22 COMMANDO ROAD 1430 dr 12x1000 G.P.
                                                                 1x700 D.C.

Able-Charlies Kill Nips: A pair of Corsairs touring at 0700 strafed 4 huts on the north tip of Buka, gunned and killed 2 Nips in a canoe off Nowa inlet, split the canoe. Another duo of fighters A-Cing at 1055 scored direct hits on a serviceable 16-foot wooden dinghy under trees on Shortland Island opposite Piaggi Island though damage from the six strafing runs ould not be assessed. Many fish traps were seen on the west coast of Buka.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-26 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700, 1055 No bombs.

Recco Planes Note Hut Locations: Two fighters from NZ-16 surveyed the Taki area at 1425, sighting 12 sac-sac lean-tos 600 yards inland under trees at the west edge of Toimanapu Plantation.
Two Corsairs from NZ-14 at 1350 looked over the Anaki area in the north. They saw 4 or more medium-sized huts at Anaki, three or more under trees at 270785, two under heavy foliage at the foot of a cliff 1000 yards SE of the first group, eight or more new huts in front of cave mouths at 245813, and seven new huts under heavy foliage at 243814. They strafed 20 or more huts in a line 300 to 400 yards long at the base of a cliff at 210834. No results seen. Many caves in the area have huts built against them and into them. Eight or more Japs were seen to take cover. A few huts on 10-foot stilts were strafed and fired for short duration. A well-cultivated garden was noted on the slope at 206831. Many freshly-worked gardens show south of the road at Sorum. At 244808, a large L-shaped garden with a stack of timber four foot high and a small lean-to in the south-east corner was noted. One plane returned with a fist-sized hole in one wing. Cause unknown.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-14, 16 RECONNAISSANCE 1350, 1425 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(11 sorties-15 tons)

Emirau PVs Bow Out with Kabagada Blast: In a final appearance, eight Venturas from NZ-9 dodged weather enroute to Kabagada at 0905 yesterday and bombed the active barge repairing depot north of Malaguna from medium altitude with 48 quarter tonners. Twelve hit the target. 36 went west of the coastal road. Two bombs touched off a large explosion with bright orange flame and heavy smoke billowing to 2000 feet. Results of hits in barge depot were obscured by this smoke. The Mitchell strike on Rabaul was turned back by weather after take-off, and later cancelled.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ-9 KABAGADA 0905 dr 48x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(8 sorties-4 tons)

Corsairs Bomb Kavieng, Encounter Flak: The Kavieng patrol Thursday at 1705 put 2 half-tonners on the water point, but one was a dud and one hit the shore. The Corsairs were recalled early because of weather. Two more fighters on afternoon sweep Thursday dived two half-tonners uneventfully, but strafed and burned a hut at Kanam Plantation on the central east coast.
Two Corsairs on coastal runs yesterday morning dived 4 quarter tonners at the Kavieng water point at 205075. Two were duds. The others fell unobserved. Two medium A/A guns fired from known positions at Cape Namaroda. Their tracered fire was short. The pair on early Kavieng watch yesterday dived guns at 11690 with 4 quarter-tonners. All fell 50 yards short. One burst of 20 mm fire came from the guns at the target. The later Corsair flights were cancelled.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 24 May 1705-1755 dr 2x1000 G.P. (1 dud).
2 F4Us NZ-25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 24 May 1455-1800 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 MORNING SWEEP 25 May 0710-1010 dr 4x500 G.P. (2 duds).
2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 25 May 0700-0900 dr 4x500 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 27 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(108 sorties - 38 tons)

Japs Defending Oso Junction Retreat: In the close support mission Friday, the 57/60 Battalion advanced to Oso 992450, took that knoll feature and advanced another 200 yards. Forward patrols then met opposition at 996446. This is the junction of the Commando and Oso roads, two miles northwest of Taitai. About 100 Japs wore holding this position, so another bombing and strafing attack was requested to facilitate further advance. Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ 26 with 7 half-tonners and seven 325-pounders attacked the area as marked by mortar smoke. All bombs fell in three lines which covered the area for 200 yards on both sides of the road northwest of the junction. Twelve fighters from NZ 14 followed on the same target five minutes later. They carried 2 half-ton daisy cutters and twenty 325-pound depth charges. Mortars again smoked the target. Six bombs struck the north part of the Jap defense area, close to the road junction, twelve bombs fell in the SE section, three in the SW, and one dud. The northwest area appeared well cleared and the SE part mostly cleared. Eight Corsairs from NZ 16 with seven 500-pounders and a 700-pound depth charge completed the strike at 0840. Mortars again smoked the target. All bombs fell in the NW sector for good coverage 75x100 yards. Eight strafing runs over an area 100 yards square south of the junction scored no observed damage.
Following this air attack, ground forces advanced and found two strong enemy positions at 993450 and the target 996446 completely vacated. This adds another in a long series of close air support missions where an enemy strongpoint has been won by pin-point bombing by Piva Corsairs.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 26 OSO-COMMANDO ROAD 0830 dr 7x1000 G.P.
                                                                      7x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ 14 OSO-COMMANDO ROAD 0835 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                                    20x325 D.C. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ 16 OSO-COMMANDO ROAD 0840 dr 7x500 G.P.
                                                                    1x700 D.C.

Jap Quarters at Mivo River Well Hit: AIB reports numerous Japs in houses on the east side of the Mivo River where it joins the Wapiai River (117341). Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ 26 dropped 5 half-tonners and nine 325-pound depth charges on these huts at 1125 yesterday. All bombs fell in three lines across the target area for good coverage. Then seven fighters from NZ 16 added 7 quarter-tonners at 1140, getting six on target and one 50 yards east. Four strafing runs were also made. No damage was observed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 26 MIVO RIVER 1125 dr 5x1000 G.P.
                                                     9x325 D.C.
7 F4Us NZ 16 MIVO RIVER 1140 dr 7x500 G.P.

