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Post by davidd on Aug 24, 2020 12:44:25 GMT 12
Shorty, probably the prevailing bomb shortage of the time (due to huge demands for same from "North of the Equator" theatre commanders). Some details published on this shortage in the AHSNZ Journals of recent times. They were also using obsolete USAAF bombs during this period, chiefly the 300 pound GP, which are often conspicuous in the above thread. If no bombs at all were available, sometimes they were reduced to simple ground strafing (F4Us as well as PV-1s) but this was rather reckless use of Venturas, with only two forward guns.
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 24, 2020 23:53:57 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 16 February 1945
NEW BRITAIN
(35 sorties - 21 tons)
Mitchells and PVs Hit Vunakanau: 15 Marine PBJs and 6 PVs put 1 out of 14 one-ton bombs and 22 of the 28 325-pound depth charges within the assigned target -- a plane hide-out in the revetments west of Vunakanau airfield. 6 of the large bombs fell under a cloud and were not seen to strike. Four more hit short. Two depth charges hung and were jettisoned. Four more hung and were returned home.
Moderate accurate heavy A/A over the target left our planes unscathed.
For the Record:
15 PBJs VMB Emirau Vunakanau #10 1100 dr 14x2000 G.P.
6 PVs NZ 8 24x325 D.C.
Adverse Weather cancelled the Rabaul strike from Green.
Patrols Crater Lakunai Strip: Four Corsairs patrolled Rabaul late Wednesday afternoon for negative results. One Marine Mitchell on heckle duty that night dropped 7 eighth-tonners on Vunakanau and one near Praed Point for unobserved results. The shipping count yesterday was negative. Rabaul fields were under the aegis of 8 Corsairs yesterday morning. 4 of them dropped a half-tonner each on Lakunai. Three bombs cratered the strip and one fell on the coast for unseen damage. With clearer weather again at 1615, four more planes left to continue patrolling in pairs over the Rabaul area.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrols Feb 14 1600-1845 No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB 423 Rabaul Heckler Feb 14 2000-2130 dr 8x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb 15 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrols Feb 15 1015-1245 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 17 Lakunai Feb 15 1015-1245 dr 4x1000 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(34 sorties - 11 1/4 tons)
Eight Huts Destroyed at Karalua: AIB requested immediate action to stop 200 Nips advancing on Allied party at this ridge near Kieta. 12 Piva Corsairs were led by Wirraway to the target marked by fires.
Four half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters were dropped, plus 8 325-pound depth charges. The ridge was well covered with hits, all the half-tonners landing directly on or about eight huts on the ridge, completely destroying them. The area was also fully strafed. Later reconnaisseance received signals from our ground party which indicated the attack was successful.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 20 Kieta Area 0700 dr 8x325 D.C.
4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
Hut Concentration at Kindai Bombed: Eight fighters, led by tac/r dropped 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters on a large group of huts at Kindai (SW inferior). The smoke bomb hung, so the bombs were somewhat scattered through the target area. One of the daisy cutters also hung.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 20 Kindai 1225 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
Patrols Strafe Huts: The Wednesday dusk patrol and dawn patrol yesterday were both uneventful sweeps. Ten fighters flew 5 Able-Charlie searches, strafing four huts surrounded by neat gardens on a promontory south of Inus, and a hut on piles one mile north of Ruri Bay (both on the NE coast).
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol Feb 14 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol Feb 15 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(32 sorties - 14 1/4 tons)
Corsairs Fly Usual Patrols: A pair of fighters late Wednesday dived two 325-pound depth charges (1 miss, 1 dud) on Kavieng buildings while patrolling the area. Three pairs of Corsairs on duty yesterday dropped two 325-pound depth charges on gardens at North Cape, two on gardens at Roland Young plantation, and two on the personnel area at North Cape. All hits were unassessed.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng patrol Feb 14 1545-1800 dr 2x325 D.C. (1 dud)
6 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng patrol Feb 15 0900-1550 dr 2x325 D.C.
Venturas Sweep and Strafe: The dusk PV Wednesday saw a fire at Cape Sass, and pumped 1000 rounds into Karu and Lamisbei (just below the Emirau target limits). The dawn Ventura yesterday strafed Lamernewi with 700 rounds, and the ship-truck recco did the same to Paruai Plantation (near Lauan Bay) and Amba Point, also on the northern part of the east coast.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep Feb 14 1625-1923 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep Feb 15 0631-0943 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1104-1330 No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 25, 2020 0:12:18 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 16 Feb.
Captain DUTTENHOFER led eight PVs of NZ-2 on a medium altitude bombing raid on Maikai target AA-57, Bougainville. The formation was three, three plane sections javelin down. Captain DUTTENHOFER served as flight leader so that he could do the sighting for the Venturas which do not carry a bombsight.
The flight was airborne by 0803 and joined up as above described and then proceeded to Oema Island for rendezvous with a Piva Corsair. After rendezvous the Corsair from Piva proceeded ahead of the formation and marked the target with a smoke bomb. The bombers approached the target from Oema Island at 155 knots on a heading of 256° magnetic dropping their bombs from 11,000 feet at 0925.
No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
Bomb hits with relation to the target are shown on the attached photograph.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 25, 2020 0:39:02 GMT 12
WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 1945.
UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT
ADMIRALTIES
VS-61 15 SB2C-4 15 21 VS-61
2 J2F-6 2
VPB-146 7 PV-1 7 41 VPB-146
NZ-25 18 F4U 15 25 NZ # 4 S.U.
EMIRAU
VMB-413 12 PBJ 12 54 VMB-413
VMB-433 11 PBJ 11 53 WMB-433
VMB-443 12 PBJ 12 52 VMB-443
VMB-611 12 PBJ 11 51 S. S.-61
NZ-22 19 F4U 15 25 NZ #5 S.U.
NZ-8 16 PV-1 15 14 NZ #10 S.U.
GREEN
VMB-423 12 PBJ 11 54 VMB-423
4 F4U 1
VPB-44 14 PBY-5A 12 51 PATSU 1-11
1 TBF-1 1
1 SBD-5 1
NZ-17 18 F4U-1D 16 25 NZ #3 S.U.
NZ-15 18 F4U-1 17 23 NZ #30 S.U.
NZ-2 15 PV-1 14 14 NZ #14 S.U.
