RNZAF activity in the Pacific 1945

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From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 2 Mar.

Captain LEMKE led seven PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight attack on Monoitu Mission, Bougainville. The formation was composed of one, three plane section and one, four plane division.
The strike was airborne by 0803 and joined up as described above. The formation proceeded to Empress Augusta Bay where rendezvous was made with one Corsair from Piva at 0900 hours at 10,000 feet. From Empress Augusta Bay the formation flew to Motupena Point and turned into the bomb run. On the bomb run the PBJs flew a course of 115° magnetic at 8,500 feet with 160 knots indicated air speed the first section bombing at 0917 and the second division at 0919.

The Piva Corsair after the rendezvous, preceded the formation to the target and marked it with smoke bombs.

After bombs were released the formation broke away to the right and returned to Green. All planes were safely on the deck by 1018.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

All bombs were in the target area and were between the two smoke bombs dropped by the Piva Corsair. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target and the smoke bombs used to mark the target is shown by the attached photograph.

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Day Ending 0800 4 March 1945

NEW BRITAIN
(55 sorties - 45 1/2 tons)

27 1/2 Tons on Matupi: Twenty Marine Mitchells with 17 full tonners and 6 half-tonners joined five PVs carrying 30 quarter tonners to hit suspected stores and personnel in a number of buildings at Matupi yesterday morning from medium altitude. Two full tonners and 27 quarter-tonners struck the target for unseen damage. The half-tonners, two 2000-pounders and three 500-pounders fell in the water 200 foot south of the mark. The other full tonners hit nearby target areas (# 502 and 503).

For the Record:

20 PBJs VMB-Emirau Matupi #500 1057 dr 17x2000 G.P.
                                                                6x1000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ 8 Matupi #500 1057 dr 30x500 G.P.

Patrols Have Negative Sightings: The Corsairs over Rabaul late Friday afternoon had negative results, as did the PV on ship count yesterday morning. 18 Corsairs patrolled the area yesterday but had no results to report. Two fighters returned early with engine trouble. Stormy weather forced the fifth patrol to come in 56 minutes early, and cancelled the last patrol.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrol March 2 1600-1820 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 3 No bombs.
18 F4Us NZ 15,17 Rabaul Patrols March 3 0720-1530 No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(49 sorties - 22 3/4 tons)

Bombs Start Fire at Hatai: Twelve Piva Corsairs hit a Jap bivouac and infantry headquarters at Hatai in the Puriata area yesterday morning. Six half-ton and 18 quarter-ton stick bombs were carried. Two of the 1000-pounders and six of the 500-pounders (2 duds) landed in the reported HQ area south of the south center garden and kicked up a quantity of milled timber. Two half-tonners and six 500-pounders fell in the hutted area southwest of the first target, starting a fire with white smoke rising to 300 feet, and continuing to rise a good ten minutes after the strike. The last third of the bomb load (2x1000 plus 6x500) fell unobserved on the huts west of the initial target.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Hatai 0740 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                           18x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Two Strikes on Mamagata Huts: Eight Piva fighters led by tac/r hit a Jap bivouac and huts on the west side of the Mamagata Road on the southwest coast yesterday at 1130. Seven of the eight half-ton daisy cutters walked from the spot smoked on up the roadside area 120 yards north. The eighth bomb hung and was jettisoned safe in the sea south of Motupena Point. Eight more Corsairs hit the same area fifteen minutes later with 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs. The second tac/r smoke bomb failed, so bombs were dropped where the earlier smoke was placed. Two half-tonners and two 500-pounders dropped 30 yards apart north along the target from the smoke marker. Four quarter-tonners hit 200 yards south of the mark (2 duds), and six 500-pounders plus 2 half-tonners full 300 yards south of the smoked area. Storms closing in prevented strafing or assessment of damage.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 18 Mamagata 1130 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 20 Mamagata 1145 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                 12x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Dusk, Night and Dawn Patrols: The late sweeps Friday was uneventful. A night Charlie search was made by 3 fighters carrying four 650-pound depth charges and two parachute flares. These were dropped over Faisi Island (east of Shortland). Two hit the north tip. Two hit the south tip. No results were observed. No barges were seen. The bright moonlight made the flare illumination unsatisfactory. The dawn patrol yesterday was negative.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol March 2 No bombs.
3 F4Us NZ 20 Charlie Search March 2 2150 dr 4x650 D.C.
                                                   2 parachute flares.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol March 3 No bombs.

Three Tanks Attacked: Two fighters made an uneventful A-C search early yesterday morning, strafing camp fires and huts at Kariki on Fauro Island, and a hut on the south end of Poporan Island off Buka for unobserved results. Two Corsairs on A-C search at 1050 saw two Jap tanks facing south on the coast road in a clearing 1000 yards northwest of the north tip of Ruri Bay on the northeast end of Bougainville. Four strafing runs caused light smoke. When ammunition was expended, flight leader returned to base, leaving wing man to orbit tanks. One tank moved south 100 yards and hid 30 feet inside the tall timber, leaving one Jap dead on the road. Two fighters resumed the attack at 1230 with two half-ton daisy cutters. RAAF planes took photos before the bombing. One half-tonner scored a very near miss on the tank in the jungle, cleared away the undergrowth and covered the tank with debris. The other bomb fell thirty yards away from this same tank. Five strafing runs were then made for unseen damage. Eight fighters then came up with 8 half-ton stick bombs. One plane returned early because of oil pressure trouble, dropping its bomb safe in the bay. A third tank was now seen ten yards from the tank under cover. The seven Corsairs put their bombs on these two tanks, gutting one within 5 yards, three within 10 yards, one forty yards away, and two duds. Both tanks were badly damaged. Five strafing runs each were made from all angles on the one tank out in the clearing since the first attack. Heavy black smoke and red oil flames were followed three minutes later by a series of large and small explosions. The tanks were 18 feet long and seven feet high of undetermined type. Only one Jap was seen.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Search 0620 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Search 1050 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Ruri Bay 1230 dr 2x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 18 Ruri Bay dr 8x1000 G.P. (2 duds)

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

Corsairs Patrol Kavieng: Three pairs of fighters covered Kavieng yesterday, diving 6 quarter-tonners as follows: 2 unobserved on huts north of the town, 2 on huts east of the strip, one for possible damage on a truck in Kavieng Town, and one unobserved on a bivouac at Balgai. The Venturas patrolled as usual, but did no bombing or strafing.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols March 3 dr 6x500 G.P.
3 PVs NZ 8 Dusk, Dawn & Ship-Truck Recco No bombs.

GROUND SITUATION

Bougainville: During the past 48 hours there have been no advances over fresh territory but active patrols made several contacts in all sectors. In the Tsimba area the Nips harassed Australian positions and casualties were 7 Nips killed and 1 Australian wounded. SW, in the Puriata River area one Nip was killed and 2 Australian wounded, while a Coastwatcher report states that in a bombing raid by RNZAF F4Us on 28 February 1945, 100 Japs were killed near Uso which is approximately 5 miles SE of Makapeka.

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From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 3 Mar.