Suspected 150mm Gun at Koriu Bombed: Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ 14 with three 1000-pound daisy cutters and eighteen 325-pound depth charges followed tac/r to a suspected 150mm gun site at 98953725 yesterday at 1230. Four bombs fell on the tac/r smoke. 16 fell as directed south and SE of smoke. One was a dud. At 1535, four fighters from NZ 26 came in with six 325s. A Smoky Joe from NZ 14 smoked the target for them, and five bombs fell within 30 yards of the mark, plus one dud. Five minutes later, another quartet, from NZ 22, put 4 half-ton daisy cutters 30 to 100 yards west of the target as strafed by the Smoky Joe. This recco plane also sighted tractor tracks at 989377, a possible pill-box at 989375 and a possible gun position halfway from there to the road junction.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 KORIU 1230 dr 8x1000 G.P.
                                           18x325 D.C. (1 dud)
1 F4U NZ 14 KORIU 1535 dr 2x30 Smoke. (1 dud)
4 F4Us NZ 26 KORIU 1535 dr 6x525 D.C. (1 dud)
4 F4Us NZ 22 KORIU 1540 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Concentrations Near Kieta Again Attacked: Twelve fighters from NZ 22 with 11 half-tonners, two 325-pound depth charges, and two guiding para smoke flares struck the Jap camp near Kaino (180840) which was first hit Wednesday. All bombs fell in lines running north-south between the smokes. No results were seen. Another dozen NZ 22 Corsairs put para flares and 12 half-ton daisy cutters on the camp near Rankama Point (233922) hit Thursday, scored good hits but unobserved damage.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 KAINO 0735 dr 2 Para Smoke
                                            11x1000 G.P.
                                             2x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ 22 RANKAMA POINT 1055 2 Para Smoke
                                                       12x1000 G.P.

Able-Charlies: Two Corsairs from NZ 16 on tour at 0700 strafed and sank a native canoe on the north side of the staging in the bay on Fauro Island opposite Asie Island. Five or more huts were seen on the adjacent shore. Two fighters from NZ 16 were out at 1025. They saw groups of huts under trees near Kohiso and Barikoa.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 16 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 1700,1025 No bombs.

Recco Fighters Smash Huts: Two Corsairs from NZ 22 looked over the Muguai area at 1335. They put one half-ton daisy cutter on 360367 (Kahili area), destroying three large and two small huts. Their other half-tonner destroying a large green staff car, a flat-top truck, a large hut, and a pile of oil drums at 361362. Numerous huts were seen near the Maiki shore and a possible gun on the top of Erventa Island. Two fighters from NZ 22 on recco at 1340 put two 1000-pound stick bombs in the hutted area at 317398, destroying 7 huts and damaging 3. Hut groups were spotted at 341393, 345394, 345397 and 345402. Two fighters from NZ 26 looked on the Nakarau area at 1350, noted that the Laguai Road has been built around a bomb crater at the main Silbai Ford, and is well used. Natives waved a white sheet two miles east of Piano Mission, perhaps in celebration of Canada's Victoria Day, two days late. Or maybe they were afraid they'd be mistaken for collaborationists.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 MUGUAI RECCO 1335 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 22 MUGUAI RECCO 1340 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 26 NAKARAU RECCO 1350 No bombs.

Scramble Off Sawato: Two fighters from NZ 16 scrambled at 1840 to locate a possible sub reported off Sawato Island off NW Bougainville at 224745. Darkness prevented any sightings.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 16 SUB SEARCH 1840 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(6 sorties - 9 tons)

Tobera Bombed by New PV Squadron: Six Venturas from NZ 1 made their maiden strike in the area at 1045 yesterday with a medium altitude attack on Tobera. They were clouded off the supply area with the covered tunnel SE of the strip, but dropped their 36 quarter-tonners more to the south in target #25 which is a personnel and supply area. All bombs fell in the west end of targets at 08??54. Damage was not assessed.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 1 TOBERA #25 1045 dr 56x500 G.P.

Green Patrols Over Rabaul have not been reported. Missing dispatch will also tell of Mitchell strike on south Bougainville.

NEW IRELAND
(5 sorties - 2 1/2 tons)

Corsairs Sweep, Patrol and Stand By: The morning sweep yesterday by two fighters blocked the coast road at Dallum with four 500-pounders. They also strafed six Nips canoeing in Kambotorosh Harbor (south tip of New Ireland), killing four and sinking the canoe. Two Corsairs watched Kavieng from 0655 to 0915, diving four 500-pounders which missed the Lossuk bridge and fell unobserved in the bivouac area at Panapai 061113. A stand-by Corsair used on Dumbo cover unloaded two quarter-tonners on gardens north of Kavieng strip for unseen damage at 0940.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 26 MORNING SWEEP 0630-1035 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 0655-0915 dr 4x500 G.P.
1 F4U NZ 25 STAND-BY 0940 dr 2x500 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 28 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(100 sorties - 53 3/4 tons)

New Huts in Buka Hit by 63 Corsairs: A special reconnaissance of the central Buka area by tac/r revealed activity that increases daily. Over 50 new huts have been sighted. Tac/r led Piva fighters to these hut groups and smoked them. Here is what happened:
At 0810 eleven fighters from NZ 14 with 3 half-ton daisy cutters and sixteen 325-pound depth charges bombed 20 or more new sac-sac huts, varying in size from 15'x20' to 40'x20', near the Gagan River at 111034. Nine were duds, eight fell in the target area, and two within 70 yards. Ten huts were destroyed and eight badly damaged.
At 0830 twelve Corsairs from NZ 26 with eight 1000-pound stick bombs and six 325-pound depth charges attacked five new huts in undergrowth at 113034 south of Kohiso and west of Gagan, Two depth charges were duds, two bombs hit the tac/r smoke, one fell 40 yards west and raised a column of heavy black smoke, five exploded within a 90 yard radius giving good coverage of the target. More smoke was placed by tac/r 200-300 yards west of the first. Three bombs fell close and one went 30 yards east. No results were observed.
At 0855 eight planes from NZ 22 came in with six half-tonners and a pair of 325s. They struck at a hut concentration near Hapan River at 096023. One depth charge was a dud, four bombs fell near the tac/r smoke. The rest were directed to other locations. One hit 20 yards west, 2 went 40 yards north. Results of the bombing: Six or more huts destroyed.
At 1140 eight more Corsairs from NZ 22 attacked 8 now gable-roofed 30'x20' huts nearby at 098015. They carried two half-ton daisy cutters, two 325s and four quarter-ton stick bombs. Tac/r smoked 100 yards south of the briefed target and 6 bombs fell around the smoke. One fell on the briefed target, unobserved. One quarter-tonner was jettisoned at sea. The plane carrying it had engine trouble, so turned back early.
At noon a dozen fighters from NZ 26 with 5 half-ton stick bombs and nine 325s attacked seven new huts (one of which was 60'x30') at 117050, and 4 large new huts and numerous lean-tos at 117036. Both locations are near Kohiso. Tac/r smoked the first hut group. One half-tonner was a dud, one was a direct hit, four fell in a close group around the huts, 3 went wide. No damage observed. Tac/r then smoked the second target. Two bombs fell on the smoke, and two came close to it. One depth charge was a dud. Results unassessed.
Also at 1200, twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ 14 with 3 half-ton daisy cutters, 16 quarter-tonners and two 325-pound depth charges returned to the Gagan River area (111034). Tac/r indicated the target by strafing. A low cloud necessitated close-formation bombing. Results were not seen, but tac/r reports all bombs in the area. One half-tonner hung and could not be loosed. It was returned to base.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 14 GAGAN RIVER (BUKA) 0810 dr 3x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
                                                                  16x325 D.C. (8 duds)
12 F4Us NZ 26 KOHISO-GAGAN 0830 dr 8x1000 G.P.
                                                           6x325 D.C. (2 duds)
8 F4Us NZ 22 HAPAN RIVER 0855 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                     2x1000 S.A.P.
                                                     2x325 D.C. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ 22 HAPAN RIVER 1140 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                     2x325 D.C.
                                                     4x500 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ 26 KOHISO 1200 dr 5x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
                                               9x325 D.C. (1 dud)
12 F4Us NZ 14 GAGAN RIVER 1200 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                      16x500 G.P.
                                                        2x325 D.C.