BOUGAINVILLE
VMR-152 17 R4D 17 67 VMR-152
VMR-153 17 R4D 17 69 VMR-153
NZ-20 18 F4U-1D 16 25 NZ #2 S.U.
NZ-18 18 F4U 18 25 NZ #31 S.U.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 25, 2020 10:43:23 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 17 February 1945
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(39 sorties-33 1/4 tons)
Four Strikes on Hut Concentrations: At 0835 twelve Piva Corsairs led by tac/r put a dozen half-tonners on a group of huts at Pikei in the Mosigetta area. All bombs fell within 100 yards of the target. At 0915 two Piva fighters led a Mitchell and 8 Venturas from Green to a group of large huts marked by smoke at Maiki in the Kahili area. 90% of the 18 half-tonners and 48 325-pound depth charges fell in the target, the rest appeared to undershoot and fall in gardens to the east. Two bursts of inaccurate heavy flak came from Ebery's Lease. At 1130 eight Piva Corsairs led by tac/r dropped 8 half-tonners on more huts at Kindai near Hongorai River. Smoke near Kapana confused the pilots and they released 7 bombs there. Only one fell on the correct target. Finally at 1200 eight fighters, again led by tac/r, hit both Kindai and four large huts at Altera with four half-ton and twelve quarter-ton daisy-cutters. Half hit Kindai, blasting the area thoroughly.
The other eight bombs destroyed several huts and damaged more at the Aitara concentration.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ-18 Pikei 0835 dr 12x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Maiki 0915 No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB-423 Maiki 0915 dr 2x1000 G.P.
8 PVs NZ-2 Maiki 0915 dr 16x1000 G.P.
48x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-18 Kindai 1130 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-20 Kindai 1200 dr 4x1000 G.P.
Aitara 12x500 G.P.
Patrols Strafe Barges and Dinghy: The dusk patrol Thursday and the dawn patrol yesterday were uneventful. Four fighters did two Able-Charlie searches, dropping 2 half-tonners and a pair of 500-pounders on an 80-foot barge two miles north of Lahiai (Poporang Island) heading north. All near misses were scored. The barge was then strafed and left on fire. Moderate accurate 20mm fire came from the bow and stern of the barge. Meagre inaccurate medium flak was shot from Malai (Morgusaia Island). An old barge on the south point of Poporang was strafed, as was a truck a mile south of Hangan (SE Buka). An unexplained explosion like a half-ton bomb was seen near Hangan. A 12-foot dinghy was probably sunk in Buka Passage. One fighter was holed by moderate accurate medium A/A from Sohana Island.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol Feb.15 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol Feb.16 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches dr 2x1000 G.P.
2x500 G.P.
NEW BRITAIN
(20 sorties-2 tons)
Rabaul Patrols Note Increased Truck Traffic: Four Corsairs covered Rabaul late Thursday afternoon for nil sightings. No heckler was scheduled that night. The Friday morning ship count was unproductive.
However the fourteen fighters patrolling Rabaul yesterday 0715 to 1550 reported increased truck traffic in the Tunnel Hill Road area of Rabaul. This same activity has been noted for several successive days. Four of these Corsairs dropped a half-tonner each on huts near Kurakakaul Creek (Talili Bay area) for unobserved results though all bombs fell in the target area.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-15 Rabaul patrols Feb.15 1700-1815 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb.16 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-15, 17 Rabaul Patrols Feb.16 0715-1550 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-17 Kurakakaul Creek dr 4x1000 G.P.
NEW IRELAND
(20 sorties-5 3/4 tons)
Corsair Patrols Dive Depth Charges: A pair of fighters over Kavieng late Thursday afternoon dived two 325 pound depth charges on several huts and a green building at Lebrechtshof Plantation which deflected machine gun bullets. The building was missed, but nearby huts were probably damaged. 6 Corsairs patrolling in pairs yesterday dropped two 325-pound depth charges on Baudissin Island (off the north end of the western coast), two on nearby Mane Island, plus a final two duds on the same target.
These targets, and other neighboring islands will be hit intermittently until February 24th.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol Feb.15 1545-1800 dr 2x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols Feb.16 0905-1545 dr 6x325 D.C. (2 duds)
Venturas Strafe and Test Bombsight: The dusk PV Thursday strafed the northwestern coast from Korabin to Koka. The dawn Ventura yesterday put 3000 rounds into Panaras for unobserved results. The ship-truck recco added 2000 rounds to Panaras and south of Roland Young Plantation. One Ventura tested a bombsight with level bombing from 10000 feet, dropping a 300-pounder on a hut in the center of a small clearing near Kimadan on each of four runs. Damage if any, was not seen.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep Feb.15 1636-1916 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep Feb.16 0644-0935 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1153-1417 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Kimadan 1000-1020 dr 4x300 G.P.
GROUND SITUATION
Bougainville: Feature of yesterday's ground operations was the capture of Mosigetta by Australian troops; during the last four days these forces had made speedy advance following several track strafing and bombing missions by RNZAF aircraft, and the indications are that in view of the few enemy subsequently contacted, the Nips have elected to make a stand as far back as either Pikei or Makapeka. The remaining activity in this sector has been confined to patrolling.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 26, 2020 0:15:50 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 18 February 1945
NEW BRITAIN
(61 sorties - 54 1/4 tons )
Tobera Supply Area Hit by 50 Tons: Green and Emirau ganged up on the Tobera Drome yesterday morning, bombing the personnel and supply area in the large rubber plantation two miles west northwest of the runway. From Emirau, 19 Marine Mitchells and 6 Venturas, dropped 18 one-tonners and 30 300-pounders from medium altitude through 7/10 cover for unobserved results. A balloon was seen at 9000 feet over the Powell River. Green sent 7 Marine PBJs carrying 26 half tenners plus 8 Venturas with 14 half tonners and 48 325-pound depth charges. They dropped north and along the northern edges of the target. Clouds hit the results. There was no A/A.
For the Record:
19 PBJs VMB-Emirau Tobera #23 1115-1142 dr 18x2000 G.P.
30x300 G.P.
7 PBJs VMB-423 Tobera #23 1115-1142 dr 24x1000 S.A.P.
2x1000 G.P.
8 PVs NZ-2 Tobera #23 1115-1142 dr 14x1000 G.P.
48x325 D.C.
Patrols Strafe Tractor, Trucks and Nips: Friday afternoon two fighters on late patrol over the Rabaul area noted a large fire with smoke to 7000 feet located at Tovakundum Plantation.