Major LOWELL, Operations Officer of VMB-423, led nine PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight strike against Target number 10A Rabaul, New Britain. The formation was composed of three, three plane sections in column javelin down. The strike was airborne by 0834 and joined up as described above. Proceeding to Cape Sena on the east coast of New Ireland the formation turned to 263º magnetic on which the bombsights were checked and bombardiers figured drift. The flight then turned south passing just east of Watom Island and when off shore from Kabagada Point a turn was made to 083º magnetic for the bomb run.

For the bombing run the formation changed to sections in right echelon. Bombs were dropped at 0931 from 11,000 feet and at 160 knots indicated air speed.

The formation broke away to the left and proceeded back to base with all planes safely on the desk at 1045.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Eight bombs hit the target while one which failed to release was salvoed and landed 800 yards east of the target. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown in the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-17 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

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Day Ending 0800 5 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(34 sorties-14 tons)

Tank Chase Continues: Four Piva Corsairs returned to the Ruri Bay area in northern Bougainville at 0745 yesterday to bomb the two tanks damaged on Saturday. They were gone. Four half-tonners were dropped on likely hiding spots in the vicinity and further cleared the area they formerly occupied. No tanks were uncovered, but a three-ton truck was sighted on the road 600 yards south of the initial area, and a large pile of what appeared to be cased stores were seen in the jungle on the seaward side of the road 400-500 yards north of the destroyed tank. The burnt-out tank in the clearing was still there, but needed no further attention. There were no fresh tracks to the north of the original position of the other two tanks, so it was assumed they were moved south into cover, Clearly-visible marks of a tracked vehicle led south along the coast road then west along the road about halfway to Porporo where further observation was impossible because of overhanging jungle. The planes were forced to stop the search at this time because of bad weather. Late in the afternoon tac/r planes located a possible tank hide-out by huts near the road midway between Porton and Chindawan (at the road junction below Tabut). Eight fighters were directed to the spot by tracer fire and eight half-ton stick bombs were dropped on or near the location. It was then thoroughly strafed. No results were seen.
Another tac/r message reported a camouflaged tank sighted in the jungle 30 yards south of the burnt-out tank. At 1920 strafing by the tac/r spotted the mark, and three fighters dropped a half-ton daisy cutter apiece in the darkness. It was thought that all three bombs landed on the target. Two Boomerangs later strafed for unobserved results.
Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from this last target position and meagre inaccurate 20 mm fire with red tracer was encountered in the Tarlena area (west of Porton).

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-18 Ruri Bay 0745 dr 4x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ-18 Porton-Chindawan 1650 dr 8x1000 G.P.
3 F4Us NZ-18 Ruri Bay 1920 dr 3x1000 G.P.

#2 of Seven-Day Attack on Mamagata: Enemy concentrations in the hutted area near Monoitu will get a continuing hail of bombs all this week. Nine tons were dropped Saturday. Another seven hit yesterday. Tac/r smoked two areas east of and right next to the Ununai road junction. Eight Corsairs dropped 4 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters in the areas shown. The Jungle area that was thus cleared showed one hut destroyed and several slit trenches. A large tree was toppled across the road 20 yards east of the road Junction.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-20 Mamagata 1250 dr 4x1000 G.P. 12x500 G.P.

Weather Cancels Makapeka Strike: Eight fighters had been assigned to support ground operations in the Makapeka area, but storms forced the recall of the flight after three planes were airborne. These three Corsairs Jettisoned their half-tonners safe in Empress Augusta Bay.

For the Record:

3 F4Us NZ-18 Makapeka 0845 dr 3x1000 G.P.

Patrol Activity Uneventful: Two Corsairs flew the dusk patrol Saturday, two more did the dawn sweep yesterday, two flew Able-Charlie searches at 0710, and two planes completed the dusk patrol. No sightings were reported.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol March 3 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol March 4 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Search 0710 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dusk Patrol March 4 No bombs.

ALL GREEN FLIGHTS OVER NEW BRITAIN WERE CANCELLED BECAUSE OF ADVERSE WEATHER.

NEW IRELAND
(8 sorties-1/2 ton)

Corsairs Hit Bridge: Two fighters on patrol over Kavieng late Saturday afternoon dived two quarter tonners on the detour bridge at Lumis for possible damage. No Corsairs flew patrols yesterday due to bad weather.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol March 3 1545-1757 dr 2x500 G.P.

Venturas Report Nil Sightings on dusk sweep Saturday, dawn patrol and ship-truck recco yesterday.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep March 3 1630-1911 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep March 4 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco March 4 No bombs.

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From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 5 Mar.

Captain IVERSON led nine PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight attack on Ruri Tank Park, Bougainville. The formation was composed of nine PBJs in three, three plane sections.

The strike was airborne by 0834 and after joining up as described above proceeded to the north end of Buka Island on a course of 130º magnetic. Then on a course of 181º magnetic to Tortai Point where the formation turned into the bombing run.

The bombing run was made on a heading of 130º magnetic at 155 knots and bombs were released at 0925 from 9,500 feet.

After bombs were released the formation broke away to the left and proceeded back to base. All planes were safely on the deck at Green by 1004.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Eight of the nine bombs were in the target area, the remaining bomb hung and was salvoed east of the target. The pattern of bomb hits with relation to the target are shown in the attached photographs.

2 F4U from NZ-16 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

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Day Ending 0800 6 March 1945.

NEW BRITAIN
(38 sorties-26 tons)

Emirau Mitchells Blast Tobera: 21 Marine PBJs with 12 full tonners, 16 half-ton GPs and 9 half-ton SAPs joined 6 Venturas carrying 12 quarter tonners in a strike on supplies and personnel in buildings 1 1/2 miles north of the Tobera runway yesterday morning. All quarter tonners hit the target but two hang-ups which were returned to base. Ten full tonners fell in the assigned area, 1 was jettisoned and 1 hang-up returned. Some of the half-tonners were good hits, but their location was mainly unobserved. One explosion was caused on the target with a 200-foot flame and light smoke.

For the Record:

21 PBJs VMB-Emirau Tobera 450D 1115 dr 11x2000 G.P.
                                                              16x1000 G.P.
                                                               9x1000 S.A.P.
6 PVs NZ-8 Tobera 450D 1115 dr 10x500 G.P.

