RNZAF activity in the Pacific 1945

[aircraftclocks]

WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 13 MARCH 1945.

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

ADMIRALTIES
VS-61                           15 SB2C-4                                     15                      17                     VS-61
                                     2 J2F-6                                          2
NZ-25                           18 F4U                                          17                      24                     NZ # 4 S.U.

EMIRAU

VMB-413                      12 PBJ                                           9                       54                      VMB-413
VMB-433                      11 PBJ                                         11                       53                      VMB-433
VMB-443                      12 PBJ                                         11                       46                      VMB-443
VMB-611                      12 PBJ                                         10                       47                      VMB-611
NZ-23                          19 F4U                                        18                        25                      NZ # 5 S.U.
NZ-8                            16 PV-1                                       14                       14                      NZ #10 S.U.

GREEN

*VMB-423                    12 PBJ                                        12                      68                       VMB-423
                                     3 F4U                                        0
*VPB-44                       14 PBY-5A                                  12                      51                       PATSU 1-11
                                     1 TBF-1                                     1
                                     1 SBD-5                                    1
*NZ-15                         18 F4U-1                                   16                     21                        NZ #30 S.U.
*NZ-17                         18 F4U-1D                                 15                    25                         NZ #3 S.U.
*NZ-2                           15 PV-1                                     13                    13                         NZ #14 S.U.

BOUGAINVILLE

VMR-152                       15 R4D-5                                  13                    53                         VMR-152
VMR-153                       15 R4D-5                                  12                    58                         VMR-153
NZ-20                           18 F4U-1D                                16                    25                         NZ # 2 S.U.
NZ-18                           18 F4U                                     18                    25                          NZ #31 S.U.

* As of 6 March.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 16 March 1945.

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

Ten Huts Destroyed at Muguai: There are between twenty and thirty huts in a large compound near Muguai, much-bombed target in south Bougainville, east of Kara strip. These buildings are used by the Japs for stores and personnel.
Yesterday morning at 0740 a flight of 13 Piva F4Us visited this target. Led by one fighter with two smoke bombs, the other carried 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters. Owing to bad light, the guide could not locate the target prescribed, so he marked another of the locations identified as Muguai #5.
All bombs fell in this area, destroying ten huts and damaging another four. As was noticed yesterday, a considerable amount of foolscap paper was scattered about. Three of the bombs caused hefty explosions and much black smoke. Two fires were started, and one was still burning when the planes left 25 minutes later. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from Ebery's Lease.

For the Record:

11 F4U NZ 20 Muguai #5 0740 dr 2x100 Smoke
12 F4Us NZ 20 6x1000 G.P.
                     18x500 G.P.

Large Scale Attack on Piano: Take note of this. The boys looked sharp yesterday, so it was a natural that they hit this Piano flat.
Eight Corsairs, led by tac/r, bombed a concentration of about 15 huts near this mission due west of Kara strip. Four half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs were dropped half and half on two targets. The first mark was considered well covered, and the second reported demolished. Two flames and smoke columns were caused, with black smoke from one and a mixture of black and white smoke from the other. Eight Corsairs followed this attack with another dose of eight half-tonners on a target 400 yards east of the first mark. Six bombs hit within 30 yards of the smoke bombs dropped by tac/r. The other two bombs fell outside the area, due to difficulty in hearing the radioed instructions. Four planes strafed three huts. Later reconnaissance says a total of 10 huts were destroyed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 20 Piano Mission 1100 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                     12x500 G.P. (2 duds)
8 F4Us NZ 18 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Patrols Bomb Aku: The dusk patrol Wednesday and the dawn run yesterday were uneventful. Two fighters made an Able-Charlie search at 0800, dropping a half-tonner each on the main east-west road between Aku and Shishigatero (6 miles inland from the south coast in the general area west of Kahili and Kara). Strong winds drifted the bombs five yards south of the road. Tire marks only a few hours old were seen on the road. They then strafed an eight-wheeled articulated tanker moving along this road west of Nakaru at 0900. One gun jammed and the tanker disappeared into the jungle. They also strafed 2 or 3 huts under trees on the north side of the road just west of Nakaru. They appeared newly constructed. Heavy tire marks led from the road to those huts. Nakaru is about 6 miles west of Kahili.
Another pair of fighters on A-C search dropped a second pair of half-tonners on the same road miles west of Aku at 1115.
One cratered the road and was seen filling with water. The other fell 15 yards north of the road. An oil leak caused the early return of both planes shortly thereafter.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk patrol March 14 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn patrol March 15 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0800, 1115 dr 4x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties - 1/2 ton)

Patrols Kill Three Japs: Two Corsairs were over Rabaul late Wednesday afternoon for negative results. The morning ship count was also negative. Only two Corsairs guarded Rabaul yesterday morning. Bad weather closed in shortly after nine o'clock. One Jap was strafed and killed near Praed Point and two more were killed at Vunapope. Meagre accurate medium A/A came from Praed Point.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ Green Rabaul Patrol March 14 1540-1800 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count March 15 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrols March 15 0715-0910 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(3 sorties - 1 ton)

Weather Cancelled all scheduled combat flights yesterday, except late patrols and sweeps still on station.
Two Corsairs dived a pair of half-tonners while patrolling the Kavieng area late Wednesday afternoon. One fell close by the Ulunono Bridge, and the other hit near three buildings at Malapai on the northern west coast. Huts on Wadeil Island (in the Nusa group) were strafed.
The dusk Ventura Wednesday put 2000 rounds into targets at Baudissen Island, Kaut Bay and Patlangat for unobserved results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrol March 14 1450-1810 dr 2x1000 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep March 14 1634-1920 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 16 Mar.

Major LOWELL, Operations Officer of VMB-423, led six PBJs in a medium altitude daylight raid on Rataval target #127. The formation was composed of two three plane sections in columns stepped down.
The flight was airborne by 0902 and after joining up as described above proceeded to Cape Sena, New Ireland. From Cape Sena the formation flew on a heading of 263º magnetic to Watom Island where the flight turned on a heading of 173º magnetic for nine miles and turned into the bombing run. The bombing run of the formation was made on a heading of 083º magnetic. First section bombing from 9,800 feet and the second section from 9,800 feet. The air speed for both sections was 160 knots indicated.

After passing the bomb release line the planes broke away to the left and proceeded back to Green Island.

No anti-aircraft fire encountered.

Fires resulted as bombs fell east of the target and in the target area. No photos were obtained of the first section's bomb hits but the pattern of the second section's bombs with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.

2 F4U from NZ-15 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 17 Mar.

Captain IVERSON led nine PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Borpop, New Ireland after clouds prevented an attack on the primary target of Rabaul 16A, New Britain. The formation was composed of three, three plane sections javelin down.

The flight was airborne by 0849 and after joining up as described above proceeded on a course of 280° magnetic to Cape Sena. From Cape Sena the formation flew on a heading of 263° magnetic to Tawui Point where it turned south into the bomb run over Rabaul target 16A. After two runs over Rabaul the flight leader was unable to find an approach sufficiently free of clouds to permit bombing and elected to bomb the secondary target, Borpop, New Ireland.
The formation proceeded to Borpop where the bombing run was made on a course of 355° magnetic at 160 knots. Bombs were released at 0955 from 9500 feet. The flight broke away to the right and all planes were safely on the deck at Green Island by 1100 hours.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Seven bombs were in the target area while one fell short near the Borpop River and one hung and was returned to base. Clouds hampered observation of results and all photos were cloud covered.

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

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 17 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(37 sorties-15 1/4 tons)

Large Camouflaged Huts and Truck Bombed: A concentration of 8 to 10 large Quonset-size huts bordering the main east-west road of south Bougainville at Nakaru was attacked early yesterday by 13 Piva Corsairs. The first fighter dropped a smoke bomb in the center of the target. Then all but one of the 12 following planes each dropped a half tonner on the area so indicated, destroying about 8 huts, two of which were left burning. The last bomb was dropped on a 40-foot long barracks-type building 100 yards farther south. On the east side of the building there was a bench with ten white enamel basins, also a clothes line with trousers drying. And two small heads. The bomb broke the clothes-line, scattered the basins and demolished both heads, but the building appeared undamaged. Five Nips had run out of the building when it was strafed prior to bombing. The heavy-duty 6-8 wheeled truck reported a day ago was spotted under heavy camouflage in a ford on the road one mile west of Nakaru. Strafing first made it leak oil, then burn. The burning oil was seen to drift some distance down-stream. It was seen that branch roads head north and south of the main road opposite the initial target, leading to two hutted areas on freshly-cleared ground. There are an estimated 40 huts in the two areas.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ-18 Nakaru 0805 dr 1x100 Smoke.
12 F4Us NZ-18 Nakaru 0805 dr 12x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

25 Huts Destroyed or Damaged at Muguai: Striking another two hutted areas at Muguai, two fighters led 16 other Corsairs carrying 12 half-ton and 12 quarter-ton stick bombs.
Eight bombs from Squadron 18 destroyed ten huts and badly damaged 8 more at target #22. Several bombs caused flashes and columns of black smoke. About 8 burned-out drums were seen in the area.
Squadron 20 bombed a group of 12 huts half a mile nearer the main road on the edge of the jungle. Fifteen bombs fell in the area, destroying six huts. One bomb hung, but destroyed another hut when finally released. There were signs of newly-dug fox-holes and pits, and much camouflaging of huts. A fully-loaded truck was seen at target #21, but was not attacked. Meagre accurate light A/A from an undetermined position was encountered. One aircraft was holed. Meagre inaccurate heavy also came from the north end of Kara Strip.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #21, 22 1135 dr 4x100 Smoke
8 F4Us NZ 18 Muguai #22 1135 dr 8x1000 G.P.
8 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #21 1135 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                   12x500 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Barge: The dusk patrol Thursday and the dawn run yesterday were uneventful. Two fighters on A-C search at 0650 saw many new camouflaged huts near Lontis (NW Buka), and strafed a hut on the edge of the road and three or four under the cliff at Cape Putputan (central east coast of Buka). Another A-C sweep at 1255 strafed and holed a 20-foot barge beached near Arigua Plantation (central east coast of Bougainville), also strafed and damaged a hut at the base of the ridge at Koromira Mission (SE coast of Bougainville).

