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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 8, 2020 0:47:44 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 28 Mar.
Lieutenant Colonel ANDERSON, Commanding Officer of VMB-423, led ten PBJs and five PVs in a medium altitude daylight strike on Matupi Island, after weather and cloud cover prevented the planned coordinated strike with Emirau planes on the primary target of Vunakanau number twelve, New Britain. The formation was composed of nine PBJs in three, 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 led the second squadron so that he could do the sighting for the PVs which do not carry a bombsight.
The flight was airborne by 0938 and after joining up as described above, proceeded to Powell Harbor. The formation then flew to the scheduled primary target area but weather conditions prevented the bombing. The flight then proceeded to Raluana Point then entered bombing run on the secondary target, Matupi Island.
The bombing run was made on a heading of 345° magnetic. Due to hung bombs the first and third sections of the first squadron did not bomb on the first bombing run. The third section of the first squadron could not bomb on the second run as they were not aligned on the target. Bombs were released by the second section of the first squadron at 1049 from 10,400 feet, one minute later the second squadron bombed from 10,000, the first section of the first squadron bombed at 1108 from 10,600 feet on their second bomb run, the third section bombed at 1115 from 10,200 feet on their third bomb run. The air speed of all planes was 160 knots indicated.
After the bombing runs were completed the planes broke to the right and returned to base. All planes were safe on deck at Green by 1209.
(No anti-aircraft fire was encountered).
2 F4U from NZ-17 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 8, 2020 0:55:06 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 29 March 1945.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(41 sorties-24 tons)
7 Huts Destroyed, Others Damaged at Nakaru: Another strike on this south Bougainville enemy center was made yesterday morning by 13 Piva Corsairs with a dozen half-ton daisy cutters. Four bombs were spotted at 298301, all within 15 yards of the smoke bomb, 4 huts were destroyed and 4 damaged. Smoke was then put on 301296 and four bombs destroyed 2 huts and damaging another. The third target at 294295 was indicated by strafing and the last four bombs hit there, destroying at least one hut. At about 299295 an aircraft fuselage was sighted. The plane was dark blue, badly damaged, and was thought to be an F4U.
For the Record:
13 F4Us NZ-18 Nakaru 0755 dr 3x100 Smoke (1 dud)
12x1000 G.P.
Isina Camp Area of 140 Japs Finally Bombed: AIB had earlier requested a strike on a large group of Japs from the Aropa and Wida areas camped at Isina in southeast Bougainville, but weather had postponed the strike. Eight fighters led by tac/r, attacked this target yesterday morning with 5 half-ton and 10 quarter-ton stick bombs. Eight bombs were spaced evenly between two fires set by natives 1000 feet apart. Then tac/r laid smoke 50 yards west of the center of the fires and the remaining bombs were dropped as indicated. Only observed result was one dead Jap.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-20 Isina 0815 dr 5x1000 G.P.
10x500 G.P.
Another Camp Struck at Baniu: AIB reported 40 Japs camped in 5 houses at Baniu on the northeast coast. After a bombing natives would move in and finish the job. So eight Corsairs put 8 half ton stick bombs in the area pin-pointed on the map. Results were not observed, and there was no sign of the huts, but the pilots considered that full coverage of the assigned area had been made.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-18 Baniu 1115 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Scramble and Searches Net 1 Hut Damaged: Two fighters went aloft to check a reported distress call, but found nothing. A pair on A-C search at 0635 saw lean-tos and 2 Nips in full uniform under trees along the beach southeast of Cape Puipui (central east coast). Troops were thought to be camped in the area. The edge of the jungle was strafed for 200 yards. Also, a hut on the shore at the south corner of Arana Bay was gunned. Two more fighters going the rounds at 1220 strafed and hit a brand-new hut in a small clearing surrounded by tall trees a quarter mile north of Papa? (NE coast).
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-20 Special Scramble 1330 No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-20 Able-Charlie Searches 0635, 1220 No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(27 sorties-24 tons)
Main Strike on Matupi; Weathered off Vunakanau: Five Venturas with 30 quarter tonners and 10 PBJs with 27 half tonners plus 6 quarter tonners bombed the secondary target of Matupi supply and personnel areas #501 and 502. The Mitchells put 24 bombs in the target area. 9 hit the sea. The PVs scored 15 quarter tonners in each area. Results were not observed.
For the Record:
5 PVs NZ-3 Matupi #501, 502 1050 dr 30x500 G.P.
10 PBJs VMB-423 dr 27x1000 G.P.
6x500 G.P.
Bogie Sighted by Patrol: Two Corsairs watched Rabaul fields late Tuesday afternoon for negative results. The Gazelle patrol of 2 Corsairs and a Ventura carrying 6 quarter tonners patrolled the area from 1755 to 1948. Sunset was at 1740. While flying at 1200 feet 25 miles east of Cape St. George (southern tip of New Ireland), S/Ldr Clarke sighted a possible bogie 25 miles away, in the direction of Feni Island. He closed to 15 miles, but the bogie escaped into thick cloud cover. Two of the dusk patrol were diverted to the area where they searched with negative results. Continuing to the Gazelle area, Clarke watched the Rabaul fields but saw nothing, then dropped 5 bombs on Vunakanau and one on Tobera for unseen damage. Inaccurate searchlights shone from Talili Bay and Keravat, but no A/A was met.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-24 Rabaul Patrol 27 March 1600-1810 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-15 Gazelle Patrol 27 March 1755-1948 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-3 Gazelle Patrol 27 March 1755-1948 dr 6x500 G.P.