Rabaul Patrols Blaze Barges: Five pairs of Corsairs patrolled the Rabaul area yesterday. Two fighters strafed four barges with Jap working on them near Vunapope. Three barges were left in flames and the fourth was smoked. A launch nearby was also damaged. Both planes were holed by meagre accurate light A/A from Vunapope. The morning ship-count was negative.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols March 5 0725-1610 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count March 5 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(4 sorties-no bombs)

Most Patrols Weathered Out: Venturas flew dawn and ship-truck recco yesterday. Also, two Corsairs were over Kavieng part of the morning. Bad weather forced other patrol activities and the afternoon strike to be cancelled.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Patrol March 5 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco No bombs.
2 F4U NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol 0905-1140 No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(55 sorties-34 3/4 tons)

Tank Areas at Ruri Bay Again Hit: Two fighters on Able-Charlie search at sun-up yesterday confirmed that the area on the coastal road northwest of Ruri Bay where the three tanks were originally sighted had been further denuded by after-dark bombings Sunday evening. Many tracked-vehicle marks could be seen in the vicinity of the original position. Recco failed to find the tank thought to be hit Sunday night. At 0905 two Piva Corsairs with smoke bombs led 9 Green Mitchells to this area where 2000-pounders were placed on the target. Four hit west of the road, just south of the tank's original position. Two bombs hit the seaward side of the road. One landed on the beach and one splashed in the sea. No tank was seen. These 2000-pounders were observed to make large craters but were generally less effective than the half-ton daisy cutters in clearing the jungle. A later tac/r report said that the tank was still present, and that fresh tread marks were now in the clearing north of the one burnt-out tank. Previous tracks led south. 
At 1250, tac/r tracered nine fighters to the tank position. They carried 8 half-ton stick bombs and a 65-gallon belly-tank incendiary. Two of the half-tonners hit almost against the corners of the tank, blowing off the tarpaulin and camouflage hiding the tank. It was seen to have its turret and two stern hatches open. Two bombs overshot 25 and 100 yards respectively. The belly tank incendiary overshot 30 yards and was ignited by strafing. It flamed 100 feet high. The tank was left in a believed unserviceable condition. The tac/r diverted the four remaining planes to the hutted area struck Sunday between Porton and Chindawan. All bombs hit the area. One native-type hut was destroyed. Two iron-roofed huts at the base of a cliff near the beach between Ruri Bay and Tsundawan were strafed for unobserved results.
At 1405 nine more Green Mitchells put 7 out of 9 full tonners on the Ruri Bay target. No results were seen. Short bursts of A/A came from 1 1/2 miles southwest of Ruri Bay.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Search 0620 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-18 Ruri Bay 0905 dr 2x100 Smoke
9 PBJs VMB-423 Ruri Bay 0905 dr 9x2000 G.P.
5 F4Us NZ-18 Ruri Bay 1250 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                1x500 Incend.
4 F4Us NZ-18 Porton-Chindawan 1300 dr 4x1000 G.P.
9 PBJs VMB-423 Ruri Bay 1405 dr 9x2000 G.P.

Makapeka Strike Called "Perfect" and "Delightful": Eight fighters Supported the 7th Australian Brigade yesterday morning by bombing and strafing enemy defences on the south bank of the Sirakara River as indicated by mortar smoke. Four half-ton daisy cutters plus a dozen quarter-ton stick bombs all patterned in a 150 yard semicircle around the mark. The ground forces termed it "a perfect job of bombing". Four planes each made five strafing runs for "delightful" results, according to the ecstatic foot troops.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-20 Makapeka 0930 dr 4x1000 G.P. (1 dud) 12x500 G.P. (5 duds)

Explosion Caused by Third Mamagata Attack: Eight Piva Corsairs, led by tac/r, hit the huts and bivouac area at Mamagata as scheduled with four half-ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters. Two half-tonners and five quarter-tonners all fell in the first area indicated south of the road. One overshot, and two were duds. An explosion was caused, spreading flame above the trees. Black smoke was still rising after the planes left the area. The remaining bombs all fell on a second indicated area, also south of the road. Milled timber was thrown high and the target was partially cleared.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-20 Mamagata 1255 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                 12x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Huts at Aitara Damaged: Four fighters attacked a concentration of shelters one mile northeast of Aitara. These huts are used by Aitara Point Jap observers of our Toko truck traffic. Tac/r smoked the target and two half-ton plus six quarter-ton daisy cutters were dropped. Seven of the eight fell true, one undershot 50 yards. Later observation found a well-worn 14-foot track, and two huts damaged by the bombing. Both black smoke and white smoke rose from the area after the planes left the target.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-20 Aitara 0810 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                            6x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Patrols Note Likely Future Targets: The dawn patrol yesterday had nil sighting. Planes on Able-Charlie searches saw much. At Teop Island, damaged huts and footbridge were seen. A low-roofed revetted hut in the center of Toimonapu Plantation. (SE coast) and two 20' x 30' serviceable native-type huts at Aliang (south Shortland) were strafed for unseen damage. Two empty light machine gun revetted positions were seen 100 yards in from the tip of Moila Point. Two serviceable huts on the southeast tip of Poropan Island (west Buka) were strafed, as were two fires at Anewa Bay and a hut west of Toma on Fauro Island. Damage was not assessed. A good footbridge and well-traveled track was noted at Toma. Extensive new gardens were seen just west of Tunuru Mission and Arawa Bay (central east coast).

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dawn patrol March 5 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie search 1110 No bombs.

GROUND SITUATION

Bougainville: Troops of the 2/8th Aust. Cavalry Commando Sqdn. launched a successful attack on an enemy position E. of Makapeka following a co-ordinated strike by 8 RNZAF Corsairs yesterday morning. Several lean-tos were destroyed and 4 Nips killed. Elsewhere in this sector patrolling continues and two infantry companies are now at the Makapeka Ford.

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From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 6 Mar.

Major LOWELL led nine PBJs in a medium altitude daylight attack on Maiki target number fifty-seven, Bougainville. The formation was composed of nine PBJs in three, three plane sections.

The strike was airborne by 0904 and after joining up as described above proceeded to Oema Island on a heading of 135º magnetic where rendezvous was made with Corsairs from Piva at 1010 at 10,000 feet. From Oema Island the formation flew to Kleine Island on a course of 243º magnetic and turned into the bomb run.

The bombing run of the formation was made on a heading of 256º magnetic. The first section bombing from 9,500 feet, the second section from 9,300 feet and the third section from 9,100 feet. The air speed for all the sections was 155 knots indicated.

The Piva Corsairs after the rendezvous preceded the formation to the target and marked it with smoke bombs.

After passing the bomb release line the planes broke to the left and proceeded back to Kieta. From Kieta the third section proceeded back to Green, the first and second sections turning inland at this point and proceeded to Ruri Bay where they strafed the Tank Park in that area. All planes were safely on the deck at Green by 1211.

No anti-aircraft fire encountered.

All bombs hit the target for unobserved results. Photographs were not clear due to cloud cover.

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

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Day Ending 0800 7 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(58 sorties - 26 3/4 tons)

Store Huts at Maiki Hit by Green: Two Piva fighters with four 100-pound smoke bombs guided 9 Marine Mitchells from Green to a group of large storage huts at Maiki on the coast east of Kahili. Eight 2000-pounders were dropped on the target and the ninth was jettisoned. Several huts were destroyed and others were damaged. One bomb started a small fire with black smoke rising. There was no A/A.
A number of new roads and large hutted areas appeared further inland in the vicinity of Maika and Muguai, also much activity. Piles of milled timber and hut frames were noted. East of Maiki in Moisuru Bay a serviceable barge and 15 small boats were observed, and on shore a number of large huts. At a nearby creek a possible barge and boat hide-out was spotted.
On returning to Green, the nine Mitchells gave the Ruri Bay tank area a good gunning, and were rewarded by an explosion and smoke to 100 feet in the vicinity of the tank activity.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Maiki 1030 dr 4x100 Smoke
9 PBJs VMB 423 Maiki 1035 dr 9x2000 G.P.