Patrols Report four huts destroyed in the Saturday attack on Kaino (near Kieta). These results will be included in the end-of -month statistics, but will not be added to the daily box-score.
Close Support Again Delivered at Commando Road: Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ 16 with a dozen half-tonners dropped all bombs within a 75-yard radius of mortar smoke indicating an enemy strongpoint delaying the Aussie advance at the junction of the Commando-Oso roads two miles NW of Taitai. The area was well cleared, but results were not seen. (See flash on front page for results).

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 16 COMMANDO ROAD 0815 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Corsairs Cover Corvette "Colac": Two fighters from NZ 22 watched the stricken Australian ship west of north Choiseul from 0730 to 0900, then two more Corsairs patrolled overhead from 0945 to 1145, seeing her slightly down by the stern and listing to starboard with an oil slick nearby. At 1200 a PBY (presumably from Green) reported her on an even keel at 06o55' south 156o20' east. The FS180 took her in tow and headed for Treasury.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 SHIP COVER 0730-0900, 0945-1145 No bombs.

Corsairs Burn Crops: Two fighters from NZ 22 with a couple of fire bombs and four 100-pound incendiary clusters attacked drying crops at 344385 (Mt. Boeder area) at 1415. One bomb was wild, but the other lit and left a spreading fire in the crops. The incendiaries. burned out a hut at 358358 (near Kahili). It was noted that the flat-top truck bombed Saturday at 361362 has been dragged onto the main road. The fighters strafed and damaged three trucks or vans nearby.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 MT. BOEDER 1415 dr 2 Fire Bombs.
                                                   4x100 Incend. Cl.

Able-Charlies Destroy Hut: Two fighters from NZ 22 on A-C tour at 0710 put a half-ton daisy cutter on Muguai #4 and one 100 yards north for unseen damage. Two more Corsairs from the same squadron ayeceed at 1025. They strafed and destroyed a hut at the base of the Kieta peninsula, and strafed 6 good huts at Tugulau and more at Muguai for unassessed results. Three huts were noted at Maiki with oil drums nearby.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0710,1025 dr 2x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(33 sorties - 41 3/4 tons)

Venturas Bomb Rabaul: Six PVs from Emirau were clouded off Rabaul #10, but put 36 quarter-tonners in Rabaul 095102 at 1007 from medium level.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 1 RABAUL #34-35 1007 dr 36x500 G.P.

Corsairs From Jacquinot Bay: From 0630 to 1000 yesterday, 4 fighters from the new Jacquinot Bay base on New Britain patrolled the Rabaul area. Nil sightings.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 RABAUL PATROLS 0630-1000 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(19 sorties - 16 tons)

Corsairs Smash Baudissen Huts: Three fighters from NZ 25 dived six 500-pounders on Baudissen Island near Kavieng's north shore at 1035 yesterday. Two were duds, two destroyed one hut and damaged two, and a pair of bombs fell unobserved. One other plane returned early because of a rough engine and did not drop its bombs.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 25 BAUDISSEN ISLAND 1035 dr 6x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Corsairs Sweep and Patrol: One fighter watching Kavieng from 1650 to 1838 Saturday afternoon dived two 500-pounders at Kavieng huts near 180102, cratering the road. The other plane patrolling at that time jettisoned its two 500-pounders because of engine trouble, and both aircraft returned early. Two Corsairs on coastal runs Saturday afternoon put 4 quarter-tonners on Elizabeth Bay huts for unseen damage. Two fighters on similar sweeps yesterday morning dived four 500-pounders for direct hits on a Narum hut. Damage unobserved. A pair of Corsairs patrolled Kavieng from 0655 to 0830 yesterday, diving two 500-pounders at Kavieng huts near 070101 and two more at 065101. Possible damage was scored by both drops.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 26 May 1650-1838 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 26 May 1500-1915 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 27 May 0640-1135 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 27 May 0655-0830 dr 4x500 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 29 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(127 sorties-43 tons)

Corsairs Destroy 19 Damage 4 Chabai Huts: AID reports enemy concentrations several miles inland and south of Anaki (NE coast) at 262757. A collection of huts are located in a thick line of timber. Some of these huts are newly constructed. There are also camouflaged heaps or mounds (possibly supplies). A road showing signs of recent M/T traffic runs north to Anaki.
Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ-16 with a dozen quarter-tonners attacked this group of huts, and the troops staying there, at 0815 yesterday. The first plane smoked the target at its south limit. Eight bombs were then placed in line for 75 yards northward. One hit at the precise center of the target. Three more were duds. Because of the heavy cover, no results could be seen.
About eleven good huts (new, too) are concealed under timber between the cliff face and the beach at Anaki (above Tarbut on the NE coast at 264794). At 0850, a Smoky Joe from NZ-14 first marked the target, and together with seven other fighters from NZ-14 put seven of a mixed load of half and quarter-ton daisy cutters and small depth charges on the huts. Three Corsairs from NZ-22 added another trio of GPs and DCs. One of their 325-pound depth charges was a dud. Of the original 11 nice new huts, only 2 were left standing, and both of these were groggy from shock and badly damaged. Strafing started both huts smoking. Smoky Joe put the finger on more huts down the beach at 269786. The NZ-14 planes poured six bombs on these huts and NZ-22 laid three live and a dud on the target, plus one in the briny deep. Seven huts were destroyed and two huts built into cave mouths were badly chewed by a near miss. Smoky Joe smoked more huts at 274783, and NZ-22 dropped its last four bombs, destroying three huts. Later in the day, at 1650, six fighters from NZ-16 returned to this area with 3 half-tonners and 3 quarter-tonners. Five were dropped near the center target, and one 50 yards east. Wreckage was noted after the bombing. Six strafing runs over the area added no observed results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-16 CHABAI 0815 dr 1x100 Smoke.
                                             12x500 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-14 ANAKI 0850 dr 2x30 Smoke.
                                           3x1000 G.P.
                                           3x500 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-22 ANAKI 0800 dr 9x500 G.P.
                                            3x325 D.C. (2 duds).
6 F4Us NZ-16 ANAKI 1650 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                           3x500 G.P.