For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dusk Patrol March 15 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dawn Patrol March 16 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Searches. 0650, 1255 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(11 sorties - 4 tons)

Corsairs Patrol Kavieng and Bomb personnel Areas: Two fighters on patrol late Thursday afternoon neither bombed nor strafed. A pair of Corsairs dived four half-tonners unobserved on Fangelawa bivouacs yesterday morning. Two pairs of fighters watching Kavieng during the morning put 2 half-ton daisy cutters on a camp site at Roland Young Plantation for unseen damage, and dropped another 2 half-ton stick bombs on a group of huts on the south end of Wadeil Island for unobserved results. A hulk on Lemus Island was strafed. One burst of accurate light A/A from Doi Island holed the cowl of one plane. Storms stopped succeeding patrols until late afternoon.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrol March 15 1530-1759 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 22 Fangelawa March 16 1010 dr 4x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols March 16 0915-1235 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Venturas Gun Both Coasts: The Thursday dusk sweep strafed Amba, Lamussong, Koka, Panaras and points between. The dawn sweep yesterday put 2400 rounds into targets from Patlangat to Amba.
The ship-truck recco was forced down at Manus by souring weather at 1157.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep March 15 1626-1900 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep March 16 0628-0924 No bombs,
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(20 sorties-9 tons)

Weather Postponed the planned strike on Tobera from Emirau.

Patrols Strafe Huts, Trucks and Nips: The morning ship count was negative. Ten Corsairs over the Rabaul area had numerous results to report. A boat and hut were destroyed at Utuan Island (Duke of York). One Jap was killed at Nonga Plantation (NW of Rabaul) and three more were killed east of Keravat. Two Nips in a garden at Malaguna were killed, plus one at Gire-Gire (NW of Tobera) where a command car was burned to destruction. Two trucks were destroyed and three Japs killed at Rember, and a hut smoked on Watom Island. A large truck was left burning and another destroyed at Malaguna. Two trucks at Tobera were damaged, and two more smoked at Talili Bay. A truck on the Malaguna Road was strafed and exploded. Three Japs were killed at Wunabugbug Plantation (SW of Rabaul), plus another six at Rataval, plus three at Raliliei and one on Watom. At a supply dump at Malaguna, a large hut blew up with smoke rising 1200 feet. Moderate accurate medium A/A from an unknown position at Malaguna was encountered.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count March 16 No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols 0705-1600 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 18 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(47 sorties-21 3/4 tons )

Heavy Destruction Caused at Muguai: 13 Piva Corsairs hit a concentration of 20 huts at Muguai not previously bombed. One fighter spotted the target with two smoke bombs. Note that the tac/r planes are not used in this area because their lazy gait makes them too good a target for ground fire. Six half ton and 18 quarter ton daisy cutters were dropped. 22 hit the target (including one dud). Two fell 500 yards outside the mark, causing no damage. The hits destroyed 8 large and 17 medium-sized huts, two trucks (one loaded with drums), and two large piles of stores.
Fourteen fighters hit the same target several hours later. Four smoke bombs were carried, and the daisy cutter load. 6 large huts were destroyed, 3 more were damaged, a number of explosions were caused, and four piles of stores were scattered. A different group of huts was then smoked and four bombs destroyed 6 huts. A third target south of the road to Kieta was then smoked and the remaining 12 bombs hit the mark, destroying 4 huts and damaging two.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ 20 Muguai #21 0740 dr 2x100 Smoke
12 F4Us NZ 20 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                           18x500 G.P. (1 dud)
2 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #21, 13 1135 dr 4x100 Smoke
12 F4Us NZ 20 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                          18x500 G.P.

Defense Position at Horinu Hit: Eight Corsairs in close support of ground troops dropped 8 half ton stick bombs on a line 50 yards long marked by 6 to 8 mortar smoke shells. All but two fell along the target, within 10 yards of the smoke. Results could not be assessed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 18 Horinu 0945 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Monitu Bivouac Bombed and Strafed: Four fighters, led by tac/r, dropped two half-ton and six quarter-ton daisy cutters on a camp site Friday afternoon. Hut fragments were seen in one bomb blast. The area was also strafed. Tac/r then directed strafing to a suspected truck hide 1/2 mile from the mouth of the Mobiai River.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 20 Monitu March 16 1625 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                           6x500 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Huts: The dusk patrol Friday was uneventful. It is assumed the dawn patrol was also run and was similarly negative. Four fighters flew two A-C searches, noting a Jap in a garden near Kapana and strafing huts near Muguai for unseen damage.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol March 16 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol March 17 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0820,1125 No bombs.

New Bombline: Effective 18 March at 1800, no air attack will be made within the area bounded by the coast and a line from the mouth of the Hari River along the east bank to a track and river junction at Q9939, northeast to Mount Taroka, northwest to Sugarloaf Mt. (R0587), northwest to north side of Billy Mitchell Crater Lake, north to Saddle Mt., west to Mt. Balbi, northwest to inlet L2866, northwest along south bank of inlet to coast.

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

Continuous Night Patrol: To provide instant air cover against enemy air attack, a regular night watch of two Corsairs and a Mitchell is being stationed over Gazelle Peninsula. Corrected data now says the enemy attack at Mevelo River Friday consisted of two, not one, single-engined aircraft, dropping 23, not 4, bombs. Casualties were 1 killed, 4 wounded.
Three Venturas Bomb Warangoi River: Three PVs over the Gazelle Peninsula dropped a dozen 300-pounders on a village south of the Warangoi River Friday. A large volume of smoke resulted.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 2 Warangoi River 16 March 1800-1840 dr 12x300 G.P.

Bad Weather Limits Patrols: Three Venturas covered HMAS Swan from 0630 until weather reduced visibility and cover was cancelled. No ship-count PV flew yesterday morning, due to stormy weather.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 2 Ship Cover 0630-1205, 1446-1510 No bombs.

Corsairs Over Rabaul During Clear Spells: Two fighters patrolled the Rabaul area late Friday afternoon for negative results. 8 fighters were on duty yesterday until storms cancelled further patrol work at 1400. One large truck at Tomavatur was damaged, and one was burned to a crisp at Vunapope.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrol 16 March 1555-1805 No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ 15,17 Rabaul Patrols 17 March 0700-1400 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(24 sorties - 16 tons)

Venturas Strafe Coastal Targets: The dusk PV Friday put 1000 rounds into huts from Roland Young Plantation to Kaut Bay. The dawn PV yesterday added 700 shots at huts from Pinikindu to Lemeris. The ship-truck recco strafed from Katu to Medina to Polli, from Panaras to Doi Island, and Pinikindu. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from Doi Island.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep. March 16 1625-1754 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep March 17 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco March 17 No bombs.

Corsairs Damage 5 Huts: A pair of fighters on Kavieng patrol damaged five huts on Globio Island Friday afternoon with 2 half-tonners. As weather permitted, three pairs of Corsairs watched Kavieng yesterday. Two half-tonners were dropped on Panapai Water Point, cratering the road. Two were spilled on Lebrechtshof. One was a dud. The last two missed huts on Limellon Island.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrol March 16 1545-1815 dr 2x1000 G.P.
6 F4Us NZ 22 Kavieng Patrols March 17 1115-1630 dr 6x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 19 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(13 sorties-5 tons)

20 Huts Hit at Muguai: Mist and rain and low visibility most of the day limited Sunday's strikes to a nine-plane attack on a group of huts at Muguai. One fighter first smoked the target, then 8 daisy cutters were dropped. Seven fell close to the smoke. One undershot and destroyed four huts, lifting black smoke 1000 feet high. The second smoke bomb was then laid in the same area and eight more bombs were dropped. Six hit the mark. Two overshot into a garden, destroying what appeared to be a hot-house. All together, about 14 huts were destroyed, and badly damaged by the attack.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ-20 Muguai 1030 dr 2x100 Smoke.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai 1030 dr 4x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai 1030 dr 12x500 G.P.

Patrols Held Down by Storms: Two Corsairs flew a patrol at dusk Saturday, but the dawn run yesterday was cancelled. One pair of fighters flew part of an Able-Charlie search at 0715. They strafed 12 huts, one of which was fifty feet long, at Point Kamaliai (north tip of Shortland Island).

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol 17 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Search 18 March 0715 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(4 sorties-1 ton)

Storms Prevented proposed strikes by PBJs.