Corsairs Cause Blast at Ruri Bay: At 1350 two quartets of fighters hit a reported supply area and possible tank depot at Ruri Bay. Six 1000-pound and 500-pound daisy cutters all fell in the target area along the seaward side of the road, causing one large explosion with flames licking higher then the tree-tops and smoke billowing 200 feet. Two planes also made 3 strafing runs each.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 18) dr (6x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 20) Ruri Bay 1350 (6x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Early Strike on Aitara: Twelve Piva Corsairs hit a dispersal area at Aitara on the southwest coast with 8 325-pound plus 8 650-pound depth charges. All hit the area. Four planes then made three gun runs each. The one hut in the area was destroyed. Nothing else was seen.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 20) dr (8x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 18) Aitara 0745 (8x650 D.C.

Kindo Bivouac Area struck: 16 fighters hit a hutted area at Kindo (inland from Aitara) with 14 half-tonners and 6 quarter-tonners. Tac/r first smoked two targets. Ten bombs fell in the first area. One was a dud and one was jettisoned at sea. Six hit the second area, plus two falling within 30 yards of the smoke. There was no strafing. Results for the strike were unobserved, though recco reported accurate bombing.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 18) 1145 dr (14x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 20) Kindo ( 6x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Night Bombing by Flares: Monday night three fighters on Able-Charlie search hit the southwest tip of Falsi Island (east of Shortland) with two flares, then dropped 4 325-pound depth charges which threw up debris and smoke to 200 feet. No barges were seen.

For the Record:

3 F4Us NZ 20 Faisi Island March 5 1930 dr 4x325 D.C.
                                                         2 parachute flares.

Patrols Strafe Water Craft: The dusk patrol Monday and the dawn run yesterday had nil sightings. Four fighters flew two Able-Charlie searches yesterday morning. They strafed a canoe containing 10 Japs about 2000 yards from the southwest end of Buka passage. The canoe sunk and the ten Japs all disappeared from view after the attack. One hut on the beach near the northern jetty in Kieta Harbor was strafed. Three huts at Rorovana Bay were also strafed, but results were not seen. A camouflaged schooner under trees ten feet from the water line on the north tip of a small island due east of Nufanaha Island (south of Fauro) was hit and left smoking. Four small chutes or barge runways were noted on the shore of Shortland Island opposite Piaggi Island.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 Dusk Patrol March 5 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dawn Patrol March 6 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Searches 0710,1025 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(13 sorties - no bombs)

Patrols Have Negative Sighting: Rabaul was policed by two Corsairs Monday from 1600 to 1800 with nil excitement. The ship count yesterday was negative. Ten Corsairs patrolled Rabaul during the day for no sightings. Weather closed down all proposed sorties after 1430.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrol March 5 1600-1800 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 6 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ 15,17 Rabaul Patrols March 6 0700-1430 No bombs.

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Day Ending 0800 8 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(38 sorties - 16 1/4 tons)

Air Strike Supports Guerrillas: Twelve Piva Corsairs led by tac/r bombed a Jap bivouac at Togiogu well behind the enemy lines in the interior of southwest Bougainville (see map). This attack was at AIB request. The plan was that armed natives would move in and dispose of the remaining Japs after the air blow. All but two of the 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters fell in the smoked areas. One bomb caused a large flash of flame and black smoke towering 800 feet high. Another hit threw up a shower of heavy planks. No report on the later ground attack has been received as yet.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Togiogu 0805 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                               18x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Patrols Strafe and Observe: The dusk patrol Tuesday and the early sweep yesterday had nil sightings. Four Corsairs did two Able-Charlie searches yesterday morning. They strafed a serviceable tin-roofed shed 20' x 10' at Baniu Bay, starting much smoke. They also gunned four caves at Baniu, a low log hut on the Shortland coast, and a hut and camp-fires up the northeast coast of Bougainville at Avis for unseen damage. A white triangle, 10 feet across, was seen in the scrub on a small coastal hill one mile southeast of Kieta strip. A well-worn track led down across a stream to two 30' x 10' tin-roofed lean-tos. The buildings and the Pythagorean symbol were strafed, causing light smoke to rise from the shanties. The tank in the jungle at Ruri Bay was seen to be fully exposed, perhaps signifying complete abandonment by the Japs.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol March 6 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol March 7 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0620, 0935 No bombs.

Oil Incendiaries Blaze Huts: A group of huts at Maiki were hit yesterday by a small force carrying a potent weapon. Two fighters dropped four 500-pound oil incendiaries. The fourteen huts were fired and were still burning 30 minutes later. One group of burning huts sent black smoke 400 feet high. The other fires billowed white smoke to the same height. Pilots considered this means of attack much more effective than high explosives for this type of target.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Maiki 1425 dr 4x500 Oil Incend.

Camouflaged Huts at Mamagata Feel Direct Hits: An enemy supply and bivouac area in this locality is lodged in a large number of well-concealed 10' by 25' huts. This concentration was successfully struck yesterday by 16 fighters led in by tac/r. Their bomb load was 8 half-ton and 6 quarter-ton daisy cutters plus four 650-pound and six 325-pound depth charges.
Squadron 20 dropped eight bombs in one area and four on each of two additional places for 11 hits.
Squadron 18 hit two different places with four bombs on each. Three direct hits destroyed the first target. One direct hit was scored on the second target, with the other three bombs all within 20 yards of the smoke marker.
Three of the total load of 24 bombs and depth charges were duds. Definite results of huts destroyed or damaged could not be determined by pilot observation, but a fire was still burning there 2 1/2 hours later.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 20) dr (6x325 D.C.
8 F4Us NZ 18) Mamagata 1145 (6x500 G.P.
                                              (4x650 D.C.
                                             (8x1000 G.P. (3 duds)

NEW IRELAND
(6 sorties - no bombs)

Patrols Uneventful: All Emirau PBJs strikes were cancelled because of foul weather. Only two pairs of corsairs guarded Kavieng, plus the usual dawn, ship-truck runs by Venturas. No report of Tuesday sorties has been received.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols 1130-1540 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Patrol March 7 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco March 7 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(18 sorties - 9 tons)

Patrols Kill One Jap: The morning ship count was negative. Eight Corsairs covered Rabaul by pairs during the day. Only reported activity was the reunion of one Jap with his ancestors.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 7 No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ 15, 17. Rabaul Patrols 0910-1600 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 7 Mar.

Major TAYLOR, Executive Officer of VMB-423, led nine PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Target No. 3A Rabaul, New Britain. The formation was composed of three, three plane sections.

The strike was airborne by 0834 and after joining up as described above departed for the east coast of New Ireland on a heading of 263º magnetic on which leg bomberdiers checked bombsights and figured drift. Turning south between Tawui Point and Duke of York for fifteen miles where a turn was made to 246º magnetic for the bomb run. Bombs were released from 11,200 feet at 0932 on a heading of 246º magnetic and a speed of 156 knots.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Sixty percent of the bombs were in the target area. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-17 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 9 Mar.