New Numa Numa Huts Bombed Twice: Tac/r reports groups of freshly-constructed huts at 826287, 825284 and 824284 in the Numa Numa area of east central Bougainville. These were partially bombed on 25 May. The whole area has the appearance of a large new camp in process of construction. It may house the Japs moving down from the north. Native reports confirm this likelihood.
A pair of fighters from NZ-14 made a pre-strike weather flight over the area at 1050. At 1205 a dozen Corsairs from NZ-22 with twelve 325-pound depth charges attacked targets as smoked by an NZ-16 plane at 825286. Six bombs fell in the target area, destroying two lean-tos. Six count'em six were duds. Twelve fighters from NZ-16 with a dozen 500-pounders followed on the same mark at 1215. They put 11 in the vicinity of their smoke, but could not count the damage. One bomb failed to explode. Four strafing runs scored no blaze or blast.
At 1630, six fighters from NZ-16 returned with 4 half-tonners and 2 quarter-tonners for another try at 825286. Six concentrated on the target, destroying two lean-tos. Two slip-ways at 479335 cast of Maiki on the south shore were seen. An apparently serviceable power-driven barge under camouflage in the undergrowth at the top of the slip-way was strafed and smoked. An 18-foot open barge (also camouflaged) was seen 100 yards west of the Mailal River mouth. It was gunned, a large flash was seen, and the barge was left smoking. Four good huts west of Kara strip nt 412397 were strafed. Also, a cooking fire at the edge of the jungle off a garden at 274919 (Kieta) was strafed. No damage was seen. One plane was holed by light A/A from an undetermined location.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-14 NUMA NUMA 1050 No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ-22 1205 dr 12x325 D.C. (6 duds).
12 F4Us NZ-16 1215 dr 2x100 Smoke.
                                 12x500 G.P. (1 dud).
6 F4Us NZ-16 1630 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                 2x500 G.P.

Three Key Points on SW Front Attacked: At 1100, eleven fighters from NZ-26 with six half-ton daisy cutters and four 325-pound depth charges struck enemy defenses on the east side of the Commando Road, 2000 yards below the Kutana River, and about 1 1/4 miles west of Taitai at reference point 001433. This was another softening-up process, to be followed by ground attack. The target was accurately smoked by artillery, and seven bombs were dropped in the area. Another was wide, and two depth charges were duds. The target was opened up, exposing the trail, Twenty-four strafing runs were then made, unassessed. A couple of miles to the south there is a suspected gun position 100 yards SW and 20 yards west of the road from Unanai. Tac/r directed bombing of this target at 1145 by 8 Corsairs from NZ-14 with 5 half-ton stick bombs and ton 325-pound depth charges. Ten bombs fell in the proper area and three went north, unobserved. Two were jettisoned safe at sea. The leader was forced to ditch his plane because of an engine failure (cause undetermined). He landed in the sea five miles west of the Hongorai River mouth. Two fighters from NZ-14 orbited over him from 1240 to 1450. A crash boat took him aboard at 1445. Dumbo arrived at 1435.
A third enemy key point was bombed much earlier in the day. At 0835, twelve fighters from NZ-26 with 6 half-ton daisy cutters and six 325-pound depth charges attacked Jap defenses near Runai at 969399 covering the Buin Road along which our forces are advancing. This area is about 1 3/4 miles west of the Unanai target described above. Smoky Joe marked the target with 2 para smoke flares. Ten bombs then fell in the target area, one went 75 yards SE and one 325 was a dud. The area was well cleared. 32 strafing runs were also made, unobserved.
At 1445, eleven NZ-26 Corsairs returned to this target with 2 half-ton stick bombs and nine 325-pound depth charges. First they smoked the mark, but it was a dud. Mortars marked the target and six bombs fell in a close group on the defense position. Three more fell in the general area, and two went east, Twenty-four gun runs scored no seen damage.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ-26 KUTANA RIVER 1100 dr 2x100 Smoke.
                                                          6x1000 G.P.
                                                          4x325 D.C. (2 duds).
8 F4Us NZ-14 UNANAI 1145 dr 5x1000 G.P.
                                            10x325 D.C.
2 F4Us NZ-14 CRASH COVER 1240-1450 No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ-26 RUNAI 0835 dr 2 Para Smoke Flares.
                                             6x1000 G.P.
                                             6x325 D.C. (1 dud).
11 F4Us NZ-26 RUNAI 1445 dr 1x100 Smoke (a dud).
                                             2x1000 G.P.
                                             9x325 D.C.

Muguai Recco: Two Piva Corsairs from NZ-22 with two quarter-tonners and four 100 pound incendiary clusters were over the Muguai area at 1400. They dropped one bomb in Muguai #4, clearing the area more. They strafed the 4 trucks still pinned by the fallen tree, but noted no smoke. Their other 500-pounder was a dud. One incendiary failed to ignite a group of huts 300 yards to the south-west. The second incendiary burned briefly, without effect. Two others were duds. The targets were damp from a recent rain. An extensive telephone system was seen running from Muguai #4 to Ebery's Lease and along the main road toward Kara. Many huts in the Maika area appear to have heavy tar-paper roofing on the ridges. One large hut was completely roofed with this malthoid.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-22 MUGUAI RECCO 1400 dr 2x500 G.P. (1 dud).
                                                         4x100 Incend. Cl. (2 duds).

Able-Charlies: Two fighters from NZ-14 on A-C tour at 0700 made four strafing runs on four huts a mile NW of Kara and one run on a hut 300 yards east. All unobserved. They strafed and sank a 12-foot flat-bottomed rowboat in the middle of Moisuru Bay. Another pair of Corsairs from NZ-14 peering about at ??30 strafed smokes at Little Tonoloei Harbor and at a point 4 miles west. No damage noted.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-14 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700,1030 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(9 sorties-4 1/2 tons)

Mitchells and Corsairs Patrol Rabaul: One PBJ from Green watched the Rabaul area late Sunday afternoon from 1700 to 2000, putting 3 quarter tonners on Rabaul Town, 1 on Sulphur Creek, and 2 on South Daughter huts. A medium-sized fire was started, and buildings damaged, at Rabaul 142086. One searchlight probed from Tobera. Six Corsairs from NZ-20 and NZ-21 based at Jacquinot Bay watched the Rabaul area from 0630 to 1315 yesterday. They killed a Nip on the beach above Rapopo. Mitchells also patrolled. One on duty from 1055 to 1400 put six 500-pounders on Rabaul, Vunakanau and Duke of York, unobserved. Another on from 1400 to 1700 put all six quarter-tonners on Rabaul Town, unassessed. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