Venturas Strafe Huts: The Sunday yawning sweep strafed huts at Nanawaul Island, Kabatheron Island (both in Nusa group), and Fessoa. The ship-truck recco strafed 500 rounds into Globio and Mane Islands. Savannah 5 condition was encountered by both planes during most of their runs.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep 18 March 0705-0944 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1057-1224 No bombs.

Corsair Patrols Bomb Lemus: Only two fighters were able to fly a Kavieng watch yesterday. At 0855 a pair of Corsairs dived their two half-tonners 75 yards from huts on Lemus Island for unobserved damage. Lemus is another of the islands in the Nusa Archipelago.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-22 Kavieng Patrol 18 March 0855-0955 dr 2x1000 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(13 sorties-no bombs)

Rabaul Patrols Limited by Weather: The morning shipping count over Rabaul was negative. No strikes were made during the day, and Corsairs were on duty only until 1530 when nil visibility forced all aircraft to stay on the ground. Two huts at Piratop on Duke of York were strafed and left burning.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count 18 March No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols 0715-1530 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 20 March 1945.

NEW IRELAND
(2 sorties-no bombs)

Due to Inclement Weather, the Emirau field was closed. Proposed strikes on New Britain targets were deferred. No New Ireland patrols or sweeps were aloft but two Corsairs.

NEW BRITAIN
(16 sorties-9 tons)

Patrols Over Rabaul Secured Early: Adverse weather postponed activity until 0900, though the usual ship count was made by a PV for negative results. Six Corsairs guarded Rabaul until 1415 when bad weather closed in. They strafed and destroyed a truck at Kuradui Plantation (on the coast, east of Raluana Point). They also strafed a large camouflaged barge under trees at Watnabara on Duke of York. This craft exploded with a 15-foot flick of flame. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from Rakaul north of Praed Point.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count 19 March No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols 0900-1415 No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(28 sorties-11 tons)

Bivouac of 200-300 Japs Bombed: Eight Piva Corsairs hit a suspected camp site of several hundred Nips at Rusei (just north of the main east-west track in southern Bougainville, and slightly west of the Mobiai River). Six of eight half-ton daisy cutters were put on the mark, one was a dud, and one hung and was jettisoned safe in the sea. Later recco showed the area well cleared, but no sign of huts or damage.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-18 Rusei 1200 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

Jap Staging Camp Gets Quarter-Tonners: Much activity at a large concentration of huts at Nabaku, 5-6 miles west of Kara Strip, was reported by A.I.B. At 1220 yesterday 12 fighters with 2 quarter-tonners each bombed this area. The leader of the flight marked the spot with one 500-pounder, Twenty-one bombs were then placed within 100 yards of that mark, only two undershooting. Although the area was well cleared in patches, nothing like the target could be seen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Nabaku 1220 dr 24x500 G.P.

Patrols Attack Hidden Targets: The dusk sweep Sunday had nil sightings, and the daybreak look-around also had negative results, though searching thoroughly for a reported raft.
At 1120 a pair of corsairs made an Alfred-Conrad search. They dropped a half-tonner on the main east-west road of south Bougainville a mile and a half west of Mibo River. It hit 10 yards north of the road for unobserved damage. Another half-tonner was dropped on the north-south trail between the Robikai and the Oamai Rivers. This bomb landed 5 yards off the trail, just clipping the edge of the road.
The purpose of these attacks was to crater the road, if possible, and then see whether the thoroughfare was deemed sufficiently important to be immediately repaired, A similar strike on March 15 proved the value of the Aku road to the Japs.
They also strafed a four-wheeled dray and a half-ton truck. Both were stationary on the road 50 yards west of the Silibai River (also in the south), and heavily camouflaged with painted canvas. Both vehicles were smoked, but no great damage was done. A 10' by 20' native-type hut under a camouflage net at Arakawaun Stream was also smoked, and the net broken.
Two more Corsairs made an A-C search at 1315, strafing a hidden hut under the trees at Cape Mabiri on the central east coast.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol 18 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol 19 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Search 11120 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Search 1315 No bombs.

100 Nips Killed by Air Attack: On March 10th sixteen fighters put 22 out of 24 half and quarter-ton daisy cutters on a bivouac area just west of Mibo River. Japs have admitted to the natives that about 100 Nips were killed by the bombing. Scouts investigating the area state that the devastation was so complete that all signs of enemy occupation were obliterated. This data will be included in the end-of-month recapitulation.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 19 Mar.

Major TAYLOR, Executive Officer, led nine PBJs of VMB-423 in a medium altitude daylight attack on Tobera target no. 27, New Britain. The formation was composed of three, three plane sections in columns stepped down.
The flight was airborne by 0849 and after joining up as described above proceeded to Adler Bay, New Britain. From Adler Bay a turn was made to 306° magnetic to the forks of the Keravas River. From this point the flight took a course of 005° magnetic to the junction of the Keravas and Warangoi Rivers and turned into the bombing run.
The bombing run was made on a heading of 033° magnetic. The first section bombing from 10,900 feet; the second section from 10,700 feet and the third section from 10,500 feet. The air speed for all the sections was 160 knots indicated. After the bombs were released the flight broke away to the right and returned to Green.

No anti-aircraft fire encountered.

Six bombs hit in the target area while two hit approximately 100 yards south of the target. One bomb hung and was salvoed in Saint George's Channel.

Due to cloud cover vertical photographs were indistinct. One oblique photo is attached showing the pattern of bomb hits with relation to the target.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 21 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(39 sorties-15 1/2 tons)

15 Huts Destroyed at Piano Mission: 8 Piva Corsairs, led by tac/r, hit a reported concentration of 15 good-sized huts 300-400 yards north of Piano Mission in southwest Bougainville yesterday morning. Four half tonners hit within 8 yards of the smoke bomb and tac/r advised that the target was destroyed. The recco plane then smoked another group of huts 300 yards southeast of the first area. Four more half-tonners were dropped. One direct hit was scored, one 50 yards north, one 90 yards south (owing to faulty radio transmission), and one dud. Results were unobserved. This area was also strafed for unseen damage.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-18 Piano Mission 1120 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

Enemy Concentration at Muguai Takes Pounding: One Corsair with smoke bombs led eight fighters carrying four half-ton and twelve quarter-ton daisy-cutters over a group of huts in the Muguai area. Twelve bombs were dropped. Nine covered the area, one overshot the smoke 20 yards, and two were 150 yards out of the picture. An estimated 9 huts were destroyed and one large structure badly damaged. Also four trucks under repair were damaged, and 30 drums were scattered. One large flash was seen. A second area 100 yards south (either a salvage depot or a motor transport center) was indicated by strafing and the last four bombs were dropped there. Three hit the target. One overshot 30 yards and appeared to throw up lean-to-debris. Two large huts (apparently work-shops) were destroyed. Another 30 drums were scattered. A third hut was damaged, and a previously strafed truck was now destroyed. Two other trucks across the road looked unserviceable but were strafed. Two Japs were seen but not strafed.
One fighter plane was holed by a .30 caliber bullet from an undetermined position.

For the Record:

1 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #8 dr 2x100 Smoke
8 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #8 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                         12x500 G.P.

Nakaru Bivouac and Supply Area Whacked: At 1435 a strike by 14 fighters was made with 13 half-ton stick bombs on Nakaru, six miles west of Kahili on the main east-west road, west of junction with a direct road north to Kara. An area 25 yards north of the road west of Nakaru was smoked. Eight bombs in the area destroyed at least four huts and smoked three (one of which was stacked 20 feet high with stores).
A second area was marked by strafing, after the failure of two smoke bombs. This target comprised huts in the partly cleared area southwest of the first mark. Four bombs landed in the area. Five huts were definitely destroyed and four more damaged.
The 13th bomb, aimed at two huts in a "T" shape 100 yards southwest of the second target area undershot 30 yards, but destroyed another pair of huts at the end of tracks from gardens.
Four handcarts piled high with blue bundles were strafed on a secondary east-west track north of the second target. The bomb blast blew the greenery camouflage off one cart, but no apparent damage was done.
Three truck-loading bays were seen hidden under the trees alongside the road 40 yards north of the crossroad 319295. Two bays on one side of the road and one across on the other side. Lean-tos and piles of stores were nearby. Three piles of stores were seen on the north side of the road at 330294. There are about 30 more huts in this Nakaru area. A Nip was seen running into one. All the above are likely targets.

For the Record:

1 F4U NZ-18 Nakaru 1435 dr 3x100 Smoke (2 duds)
13 F4Us NZ-18 Nakaru dr 13x1000 G.P.

Patrols Smoke Huts and Strafe Barges: Nothing spectacular was accomplished by the dusk patrol Monday or yesterday's sunrise promenade. An Able-Charlie search at 0705 strafed and hit eight medium-sized huts and one small building east of a garden at Siruri (south east, near coast) and noted an oil slick (from barges?) in the nearby Luluai River. Another pair on A-C search at 1035 strafed four huts at Lontis (NW coast of Buka), leaving one smoking. They also strafed and hit two barges in a small inlet north of Arawa Bay. The barges appeared unused, but serviceable. Signs of general activity were noted at the mouth of the stream west of Moila Point (286214) and the coastal area 400-500 yards west of the stream. The undergrowth has been cleared away and the area seems well worn.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-18 Dusk Patrol 19 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-20 Dawn Patrol 20 March No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches 0705, 1035 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(18 sorties-no bombs)

Mitchells and Venturas Weathered Out: Six Marine PBJs carrying 6 full tonners and five Venturas with 10 half tonners were airborne early yesterday morning, but were weathered out of both primary (Malaguna) and secondary targets, so returned bombs to base at 1105.