Yesterday the shipping count was positively negative. 24 Corsairs flew patrols in pairs during the day, with two not yet reported in. Two of these planes strafed and killed eight Japs in Tobera Plantation, flamed two trucks at Vunapope, and fired a large tractor at Kenobott Plantation. Four more of the 24 Corsairs on patrol got near misses on some barges on the beach south of Vulcan Crater with four half-tonners. No damage was seen, except to us. One plane was well peppered by medium fire from an unseen position near Rokunda Plantation (Duke of York). The plane ran off the strip on landing home, but the pilot was unhurt. A final four of the double dozen on Rabaul duty dropped two half-tonners in the center of Rabaul Town and two on the outskirts for unobserved results.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-17 Rabaul Patrol Feb. 16 1555-1805 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb. 17 No bombs.
16 F4Us NZ-15, 17 Rabaul Patrols Feb. 17 0655-1610 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-17 Vulcan Crater dr 4x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-15 Rabaul Town dr 4x1000 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(40 sorties-18 1/2 tons)
Twenty Fighters Bomb Pikei Huts: 12 Piva Corsairs carried 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters to a hut and Jap bivouac concentration at Pikei in the Mosigetta area. The smoke bomb of the tac/r plane hung, then dropped outside the target. As a result, two bombs were scattered over a wide area. Another eight fighters struck the same target ten minutes later, putting 2 half tonners on the smoke spotter, 2 within 40 yards, 2 within 150 yards, and the final two no closer than 500 yards.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ-20 Pikei 0805 dr 6x1000 G.P.
18x500 G.P. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ-18 Pikei 0815 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Soraken Huts Also Hit: A concentration of stores or personnel was the target at Soraken later in the morning for eight more Corsairs with tac/r lead-in. The smoke bomb was not very effective, and only half of the 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters fell in the target area, doing unrecorded damage.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-20 Soraken 1145 dr 4x1000 G.P. 12x500 G.P.
Soraken Gun position Struck: Another target at Soraken was a gun site on the peninsula. It was attacked yesterday afternoon by 4 fighters carrying a half-tonner each. A light squall over the target made it hard to pinpoint, but at least one direct hit was scored, if the spot aimed at was the gun site.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-18 Soraken 1540 dr 4x1000 G.P.
Patrols Strafe Huts and Nips: The dusk patrol Friday and the dawn patrol yesterday had nil sightings. Four Corsairs flew Able-Charlie searches yesterday. They strafed an 8' x 8' camouflaged observation post at Cape Friendship where two Nips covered with greenery crawled from the top to the scrub. A beached but serviceable barge was strafed at Tarongen on the northwest coast. Also, 4 native-type huts at Sina Sora Bay (Fauro Island) were strafed.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dusk Patrol Feb.16 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-18 Dawn Patrol Feb.17 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Searches No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(30 sorties-7 tons)
Corsairs Bomb Baudissen Island: The two fighters on late patrol over Kavieng Friday afternoon glide-bombed the north end of Baudissen with two 350-pound depth charges for unobserved results. Three pairs of fighters on duty yesterday dived six 325-pound depth charges, two of which destroyed a hut at Baudissen. One hit the western tip of the island, one fell in the sea, and two missed a wharf on the east coast of Ungan Island.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol Feb. 16 1545-1800 dr 2x350 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols Feb. 17 0900-1530 dr 6x325 D.C.
Venturas Start Large Fire: The dusk PV Friday strafed huts between Amba and Lossu, starting one large fire near Fessoa. Moderate inaccurate medium ack-ack came from Lossu. Meagre accurate light was met at Lagagon. The dawn sweep yesterday strafed from Cape Lemeris to Amba, and Lamernewi Plantation. Meagre accurate light A/A came from three miles northwest of Lamernewi. The Ventura on ship-truck recco put 2,100 rounds into huts and gardens at Sicacui and Ray Plantation.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep Feb. 16 1621-1935 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep Feb. 17 0624-0945 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1101-1347 No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 26, 2020 0:49:07 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 18 Feb.
On 18 February, 1945, Lieutenant Colonel ANDERSON, Commanding Officer of VMB-423, led six PBJs in a low level bombing and strafing attack on Jap personnel in Baniu Area Bougainville, coordinated with a similar attack on the same target by New Zealand Venturas. This strike was planned to surprise the enemy, relying on the speed of the planes and the choice of an approach to achieve this effect.
The flight was airborne by 0832 and after joining-up in two, three plane sections in vee javelin down proceeded to the east side of Bougainville on a course of 129° magnetic for 81 miles. At a point nine miles southeast of Cape L'Averdy the formation turned right to a course of 282° magnetic for the run to the target. The run over the target was made in three plane sections line abreast. Bombs were dropped from tree top level at 190 knots indicated, the first section releasing at 0915 and the second section at 0916.
The target area was thoroughly strafed, approximately 12,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition being expended. Two planes of the first section were PBJ-1J's with eight nose guns and four package guns firing forward. The fire power of these planes was very effective. The detrimental effect of the large amount of powder smoke resulting from the twelve guns was minimized by keeping the pilot's window open which kept the pilot's compartment relatively free of smoke.
The target was well covered with bombs as forty 250 pounders were in the target with eight 250 pounders slightly short. One fire was started with smoke to 800 feet but the speed of the planes prevented an assessment of results.
The flight encountered moderate, inaccurate machine gun fire from positions west of the target.
The New Zealand Venturas took off two minutes after the PBJs proceeding down the west side of Bougainville making a low level attack on a course of approximately 070° magnetic four minutes after the PBJs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 26, 2020 11:13:58 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 19 February 1945
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(51 sorties-34 3/4 tons)
Green Mitchells and Venturas Bomb Baniu: At 0915 yesterday a good load of half and eighth tonners was dropped on a known concentration of about 200 Japs at this area on the northeastern coast. Six Marine PBJs low-leveled 40 out of 48 eighth-tonners into the target starting a fire with smoke 800 feet high. The Mitchells also strafed the huts. Moderate inaccurate light A/A came from a position 300 yards west of the target. Ten minutes later, bombs and bullets struck the same mark as eight Venturas low-leveled with 16 half-tonners and 41 out of 48 of the smaller bombs fell in the target area, starting more fires. Six 250-pounders fell in the sea, and one hung and was returned to base. These PVs encountered intense medium flak which holed one plane four times over the target. Moderate inaccurate medium also came from a known position there, and ten flashes of undetermined calibre was seen coming from the west side of Baniu Harbor.