1 PBJ VMB-423 RABAUL PATROL 27 May 1700-2000 dr 6x500 G.P.
6 F4Us NZ-20,21 28 May 0630-1315 No bombs.
2 PBJs VMB-423 28 May 1055-1700 dr 12x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(4 sorties-2 tons)

Emirau Corsairs Nip Nine Nips: Two fighters watching Kavieng late Sunday afternoon straddled a gun position at 099102 with three quarter-tonners. The fourth 500-pounder was a direct hit on a hut, destroying it. Two Corsairs on afternoon sweep put 4 quarter-tonners on Balus and Lumis, holing the approach to the latter bridge. Strafing accounted for nine Japs killed, plus two huts destroyed.
All early flights for yesterday were cancelled because of weather.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 27 May 1655-1855 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 27 May 1500-1910 dr 4x500 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 30 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(87 sorties - 31 1/2 tons)

Porton Dump Attacked: North of Chabai, a well-used M/T road leads into heavy timber where a possible dump area is located at 269738. Last Friday, tac/r noticed an increase in the activity, and a broadening of the area by another 200 yards.
At 2nd Corps request, 12 fighters from NZ 14 with 24 325-pound depth charges, and 8 fighters from NZ 26 with six 325s, 2 half-ton stick bombs, and a pair of 100-pound smoke bombs struck this dump area at 0800 yesterday. The lead plane of NZ 26 smoked the target, then all bombs were put in the proper area except one 50 yards wide. Two large columns of smoke resulted. Stocks of timber were noted at 267739. The planes from NZ 26 made 21 strafing runs over the target, for unobserved results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 PORTON #2 0800 dr 24x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 26 dr 2x100 Smoke
2x1000 G.P. 6x325 D.C.

Trenches at Porton Bombed: Twelve fighters from NZ 14 with two smokes and 19 325-pound depth charges attacked a defensive trench system 50 by 200 yards on the edge of a plantation at 264729 in the Porton area. Smoke was laid at 1115, then all bombs hit the target area for good clearance. Ten strafing runs were also made, unassessed. Tracks were seen to lead out to Matchin Bay. An unidentified circular object was seen in a cratered clearing at 257744. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from about 266735. This point was strafed for no seen damage.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 PORTON #1 1115 dr 2x30 Smoke
19x325 D.C.

Hutted Area Near Chabai is Cleared: After being weathered off Kanaura, eight Corsairs from NZ 16 with 8 half-tenners and 2 smokes, plus eight planes from NZ 26 with 4 half-ton daisy cutters and six 325-pound depth charges, struck huts northeast of Chabai at 268752 at 1140. One plane smoked the target at both limits, then all bombs were put inside the markers, scoring full clearance. One 325 was a dud. Squadron 26 also made two dozen strafing runs over the target, for unseen damage.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 16 CHABAI 1140 dr 2x100 Smoke
8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 26 dr 4x1000 G.P.
6x325 D.C. (1 dud)

Rorovana Camp and Gun Blasted: AIB says there is a bivouac at 150990 and a coast defense gun at 150985, and asks please knock 'em the hell out. Twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ 16 hit this east coast area at 0815 yesterday with a smoke bomb, 2 quarter-tonners and ten half-tonners. Five bombs fell on the reported location of the gun, opening up the jungle, but disclosed no C/D position. Six bombs hit within a 75-yard radius of the reported camp site, unobserved. One half-tonner was jettisoned safe at sea owing to engine trouble in one plane.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 16 ROROVANA BAY 0815 dr 1x100 Smoke
10x1000 G.P. 2x500 G.P.

Defenses in South-West Whacked: The Nips are well dug-in at Runai. They were bombed twice on Monday, but needed more attention yesterday. The strong-point covers the Buin Road ahead of the Aussies, and is located from 965402 to 967400. Third Division requested the bombing. Twelve Corsairs from NZ 22 laid 2 para smoke flares then put seven 325s alongside. Two were duds, two more went 150 yards SE, and one hung then fell 1000 yards southeast. Results not observed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 RUNAI 0830 dr 2 Para Smoke Flares
12x325 D.C. (2 duds)

Able-Charlie Sink Out-Rigger Canoe: Two fighters from NZ 26 on A-C tour at 0700 strafed and destroyed an outrigger canoe at the mouth of the Soskanakano River (west Shortland). Two Japs escaped from the canoe into the jungle where the area was strafed. Another pair of fighters on Able-Charlie work at 1015 strafed a Nip in a cliff crevice on the coast at Lemanmanu Mission, plus huts 1 1/2 miles west of Kohiso. No results noted.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 26 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700,1015 No bombs.

Barge Recco Destroyed 3 Huts: Four Corsairs from NZ 16 with 4 half-tonners made a coastal sweep at 1400. They scored a near miss and one wide on a barge at 479335, then strafed, left barge possibly unserviceable. Another bomb destroyed a 20'x15' hut on the south bank of the Mailal River at 474337, and possibly damaged a nearby barge with showered debris. The last bomb destroyed two huts at 472336. Six 30'x15' huts at 298385 (Muguai area) and two at 348413 were strafed, for unobserved results. Many camouflaged single huts were noted hidden in the jungle a mile each side of Maika.
For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 16 BARGE RECCO 1400 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Green Dumbo Covers Crashed Plane: Monday afternoon a PBY came down from Green to watch over the Corsair pilot who ditched west of the Hongorai River. The flyer was picked up by a crash boat, as reported in yesterday's Summary.
For the Record:

1 PBY VPB 53 AIR-SEA RESCUE 28 May 1435-1515 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(17 sorties - 22 1/2 tons)

Venturas Bomb Kabagada: Six PVs from Emirau scored their 36 quarter-
tonners off the dump area on the west coast of Simpson Harbor. The bombs fell to the southwest of the target. One was jettisoned at a hulk off shore. No results were seen.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 1 KABAGADA #2 1035 dr 36x500 G.P.

Rabaul Patrolled by Day and Heckled by Night: Monday from 1700 to 2000 a PBJ from Green watched the Rabaul area, dropping five quarter-tonners on the town and one on Vunakanau for unseen damage. From 0130 to 0200 a Black Cat put a quarter-tonner, fifteen 20-pound frags, and fifteen 4-pound thermite incendiaries on Rapopo, 20 incendiaries, ten frags and a 500-pounder on Rabaul Town, and 25 frags, 30 incendiaries and two 500-pounders between Malaguna and Rabaul. Results were unobserved. Two Corsairs from Jacquinot Bay patrolled Rabaul Tuesday from 0620 to 1115 for nil sightings. A PBJ was on duty from 1200 to 1500, putting six quarter-tonners on Rabaul Town and South Daughter, unassessed.
No A/A was met by any of those planes.