Lieutenant Colonel ANDERSON, Commanding Officer of VMB-423, led five PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight attack on Sulphur Creek Target No. 1, New Britain. The formation was composed of one three plane section and one two plane section in columns stepped down. The flight was airborne by 0832 and after joining-up as described above proceeded to East Cape, New Ireland. From East Cape a turn was made to 266° magnetic and planes were put on automatic pilot while bombardiers stabalized bombsights and figured drift. When northwest of Watom Inland the formation turned southerly to Kabagada Point. The bombing run was made on a heading of 100° magnetic from Kabagada Point.

The first section dropped its bombs at 0929 from 10,800 feet on a course of 100° magnetic at 155 knots indicated while the second section bombed from 10,500 feet with the same speed and course. After passing the bomb release line the planes broke to the left and returned to Green Island. All planes were safely on deck by 1020.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Three bombs fell in the north edge of the target while two landed in Simpson Harbor. Results were unobserved. No photographs were taken.

2 F4U from NZ-17 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 9 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(36 sorties -14 1/4 tons)

Group of Huts at Kindo Inflamed: A community of ten to fourteen well-built, closely-grouped huts northwest of Taitai was the target for eight fighters at 1125 yesterday. Four half-ton daisy cutters and four 650-pound depth charges were dropped. The second bomb produced a tongue of flame 70 feet high, followed by a stygian pall of black smoke. After the first four aircraft had bombed the target, their leader saw some huts still intact in the area. It was thought that the depth charges were more effective than the daisy cutters.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-18 Kindo 1125 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                            4x650 D.C.

Eight More Corsairs Hit Same Target: Another eight fighters followed in with four more half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs. Seven bombs fell in the target area, three hit the southeast edge, and the remaining six fell 20 yards nearer the garden. Two 20' x 15' huts were destroyed by these last six bombs, and the first ten finished off one more hut and damaged five.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-20 Kindo 1130 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                          12x500 G.P.

Good Coverage on Jap Center in Mobiai Area: 12 Piva Corsairs hit a troop concentration north of the Mobiai River yesterday morning. Through a mix-up of arrangements with the native scouts, no laplaps or markers were seen, but a terrain feature of six cocoanut trees was correctly spotted. Twelve half ton daisy cutters were dropped. Seven fell from 20 to 150 yards north of the trees. Four fell from 10 to 50 yards south of them. One was jettisoned safe in the sea. No results were observed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-18 Mobiai River 0750 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Patrols Stir Up the Nips at Sorum: The dusk patrol Wednesday and the dawn sweep yesterday were negative. Four fighters flew two Able-Charlie searches. They saw a truck covered with foliage near Hanahan Mission (east coast of Buka). Strafing showed it to be a derelict. It may have been a decoy, though no A/A or small arms fire was encountered. At Sorum (northeast coast of Bougainville) seven Nips raced into a hut on the face of the cliff, probably through to a cave behind. Strafing accomplished no visible results. At Kaukauai on the southwest coast half a dozen tracks were seen in the sand. At Kieta, several Quonset-sized huts were noted in a plantation.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk patrol March 7 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn patrol March 8 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(13 sorties-no bombs )

Patrols Blaze Huts, Vehicles and Boats: Two Corsairs over Rabaul Wednesday afternoon noted a great deal of truck activity around Rabaul and Vulcan Crater. An approaching storm forced their early return.
The morning ship count was negative.
Five pairs of fighters guarded the Rabaul area yesterday morning and afternoon. They strafed and killed one Jap at Foul Bay (Duke of York). Huts at the eastern tip of Credner Island were left in flames with black oil smoke rising to 100 feet. A wooden raft was damaged at Raluana Point. One truck was left flaming at Kurakakaul (west of Rabaul). A motorcycle and sidecar were blazed near Talili Bay. A 30-foot boat was left smoking between Rapopo and Credner Island. Six canoes on the beach at Waitavolo (west of Rabaul) were damaged. Two Japs were killed nearby and two empty trucks were left smoking. Quite a haul!

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrol March 7 1600-1737 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count March 8 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-17 Rabaul Patrols March 8 0710-1600 No bombs.

[chinapilot]

....white triangle, 10 feet across, was seen in the scrub on a small coastal hill one mile southeast of Kieta strip. A well-worn track led down across a stream to two 30' x 10' tin-roofed lean-tos. The buildings and the Pythagorean symbol were strafed, causing light smoke to rise from the shanties...

Know that “small coastal hill”...unfortunately they didn’t get all the “shanties” as I was living there for a while in the’70s 😀

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 10 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA (44 sorties - 20 1/4 tons)

Two Late Thursday Strikes Now Reported: Four Piva Corsairs led by tac/r hit a suspected gun position at Runai (south of the Hongorai River) getting all six quarter-ton daisy cutters and both 325-pound depth charges on the target. The bomb smoke prevented immediate assessment of damage done. Two fighters placed four quarter-ton oil incendiaries on a group of huts at Muguai (east of Kara strip), but recent rains left the ground and huts too wet to make a grade A fire. Four huts were partly burnt.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 20 Runai March 8 1720 dr 6x500 G.P.
                                                      2x325 D.C.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai March 8 1700 dr 4x500 Oil Incend.

Another Attack Yesterday on Muguai: Two fighters hit the same group of huts partly burned Thursday with four more 500-pound oil incendiaries. This time four long barracks-type huts were destroyed and several damaged. One bomb was a dud. A truck loaded with petrol was strafed, fired and destroyed. Meagre inaccurate A/A of undetermined calibre came from south of Ebery's Lease (about 4 miles southeast of Muguai).

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai March 9 dr 4x500 Oil Incend. (1 dud)

Jap HQ and Bivouac Hit: Tipped off by captured papers, twelve Piva Corsairs yesterday morning dropped 6 half-ton and 18 quarterton daisy cutters on a probable troop concentration at Hatai (west of Kindo and several miles east of the upper Puriata River). All bombs fell in the target area, one causing considerable black smoke. Later recco showed signs of well-used tracks in the area, but only bare stumps remaining.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Hatai 0750 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                           18x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Kindo and Mamagata Bombed: 16 fighters were taken by tac/r to hit huts and a bivouac area near Kindo. The bomb load was 10 half-ton and 6 quarter-ton stick bombs, plus 2 half-ton and 6 quarter-ton instantaneous G.Ps. The tac/r searched for an hour but couldn't locate the target, finally laying smoke in the jungle east of a garden. Twelve bombs were dropped there. Tac/r then decided that was the wrong target and flew the rest of the planes south to Mamagata on the coast where the troop concentration there got the residual of twelve bombs. Only observation of note: Three sets of foot tracks in the sand leading into the jungle a quarter mile north of Mamagata.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 18) dr (12x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 20) Kindo-Mamagata 1125 (12x500 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Huts: The dusk patrol Thursday and the dawn patrol yesterday had nil sightings. Four fighters flew two Able-Charlie searches yesterday morning. They strafed a heavy-duty truck hidden under trees 500 yards east of the Mibo River Ford, also a hut 10 yards north. They smoked a tin-roofed lean-to under trees 300 yards in from the beach at Teihup (central east coast), strafed the Tula hut area and a hut on stilts southeast of Mt. Senft, smoked a heavily-camouflaged hut on the point at Koromira Mission (SE coast), gunned huts on the south end of Teop and four well-built native-type huts under the cliff at Cape Lemankoa (NW Buka), and saw a new-turned garden west of Numa Numa Plantation, and a possible small gun position on a mound and covered with dry matting at Cape Lalahan (south Buka). A camouflaged building was noted 50 yards south of the gun site.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol March 8 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol March 9 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(27 sorties - 16 tons)

Zero Shot Down Cape Orford: A motor launch was dive-bombed and strafed by a Zero 10 miles southeast of Cape Orford (below Wide Bay) yesterday afternoon. The Zero was shot down on its strafing run, and sank in deep water, leaving no survivor. Four Royal Australian Navy ratings were wounded. The launch was undamaged.