For the Record:
7 PBJs VMB-423 Baniu Harbor 0915 dr 48x250 G.P.
8 PVs NZ-2 Baniu Harbor 0925 dr 16x1000 G.P.
47x250 G.P.
Poporan Island Huts Get 6 Tons: Twelve Piva fighters attacked a group of huts at Poporan (off Buka) as a deterrent to further building activity there on new shelters and a jetty. Ten out of twelve half-ton daisy cutters hit the island, demolishing at least six huts. The end of an H-shaped building was blown in. Seven huts are still standing on the northwest side of the island. Strafing followed the bombing. (Note: This island is not to be confused with a target of similar name: Porporang Island southeast of the Shortlands.)
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ-18 Porporan Island 0810 dr 12x1000 G.P.
Huts at Hiru Hiru Bombed: Two groups of Jap-occupied huts at this Puriata River target were hit by eight Corsairs yesterday morning with 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters. Eight were dropped on each of the two hut concentrations. The targets were hard to spot without tac/r lead-in or mortar smoke, and only one hut was reported to be destroyed.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-20 Hiru Hiru 0730 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
Downes' Hill Gun Site Bombed and Strafed: Eight fighters, led by a tactical recco plane, and further aided by mortar smoke boxing the target, dropped 8 half-ton stick bombs all in the area of a gun position at this Tsimba eminence. Strafing completed an attack rated GOOD by later reconnaissance.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-18 Downes' Hill 1130 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Patrols Unmask Hidden Barge by Slick Trailing: Four fighters flew two Able-Charlie searches yesterday. They followed an oil slick at Soraken which led to a jetty and a swamp-hidden 16-foot barge. The barge was thoroughly strafed, and two red boxes on the jetty were also hit. The dusk and dawn patrols saw nothing but the setting and the rising sun.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol Feb. 17 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol Feb. 18 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(38 sorties-21 1/2 tons)
Po Bridge Bombed by Green Corsairs: Eight fighters put 7 out of 8 half-tonners in the vicinity of a bridge west of Namatanai. Two were duds. Clouds hid the results. One hung bomb was jettisoned over Mageh Plantation.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-17 Po 1445 dr 8x1000 G.P. (2 duds)
Venturas Strafe Huts and Test New Bombsight: The dusk PV Saturday strafed from Lamernewi to Panaras, noting four fires. The dawn Ventura yesterday strafed six Japs and smoked a hut two miles northwest of Suma Plantation; also gunned Medina and Koka. The truck recco strafed Sicacui, Patlangat, Koka and Katanu Plantations. One PV dropped three 300-pounders on Doi Island from 10,000 feet in a test of a new bombsight. One bomb hung up and was returned.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Patrol Feb. 17 1631-1922 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Patrol Feb. 18 0634-0935 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1250-1520 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Doi Island 1120 dr 3x300 G.P.
Corsairs on Patrol over Kavieng: Two fighters late Saturday afternoon dropped two 325-pound depth charges on the south coast of Mane Island for unseen damage. Four pairs yesterday stopped patrolling early in the afternoon as the weather deteriorated. They dropped eight 325-pound depth charges. Two each on Ungan, Baudissen and Mane Islands (all unobserved) one on the Kavieng runway and one in a nearby garden.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols Feb. 17 1550-1700 dr 2x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols Feb. 18 0915-1600 dr 8x325 D.C.
NEW BRITAIN
(23 sorties-4 tons)
Patrols Start Large Fire in Rabaul Area: Two Corsairs over Rabaul late Saturday afternoon reported continued heavy truck activity around the town. The ship count yesterday was negative as usual. Twenty fighters patrolled the area in pairs during the day. Four of these dropped two bombs on a suspected truck park at Kenobott Plantation, getting one dud and one hit for unobserved results. Another two bombs fell on the east side of Matupi Harbor, starting a large fire with smoke billowing 3000 feet for at least an hour after the hit. A truck, a hut and a Jap were strafed on Duke of York. The truck was damaged, the hut smoked, and the Nip killed. Four more Corsairs of this patrolling group dropped a half tonner each on a suspected bivouac area between Raliliei and Raluana Point, getting one in the sea, one on a road, and unobserved results from the other two which fell near the road. One pair strafed three Japs near the Warangoi River mouth, killing one. Huts at Ralaband Plantation were strafed and damaged.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-15 Rabaul Patrols Feb. 17 1600-1830 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb. 18 No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols Feb. 18 0720-4600 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-17 Matupi Harbor dr 4x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
4 F4Us NZ-15 Raliliei-Raluana dr 4x1000 G.P.
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Post by davidd on Aug 26, 2020 15:28:50 GMT 12
Some delightful comments in these summaries: I particularly liked the one which mentioned the observed results for the routine daily ship counting: "Results positively negative". This diarist really does work hard to provide some laughs for his readers. Well done! He also does include plenty of operational details, and is not shy to mention failures of attacks, although there seem to be few of these. Reading them you can really appreciate that "the war just ground on and on".
The Japanese seemed to be insanely keen on building new huts, and the Allies were just as delighted to locate and demolish them, one by one if necessary. The detailed account of the USMC PBJ-1J Mitchells being employed on ground strafing is fascinating, with so many heavy calibre machine guns firing at once. Most interesting that the crews had to have the cockpit windows open to help clear the resulting build-up of smoke, but how hard on the hearing was the firing of at least 12 x 0.50" Browning machine guns all at once, just feet away from the unfortunate occupants of these aircraft? I understand that sustained firing of the "package" guns on sides of cockpit were rather prone to cracking the actual steel gun mountings after a while.
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 27, 2020 0:22:58 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 20 February 1945
NEW IRELAND
(44 sorties - 31 tons)
Kavieng Catches Bombs Planned for Vunakanau: The plane revetment area at Vunakanau was not visible through the clouds, so the 21 Marine Mitchells and 8 Venturas from Emirau returned by way of Kavieng and unloaded there from medium altitude through broken cumulus. The Mitchells put 6 full-tonners in the revetment area south of the west end of the strip and six more 300 yards east of Chinatown. 5 of their 24 quarter-tonners hit the west end of the strip, the rest falling nearby. The Venturas placed only 3 of their 27 700-pound depth charges in Kavieng Town, the rest hitting the water. An additional PBJ returned early because of engine trouble, missing Mane Island with its 2000-pounder. No A/A was met over Kavieng.