For the Record:

1 PBJ VMB 423 RABAUL PATROL 28 May 1700-2000 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PBY VPB 53 RABAUL HECKLER 29 May 0130-2000 dr 4x500 G.P.
                                                                             50x20 Frags
                                                                             65x4 Thermite Incend.
2 F4Us NZ 20 RABAUL PATROL 29 May 0620-1115 No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB 423 RABAUL PATROL 29 May 1200-1500 dr 6x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(31 sorties - 35 1/4 tons)

Sweeps and Patrols: The Monday afternoon sweep by 2 fighters featured two near misses at Fessoa bridge, but 3 huts destroyed at Bolik with a total of four 500-pounders, also one Jap swimmer at Panapai loaded. A report from the Kavieng patrol in the air from 1700 to 1900 tells of two 500-pound GPs falling near aircraft in a Kavieng revetment, one cratering the approach to the Lossuk bridge, and one going down, down, down, but never going off, off, off. A Jap at Fangelawa was strafed and killed. Meagre inaccurate medium A/A came from Kavieng 011096.
Yesterday's morning coastal sweep scored possible damage to Fangelawa huts with 2 half-tonners. The Kavieng patrol on duty from 0700 to 0940 dived another pair of half-tonners at Kavieng Town, for no reported damage.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 28 May 1525-1910 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 28 May 1700-1910 dr 6x500 G.P. (1 dud)
2 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 29 May 0630-1105 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 29 May 0700-0940 dr 2x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 31 May 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA (115 sorties-36 3/4 tons)

Ridge Defenses East of Old Vivie Bombed: 25 to 30 Japs are scattered through a 400 by 100 yard area on a ridge east of Old Vivie and the Numa Numa trail across central Bougainville. At present, our patrols do not have access to this area, so an air attack was requested to encourage the Nips to vacate. At 0805 mortars smoked the target limits (696158-694161). Eleven fighters from NZ 26 with 3 half-ton stick bombs and nine 325-pound depth charges then came over, dropping six on the ridge, a near miss, three wide and two duds. The top of the ridge was well cleared.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 26 BASE POINT #3 (OLD VIVIE) 0805 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                                                             9x325 D.C. (2 duds)

Troops and Huts at Kanaura Hit: AIB requested an attack on five houses filled with 40 Japs at Kanaura (228369) west of Kara. They said flags would indicate where the houses were located under the palms. A Corsair from NZ-16 laid smoke, then, with the other six planes from NZ-16, six half-tonners and a 325-pound depth charge were dropped. Also, 12 fighters from NZ-22 dropped 11 quarter-ton daisy cutters and a 325. Eight bombs fell in the target area, two were near misses, and 9 fell west. No results were seen.

For the Record:

7 F4Us NZ-16 KANAURA 0812 dr 1x100 Smoke.
                                                1x325 D.C.
                                                6x1000 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-22 dr 11x500 G.P.
                            1x325 D.C.

Runai Strong-Point Bombed and Strafed: To support the advance of the 58/59 Battalion, twelve Piva Corsairs from NZ-14 with 22 325-pound depth charges bombed and strafed Jap defenses near Runai at 966402-968400 at 0830 yesterday. They put 21 bombs in the target area and one 50 yards northwest. Results were not seen. 24 strafing runs were made, as requested, for 200 yards southeast and parallel to the Buin Road to a width of 100 yards. A puff of black smoke was seen to rise at 967400. At 1200, twelve fighters from NZ-14 with another 22 325s attacked nearby defenses at 968400-969339. Two planes returned early with engine trouble, jettisoning their bombs. Artillery smoked the target, and the bombs patterned an area 200 by 100 yards along the west side of the target. Results were unobserved. 30 strafing runs were also unassessed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-14 RUNAI #2 0830 dr 22x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ-14 RUNAI #1 1200 dr 22x325 D.C.

Gun Site near Taitai Attacked: A pair of Piva Corsairs from NZ-16 scrambled at 1805 to relieve a tac/r plane over a reported gun site near Taitai. One aircraft returned after 20 minutes with hydraulic trouble. Because of this, the other plane reached the target barely ahead of the 12 fighters from NZ-14 dispatched to bomb this gun with twenty-two 325-pound depth charges. Two planes returned early with engine trouble, spilling their 4 bombs at sea. Tac/r indicated the target by strafing and gave the location of the target by radio, then returned to base as fuel ran low. 18 bombs fell within a 100-yard radius of the target, including several near misses. No results were seen. Twelve strafing runs were also unobserved.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-16 TAITAI 1805 No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ-14 TAITAI 1825 dr 22x325 D.C.

16 Dead Japs: AIB says the bombing of six large houses at Nakarau on May 23 killed 16 Japs. The attack was known to have all bombs in the target, but results were assessed "unobserved" until a native patrol brought this word. These results will be added to the box score for 23 May, and included in the May totals in tomorrow's Summary. North Bougainville Well Bombed: Weathered off Muliko, eleven fighters from NZ-26 with 2 half-ton daisy cutters and ten 325 pound depth charges struck a possible M/T park at Tarlena Plantation (243758) at 1215. A Smoky Joe from NZ-22 laid smoke. 9 bombs fell in the target area, one was wide, two 325s were duds. A large puff of smoke was seen SW of Bonis strip. This may have been a lure of some sort. At 1215, twelve Corsairs from NZ-22 with eleven 500-pounders and smoke attacked a possible bivouac area nearby at 251754. The target was indicated by Smoky Joe, then nine hits were put within a 20-yard radius of the smoke, one more was a dud, and one was jettisoned because of hydraulic trouble. The south portion of the target was well covered, destroying two huts. An unidentified, bright, silver-colored object was seen in the area.
At 1230, seven fighters from NZ-16 with six 325s and a half tonner attacked a reported gun site in Porton Plantation at 265717. Artillery smoke drifted, so tac/r endeavored to indicate the target by strafing. Five bombs fell 25-35 yards NNW of the gun. Two went wide. Later on in the day, at 1535, six more Corsairs from NZ-16 with six 325s put five bombs within a 15-yard radius of the target, the nearest being only 5 yards from the target. One plane with hydraulic trouble jettisoned its bomb at sea. No results of the bombing were observed. 20 strafing runs were also unassessed.
The camouflage at the gun site appeared to have been changed since the first attack. Telephone wires were noted on the left side of the road.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ-22 TARLENA 1215 dr 2x100 Smoke.
11 F4Us NZ-26 TARLENA 1215 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                               10x325 D.C. (2 duds).
12 F4Us NZ-22 TARLENA 1215 dr 11x500 G.P. (1 dud).
7 F4Us NZ-16 PORTON 1230 dr 6x325 D.C.
                                              1x1000 G.P.
6 F4Us NZ-16 PORTON 1535 dr 6x325 D.C.