Wednesday Patrols Negative: The morning ship count and weather hop over Rabaul by a PV yesterday was negative. 6 Corsairs patrolled the Rabaul area from 0710 to 1255 but were then weathered out until 1524. Patrols were then resumed.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Rabaul Ship Count 28 March No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrols 0710-1255 No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(33 sorties-45 1/2 tons)
Green Ventura Bombs Sperber Point: In a high level practice, a Green PV dropped 6 quarter-tonners for unobserved results on Sperber Point (SW New Ireland).
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Sperber Point dr 6x500 G.P.
Corsairs Collide and Crash: Two Corsairs escorting a Dumbo hit over Djaul Island at 1030 and crashed. One pilot was picked up uninjured. The other man floated down in his chute and his plane crashed close by, but neither pilot nor parachute was found. The search continues.
Venturas Bombs Huts: The dusk PV Tuesday put 6 quarter tonners on Katu gardens. The dawn Ventura yesterday cratered the Kaselok road with 5 of 6 quarter tonners. The 6th hung and was returned. The ship truck recco covered Patlangat gardens with 6 quarter tonners but damage was not assessed.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-8 Dusk Sweep 27 March 1640-1915 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-8 Dawn Sweep 28 March 0640-0939 dr 5x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-8 Ship-Truck Rocco 1300-1620 dr 6x500 G.P.
Corsairs Not Reported: The only word of fighter guard over Kavieng concerned late Tuesday flights. Two Corsairs dove 4 325-pound depth charges on Lemus Island huts, but overshot. They also strafed Wadeil Island huts.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 27 March 1545-1800 dr 4x325 D.C.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 8, 2020 1:15:50 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 30 Mar.
Major TAYLOR, Executive Officer of VMB-423, led eight PBJs of VMB-423 and five PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Matupi Island. The formation was composed of seven PBJs in one three plane section and one four plane diamond as the first squadron and one PBJ and five PVs in two, three plane sections as the second squadron. Captain WALLER in a PBJ flew as leader of the second squadron so that he could do the sighting for the New Zealand PVs which do not carry a bombsight.
The mission was scheduled as an attack on Tobera Targets 2 and 3 coordinated with PBJs and PVs from Emirau. The Emirau planes failing to keep the rendezvous and the Tobera targets being closed the formation hit the alternate target, Matupi Island.
The strike was airborne by 0936 and after joining-up as described above proceeded to Adler Bay and across the Gazelle Peninsula to Pondo Point for rendezvous with planes from Emirau. Emirau failing to arrive and Tobera being covered with nine tenths of towering cumulus the formation proceeded to the alternate target at Matupi Island. The PBJs released their bombs at 1129 from 10,400 feet at 160 knots indicated on a heading of 140° magnetic. The second squadron dropped from 10,000 feet at 1131 on a heading of 140º magnetic and 160 knots.
After bombing the formation broke to the left and returned to base. All planes were safely on deck by 1223.
No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
Of the PBJs bombs, 6 five hundred pounders and 6 thousand pounders were in the target while 13 thousand pounders hit the sea and two hung and were returned to base. The pattern of bomb hits 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.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 8, 2020 10:18:33 GMT 12
WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 27 MARCH 1945.
UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT
ADMIRALTIES
NZ-19 18 F4U 17 25 NZ #4 S.U.
EMIRAU
VMB-413 12 PBJ 12 45 VMB-413
VMB-433 12 PBJ 12 46 VMB-433
VMB-443 12 PBJ 12 45 VMB-443
VMB-611 15 PBJ 11 50 VMB-611
NZ-9 16 PV-1 15 13 NZ #10 S.U.
NZ-23 19 F4U 18 26 NZ #5 S.U.
GREEN
VMB-423 12 PBJ-1J 12 57 VMB-423
VPB-44 14 PBY-5A 13 45 PATSU 1-11
1 TBF-1 1
1 SBD-5 0
NZ-15 18 F4U-1 18 22 NZ #30 S.U.
NZ-24 18 F4U-1D 18 27 NZ #3 S.U.
NZ-3 16 PV-1 15 15 NZ #14 S.U.
BOUGAINVILLE
VMR-152 15 R4D-5 14 57 VMR-152
VMR-153 13 R4D-5 13 54 VMR-153
NZ-18 18 F4U 18 25 NZ #31 S.U.
NZ-20 17 F4U-1D 17 24 NZ #2 S.U.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 8, 2020 11:28:46 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 30 March 1945.
NEW BRITAIN
(53 sorties; 55 1/2 tons)
Green PVs and PBJs Make Simultaneous Strike: Hitting at the same time as the Emirau Mitchells, four PVs and 9 PBJs from Green unloaded 19 1/2 more tons of bombs. The Mitchells put 22 half tonners and 6 quarter-tonners in the target area. Two half-tonners overshot. The 24 quarter-tonners of the Venturas appeared to overshoot slightly. A cloud hindered observation of the target. No A/A was met.