Vunakanau Airfield is Serviceable: The photo intelligence assessment of shots taken March 3rd at 0940 shows the Vunakanau strip serviceable and well-surfaced. The Tobera strip is rated as unserviceable.

Patrols Have Negative Results: Two Corsairs covered Rabaul fields late Thursday afternoon for nil sightings. The PV on ship count yesterday morning turned back early with engine trouble. Adverse weather necessitated a late start for yesterday's Corsair patrols, but 8 fighters covered the Rabaul area starting at 0845, for negative results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrol March 8 1600-2100 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 9 No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ 15,17 Rabaul Patrols March 9 0845-1600 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(32 sorties - 29 3/4 tons)

Mitchells and Venturas Hit Kavieng: 19 Marine Mitchells and six Venturas from Emirau put a variety of bombs on Kavieng strip and heavy anti-aircraft positions north of the runway. The PBJs carried 16 full-tonners, 2 half-tonners, 4 quarter-tonners and 2 700-pound depth charges. The Venturas took 36 quarter-tonners. All but one of the PVs load and at least 5 full-tonners were near hits. The other bombs fell unobserved. Results have not been assessed. One full-tonner hung up and was returned. Meagre accurate heavy A/A from a known position 800 yards north of the west end of the strip holed one Ventura and injured the pilot. Meagre inaccurate medium flak also came from Kavieng Town.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 8 Kavieng March 9 dr 36x500 G.P.
19 PBJs VMB-Emirau dr 15x2000 G.P.
2x1000 G.P. 4x500 G.P. 2x700 D.C.

Venturas Have Nil Sightings: The dusk sweep Thursday and the dawn run yesterday were uneventful. The ship-truck recco later in the morning also reported nil sightings. No bombs were dropping. No strafing was done.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep March 8 1710-1822 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep March 9 0837-1039 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco March 9 1000-1545 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 11 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(38 sorties - 15 tons)

Monoitu Hecklers Drop Six Tons: Recent air strikes at Monoitu and Taitai have forced the Japs to scatter to various outlying camp sites. One was hit yesterday by 12 Piva Corsairs carrying 12 half-ton daisy cutters. Ten landed in the target area, one in a garden northeast of the bivouac, and one 20 yards to the southwest. Two huts 500 yards south of the target were strafed and smoked. Enroute to the target, a small unoccupied rowing boat with a box floating nearby were noted in Empress Augusta Bay about five miles from Jaba.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 18 Monoitu 0755 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Blast Caused at Mibo River Ford: 16 fighters unable to locate markers at Oamai because of low cloud cover, hit just west of the Mibo area previously attacked. Twelve half-ton and twelve quarter-ton stick bombs were dropped on the bivouac area. Two undershot 50 yards to the southeast. Twenty-two hit the mark, causing one flash of flame and a mushroom of black smoke.

For the Record:

16 F4Us NZ 18, 20 Mibo River Ford 1155 dr 12x1000 G.P.
                                                                 12x500 G.P. (1 dud)

Other Corsairs Strafe Trucks and Huts: Two fighters, originally scheduled to lead Mitchells from Green over the Muguai area, strafed two trucks (burning one) in a motor transport park at Muguai and got some hits on several hundred drums in this 100-yard-square clearing. The dusk patrol Corsairs for Friday and the dawn pair yesterday had nil sightings. Two fighters flew an Able-Charlie search at 0830, strafing one hut about two miles south of Toborei Plantation, and a hut on the ridge near Iwi Plantation (also on the southeast coast). Damage was done to both huts.
A second pair of Corsairs making the rounds at noon were forced to land at Treasury because of bad weather.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 Dusk Patrol March 9 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dawn Patrol March 10 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Search 0830 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai 0925 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Able Charlie Search 1220 No bombs.

Periscope Reported: An unidentified U.S. ship reported sighting a periscope at 009°00'S - 156°07'E at 1030 yesterday.

NEW BRITAIN
(9 sorties - no bombs)

Patrols Restricted by Weather: The Rabaul area was covered late Friday afternoon by two Corsairs for negative results. The Saturday morning ship count was negative. This PV and four patrolling fighters were weathered out of Green and landed at Piva. The next two fighters were unable to reach the Gazelle Peninsula because of storms, and returned to base ninety minutes after takeoff. The Bougainville strike and all further patrols were cancelled.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrol March 9 1600-1800 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 10 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrols March 10 0745-0910 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrols March 10 0900-1030 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(5 sorties - no bombs)

Sweeps and Patrols Uneventful: Two Corsairs guarded Kavieng late Friday afternoon for nil sightings. The PV on dusk sweep dropped no bombs but ran full track and reported 80 percent cover.
Yesterday's dawn sweep found Savannah 5 condition at New Hanover and returned to base. The ship-truck recco Ventura ran into bad weather only at the south end of its route. No Corsairs were over Kavieng until 1445. The two on duty at that time were still out at last report.
All Mitchells strikes were cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrol March 9 1510-1840 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep March 9 1652-1918 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep March 10 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco March 10 1155-1431 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 12 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(18 sorties-8 1/2 tons)

Important Results of Air Strikes Now Known: Ground intelligence has now assessed damage previously reported "unobserved".

28 February. All Japs at Runai completely wiped out by attack by Green Venturas.
3 March. 30 trucks destroyed at Unanai by Piva Corsairs.
6 March. Two tanks confirmed destroyed at Ruri Bay. Also,
a full truck-load of Japs were killed.
7 March. Two large guns were destroyed and 15 Nips killed at Mamagata.
8 March. One ammunition dump destroyed at Runai. Seven huts destroyed at the same place. A large number of Japs newly arrived in the Runai area were killed.
8 March. Ten huts were destroyed, and a large number of Japs were killed in the strike on Mibo River Ford.
These results were not shown on the daily box score but will be included in the monthly summary of results.

Huts at Kindo Take 7 1/2 Tons: Twelve Piva Corsairs bombed a Jap bivouac area of approximately 15 huts at Kindo yesterday morning. Led by tac/r smoke bombs, six half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters were dropped. Eighteen of the twenty-four fell in the target area. One was a dud. Five undershot 15-50 yards. One hung. The bomb smoke prevented immediate assessment of damage.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-20 Kindo 0805 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                            18x500 G.P. (one dud)

Other Strikes on Bougainville were cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.