For the Record:

6 PBJs VMB-423 Malaguna 0855 No bombs.
5 PVs NZ-2 No bombs.

Patrols Cover Rabaul: The morning ship count was negative. Four fighters watched Rabaul fields from 0710 to 1110 for negative results. Low ceiling stopped the next pair until 1325. Two planes then went on station. They strafed, damaged a truck west of Napapar Mission (SW of Vunakanau), and killed two Japs at Gunanur Plantation (NE of Tobera). After the last regular patrol, two Corsairs and a Ventura will keep watch for any twilight take-off by Jap planes.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-2 Rabaul Ship Count 20 March No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-15,17 Rabaul Patrols 0710-1110,1415-1615 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(27 sorties-21 tons)

Green PBJs and PVs Hit Borpop: Yesterday afternoon 7 Marine Mitchells with a full tonner each, and five Venturas with 2 half tonners each, beat the storms to Borpop and dropped on the personnel area there. The PBJs scored three in the target, two south, one in the sea, and one hung (later jettisoned at sea). The PVs got 8 in the target and two east of it. All results were unobserved. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

7 PBJs VMB-423 Borpop 1530 dr 7x2000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-2 Borpop 1530 dr 10x1000 G.P.

Venturas Bomb Doi Island: Five PVs from Emirau put 30 eighth tonners on Doi Island at 1058, scoring 17 hits. Six fell safe because of a faulty electric circuit. One splashed in the sea. One Ventura returned early, jettisoning its six bombs.

For the Record:

5 PVs NZ-8 Doi Island 1058 dr 30x250 G.P.

Corsairs Destroy Globio Island Huts: A pair of fighters from NZ-23 (newly arrived) dived 4 half tonners on huts at the north tip of Globio Island, destroying several. They then strafed the east coast huts on Wadeil Island.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-23 Globio Island 1000 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Patrols Bomb Nusa Archipelago: Six Corsairs over Kavieng yesterday dived 5 half tonners, getting one failure, one in gardens on Mane Island, two misses on a large hut in the south-east corner of Baudissen Island, and another dud on Lemus Island.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 0905-1400 dr 5x1000 G.P. (2 duds)

Venturas Bomb and Strafe: The dawn sweep dropped 3 eighth tonners on Koka huts and 3 on Katu huts for unobserved results. Both targets were strafed for a total of 3000 rounds. The ship-truck recco put 700 rounds into the Amba bivouac and the Korabin Bay Plantation. Deteriorating weather forced this sweep to return early.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep 0640-0929 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco 1256-1457 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 20 Mar.

Major TAYLOR led seven PBJs of VMB-423 and five PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude strike on Borpop, New Ireland, after clouds prevented an attack on the primary target of Rabaul 16A, New Britain. The formation was composed of six PBJs in two, three plane sections as the first squadron and one PBJ and five PVs in two, three plane sections as the second squadron. Captain IVERSON in a PBJ flew as leader of the New Zealand Squadron so he could do the sighting as the PVs do not carry a bombsight.

The flight was airborne by 1405 and proceeded on a course of 280º magnetic to Cape Sena. From Cape Sena the formation flew on a heading of 263º magnetic to Tawui Point where it turned south into the bomb run over Rabaul target 16A. After two runs over Rabaul the flight leader was unable to find an approach sufficiently free of clouds to permit bombing and elected to bomb the secondary target, Borpop, New Ireland.

The formation proceeded to Borpop, where the bombing run was made on a heading of 313º magnetic. The leader of the second section of the PBJ squadron had a hung bomb and the second section did not bomb on this run. 305B21 took over as leader of the second section of the first squadron and made a 360º turn and on a course of 355º magnetic, following the second squadron, made their bombing run. At 1539 the first section of the PBJ squadron released its bombs from 8,800 feet, the second squadrons bombs were away at 1555 from 8,000 feet, the second section of the first squadron bombed at 1556 from 8,000 feet. The airspeed of all planes was 155 knots indicated.
No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Three bombs hit in the target area, three were approximately 100 yards south of the target. One bomb hung and was salvoed in water. Clouds hampered observation of results and all photos were cloud covered.

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

305B21 was flown by Captain? Fowler.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 22 March 1945.

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

Double Strike Destroys Many Muguai Huts: At 1020 yesterday morning, and again at 1420, groups of 13 Piva Corsairs struck at two enemy concentrations near Muguai identified by a large sawmill.
The "scout" of the first 13 planes laid two smoke bombs on the sawmill. The others dropped 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters. All but two covered the target. Four large and 15 medium sized huts were destroyed. Two additional huts in a hollow contained drums. These huts were partially damaged. An 8-wheeled truck was destroyed. Large piles of logs and cut timber were scattered. Some bombs caused large flashes and columns of black smoke. The second strike carried 6 half-ton stick bombs and 18 325-pound depth charges. The smoke bombs were laid in the target (one proving to be a dud), and bombs were released by each section of four planes in turn. The first eight aircraft dropped their 18 bombs in the assigned area. The two drum-containing huts were destroyed and 200 drums scattered. Two large huts were destroyed. Two small huts were damaged. Three bombs caused extremely large flashes 200 feet high, and smoke to 1000 feet. The last section was weathered out and dropped its six bombs on two huts a mile south of the east-west road, one mile east of Mibo Ford. Results were not seen.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #6 1020 dr 2x100 Smoke
                                                 6x1000 G.P.
                                                 18x500 G.P.
13 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #6 1420 dr 2x100 Smoke
                                                 6x1000 G.P.
                                                 18x325 D.C.

More Huts at Nakaru Blasted: Nine Piva Corsairs put 8 half-ton daisy cutters on a group of 20 newly-built huts at Nakaru in southern Bougainville. The first of three smoke bombs was dropped 1 1/2 miles west of Nakaru, just south of the trail. Two bombs landed east of the target, causing no apparent damage. A second target 250 yards to the southeast was then smoked. Four out of six bombs hit the area, destroying at least 5 huts and damaging 4. A hand-cart at Silibai Ford was strafed, as were three huts in the jungle south of the second target. One hut smoked a bit. A chevron-shaped slit trench was seen south of the road. Four Japs, stripped to the waist, were seen southwest of Aku. They seemed to be clearing underbrush. There are still many targets left in this area, says recco.

For the Record:

9 F4Us NZ 18 Nakaru 1035 dr 3x100 Smoke
                                          8x1000 G.P.

Tank at Mamagata Bombed and Strafed: Eight fighters, led by tac/r, attacked a tank 2000 yards northwest of Mamagata road junction at 1330 yesterday with 8 half-ton stick bombs. Six-tenths cloud cover at 1200 feet interfered with the bombing. The tank was hidden under trees on the south side of the road. One side was visible from the north. Tac/r smoked the target and two bombs were placed within 30 yards of it. The rest fell 40 to 100 yards away. After three strafing runs, the tank smoked lightly, but only momentarily.
It was smoked again by additional strafing.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 18 Mamagata 1330 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Barge Bombed and Strafed and Sunk: Two Piva Corsairs, led by tac/r, bombed a 30-foot barge afloat in Soraken Harbor (NW Bougainville). One half-tonner landed 10 yards away. Another was 20 yards from the barge. Neither blast appeared to damage the barge. All three planes then strafed and sank it. They also strafed the nearest shore hoping to hole the barge's owner if he were about. Another barge (apparently serviceable) was strafed under trees on the northwest side of the Soraken jetty. The stern was afloat and it seeped oil.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 Soraken dr 2x1000 G.P.

Patrols Strafe Various Targets: The dusk patrol Tuesday afternoon and the dawn patrol yesterday were negative. The first A-C search was weathered out early. The next pair strafed four huts, two trucks and a trailer at Tenekau (NE coast), noted that the local trails were well used, and a heavy oil slick appeared off the coast (at 845290).

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol 20 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol 21 March No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0705, 1030 No bombs.

New Bomb Line at Taiof Island: Effective immediately, no air attack is allowed on water craft and islands south or west of line 230663-150750.

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

Corsairs Watch Kavieng: Two pairs of fighters policed Kavieng from nine to noon. They put 4 half-ton daisy cutters on Nusa targets. Two damaged 5 Nanawaul huts. Two damaged Wadeil huts. Baudissen and Wadeil Islands were also strafed. Weather prevented the third patrol.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 0900-1200 dr 4x1000 G.P.