For the Record:
22 PBJs VMB Emirau Kavieng 1113 dr 13x2000 G.P.
24x500 G.P.
8 PVs NZ 8 Kavieng 1113 dr 27x700 D.C.
Corsairs Patrol Kavieng in Pairs: 6 fighters covered Kavieng sporadically during the day. They dropped one 325-pound depth charge on the northwest tip of Baudissen Island, two on the north tip of Ungan, two on a boat along the coast of Mane Island, and one in the water.
For the Record:
6 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols 0900-1225 dr 6x325 D.C. 1420-1600
Venturas Strafe Miscellany: The morning PV yesterday gunned huts and gardens at Suma, Amba and Fessoa. The ship-truck recco strafed south of Roland Young Plantation, Panaras to Koka, and Libba gardens.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 8 "Dawn" Sweep Feb 19 0655-1002 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1124-1355 No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(31 sorties - 24 3/4 tons)
Rabaul Sensitive Point Well Hammered: Seven Marine Mitchells carrying 14 half-tonners and eight Venturas with 42 325-pound depth charges plus 4 half-tonners got full coverage on an area at the northeast edge of Rabaul Town where buildings, supplies and personnel are known to be concentrated. Results were hidden by clouds. No A/A was met.
For the Record:
7 PBJs VMB 423 Rabaul #10A 0925 dr 14x1000 G.P.
7 PVs NZ 2 Rabaul #10A 0925 dr 14x1000 G.P.
42x325 D.C.
Patrols Get Direct Hit on Kenobott Revetment: Two Corsairs over Rabaul late Sunday afternoon had no sightings, nor did the PV on shipping count yesterday morning. 14 Corsairs monitored Rabaul yesterday morning and afternoon, noting trucks moving in convoy all day out of Rabaul. Four of these fighters put four half-tonners on a suspected truck park in Kenobott Plantation, getting one direct hit on a revetment that left it a mass of buckled metal. An explosion was caused, and black smoke rose to 1500 feet. Four more Corsairs put three half-tonners in a supply area south of Ralum for unobserved results, plus one more near miss on a serviceable jetty there.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrols Feb 18 1600-1830 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb 19 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ 15,17 Rabaul Patrols Feb 19 0715-1600 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 17 Kenobott dr 4x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 15 Ralum dr 4x1000 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(36 sorties 18 1/2 tons)
Downes' Hill Strike Definitely Snafu: 20 Piva Corsairs sallied forth to attack Jap positions on and at the foot of a sixty foot ridge in the Genga River area. The ground troops planned to move in right after the bombing. However, the radio transmission with the tac/r plane was very poor. Furthermore, the mortar smoke was not placed until one hour after the strike. Nevertheless, 12 planes dropped six half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters. The tac/r plane observed they fell on the wrong target. The last eight planes put their 8 half-ton stick bombs on a gun position. Downes' Hill basked peacefully in the morning sun.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 20 Downes' Hill 0755 dr 6x1000 G.P.
18x500 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 18 Downes' Hill 0755 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Hari Road Junction Takes 15 Square Hits: The gremlins were absent from this target, so the eight Piva Corsairs were able to center all bombs but one on a Nip concentration at a road junction in the Hongorai River area. The load was 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters. The off bomb cratered the road 100 yards west of the fork. A small amount of light smoke rose from the area after the strike.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 20 Hari 1140 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
Patrols Destroy Huts on Poporan Island: No action was reported by the Sunday dusk or yesterday's dawn patrols. Four fighters flew two Able-Charlie searches, dropping four half-ton daisy cutters on huts at the northwest tip of Poporan off Buka. A direct hit crumpled three huts and others were probably damaged. A heavy oil slick was seen on both sides of Umum Inlet (NE coast of Bougainville).
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol Feb 18 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol Feb 19 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches dr 4x1000 G.P.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 27, 2020 10:53:43 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 21 February 1945
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(44 sorties-29 3/4 tons)
Green Attacks Maika Storehouse: Two Piva Corsairs led a Mitchell and seven Venturas from Green over a concentration of large camouflaged huts at Maika (in the Kahili area) to blast these probable storehouses. Through some confusion in the placing or recognition of the proper smoke-bomb markers, no target hits were obtained with the 16 half-tonners and 42 325-pound depth charges. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from Ebery's Lease. Construction of new huts was noted on the river bank 200 yards west of Mt. Boeder (several miles north of Kahili Drome.)
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-20 Maika A57 0950 No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB-423 Maika A57 0950 dr 2x1000 G.P.
7 PVs NZ-2 Maika A57 0950 dr 14x1000 G.P.
42x325 D.C.
Jap Battalion Headquarters Well Covered: 12 fighters bombed a location at Mabis in the Puriata River area identified by captured documents and prisoner-of-war statements as a command center. Twelve half-ton daisy cutters were dropped. Ten fell in the target area, one overshot 30 yards, and one hung and was jettisoned in the sea. The area appeared cleared, but there was no sign of huts.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ-18 Mabis 0800 dr 12x1000 G.P.
Nip Bivouac Bombed: 8 Corsairs dropped four half-ton plus 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters on this bivouac and garden area at Puriata. The bombs covered an 80-yard strip along the road. Another eight fighters got full coverage with 8 half-ton stick bombs later in the morning on a similar target nearby. Two huts northeast of the garden area were strafed.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-20 Puriata Ford #1 0735 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-18 Puriata Ford #2 1120 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Patrols See Pilot Chute: Two Corsairs flew an Able-Charlie search yesterday noon, noting an apparent pilot chute on top of a tree at Chirampana, five miles due south of Kieta. The dusk patrol Monday and the dawn patrol yesterday had nil sightings.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol Feb. 19 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol Feb. 20 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Search No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(18 sorties-5 tons)
Patrols Have Short Day but Good Results: The fighters over Rabaul late Monday afternoon were forced by the low ceiling to curtail their sweep early. The ship count yesterday was negative,
14 Corsairs patrolled the Rabaul area as weather permitted. 4 with half tonners each bombed suspected serviceable barges south of Vulcan Crater in Keravia Bay. One bomb was a direct hit among the barges, flinging debris and raising smoke. The other three included a near miss, a far miss and a dud. Meagre inaccurate medium A/A came from known points north of Ralum and Raluana Point. Meagre inaccurate light came from Vunapope. Another four patrolling Corsairs caused a large explosion, much smoke and a crater with four hits by half-tonners in suspected truck park near the northwest slope of Vulcan Crater, Clouds prevented any further assessment of damage.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-15 Rabaul Patrol. Feb. 19 1600-1645 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb. 20 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols Feb. 20 1005-1600 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-15 Vulcan Crater dr 4x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