Patrols Destroy Hut and Damage Bridge: The dusk patrol Saturday was cancelled, but two Corsairs flew the dawn sweep yesterday for negative sightings. At 0850 two fighters flew an Able-Charlie search. They dropped two half-ton stick bombs and strafed a pair of 15' x 20' huts and a heavy log bridge 800 yards from the mouth of the Tagos River (near Numa Numa). One direct hit destroyed a hut and damaged the bridge. A Jap was strafed at Rankama Point, another at Cape Nehus, and a third at the mouth of the Woruna River (all on the east coast). A fourth Nip was seen on the north side of this same river (near Teihup) by a small lean-to which may serve as an observation post for river traffic.
A total of six Japs in gardens were seen between Tabago, Urata and Kukugai (NW of Mt. Boeder in the southern interior).
Another pair of Corsairs flew an A-C search at 1230, strafing two huts under trees at Kanaura (west of Kara), returning soon thereafter because of bad weather.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dawn Patrol March 11 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Search 0850 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Search 1230 No bombs.

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

Patrols Save Strafing for Clearer Weather: Two Corsairs flew a quiet run late Saturday afternoon over Kavieng. The Ventura dusk sweep was also negative. Yesterday the dawn PV saw nothing and the ship-truck recco was cancelled because of bad weather. Two pairs of fighters covered Kavieng during the morning, dropped no bombs and did not strafe, but received a single burst of inaccurate heavy A/A from the Kavieng area. They were weathered out at 1130.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol March 10 1545-1800 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep March 10 1630-1905 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep March 11 0626-0909 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol March 11 0900-1130 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(1 sortie-no bombs)

Adverse Weather cancelled all flying but a negative ship count yesterday morning.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count March 11 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 13 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(37 sorties-16 tons)

New Mamagata Supply Area Bombed: Twelve Piva Corsairs led by tac/r bombed a possible supply dump and personnel concentration at a group of huts along the Mamagata track in southwest Bougainville yesterday. Ten of the 12 half-ton daisy cutters hit the target area, and two fell in the north end of a garden 50 yards to the southeast. Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-18 Mamagata 0800 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Corsairs Plaster Japs Manning 20 Machine Guns: Sixteen fighters were led by tac/r to a target at Koombaroona deep in the southern interior where native scouts had set up white flag markers. AIB knew that a large force of Japs and 20 machine guns were located on the ridge so indicated. Twelve 1000-pound and twelve 500-pound stick bombs were dropped, and despite 5/10s cloud cover, all the daisy cutters hit the target area. One produced a large ball of flame and black smoke. This may have been an ammunition dump. One medium-sized hut was destroyed, but other results were hidden by clouds.

For the Record:

16 F4Us NZ-18,20 Koombaroona 1140 dr 12x1000 G.P.
                                                              12x500 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Shelters: The pair of Corsairs on dusk patrol Sunday and the two fighters on duty early yesterday morning had nil sightings. Two pairs of Corsairs flew Able-Charlie searches yesterday. They strafed and smoked a small lean-to under small bushes in a garden two miles south of Numa Numa, They also strafed a hut in the jungle nearby, plus another four huts and two lean-tos and an L-shaped jetty on the west coast of Fauro Island, opposite Bauvo. One mile north of the jetty they saw old planks covering what may have been a boat.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol March 11 No bombs,
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol March 12 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches 0605-1??0 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(7 sorties-no bombs)

Rabaul Patrols Kill Nine Japs and a Horse: The ship count yesterday was negative, but the patrol strafing was highly efficacious. One truck was smoked and one Jap killed at Nonga Plantation, three Japs were killed at Manbagau, one horse was killed at Valavolo, five Japs were killed at Wurawunkur, and one truck was flamed at Kabaira Plantation. Lowering clouds cancelled patrol activity at 1205, but with clearing skies, afternoon patrols over Rabaul were resumed.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count March 12 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols March 12 0715-1205 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(6 sorties-no bombs)

Bombers Return: Some Emirau planes that were forced to land at Green when weathered out of Sunday's strikes on Tobera returned to base yesterday. No bombs had been dropped by these aircraft.
Patrols Hampered by Poor Weather; The dawn sweep Ventura patrol, led only to Kaut Bay yesterday and the ship-truck recco was turned back by Savannah 5 conditions north of Kavieng. Two Corsairs patrolled Kavieng for an hour and a half. The next patrol turned back because of storms. Later patrols and the dusk sweep were cancelled. There was no bombing or strafing, and no sightings.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep March 12 0711-0913 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols 0913-1050 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 14 Mar.

Major LOWELL led six PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight attack on Muguai target number one, Bougainville. The formation was composed of two, three plane sections.
The strike was airborne by 0902 and after joining up as described above proceeded to Puk Puk Island on a heading of 129º magnetic where rendezvous was made with Corsairs from Piva at 1000 hours at 9,500 feet. From Puk Puk Island the formation flew a course of 173º magnetic for 27 miles to a point east of Mt. Gulcher and turned into the bomb run.

The Piva Corsairs after the rendezvous preceded the formation to the target and dropped smoke bombs which were duds. Since the formation expected to use the smoke bombs as an aiming point the lack of smoke on the target made a second bombing run necessary.

Bombing was done at 1006 hours on a heading of 138º magnetic from 9,200 feet at 160 knots indicated.

The formation broke away to the left and proceeded up the east coast of Bougainville. When above Puk Puk Island the second section made a 360 degree right turn to establish a two minute interval behind the first section. The formation then proceeded to Ruri Bay where targets A and B were thoroughly strafed. The strafing attack on the Ruri Bay Tank Park was made on a heading or 310° magnetic at 190 knots in three plane sections line abreast at tree top level.

After the strafing the formation broke right and returned to base all planes being safely on deck at Green Island by 1121.
Meagre inaccurate heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered from known positions east of Kara Air Strip. Meagre inaccurate light anti-aircraft fire was encountered from the east shore of Baniu Bay, Bougainville.

Failure to mark the target with smoke bombs as planned made target identification difficult. All bombs fell southeast of target number 1. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-17 and 2 from NZ-20 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 14 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(34 sorties - 16 1/2 tons)

Six Huts Destroyed at Kindo and Taitai: Cleaning out the huts left after the 11 March strike, twelve Piva Corsairs attacked the Kindo and Taitai bivouacs yesterday morning with 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters. Ten bombs on Kindo destroyed at least two huts, and covered the entire bivouac area. 14 bombs fell on the Taitai target, and four of the six huts there were definitely destroyed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Kindo, Taitai 0735 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                      18x500 G.P.

Mamagata Gets Nine Tons: Sixteen fighters were scheduled to hit a large troop concentration at Mobiai River Forks late yesterday morning. However, the expected white flag markers were nowhere to be seen (barring one small piece of cloth seen from tree-top height), so Mamagata track was chosen as the alternate target for the bomb load of 12 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs. 19 fell on the road, 2 were duds, and 3 hit 10-50 yards southwest of the road. A small foot-bridge, not noticed two days ago, crosses the swamp 200 yards northwest of Mamagata on the coast.