Three Venturas Strafe 16,000 Rounds: The dusk PV Tuesday put 2000 bullets into Fatmilak and Lamerika. The dawn PV yesterday put five 250-pounders on Doi Island, causing an explosion, and a sixth 250-pounder which holed the Ulunono Bridge approach. Kaselok, Kapsu and Fessoa were well strafed. The ship-truck recco put 6 eighth-tonners on Nomasalang huts for unseen damage, then gunned 1000 rounds at Fessoa and Patlangat. In all, 11,000 rounds of .50 caliber and 5,000 rounds of .30 caliber were poured into northern New Ireland.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep 20 March 1727-1835 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep 21 March 0700-0907 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1040-1325 dr 6x250 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(6 sorties - 1 1/2 tons)

First Twilight Ventura-Corsair Guard: Two fighters on duty over Rabaul 1600-1815 Tuesday noted considerable truck activity thereabouts and on Hospital Ridge after 1800. At 1820 a Ventura and two Corsairs took over for the next hour. They were then recalled because of adverse weather. The PV put four 300-poundcrs on Vunakanau, and two half-tonners on Keravat which raised a 400-foot column of brown smoke from a spot southeast of Keravat strip. The Corsair patrol was negative. The main purpose of the Ventura was to bring the fighters back to base safely after dark.
Yesterday the shipping count was negative. All patrols were secured because of bad weather until 1540.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrol 20 March 1600-1815 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrol 20 March 1820-1920 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Patrol 20 March 1820-1920 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                                        4x300 G.P.
1 PV NZ 2 Rabaul Ship Count 21 March No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 23 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(55 Sorties; 32 1/4 tons)

Successful Support of Ground Troops at TOKINOTU: The 25th Bn. of the advancing Australian Army forces at TOKINOTU in southwest Bougainville were halted by an extensive enemy position. Their own artillery proved ineffective in dislodging the Japs or "softening" the emplacements. Air support was requested. Eight Piva Corsairs struck at 1035 with four half ton daisy cutters and four half-tonners with instantaneous fusing. Eight phosphorus shells marked the target. Seven bombs fell in the area. One overshot 50 yards. The area was then strafed by two planes.
Result? A message from the 25th Battalion to Squadron 18 sent their appreciation. Several weapon pits had their log tops completely blown off by the bombs. Assault troops also found ten Japs dead from the air attack. In addition the area cleared by the bombing helped observation during the ground advance. Finally, the strafing was also rated very accurate.

For the record:

8 F4Us NZ-18 TOKINOTU 1035 dr 8x1000 G.P.

KORIU Tank Park Hit: Four Piva Corsairs were scheduled to attack a suspected tank park at KORIU (near MONOITU in SW Bougainville) late Wednesday. Hampered by the weather, and the return of their tac/r to base because of fuel shortage, the proposed strike was not made and they dropped their four half-tonners on a road junction at 996381 for unobserved results. At 0730 yesterday, twelve fighters set out to bomb the tank park with 12 half ton daisy cutters. Tac/r reported the tank smoked Wednesday was gone, and tracks led southeast along the KORIU Road. Eight bombs were dropped within 50 yards of where the tank was last seen. Both sides of the road were also strafed for 200 yards. Tac/r then smoked a secord target 40 yards northwest of the junction where the tank tracks disappeared (same as 996381 hit late Wednesday), but the four bombs hit for unobserved results.

For the record:

4 F4Us NZ 18 KORIU 21 March 1455 dr 4x1000 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ 18 KORIU 22 March 0730 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Large Enemy Force from KIETA Bombed: A concerntration of Japs were reported by AIB to be camped at KOVADAU (shown on the map as CHIPURO, west of KIETA). At 1020 eight corsairs with four half ton and 12 quarter-ton daisy cutters set out to plaster them. One plane jettisoned its bombs and returned because of engine trouble. Natives put up smoke about 1200 yards south of the target and after two bombs had been dropped, smoke came from 2000 yards to the northwest. Ten bombs were laid 100 yards west of old bomb craters. This cleared the area, so the last four bombs were dropped on a hut 100 yards to the northwest, damaging it.

For the record:

8 F4Us NZ 20 KOVADAU (CHIPURO) 1020 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                                                 12x500 G.P.

Patrols Bomb Roads and Spot Damage: The dusk patrol Wednesday was cancelled because of bad weather. The dawn run yesterday had nil sightings. A pair of fighters on A-C search at 0835 strafed two fires at KIRIWINA Plantation (central east coast.) A second pair at 1240 dropped 4 quarter-tonners. Two pitted a road at 110328, two more cratered and blocked a road at 173323. A corduroy around a crater at 176322 was seen. A new bridge is up 300 yards north of the one destroyed at 180321. Four huts were strafed (one collapsing) 200 yards from the mouth of the PORITANA River. A dugout at RANKAMA Point was also strafed.

For the record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dawn Patrol No bombs
2 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Search 0835 No bombs
2 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Search 1240 dr 4x500 G.P.

Green Strikes New Huts at MUGUAI: 2 Piva Corsairs led 7 Mitchells and 8 Venturas from Green to a large concentration of new huts at MUGUAI yesterday at 1015. The fighters marked the target with four 100-pound smoke bombs. The PBJs carried 7 full tonners. Six fell in the target area. One hung and was jettisoned at sea. The PVs carried 16 half tonners. They put 14 in the area, 1 short and 1 long. Five huts were destroyed, and the area was well opened. One bomb caused a considerable amount of black smoke. The fighters then led the bombers to RUNAI Road, where strafing was conducted for unseen damage.

For the record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 MUGUAI #2 1015 dr 4x100 Smoke
7 PBJs VMB-423 dr 7x2000 G.P.
8 PVs NZ 3 dr 16x1000 G.P.

NEW IRELAND
(57 Sorties; 50 tons)

Possible Sub Sighted: Yesterday, Emirau plane reported a disturbance from a possible submarine at 004°20' South 153°30' East. Probable course: 030° Magnetic. Bubbles boiled for an hour from an area 200 feet by 35 feet, then gradually dispersed. The sea was calm. There was no oil or debris visible. Nine Venturas Bomb AMBA Plantation: Nine PVs hit Amba as their second choice with 54 eighth tonners from 1200 feet at 1110 yesterday. Good coverage was reported.

For the Record:

9 PVs NZ 8 AMBA 1110 dr 54x250 G.P.

Corsairs Damage Huts: Two fighters on KAVIENG patrol late Wednesday afternoon dove two half-tonners on NAMAWAUL Island, damaging three huts. Yesterday the first pair of Corsairs over Kavieng were weathered down in 20 minutes. They dropped a half tonner in a MANE Island garden. A 700-pound depth charge was a dud. The next patrol was cancelled. The third pair dived two failures on Mane Island. The last patrol and dusk sweep were still out.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 23 KAVIENG Patrol 21 March 1540-1755 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2 F4Us NZ 23 KAVIENG Patrol 22 March dr 1x1000 G.P.
                                                               1x700 D.C. (dud)
2 F4Us NZ 23 KAVIENG Patrol 23 March 1330-1600 dr 2x1000 G.P. (2 duds)

Venturas Bomb and Strafe Huts: The dusk PV on Wednesday low-leved two half-tonners and 2 eighth tonners on huts at KATU for unseen damage, then gunned 1000 rounds into the same target. The dawn sweep yesterday dropped 6x250-pounders. Two caused explosions and destroyed huts at BENO Harbor. Four fell unobserved on KAVIENG TOWN. The ship-truck recco dropped 4 eighth tonners from tree-top level on KATMARINE BAY huts for unseen results, then strafed 1000 rounds into KOKA. Meagre accurate A/A of undetermined caliber came from positions at LAMERNEWI.

For the Record:

1 PV 8 Dusk Sweep 21 March 1530-1905 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                                 2x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep 22 March 0630-0925 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1132-1400 dr 4x250 G.P.

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

Corsairs Bomb KENABOTT: Twelve fighters dropped a half-tonner each on a suspected truck park at KENABOTT Plantation, getting 11 hits for unobserved damage. The 12th bomb hit the sea. No A/A was met.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ-Green KENABOTT dr 12x1000 G.P.

Ventura Practices: From medium altitude, one Green PV dropped four 300-pounders on a target over New Britian yesterday. Clouds hid the result. Two half-tonners hung and were returned.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 New Britian 1030 dr 4x300 G.P.

Ventura Patrols for Sub: For two hours a PV with four 325-pound depth charges patrolled the point at which the possible sub had been reported (see P. 3), but nothing further was seen.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 Sub Search 1145 No bombs.

Patrols Hampered by Weather: Two Corsairs watched Rabaul late Wednesday afternoon. Poor visibility prevented observations of ground actions and forced an early return. The Corsair-Ventura dusk patrol was weathered out of their Gazelle Peninsula area and returned early. The Ventura jettisoned its half-ton bombs in the sea, but returned its incendiaries to base. The morning PV reported a negative ship count yesterday. Eight Corsairs over Rabaul during the day made strafing runs which destroyed a truck and smoked another. Meagre accurate light A/A came from LAT LAT. The PV-Corsair patrol last night was cancelled.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 17 Rabaul Patrol 21 March 1610-1620 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 15 Dusk Patrol 21 March No bombs.
1 PV NZ 3 Dusk Patrol 21 March dr 2x1000 G.P.
1 PV NZ 3 Rabaul Ship Count 22 March No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ 15,17 Rabaul Patrols 0705-1440 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

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

Lieutenant Colonel ANDERSON, Commanding Officer of VMB-423, led seven PBJs of VMB-423 and eight PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude strike on Muguai target number two, Bougainville. The formation was composed of six PBJs in two, three plane sections as the first squadron and one PBJ and eight PVs in three, three plane sections as the second squadron. Captain IVERSON in a PBJ flew as leader of the New Zealand Squadron so he could do the sighting as the PVs do not carry a bombsight.