Able-Charlies: Two Corsairs from NZ-16 were on A-C duty at 0650, but returned early because of engine trouble. Two more at 1010 saw 3 or 4 Nips working gardens in south Bougainville, but nothing of special interest.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-16 ABLE-CHARLIE SEARCH 0650, 1010 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(13 sorties-8 1/2 tons)

Tobera Tunnel Pelted: Six PVs from Emirau hit the supply area containing a covered tunnel southeast of the Tobera strip. Thirty-six 250-pounders were dropped from medium altitude at 1044 and centered at 098057. Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ-1 TOBERA #24A 1044 dr 36x250 G.P.

Rabaul Patrols See Barge: One Green Mitchell watched Rabaul late Tuesday, putting two 250-pounders on huts south of Lambert, two on Duke of York, and four on Nambung Plantation, unobserved.
Four Corsairs from Jacquinot Bay had nil sightings yesterday from 0650 to 1115 over Rabaul. Two Mitchells kept watch from 1210 to 1504. They dropped 3 quarter-tonners on Sulphur Creek, 3 on Vunakanau, 3 on Praed Point and 3 on huts at The Mother. No A/A was met. A barge was seen moving past Vulcan Crater.

For the Record:

1 PBJ VMB-423 RABAUL PATROL 29 May 1500-1730 dr 8x250 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-20 RABAUL PATROLS 30 May 0650-1115 No bombs.
2 PBJs VMB-423 RABAUL PATROLS 30 May 1210-1504 dr 12x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(14 sorties-10 tons)

Corsairs Destroy or Damage 13 Huts: Two fighters on Kavieng patrol Tuesday afternoon dived two half-tonners for hits on Kavieng's water point. Another pair on coastal sweep at 1440 put 2 half-tonners on the Dallum cliff road, scoring one crater, and then strafed and burned a hut at Ujam and ruined a truck at Pinikindu. 6 Mitchells put 48 eighth tonners for unseen damage from Balgai to North Cape Tuesday night, seeing one burst of inaccurate heavy A/A came from Kavieng 108005. Yesterday's morning sweep by two Corsairs netted one hut destroyed and six damaged at Lossu from good hits with a pair of half-tonners. The two fighters watching Kavieng yesterday morning dived two half-tonners at Mongai, destroying 2 huts and damaging 3 more.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 29 May 1645-1845 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 29 May 1440-1900 dr 2x1000 G.P.
6 PBJs VMB-Emirau HECKLERS 29 May 2025-0015 dr 48x250 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 MORNING SWEEP 30 May 0625-1030 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-25 KAVIENG PATROL 30 May 0650-0905 dr 2x1000 G.P.

[aircraftclocks]

WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 29 MAY 1945.

UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT

ADMIRALTIES

NZ-17                                           18 F4U                             17                        27                NZ # 4 S.U.

EMIRAU

*VMB-413                                     12 PBJ-1D                        12                        44                VMB-413
*VMB-433                                     12 PBJ                             12                        49                VMB-433
*VMB-443                                     12 PBJ                             12                        48                VMB-443
*NZ-1                                           16 PV-1                           15                        14                 NZ #10 S.U.
*NZ-25                                         19 F4U                            18                        26                 NZ #5 S.U.

GREEN

VMB-423                                      12 PBJ-1J                        12                        46                 VMB-423
VPB-53                                        19 PBY-5A                       16                         55                CASU 58.1
                                                    1 TBF-1                           1
                                                    1 SBD-5                          1
**NZ-3                                                                                                                              **NZ #14 S.U.
**NZ-21                                                                                                                            **NZ #30 S.U.
**NZ-20                                                                                                                            **NZ #3 S.U.

BOUGAINVILLE

VMR-152                                    12 R4D-5                         11                        47                 VMR-152
VMR-153                                    11 R4D-5                         10                        49                 VMR-153
NZ-14                                        18 F4U-1                         15                        24                 NZ #2 S.U.
NZ-22                                        18 F4U-1                         14                        24                 NZ #31 S.U.
NZ-26                                        18 F4U-1                         14                        24                 NZ #1 S.U.
NZ-16                                        18 F4U-1                         12                        25                 NZ #25 S.U.

* As of 22 May 1945.
** Secured at Green and enroute Jacquinot Bay.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 1 June 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(105 sorties - 30 3/4 tons)

Big Ammo Dump at Koriu Bombed: A prisoner taken on 22 May says that the headquarters of the 4th Medium Artillery Regiment is located at 981392 in the Koriu area east of the Hongorai River on the Buin Road. Nearby at 981388 is the HQ of the Sixth Division. Also, within the area 977389-982386-982390, is the ammunition dump for the whole Runai campaign, and numerous crescent-shaped trenches forming the main defense line. At Third Division request, three separate strikes were made on this area. Ten fighters from NZ 16 with ten 325-pound depth charges hit the area at 0725, putting 8 within the area marked by artillery smoke, getting good coverage. Two hit 50 yards south. Very black smoke rose in the northwest corner. 40 strafing runs were made over the area, causing white smoke in the north portion of the target. At 1120, twelve fighters from NZ 16 with a dozen 325s hit the same area, freshly smoked by artillery. 11 bombs fell in the target area, mostly in the center. One was 10 yards over. 36 strafing runs were made. At 1420 the last attack of the day on this Koriu target was made by ten Corsairs from NZ 26 with 3 half-ton daisy cutters and eight 325s. This time the smoke shells were thin and wispy, but all bombs fell in the target area. The southeast end of the target, and a small portion between the west and southeast corners, was not cleared by the strikes. All the rest was. Thirty strafing runs were made, but results were unobserved.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 16 KORIU 0725 dr 10x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ 16 1120 dr 12x325 D.C.
10 F4Us NZ 36 1420 dr 3x1000 G.P.
                                  8x325 D.C.

Prison Guards Blasted at Muliko River: AIB reports friendly natives held in a barbed-wire compound, well guarded by the Nips, at 327356-327353 which is east of the Muliko River, midway between Kara and Muguai. The camp for the guards is nearby. Also, many other Japs are in the same area. A triple strike was set for yesterday, with special care being taken to brief all pilots on the location of the compound so that no friendly personnel would be bombed. At 0810 a dozen Corsairs from NZ 14 with 21 325-pound depth charges attacked the prison guards' quarters. A Smokey Joe from NZ 22 indicated the target, then 19 bombs were placed on its south portion, one 50 yards south, and a hang-up 500 yards south. Twelve more fighters, from NZ 26, with half a dozen 1000-pound daisy cutters and six 325s, struck at 0815. All bombs landed in the north third of the target for good coverage. Finally, six NZ 22 planes with five 500-pound stick bombs put all bombs in the north end of the target. 15 strafing runs were also made, unobserved. The Smokey Joe reports that only a small section in the center of the target was not bombed, One 10'x10' hut the center of a large garden was destroyed.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ 22 MULIKO RIVER 0810 dr 3x100 Smoke
12 F4Us NZ 14 0810 dr 21x325 D.C.
12 F4Us NZ 26 0815 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                  6x325 D.C.
5 F4Us NZ 22 0820 dr 5x500 G.P.