4 F4Us NZ-17 Vulcan Crater dr 4x1000 G.P.
NEW IRELAND
(18 sorties- 9 tons)
Guns and Stores at Nusalemon Bombed: Four fighters dived eight half tonners at this island target west of Kavieng, putting two bombs on possible gun sites at the south end of the island, four more near stores and slit trenches, and two in the sea. Ungan and Baudissen Islands were then strafed. A minute later, three Venturas hit the same-type Nusalemon targets on the northwest end of the island. From low level, a dozen 300-pounders were aimed, and strafing sprayed the target. Four bombs hit the area, four fell short in the water, and four hung up and were returned to base. Meagre inaccurate 20mm fire came from positions on the northwest end of the island.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-22 Nusalemon Island 1330 dr 8x1000 G.P.
3 PVs NZ-8 Nusalemon Island 1331 dr 8x300 G.P.
Corsairs Hit Northern Islands: Two fighters on late Kavieng patrol Monday dropped two 325 pound depth charges on Ungan Island. Both hit (though one was a dud), for unobserved results. Weather delayed the posting of Kavieng guards yesterday until 1330. A pair of fighters then dived two 325 pound depth charges into a clearing on the east tip of Mane Island for unseen damage.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol Feb. 19 1500-1800 dr 2x325 D.C. (1 dud)
2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol Feb. 20 1330-1425 dr 2x325 D.C.
Venturas Gun Coastal Huts: The dusk sweep Monday put 2200 rounds into gardens and huts between Kafkaf and Dallum, also near a fire inland from Kimadan. The dawn Ventura yesterday strafed Japs in a garden and new hut at Lebrechtshof Plantation, but weather prevented assessment of damage. The ship-truck recco strafed 2400 rounds into targets from Fessoa to Amba, then from Koka to Patlangat on the opposite coast, and Lamernewi.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep Feb. 19 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep Feb. 20 0731-0936 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1159-1434 No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 27, 2020 11:07:18 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 19 Feb.
Major LOWELL, Executive Officer of VMB-423, led seven PBJs and eight PVs of NZ-2 from Green Island in a medium altitude daylight attack on Rabaul target # 10A.
The formation was composed of six PBJs of VMB-423 in two, three plane sections as the first squadron, and one PBJ and eight PVs in three, three plane sections as the second squadron. The Venturas do not carry bombsights so Captain LEMKE led their squadron so that he could do the sighting for the second squadron. The flight was airborne by 0836 and joined up as described above. The formation then proceeded to the Duke of York Island, turning West on 263º magnetic to Tawui Point from where the bombing run was made.
The bombing run of the formation was made at 0926 on a heading of 173º magnetic. The first squadron dropped its bombs from 10,300 feet while the second dropped from 11,000 feet.
After passing the bomb release line, the formation broke away to the left and proceeded back to Green with all planes safely on the deck by 1025.
No anti-aircraft fire encountered.
All bombs hit in the target area the pattern of the bomb hits in relation to the target are shown on the attached photographs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 27, 2020 11:25:36 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 20 Feb.
Captain IVERSON led eight PVs of NZ-2 on a medium altitude bombing raid on Maiki, target A-57, Bougainville. The formation was composed of three, three plane sections javelin down. Captain IVERSON served as flight leader so that he could do the sighting for the PVs which do not carry a bombsight.
The flight was airborne by 0835 and joined up as described above and proceeded on a course of 129 degrees magnetic to Oema Island for rendezvous with two Corsair planes from Piva. After the rendezvous, the Corsairs proceeded ahead of the formation to mark the target with smoke bombs. The bombers approached the target from Oema Island on a heading of 256 degrees magnetic, however as the Corsairs had dropped the smoke bombs in the wrong area five or six miles from the target, bombs were not released on this run. The bombers made a 360 degree turn to make another bomb run, which was made on a heading of 260 degrees magnetic. At 0957 bombs were released from 10,500 feet at 155 knots indicated.
Meagre, inaccurate, heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered from unknown positions.
In view of the 360 degree turn for the second run, the time was not sufficient to properly line on the target and all bombs fell in the water south of the target.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 28, 2020 1:05:05 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 22 February 1945
NEW IRELAND
(48 sorties 37 tons )
Kavieng Plastered With 36 Tons: A strike on Vunakanau #9 was impossible because of weather, so the 37 Emirau planes dropped on Kavieng, the secondary target, though this area also was obscured by six-tenths undercast. 34 Marine Mitchells plus 3 Venturas carried a load of two dozen one-tonners, 18 250-pounders, 24 700-pound depth charges and 4 650-pound depth charges. Six of the one-tonners hit 500 yards northeast of the south end of the strip; nine fell near gun positions 1000 yards west of the strip; nine struck 300 yards northeast of the town. The eighth tonners crossed the runway south of the center. The depth charges walked into Chinatown. Moderate accurate to inaccurate heavy flak came from known positions. One gun was silenced by near misses. None of our aircraft was hit.
For the Record:
(24 PBJs) VMB-Emirau Kavieng 0946 dr (24x2000 G.P.)
(3 PVs) VMB 8 (18x250 G.P.)
(24x700 D.C.)
(4x650 D.C.)
Corsairs Drop Depth Charges: Two fighters on Kavieng patrol late Tuesday afternoon dropped one 325-pound depth charge on a garden south of Panapai, and another one on a garden near Kavieng airstrip. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from North Cape. Three pairs of Corsairs on patrol yesterday dropped one 325-pound depth charge in a supply area at Nusalemon Island and demolished three huts on the island with three more 325-pounders. One more hung up and was returned. Savannah 5 weather stopped patrol work early.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrol Feb 20 1520-1805 dr 2x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols Feb 21 0900-1510 dr 4x325 D.C.