The flight was airborne by 0912 and proceeded on a course of 129° magnetic to Puk Puk Island where rendezvous was made with Corsairs from Piva at 1000 hours at 10,000 feet. From Puk Puk Island the formation flew a course of 173° magnetic for 27 miles to a point east of Mount Gulcher and turned into the bomb run.

The Piva Corsairs after the rendezvous, preceded the formation to the target and dropped smoke bombs. The target was not smoked when the first squadron turned into its bombing run and made a 360° turn and followed the second squadron to the target.

The bombing run of the formation was made on a heading of 138° magnetic. The sections of the first squadron bombing from 10,000 and 9,800 feet and the sections of the PV squadron from 9,600, 9,400 and 9,200 feet at 160 knots indicated.

The formation broke away to the left and the PV squadron proceeded back to Green. The PBJ squadron proceeded to Motupena Point where rendezvous was made with two Corsairs from Piva who preceded the flight to the Runai area and smoked a three mile section of a Jap held road. This road was thoroughly strafed. The strafing attack was made on a heading of 115° magnetic in three plane sections line abreast at tree top level.

After the strafing the formation broke to the right and returned to base all planes being safely on the deck at Green Island by 1202.

Meagre inaccurate heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered from Ebery's Lease.

One bomb hung and was salvoed in the water, the remainder of the bombs hit in the target area. The location of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photographs.

2 F4U from NZ-17 and 4 F4U from NZ-20 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 24 March 1945.

NEW BRITAIN
(24 sorties - 10 tons)

Oscar or Zeke sighted over Rapopo Thursday: Two Corsairs were over Rabaul fields from 1420 to 1515 Thursday. At 1425 F/Sgt. Crotty, flying as wingman at 1500 feet, sighting a single-engine enemy aircraft which he identified as either an Oscar or a Zeke and diving fast into a cloud to escape. Patrols searched the area from 1605 to 1730 and again yesterday from 0845 to 1045 until weather cancelled all flying. Results were negative. The Gazelle twilight patrol of 1 Ventura and 2 Corsairs was also cancelled, though the usual negative morning ship count yesterday was flown.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrols 22 March 1420-1515 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-Green 22 March 1605-1730 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-Green 23 March 0845-1045 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 3 Rabaul Ship Count 23 March No bombs.

Jill Seen Near Lihir Island Yesterday: At 1100, a Mitchell was enroute from Emirau to Green, flying at 6000 feet off Lihir Island. It sighted a single-engine enemy aircraft, identified as a Jill, flying over Lihir at 1000 feet. The plane disappeared into thick cloud cover and no futher sightings were obtained. Two Corsairs scrambled over the area for negative results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-Green Lihir Island 1100 No bombs

Vunakanau Strike Weathered Out: At noon, five Venturas with 10 half-tonners, and five Mitchells with a full tonner each, were prevented by storms from dropping on Vunakanau, and were forced to jettison their bombs and return to base.

For the record:

5 PVs NZ 3 Vunakanau #12 1200 dr 10x1000 G.P.
5 PBJs VMB 423 dr 5x2000 G.P.

Venturas Cover RAN Craft in Wide Bay: Three PVs guarded water craft of the Australian Navy in the Wide Bay area yesterday. Plane to craft communication was excellent.

For the record:

3 PVs NZ 3 Wide Bay 23 March No bombs.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(43 sorties - 10 3/4 tons)

Sixteen Huts Destroyed, Six Damaged at Rusei: The Japs have an important staging camp at Rusei in southwest Bougainville. Headquarters of their 6th Division will soon be moving to this area, say reports. Twelve Piva Corsairs, led by tac/r, carried 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters to this target yesterday morning. One plane had engine trouble, so jettisoned its bombs at sea and returned. The target was smoked at intervals by tac/r and all bombs fell in the area. Two caused considerable black smoke and red flashes. Late tac/r reported 16 huts destroyed, 6 damaged and four slit trenches opened up. Returning to base four planes made 13 strafing passes at the track at the mouth of the Hongorai River.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Rusei 0800 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                           18x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Jap Center at Inus Bombed: The Nips have a barbed-wire enclosure protecting their troop center at Inus Plantation on the northeast coast. Nine Corsairs attacked this target early yesterday. Three smoke bombs were laid at 696434, though the target was not seen, Four half-tonners were dropped for no observed damage. A second spot was smoked at 694434 and the other four half-tonners were dropped. No results were seen.

For the Record:

9 F4Us NZ 18 Inus Plantation 0800 dr 3x100 Smoke
                                                     8x1000 G.P.

Twenty Huts Destroyed, Five Damaged at Muguai: Twelve fighters attacked a new hutted area at Muguai yesterday with excellent results. One plane spotted the target with a pair of smoke bombs (one a dud) and the last of 6 half-ton and 16 quarter-ton stick bombs were then dropped. One was a dud, three overshot. An estimated 20 huts were destroyed and 5 damaged. The usual scattering of paper was seen. It was said that the area was so devastated it was difficult to recognize anything on the ground. Four 40-gallon drums at Muguai #20 were strafed and burned. Others were left smoking. It was noted that the gardens at Muguai now have fox-holes adjacent to them.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #23 1125 dr 6x1000 G.P.
                                                    18x500 G.P.
                                                      2x100 Smoke

Patrols Strafe Nips: Two Corsairs, at 7th Brigade request, made ten strafing runs on the coastal road south of the Hongorai River supporting an advancing Australian Patrol. A pair of fighters on A-C search at 0705 strafed 2 Nips on the road near the Sibilai River, 5 at Muguai and 2 at the mouth of the Crepers River (central east coast). Results were not reported. The next pair of Corsairs on A-C search strafed a lean-to at Kivi?i Point (central east coast), 2 Nips in gardens at Kiriwina Plantation nearby, an overturned barge at Kobuan Beach, a hut nearby, a Nip crossing the Tauraua River, and a 14-foot dinghy near Ratsoa jetty. The barge appeared serviceable. It was holed. No other damage was given. The dusk sweep Thursday and the dawn patrol yesterday were uneventful.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol 22 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol 23 March No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0705, 1015 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Hongorai River 1000 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(50 sorties - 44 1/2 tons)

Ventura Destroys Bridge: The dusk PV Thursday put 6 eighth-tonners on various targets. Two hit and completely destroyed the Lamussong bridge. The rest fell harmlessly on Nusa Islands and Fessoa. The dawn PV yesterday dropped six 500-pounders on the Amba bivouac for unseen damage. The ship-truck recco laid 6 quarter-tonners from minimum altitude on Katu huts for unassessed results, then strafed 1000 rounds from Roland Young to Panaras, and Lossuk Bay.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Patrol 22 March 1635-1930 dr 6x250 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Patrol 23 March 0651-0934 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1200-1430 dr 6x500 G.P.

Kavieng Patrols Kill Jap: The late Corsairs Thursday strafed a small island in Albatross Channel, killing a Nip. They also dove two 700 pound depth charges at Mane Island huts for unseen damage. One was a dud. Three pairs of fighters watched Kavieng yesterday. The first two dove two more 700 pounders on Mane. The next two had no luck on a hulk seeping oil near Cape Siwusat with 4 325-pound depth charges. The last pair of Corsairs put 2 700-pound depth charges 30 feet from a Mane Island A/A position and strafed cattle on Baudissen.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 22 March 1520-1830 dr 2x700 D.C. (1 dud)
6 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 23 March 0900-1545 dr 4x700 D.C.
                                                                               4x325 D.C.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 25 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(38 sorties - 15 1/4 tons)

Rusei Concentration Takes Another Drubbing: Twelve Piva Corsairs, led by tac/r, visited Rusei again yesterday morning with a load of half-ton daisy cutters. The first target was smoked and four bombs hit within 40 yards of the mark. A second target was smoked and another four bombs hit within 35-100 yards. A third target was indicated by dive-pointing, and the last four bombs fell there. Tac/r reports that 7 huts were destroyed and 2 damaged of the 10 remaining from earlier strikes. Also four slit trenches were opened up.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 18 Rusei 0930 dr 12x1000 G.P.

Twenty Huts Hit at Muguai: Ten fighters set out to get rid of the 15 buildings not yet destroyed at Muguai #23A. Two planes led with smoke bombs. Four carried half-tonners each. Four carried 3 quarter-tonners. All were stick bombs. The target was smoked and eight bombs fell on the target. Two were duds. Eleven huts were destroyed and one damaged. Paper was scattered, as usual, though the area appeared to contain living quarters rather than offices or storehouses. A second target (over the road from #3) was smoked and the last eight bombs were dropped, destroying eight huts. Five Japs at target #3 were strafed with unobserved results. There are definite signs that air raid precautions are now being taken.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #23A 1040 dr 4x100 Smoke
                                                     4x1000 G.P.
                                                     12x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Tarlena Gun Positions Damaged: Eight Corsairs, led by tac/r, hit reported gun sites at Tarlena (northwest coast) yesterday at 1300. First, a target at 226747 was smoked, and five 1000-pound bombs dropped. Two hit the area. A second target in tall timber at 222754 was marked and three half-tonners dropped, getting one direct hit. Tac/r reported that the target was damaged.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 18 Tarlena 1300 dr 8x1000 G.P.