Sorum Huts Damaged; One Corsair Lost: Reconnaissance on 25 May by a pilot from NZ 14 disclosed a large hutted area at Sorum on the northeast tip of Bougainville. There were signs of many Japs living there. Eight Corsairs from NZ 22 with 8 quarter-tonners attacked 20 or more huts at 210834 at 1135. A Smokey Joe from NZ 14 tried to indicate the target, but his smoke bomb was a dud. Five bombs fell in the proper area. 3 fell on the beach just off the target. Several huts were damaged, and corrugated iron sheets were strewn on the ground. Thirteen fighters from NZ 14 followed in with 22 325s. Their smoke indicator fell wide, so the Smoky Joe directed by R/T. 16 bombs fell in the target, 6 went wide. Again, an undetermined number of huts were damaged. After the bombing run, one Corsair from NZ 14, piloted by Pilot Officer P.G. Moore, dived into the sea and exploded on impact. The pilot was killed. No A/A was encountered during the operations.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ 14 SORUM 1135 dr 2x30 Smoke. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ 22 1135 dr 8x500 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ 14 1140 dr 22x325 D.C.

Camouflaged Object Bombed Uneventfully: Four Corsairs from NZ 22 with four 500-pound stick bombs followed tac/r at 1615 to a camouflaged target at 989366 in the Mamagata area. Tac/r laid a smoke bomb to guide each of the four quarter-tonners. Three hit on the smokes, but one was a dud and one fell 100 yards west of the mark. The area was well cleared. 12 strafing runs were also made. No results were seen.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 MAMAGATA 1615 dr 4x500 G.P. (1 dud)

POW Pick-up at Tianan: Two AIB men with three Jap prisoners rendezvoused on the beach above Tianan (670525) yesterday for Dumbo pickup. A Catalina from Green, with PBJ cover, successfully executed this mission at 1450. Two Corsairs patrolled Tianan during the morning, seeing the natives and white men on the beach, and the cloth signal agreed on, Another pair of Piva fighters came back at 1550 to resume cover. The Dumbo was already water-borne, with a Mitchell orbiting. When the rescue plane took off at 1620, the Corsair escorted the Dumbo to base.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 TIANAN PICK-UP 0715-1015 No bombs.
1 PBY VPB 53 1450-1630 No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB 423 1450-1630 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 22 1550-1630 No bombs.

Able-Charlies Kill One Nip: Two fighters from NZ 22 on A-C tour at 0700 strafed with unobserved results a new hut on stilts at Hanahan Mission, two Nips on the beach at Tahitahi, and two Nips in a garden at Shortland Island. Another pair of A-C Corsairs at 1005 strafed 12 or more Japs at Kikibatsiago, killing one. They also strafed, without results, 4 Nips at Toburai, 2 huts in Muguai, 5 huts near Mount Boeder, and a hut in the SE part of Shortland Island. Two Corsairs from NZ 16 maintained a negative anti-artillery cover over the Hari area from 1610 to 1845.

For the record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 ADIE-CHARLIE SEARCHES 0700,1005 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 16 ANTI-ARTILLERY COVER 1610-1845 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(36 sorties - 33 1/2 tons)

Rabaul Hit by 8 Venturas: Emirau dispatched 8 PVs to blast buildings, storage tanks and barges on the west side of Simpson Harbor with 48 eighth-tonners at 1752 yesterday. All but one centered at the south edge of the target, half inside and half out. A hang-up was later jettisoned. Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ 1 RABAUL #10 1752 dr 48x250 G.P.

Rabaul Patrols: One Green Mitchell watched Rabaul from 1700 to 2000 Wednesday, putting three 500-pounders on Rabaul, and one each on Vunakanau, Mioko and Duke of York, unobserved. They strafed Japs swimming off Natava Plantation, unassessed. No A/A was encountered. No word has been received of the normal morning patrol yesterday over Rabaul by Jacquinot Bay Corsairs, but two Mitchells on duty from 1200 to 1730 sighted two Corsairs at 1405 patrolling the same area. It is assumed these planes were from Jacquinot Bay. Starting 1 June, the Corsairs from this new base will take care of Rabaul patrols dawn to dusk daily. The two Mitchells patrolling yesterday dropped 12 quarter-tonners. Four missed a barge in Matupi Harbor, one hit a north Rabaul wharf, others fell unobserved on huts near South Daughter and Taliligap. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

1 PBJ VMB 423 RABAUL PATROL 30 May 1700-2000 dr 6x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 20 31 May ? No bombs.
2 PBJs VMB 423 31 May 1200-1730 dr 12x500 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(12 sorties - 4 tons)

Corsairs Hit 7 Huts, Kill Nip: Two fighters on Kavieng patrol Wednesday afternoon missed Kavieng buildings with four quarter-tonners. Two Corsairs on afternoon sweep missed the Libba bridge with their four 500s. One was a dud and one hang-up was jettisoned. They strafed and killed a Nip at Kalili. Yesterday's morning sweep by two fighters scored one hut destroyed and three damaged at Elizabeth bay, plus three huts burned at Cape Reis by four 500-pounders and strafing. The pair of Corsairs patrolling Kavieng put four 500-pounders on Kavieng 151141, unobserved.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PTROL 30 May 1645-1855 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 AFTERNOON SWEEP 30 May 1500-1925 dr 4x500 G.P. (1 dud)
9 F4Us NZ 25 MORNING SWEEP 31 May 0635-1045 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 25 KAVIENG PATROL 31 May 0700-0835 dr 4x500 G.P.

[shorty]

The aircraft that ditched off the Hongorai River Mouth was NZ 5405 flown by S/L P McNab, the one that crashed on 1 June was NZ 5459 with P/O P G Moore. and bobs
Questions:_ what was a Able/Charlie patrol? Why did they use so many depth charges and how were they fused? I always thought they had hydrostatic fuses but those wouldn't work on land.Still haven't come across a photo of a F4U carrying them
In terms of both depth charges and the bombs they seem to have a lot of "duds"

[Dave Homewood]

Peter Moore, Forum member Luther's great uncle.

[aircraftclocks]

I don't have any information on the fusing in Depth Charges but the fuse setting for the VMB423 missions using G.P. of different weights, shows a variety of selections over time but seems to have settled on:

Nose: AN-M-103, 0.1 sec delay 

Tail: AN-M-102A2, 0.025 sec delay

Earlier missions show earlier fuse types.