For the Record:

16 F4Us NZ 18, 20 Mamagata 1110 dr 12x1000 G.P.
                                                          12x500 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Huts and Nips: No sightings were reported by the dawn sweep yesterday. Four fighters on A-C searches during the morning gunned a Nip in Arawa Bay, saw 6 more on the beach in front of a cave at Baniu Harbor, strafed two native-type huts north of Mt. Boeder and smoke on its top, and gunned a large hut at the bottom of a cliff near Tosahui, one at Tahitahi and another at Lanahan (all on the east coast of Buka). On the Bonis Peninsula coast road (northernmost Bougainville) a tree blocked the thoroughfare near Wariki. There were no signs of tracks around the tree and the road seemed quite waterlogged.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol March 13 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0750, 1115 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(8 sorties - 3 tons)

All Strikes Were Cancelled because of bad weather.

Venturas and Corsairs Patrol Kavieng and Coasts: The dawn PV flew 70 percent track and 40 percent cover, carried no bombs and did no strafing. The ship-truck recco strafed 2000 rounds on Kaselok, Ulunono, Mongai and Lauan for unseen damage. Three pairs of Corsairs patrolled Kavieng, diving six 1000-pounders on Libba Bridge, Fangelawa gardens and possibly blocking the road at Kapsu Plantation.

For the Record

1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep March 12 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1140-1419 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols 1020-1538 dr 6x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(3 sorties - no bombs)

Storms Force Early Curtailment of patrols: Late Monday afternoon two Corsairs over Rabaul sighted nothing, and had to return early because of approaching storms. The morning ship count yesterday was negative. All strikes and patrols were cancelled because of adverse weather.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrol March 12 1550-1700 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 13 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 15 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(46 sorties-21 1/2 tons)

Heavy Damage to Muguai Supplies and Bivouacs: Recent special reconnaissance of the area north of Kahili Strip in the vicinity of Muguai has found unusually large concentrations of enemy installations at a number of points there. The strikes yesterday were aimed at a suspected supply dump, bivouac area and many huts, including a cookhouse. The plan was to wipe it out in one day. Here is what happened:
Twelve Piva Corsairs of Squadron 18, led by two fighters from 20 hit first at 0745. The lead-off pair smoked the target (using only one bomb), the 12 then dropped a half tonner each, and the advance pair added two 500-pounders they too carried. All were daisy cutters. Ten of the half tonners fell within 30 yards of the smoke, one hit 40 yards south of it, and one hung and was returned to base. Five hut skeletons were visible after the bombing. An estimated 8 to 10 huts (each twice the size of a Quonset hut) were destroyed. Drums and white paper were also scattered about. One suggestion was that the scraps of paper were Jap leave requests. The two quarter-tonners destroyed an additional three huts.
At 1000 two Piva Corsairs led six Marine Mitchells from Green to the same target. Four 100-pound smoke bombs were dropped, but all four failed to explode. The PBJs therefore bombed on their own judgment of target location. Six 2000-pounders were dropped near the target for unobserved results, On the homeward run, they strafed the Ruri Bay tank park for unseen damage. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from Kara Strip and intense accurate light fire was encountered at Baniu Harbor.
At 1125, two fighters led eight Corsairs from Squadron 18 and eight from Squadron 20 to the same Muguai target. Three of the four smoke bombs hit points inside the target area. Then all but one of the 12 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs fell in the areas smoked. The individualist overshot 50 yards. Two bombs sent a flash of flame 100 feet high. This was followed by black smoke which was quickly dissipated.
Results of the three strikes are summarised as follows: Area well cleared. Only 7 damaged huts still standing. About 20 huts destroyed. 30 or more drums scattered and burnt out. Six trucks or vans completely destroyed or partially wrecked. 12 oil fires started, and some still burning half an hour after the last strike. Anything else in the area presumed badly damaged. Additional targets in the area were located and marked on photos.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #1 0745 dr 1x100 Smoke
                                                   2x500 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-18 Muguai #1 dr 11x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #1 1000 dr 4x100 Smoke (all duds)
6 PBJs VMB-423 dr 6x2000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #1 1125 dr 3x100 Smoke (1 dud)
16 F4Us NZ-18,20 dr 12x1000 G.P.
                                 12x500 G.P.

Patrols Damage Boat and Barge: The dawn patrol yesterday had nil sightings. Two pairs of Corsairs flew A-C searches during the morning. They strafed two Nips on the beach at Koromira; strafed a 30-foot green barge (apparently serviceable) near the shore in Kieta Harbor, leaving it holed and waterlogged; strafed and smoked a 12-foot boat on the sand at the mouth of the Bovo River (on Arawa Bay, central east coast); and saw two rows of footprints on the shore about two miles north of Moila Point.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol March 14 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches 0645, 1250 No bombs.

Results of Previous Strikes: In the bombing of Kapana on 10 March, three Japs were killed. One was an officer. The strike on Koombaroona Monday resulted in the death of a large number of the enemy, all 20 machine guns put out of commission, and an ammunition dump destroyed. Five huts 40' long were also destroyed. These results will be included in the end-of-the-month analysis.

NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties-3 tons)

Possible Zeke Bombs Kasalea: A likely Zeke dropped three bombs late yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of Kasalea, three miles northwest of Wide Bay. The plane came from the south east, bombed at 6000 feet, and flew off to the northwest. This plane may have come from Vunakanau Drome which was reported in yesterday's Summary to be serviceable and well surfaced as of 7 March.

Flak Hits Corsair, Starts Fire, Pilot Splashes, Dumbo Rescued:

One of the Corsairs patrolling Rabaul fields yesterday got a hit in the radio compartment from A/A near Mt. Varzin (west of Tobera). Fire broke out, but F/Sgt. Burns successfully ditched his plane eight miles east of Cape Gazelle at 0810 and a Dumbo picked him up at 1000.
Another fighter was holed by meagre light ack-ack from an undetermined position near Talili Bay.
One of the eight patrol aircraft was forced to return early due to engine trouble.
Strafing runs killed 10 Japs at Kabagada Point (west of Talili Bay), killed two more and destroyed 2 trucks on the coast roads by Talili and Liguan Bays, smoked a truck at Varavara Plantation (NE of Rabaul), and damaged a final two at Varzin Plantation.
The morning shipping count was negative.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count March 14 No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols March 14 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(42 sorties-36 tons)

Venturas Strafe Coastal Targets: The dawn PV put 2000 rounds into cows at Katharine Bay and gardens at Pinikindu. The ship-truck recco strafed Korabin, Sicacui, Lamernewi, Koka on the west coast, and Lamerika, Fileba and Maramaki on the east coast.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep March 14 0626-0929 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1250-1502 No bombs.

Corsairs Over Kavieng Dive Half Tonners: Three pairs of fighters patrolled Kavieng yesterday, dive-bombing a half-ton daisy cutter each and strafing on a return thrust. One was dropped on the road east of Libba Bridge, one in the plantation north of the bridge, one on a hut at Globio Island, one on the road near Ulunono. Last two bombs unreported. Huts on Limellon and Limonak Islands (west of Kavieng) were strafed, as was Bagaterre Harbor (on the northern west coast).

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrols 0830-1630 dr 6x1000 G.P.