Patrols Negative: The dusk sweep Friday was unproductive. The dawn run yesterday had nil sightings. The A-C search at 0655 was negative. The A-C search at 1145 was weathered cut of Piva and landed at Green.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 Dusk Patrol 23 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Dawn Patrol 24 March No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 20 Able-Charlie Searches 0655-1145 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(no sorties - no bombs)

NEW IRELAND
(5 sorties - 3 tons)

Corsairs Hit Huts: Ventura Damages Bridge: Two Corsairs on Kavieng patrol late Friday afternoon put a half-tonner and a 325-pound depth charge on Wadeil Island west of Kavieng, destroying four huts and damaging five. The Ventura dusk sweep Friday strafed Doi Island with 300 rounds and dropped 6 quarter-tonners on Roland Young gardens for unobserved results.
The PV dawn sweep yesterday was weathered back early, but possibly damaged the Medina bridge with 4 quarter-tonners dropped at low level.
The ship-truck recco gunned 2000 rounds into Kimidan, Panemansu and Fangelawa for unseen damage.
All Kavieng patrols yesterday were weathered out. The dusk PV yesterday was also grounded.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 23 March 1540-1755 dr 1x1000 G.P.
                                                                               1x325 D.C.
1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep 23 March 1630-1810 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep 24 March 0700-0900 dr 4x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1300-1535 No bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 26 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(4 sorties - no bombs)

All Strikes Were Cancelled because of undesirable weather yesterday. The dusk patrol had negative sightings Saturday. Two Corsairs flew a weather hop yesterday morning, but no other aircraft left the ground.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol 24 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Weather Patrol 25 March 1050 No bombs.

NEW BRITAIN
(3 sorties - no bombs)

Adverse Weather stopped all flights except the Rabaul ship count and weather hop yesterday morning, and two Corsairs on patrol over Rabaul fields from 0710 to 0810. Results were negative.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 Rabaul Ship Count 25 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 15 Rabaul Patrol 0710-0810 No bombs.

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

Venturas Strafe Only: The early PV sweep dropped no bombs and had no sightings. The ship-truck recco strafed 1000 rounds from Dallum to Kimidan.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Early Sweep 25 March 0640-0939 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1100-1300 No bombs.

Corsairs Patrol Kavieng: Three pairs of fighters watched Kavieng yesterday from 0900 to 1530. The first pair dropped four 325-pound depth charges on a submerged hulk giving off an oil slick two miles west of Cape Siwusat. The next two Corsairs destroyed a hut on Lemus Island with 4 more 325-pounders. The third duo put four more 325-pound depth charges on Nanawaul, destroying another two huts. Strafing targets were Wadeil, Lemus and Baudissen Islands, Metakoko and Bengala (all southwest of Kavieng).

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 0900-1530 dr 12x325 D.C.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 27 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(35 sorties-15 3/4 tons)

Nakaru Truck Loading Ramps Bombed: Eight Piva Corsairs with 6 half-ton daisy-cutters and 2 half-ton instantaneous-fused bombs hit both sides of the north-south road at Nakaru (Ref. 318298) at 1100 yesterday. Six bombs fell on the west side of the road ten to fifty yards north of the intersection, one dropped on the east side of the road, and one was a dud. Reconnaissance found no evidence of damage, but one bomb on the west side produced an exceptionally large flash. A revetment and possible loading ramp were seen on the east side of the road 50 yards north of the intersection. The north south road seemed unused, but the east-west road appeared much traveled.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ-18 Nakaru 1100 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)

Bumpy Crosswind Hampered Muguai Attack: Nine fighters with smoke bombs, four half-ton and twelve quarter-ton stick bombs hit an enemy hut concentration at Muguai early yesterday afternoon. Smoke was laid on the target, but a strong crosswind spoiled the aim of the pilots. Nevertheless, five huts were destroyed and two damaged. One bomb hung and overshot 4000 yards. One half tonner hung and was returned to base.

For the Record:

9 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #19 1300 dr 2x100 Smoke (1 dud)
                                                    3x1000 G.P.
                                                    12x500 G.P.

8 Huts Destroyed, 4 Damaged Between Nakaru and Kanga Hill: Thirteen fighters hit two groups of huts with eleven 1000-pound stick bombs at 1350 yesterday. To mark the target, two of the planes were loaded with 3 100-pound smoke bombs plus one 100-pound incendiary. Smoke was dropped on the first group of huts among scrub and scattered trees between two gardens in the Nakaru-Kanga Hill area. Then eight half-tonners and the incendiary were dropped. A second group of huts 50 yards to the north was also smoked and the remaining three 1000-pounders were dropped there. Results for both targets was estimated at 8 huts destroyed and 4 damaged. The incendiary was not successful. The bomb was too small and the area too wet.
After the strike, two aircraft remained behind to inspect the area. They saw three loaded heavy duty trucks parked on the south side of the road. They were camouflaged and hidden under trees. One plane orbited the position while the other returned to base to arrange further attacks.

For the Record:

13 F4Us NZ-18 Nakaru- Kanga Hill 1350 dr 3x100 Smoke
                                                              1x100 Incendiary
                                                             11x1000 G.P.

Able-Charlies Strafe Huts: No dusk or dawn sweeps were flown, but 4 fighters flew Able-Charlie searches. The last pair strafed two tin huts on Soipai Island (NE of Shortland) for unobserved results.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches 0700,1240 No bombs.

Green Ventura Bombs Buka: A PV with 6 quarter-tonners got near misses on Kohiso Village yesterday noon.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-3 Buka 1230 dr 6x500 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(11 sorties-no bombs)

Only Patrols Brave Bad Weather: The morning ship count was negative. Mitchells and Venturas scheduled to hit Vunakanau struck Borpop instead (see below). Eight Corsairs watched Rabaul fields from 0900 to 1500. Lowering clouds forced cancellation of all flights after that hour. A truck and motor launch at Matakabang (west of Rabaul) were strafed. A barge at Parkinson Point (east of Raluana) was damaged. Intense inaccurate medium A/A was met at Obai Mission.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-3 Rabaul Ship Count No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ-15,24 Rabaul Patrol 0900-1500 No bombs.

Unidentified Single Engine Aircraft Seen: Green reports that a B-25 at 6000 feet saw a SE plane at 1530 circling at low level over (place name garbled in dispatch). Two Corsairs scrambled to investigate and search the area for two hours but found nothing.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ-Green Special Search 1530 No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(65 sorties- 56 1/4 tons)

Green Hits Borpop: Weathered off Vunakanau, eight Marine Mitchells with eight full tonners plus five Venturas with 10 half-tonners bombed the personnel area at Borpop yesterday morning. Three of the PBJ bombs hung and were returned to base. The other five splashed in the sea. All the PV bombs fell in the target area, but results were unobserved. There was no A/A.

For the Record:

8 PBJs VMB-423 Borpop 1120 dr 5x2000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 10x1000 G.P.

Green Ventura Practices on Cape Namarodu: One PV got full coverage for unseen damage in a medium-level practice drop on Cape Namarodu with 2 half-tonners and 4 300-pounders at 0740 yesterday.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-3 Cape Namarodu 0740 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                     4x300 G.P.

Emirau Venturas Crater Road: Eight PVs put 4 out of 8 full tonners on the Lossuk road at 1600 yesterday. The other four bombs splashed in the water.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ-8 Lossuk 1600 dr 8x2000 G.P.

Venturas on Sweeps: The Sunday dusk sweep had nil bombs, bullets or sightings. Yesterday's morning Ventura put 600 rounds into Medina and Fangelawa. The ship-truck recco holed the Ulunono road with 3 quarter-tonners from 10,000 feet and missed the Fessoa bridge with three more at low altitude, then strafed Munawei huts.

Corsairs Destroy Huts: Two fighters patrolling Kavieng late Sunday afternoon dove four 325-pound depth charges on huts on an island south of Nausen in the Nusa Archipelago, destroying four huts. They then strafed a shack on Baudissen, gardens on Mane, and huts on Globio Islands. 3 pairs of Corsairs watched Kavieng yesterday, diving a total of twelve 325 pound depth charges. The first pair put four in Mane Island gardens for unseen damage. The second two dropped two DCs on Metakoko huts for unobserved results, and two 325-pounders which damaged 6 huts at nearby Kono. The last pair of Corsairs damaged several huts at Wadeil Island with the last four depth charges. Extensive strafing was also run on the island east of Steffen Strait.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep 25 March 1643-1912 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep 26 March 0700-1005 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Recco dr 6x500 fect.
2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 25 March 1540-1800 dr 4x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 26 March 0835-1535 dr 12x325 D.C.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 28 March 1945.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(66 sorties - 35 3/4 tons)

3 Trucks Destroyed near Nakaru: Following a strike Monday afternoon at 1350, two of the Corsairs noted three loaded trucks hidden under camouflage and trees on the south side of the road between Nakaru and Kanga Hill. One orbited the spot while the other plane returned to base to arrange a strike. Five fighters loaded with smoke bombs and four half-ton stick bombs were sent out at 1545. The smoke bombs marked the trucks and the first bomb damaged two with a near miss. The other three fell within 30 yards of the target, but caused no damage. The westernmost truck was already in flames from the strafing by the plane which orbited the position prior to this strike. The five planes then gunned the trucks and flamed the other two. The trucks were heavily laden, and one Nip was seen on the road just before the attack, so, hoping to catch him, the planes doubled back after they had supposedly started for home. Coming in at tree-top height, they caught two Japs attempting to salvage material from the trucks as they blazed. A few bundles had been rescued. The Nips dodged back into the jungle.