Venturas Pour 7,800 Rounds at Huts: The dusk PV Tuesday gunned 2,000 rounds from Fessoa to Mongai Bay. The early Ventura yesterday strafed Lamernewi to Panaras and Lemeris to Karmiraba and Lamussong huts with another 2,800 cartridges. The ship-truck recco shot 3,000 bullets into huts, bivouacs and fires along the hills on the northeast side of New Ireland.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep Feb 20 1629-1920 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep Feb 21 0638-0940 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1258-1500 No bombs.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(38 sorties - 17 1/2 tons )
Three Targets at Taitai Stoutly-Constructed Huts: Twelve Piva Corsairs led by tac/r hit a group of large well-built huts and a tarpaulin-covered dump with 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters. Sixteen hit the mark and devastated it. The last bomb caused a large explosion and flash. The rest of the bombs were dropped on a target 1 1/2 miles to the northwest. Another eight fighters, with tac/r lead-in, struck 10-12 sturdy shelters nearby with eight half-ton stick bombs. The area was well covered, including a probable hide-out of 20 Nips. A final eight Corsairs dropped 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters on seven well-built huts at a third location in the Taitai area. All bombs fell in the target, getting good coverage.
Taitai is in the Hari River area in southwest Bougainville.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 20 Taitai "B" 0800 dr 6x1000 G.P.
18x500 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 18 Taitai "A" 0855 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 20 Taitai "C" 1125 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
Patrols Bomb and Strafe Jap Living Quarters: Two fighters on patrol late Tuesday afternoon put 4 quarter-ton daisy cutters on huts at Maiki, damaging some and causing white smoke 500 feet high. Three canoes were strafed at Kieta and two Nips were probably killed. One large and two small barges were seen between Falsi and Shortland Islands. Four strafing runs were made on the large barge. Quite a few medium-large huts were noted on Falsi Island. The dusk patrol Tuesday and the dawn patrol yesterday were negative. Four Corsairs flew two Able-Charlie searches, strafing camp fires on Fauro Island, and two huts south of Kauwau River on the southeast coast.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Searches Feb 20 dr 4x500 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk patrol Feb 20 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn patrol Feb 21 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches Feb 21 No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(4 sorties - no bombs)
All Strikes Cancelled: Adverse weather prevented all flights yesterday from Green until 1330. Two Corsairs were over Rabaul about half an hour, but were then recalled because of low visibility. They reported no sightings. Late Tuesday afternoon two fighters patrolled Rabaul fields with negative results. The only heckling was over cards in the Ready Room.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrol Feb 20 1600-1800 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrol Feb 21 1410-1440 No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 28, 2020 1:43:16 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 22 Feb.
Captain GRAVES flew as leader of the Venturas, but was forced to return to base due to an oil leak.
Lieutenant HOPPER took over as leader of the PV squadron.
Major PRITCHARD, Operations Officer of VMB-423 led seven PBJs and eight PVs of New Zealand-2 in a medium altitude daylight strike on personnel and supply area at Nuguai, Bougainville.
The formation was composed of six PBJs of VMB-423 in two, three plane sections, as the first squadron, and one PBJ and eight PVs in three, three plane sections as the second squadron. A PBJ flew as lead aircraft of the PV squadron so that it could do the slighting for the Venturas which do not carry a bombsight.
The flight was airborne by 0905 and joined up as described above. The formation proceeded to Puk Puk Island on the east coast of Bougainville where rendezvous was made with Corsairs from Piva at 1000 hours at 11,000 feet. From Puk Puk Island, the formation flew a course of 173º magnetic for 21 miles, then on a course of 135° magnetic for nine miles and turned into the bomb run.
On the bombing run the PBJs flew a course of 178° magnetic at 10,300 feet with 160 knots indicated air speed and bombs were away at 1015. Lieutenant HOPPER led the PVs on the bomb run on a course of 200° magnetic at 9,800 feet with 160 knots indicated air speed as bombs were released at 1016.
The Piva Corsairs after the rendezvous preceded the formation to the target and marked it with smoke bombs. This cooperation assisted materially in the results acheived.
All bombs were in the target area. Three large explosions were observed and black smoke from the south end of the target. The pattern of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photographs.
After the bomb release the formation broke to the left and all planes were safely on deck at Green Island by 1123.
Moderate, inaccurate heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered from known positions at Kara air strip and Ebery's Lease.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 28, 2020 11:20:41 GMT 12
WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 20 FEBRUARY 1945
UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT
ADMIRALTIES
VS-61 15 SB2C-4 15 23 VS-61
2 J2F-6 2
NZ-25 18 F4U 16 26 NZ # 4 S.U.
EMIRAU
VMB-413 12 PBJ 12 54 VMB-413
VMB-433 11 PBJ 10 53 VMB-433
VMB-443 12 PBJ 12 52 VMB-443
VMB-611 12 PBJ 12 52 S.S.-61
NZ-22 19 F4U 16 25 NZ # 5 S.U.
NZ-8 16 PV-1 15 14 NZ #10 S.U.
GREEN
VMB-423 12 PBJ 12 40 VMB-423
3 F4U 0
VPB-44 14 PBY-5A 11 51 PATSU 1-11
1 TBF-1 1
1 SBD-5 1
NZ-17 18 F4U-1D 18 24 NZ #3 S.U.
NZ-15 18 F4U-1 18 21 NZ #30 S.U.
NZ-2 15 PV-1 13 13 NZ #14 S.U.
BOUGAINVILLE
VMR-152 14 R4D-5 14 63 VMR-152
VMR-153 16 R4D 13 65 VMR-153
NZ-18 18 F4U 18 25 NZ #31 S.U.
NZ-20 18 F4U-1D 18 25 NZ # 2 S.U.
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Post by chinapilot on Aug 28, 2020 16:12:13 GMT 12
Starting to look like 'milk-runs' but still plenty of danger in this area.
This is what faced any Allied prisoner...
From the AWM Website.
[Chinese POW] Lin Leow being duly sworn and with the assistance of the interpreter Laurie Chan of ANGAU, give the following evidence: -
I was living at Hong Kong when I was taken into custody by the Japanese in December 1941. I arrived Bougainville in November 1942.
I witnessed the incident described by [Chinese POW] Pon See where the Japanese had a sick Chinese tied in a sack to be taken away and buried.