For the Record:

5 F4Us NZ 18 Nakaru 26 March 1545 dr 3x100 Smoke
                                                         4x1000 G.P.

Corsair Crashes Near Porton Plantation: Late Monday afternoon, four fighters with 2 half-ton and 6 quarter-ton daisy cutters were unable to locate a barge reported to be in Soraken Harbor, so they attacked a truck 1 1/2 miles from Porton Jetty, scored near misses and damaged the truck.
One of the Corsairs was seen to dive into the ground and explode at Porton Plantation. The pilot was F/O Brent Taylor Clarke (428782). He has been reported missing and believed killed since he was not seen to escape from the aircraft after it hit. The cause of the crash may have been A/A. The explosion was due to a 500-pound daisy cutter unreleased at the time of the crash.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 20 Soraken 26 March 1720 dr 2x1000 G.P.
                                                             6x500 G.P.

Patrols and Searches: The dusk patrol Monday and the dawn patrol yesterday had nil sightings. An A-C search at 0715 strafed two Nips running from gardens in Arawa Bay, also a camp fire at Puk Puk. A later search helped a Boomerang strafe two planes on the east shore Umum River mouth (NE coast) which produced definite oil slicks on the water. A barge was seen drawn up under dense overhanging trees on the NE side of the river mouth. A further attack is recounted below.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 20 Dusk Patrol 26 March No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 18 Dawn Patrol 27 March No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0715, 1100 No bombs.

5 Huts Destroyed, Truck Damaged at Nakaru: Yesterday at 0800, nine Piva Corsairs attacked six large huts dispersed on the south side of the road east of Nakaru. The target was accurately smoked and eight half-ton stick bombs were laid on and south of the target. The main large huts remained intact, but five smaller ones were destroyed. A heavy-duty 4-wheeled truck with double tires on the rear was strafed. This truck was loaded, and camouflaged in a parking spot on the road beside trees at 307298. It was left smoking and sagging. Also, a Nip in a slit trench was strafed 4 miles north.
Two sets of tracks similar to those made by small amphibious-type vehicles showed from sea to jungle (or vice versa) between the Oamai and the Sibilai Rivers. No vehicles or hide-out were soon.

For the Record:

9 F4Us NZ 18 Nakaru 0800 dr 3x100 Smoke
                                          8x1000 G.P.

Enemy Camp at Taitai Bombed: Tac/r led 8 fighters to a suspected Nip concentration at Taitai (southwest interior) at 0820. Four 1000-pound plus twelve 500-pound stick bombs were carried. Eight bombs were dropped on the first area smoked. No observed damage. The second target smoked was the north side of the junction of the Koriu and Taitai trail, and four bombs hit there. The last four hit 300 yards NE, as indicated. The trail was then strafed for 400 yards. No damage was seen.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 20 Taitai 0820 dr 4x1000 G.P.
                                          12x500 G.P.

More Muguai Huts Destroyed: The most productive strike of the day was against enemy huts at Muguai. Fourteen fighters hit at 1145 with smoke bombs, 6 half-ton and 18 quarter-ton daisy cutters. As the planes approached, the Japs (clever little men) set off a smoke bomb, which had some previous day proved a dud, in the old motor transport park. Nobody was fooled. The proper target was smoked by the lead plane and twelve bombs were dropped. Twelve huts of the clever little men were destroyed and two damaged. A second target 500 yards south was smoked and bombed by the other twelve bombs. Six more huts were destroyed, leaving six good huts undamaged in the area. Harvesting is in progress. The Japs are gathering crops, and we are gleaning huts.

For the Record:

14 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai #23B 1145 dr 4x100 Smoke
                                                     6x1000 G.P.
                                                     18x500 G.P.

Nakaru and Muguai Get "P.S." Bombings: Two fighters went out to put the finishing touches on the truck strafed at 0800 (see above). A half-ton daisy cutter was carried. Also, a 165-pound belly tank incendiary. The bomb hit 20 yards from the truck (which was now empty, with camouflage tossed aside). The truck was now a total loss, so the incendiary was aimed at 12 small huts 250 yards northwest. It hit 100 yards short and burned like mad. One empty truck was seen beside a corrugated iron building under dense jungle at 326293.
Another postscript was a two-plane attack on the six surviving huts at Muguai at 1400. 4 quarter-ton stick bombs were dropped. Two were duds. One undershot 20 yards. The last bomb exploded on the tree tops, damaging one hut. Low level recco of Kara drome was negative.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 18 NAKARU dr 1x1000 G.P.
                                       1x165 Incend.
2 F4Us NZ 20 Muguni #23B 1400 dr 4x500 G.P. (2 duds)

Oil Slicks at Umum Again Hit: Eight fighters returned to Umum River mouth to bomb the probable barge hides there. On arrival they saw a petrol fire burning furiously with flames 60 feet high on the NE side of the stream 100 yards from the river mouth, the result of tac/r strafing. Seven half-ton bombs were dropped, causing more oil to leak into the stream. Also, several small explosions were caused (possibly oil drums). The jungle area where the barge was sighted was then strafed and light smoke resulted. At another spot on the SW side, blue smoke came up after strafing. At this point, heavy rain curtailed the attack and the planes returned to base. Scouts report target destroyed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 18 Umum River 1400 dr 3x100 Smoke
                                                  7x1000 G.P.

Green Ventura Bombs Buka: At 1130 a PV with 6 quarter-tonners put two near Lenamanu Village (NW Buka) for unobserved results. When one engine cut, the pilot feathered the propeller and returned to base, jettisoning the other 4 bombs enroute.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 Buka 1130 dr 6x500 G.P.

Another Green Ventura Attacked Buka: In a medium level practice bombing, a PV dropped 6 quarter-tonners on Hanpan (north tip of Buka), getting all bombs in the target area, but not assessing damage.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 Buka 0830 dr 6x500 G.P.

NEW BRITAIN
(11 sorties - no bombs)

Bad Weather cancelled the Vunakanau strike, as usual. The morning ship count was negative. Two Corsairs covered Rabaul for nil sightings from 0715 to 0845 and a second pair was brought home early because of deteriorating weather. Patrols were resumed from 1115 to 1600 by six fighters, flying in pairs. Two more were still on guard at last report and the Gazelle patrol of one Ventura and two Corsairs which makes the last run of the day was enroute to the area. Strafing accounted for 1 truck destroyed and three damaged in the area. Also, 2 rubber dinghies containing 5 Japs were strafed and sunk, and all Nips killed.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 Rabaul Ship Count No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ 15, 24 Rabaul Patrols 0715-0845 1115-1600 No bombs.

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

Venturas on Recco Hit Two Bridges: The dusk PV Monday strafed huts at Pinikindu and Fangelawa. The dawn Ventura yesterday destroyed the south bridge at Balus with 6 quarter-tonners at low level. The ship-truck recco damaged the Fessoa bridge and cratered the approach with 4 quarter-tonners, then missed the Katenbaugh bridge with 2 more. This PV then strafed 1000 rounds at Pinis Point and Lamussong.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep 26 March 1638-1900 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep 27 March 0720-0930 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1230-1500 dr 6x500 G.P.

Corsairs Patrol Kavieng and Destroy Hut: The pair of Corsairs over Kavieng late Monday afternoon dove four 325-pound depth charges on the Ulunono bridge but did not damage it. 3 pairs of patrolling Corsairs yesterday dropped 12 325-pounders. Two missed the Lossuk bridge. Two unobserved at Metakoko. Two destroyed a hut at Kono. Two in sea nearby. Three more in the drink at Lemus, plus one dud. Wadeil, Nanawaul and Globio Islands were also strafed.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 26 March 1530-1755 dr 4x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 27 March 0900-1630 dr 12x325 D.C. (1 dud)

[aircraftclocks]

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

Major TAYLOR, Executive Officer of VMB-423, led eight PBJs of VMB-423 and five PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude strike on Borpop, New Ireland after clouds prevented an attack on the primary target of Vunakanau number twelve, New Britain. The formation was composed of seven PBJs in one three plane section and one four plane division as the first squadron and one PBJ and five PVs in two, three plane sections as the second squadron. Captain IVERSON in a PBJ flew as leader of the New Zealand Squadron so he could do the sighting as the PVs do not carry a bombsight.

The flight was airborne by 0936 and proceeded on a course of 256º magnetic to Powell Harbor, New Britain. As the primary target was completely covered by clouds the flight leader elected to bomb the secondary target, Borpop, New Ireland.

The formation proceeded to Borpop, where the bombing run was made on a heading of 313° magnetic. The flight leader was unable to release his bomb and the first section did not bomb on this run. The second division and the PV squadron released their bombs on this run, the PBJs bombing from 10,500 feet and the PVs from 10,200 feet at 160 knots indicated. The first section made a 360° turn for another bomb run but found that low clouds had obscured the target and returned to base with their bombs.

No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

The pattern of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown in the attached photographs.

2 F4U from NZ-15 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.