About March 1943 near the beach about 15 minutes walk from Kahilli aerodrome [Kahili Airfield] I saw Japs pouring boiling water over a white prisoner. He was dressed khaki. I was about 30 or 40 yards away. I first saw him he was standing up and Japanese were pouring hot water over him. I did not notice whether his hands were tied. He was standing most of the time. The Japs were also hitting him in the face. I did not see him except standing up but the prisoner was still there when I was moved off to another job. I heard the prisoner screaming as if in paining [sic pain] while I was there. Leong Ping was another member of our working party. When I left some of the working party remained. The Japanese were soldiers but I do not know their unit.
Signed in the field this tenth day of October 1945
Signature of witness"
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 28, 2020 17:46:20 GMT 12
Sick, evil bastards.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Aug 29, 2020 0:32:34 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 23 February 1945
NEW IRELAND
(43 sorties-35 tons)
Islands West of Kavieng Take Heavy Pounding: Five successive strikes were made on the small islands off the northern end of New Ireland yesterday. Various personnel and supply areas were hit.
Four fighters struck at 0940. An hour later, 8 Marine Mitchells came over. An hour after that, nine more PBJs. At 1325 a third group of 4 Mitchells. Finally, at 1500, a last five Mitchells. The total bomb load was 8 650-pound depth charges, 15 one-tonners, 22 half-tonners, and 3 fire bombs. All planes strafed the targets, too. Hits were scored as follows: The 8 depth charges, 4 one-tonners and 4 half-tonners fell on Nusalemon, starting two fires with smoke to 2000 feet still burning late in the afternoon, 3 one-tonners and 12 half-tonners hit Mane, 6 one-tonners struck Baudissen. All the above got good coverage. A one-tonner demolished several huts on Nanawaul. A half-tonner on Globio fell unobserved. The three fire bombs burned a hut on Lemus. 5 half-tonners hit the water, and 1 2000-pounder hung and was returned to base. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from the north end of Mane, from the swamp's center on Baudissen, and from the southeast tip of Nusalemon. Meagre 20mm fire from the middle of Nusalemon holed one plane, and a single flash of mortar fire from the same island holed a second plane.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-22 Islands W. of Kavieng 0940 dr 8x650 D.C.
(8 PBJs VMB-Emirau 1045)
(9 PBJs VMB-Emirau 1131) dr 15x2000 G.P.
(4 PBJs VMB-Emirau 1325) 22x1000 G.P.
(5 PBJs VMB-Emirau 1500) 3 fire bombs.
Corsairs Patrol Kavieng: Another six 325-pound depth charges were dropped on the islands west of Kavieng by the fighter sweeps. Three fell unobserved on Nusalemon, one near huts on Globio, one splashed in the sea and one was a dud. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from the northwest shore of Globio Island.
For the Record:
6 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols Feb. 22 0900-1540 dr 6x325 D.C. (1 dud)
Ventura Sweeps are Uneventful: The dusk PV on Wednesday neither bombed nor strafed, due to bad weather. The Ventura out early yesterday pumped 1500 rounds into Patlangat, Ray, Sicacui and Korabin. The ship-truck recco also patrolled without strafing. One PV practiced bombing from 10,500 feet, dropping 4 quarter-tonners in 4 runs, all within 150 yards of the bull's-eye at Katenbuang huts.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep Feb. 21 1715-1904 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep Feb. 22 0653-0924 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1203-1441 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Katenbuang 1020 dr 4x500 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(52 sorties-42 1/4 tons)
Green Planes Cause 3 Explosions at Muguai: Two Piva Corsairs led 6 Marine Mitchells and 8 Venturas from Green to a reported enemy headquarters and major personnel concentration at Muguai in southeastern Bougainville. The fighters marked the target with two smoke bombs 200 feet apart. Then the Mitchells put all 23 of their half tonners on the mark and the PVs did the same with their 16 half-tonners. 80% of the depth charges hit south of the target. Three explosions were caused, with clouds of black smoke rising. Also, a considerable number of large huts were destroyed or damaged. Moderate inaccurate heavy A/A came from Kara Strip and Ebery's Lease. A large truck was seen loading beside a group of probable warehouses.
For the Record:
6 PBJs VMB-423 Muguai 1015 dr 23x1000 G.P.
8 PVs NZ-2 Muguai dr 16x1000 G.P.
48x325 D.C.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai No bombs.
Three More Strikes on Taitai: 28 more Piva Corsairs followed Wednesday's attacks with another set of bombings yesterday. 12 fighters hit enemy installations with 12 half-ton daisy-cutters. All bombs hit the right area, causing a 100-foot plume of flame on the west side of the track on the north edge of a grove of cocoanut palms. Another eight Corsairs also bombed this vicinity with 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs, getting good coverage on the target and along the south side of the road. One fire was started. Strafing accompanied this attack. Finally eight fighters hit a third spot at Taitai with 8 half-ton daisy-cutters. Five fell true and three overshot. Results were not observed.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ-18 Taitai 0815 dr 12x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
8 F4Us NZ-20 Taitai 0755 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12x500 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-18 Taitai 1150 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Corsair Patrols Spot New Bridges: The dusk patrol Wednesday and the dawn patrol yesterday were negative. Four fighters flew two Able-Charlie searches, strafing three Nips at Sorum on the northeast coast. They reported that the remaining barge at Soraken appeared to be sunk, though still in one piece. Good new bridges were noted on the Oamai River (SW coast) and adjacent streams. These appear to be logs with transverse planking.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol Feb. 21 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol Feb. 22 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(15 sorties-4 tons)
Patrols Damage Floating Crane: The morning shipping count was negative. 14 fighters patrolled the Rabaul area in pairs. Four of them dropped a half-tonner each in a hutted area at Tovakundum Plantation for unobserved results. Another four put the same load on a floating crane in Keravia Bay, causing some damage with two hits and a near miss. Double-apron barbed wire now appears at the mouth of the Warangoi River and on the coast of Kabanga Bay.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count Feb. 22 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols 0705-1600 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-17 Tovakundum dr 4x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-15 Keravia Bay dr 4x1000 G.P.
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Post by davidd on Aug 29, 2020 12:52:06 GMT 12
The subject of the very last comment in above post is presumably the same floating crane I saw in mid-2001, still beached up against the road where it was put aground by the Japanese in 1944 after it was attacked and damaged by Allied air strikes. It was actually a British crane, captured in Singapore after the invasion in early 1942, and later towed out to Rabaul. It was definitely a big crane - you could say it was built to last!
David D
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