For the Record:
24 PBJs VMB-Emirau Vunakanau 1110 dr 72x1000 G.P.
4 PV NZ-3 1111 dr 24x500 G.P.
9 PBJs VMB-423 1111 dr 24x1000 G.P.
6x500 G.P.
Gazelle Patrol Sights Zeke: At 1900 on Wednesday, the Green PV, on Gazelle Patrol, flying near Tobera at 10,500 feet was dived upon by a Zeke displaying a red roundel. It was camouflaged greenish-brown on its upper surfaces. The Zeke overshot and turned toward the Ventura who in turn dove to attack. The Zeke passed fast and disappeared to the rear into thick cloud cover. No fire was exchanged. All members of the crew agreed it was a Zeke.
The Rabaul area was covered until 2010 for negative results. The Corsairs had been recalled early owing to thickening weather at Green.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-Green Gazelle Patrol 28 March 1900 No bombs
1 PV NZ-3 No bombs
Corsairs Watch Rabaul During Day: Two fighters patrolled late Wednesday afternoon but saw nothing. The ship count over Rabaul yesterday was negative. Ten Corsairs kept watch during the day but had no sightings to report.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrol 28 March 1600-1805 No bombs
1 PV NZ-3 Rabaul Ship Count 29 March No bombs
10 F4Us NZ-15, 24 Rabaul Patrols 0710-1600 No bombs
NEW IRELAND
(28 sorties - 29 tons)
Green Venturas Drop 3 Tons: In a medium-level practice, a PV put 6 quarter-tonners on Borpop A/A positions, getting 4 near misses and 2 in the sea. Meagre inaccurate light to medium fire was met. Another Ventura got 3 hits, 2 near misses and a dud for unseen damage with another 6 quarter-tonners.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 3 Borpop 0830 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 3 1400 dr 6x500 G.P. (1 dud)
Recco Venturas Down One Cow: The dusk PV on Wednesday dropped two quarter-tonners on the Fessoa bridge approach and gunned 1650 rounds at Lamerika and Kimidan. The reports claim one Jap cow a casualty. The dawn Ventura yesterday low-leveled 6 quarter-tonners, putting one at Sali bridge, 3 on the Libba bridge (for possible damage), and 2 misses at the Amba bridge. 1200 rounds were gunned into various garden areas. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from Cape Sass. Engine trouble restricted the ship-truck recco, but it damaged the Libba bridge with 6 quarter-tonners from minimum height.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 8 Dusk Sweep 28 March 1830-1930 dr 2x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Dawn Sweep 29 March 0627-0933 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 8 Ship-Truck Recco 1130-1350 dr 6x500 G.P.
Corsairs Use Napalm on Kavieng Patrol: Two fighters over Kavieng Wednesday afternoon dropped four 100-pound napalm bombs for unseen damage. They also strafed huts at Metakoko and Malapai and a ruined beached whale boat at Kabatheron Island. Three pairs of Corsairs on Kavieng patrol yesterday dove two 325-pound depth charges on Mane gardens, one which missed the Mane jetty, one near a Wadeil hut, two which missed huts at Ral Island, and two near a wooden hulk east of Ral. This last target was then strafed and was seen to burn for three hours. Nips in gardens south of Balgai were chased by gunfire and ten were probably killed. Ungan, Wadeil and Mane Islands were also strafed.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 28 March 1530-1800 dr 4x100 Napalm.
6 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 29 March 0800-1545 dr 8x325 D.C.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(41 sorties - 17 3/4 tons)
Nakaru Bivouac and Stores Take More Bombs: Nine fighters hit targets 300 yards north of Nakaru at 0740. Four large huts were marked by smoke and three half-ton daisy cutters destroyed all four. Seven more huts were smoked and the last 5 half-tonners destroyed two huts. A new but as yet unused road is under construction around the three demolished trucks.
For the Record:
9 F4Us NZ 18 Nakaru 0740 dr 3x100 Smoke
8x1000 G.P.
40 Huts Destroyed, 14 Damaged at Muguai: 14 Piva Corsairs finished off the new huts at Muguai early yesterday: With smoke bombs laid on target #2, twelve half and quarter-ton daisy cutters destroyed 10 huts. More smoke marked a small target across the road from #3. The rest of the bombs hit, causing two large flashes, destroying five huts and damaging seven. Four bursts of inaccurate heavy ack ack came from known positions at Ebery's Lease.
At 1200 another 14 Corsairs dropped 5 half-tonners and 18 quarter-tonners (all stick bombs). 4 smoke bombs marked a target of huts next to the western corner of target #9. All bombs hit the area, destroying no less than 25 structures and damaging an additional seven. Many of these huts were made of corrugated iron. One which was burnt out had an iron frame and contained piles of stores and fifty 40-gallon drums, all of which were burned and scattered. Debris was spread over the entire area. One large truck, probably a 6-wheel, was destroyed. Several new targets were found. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from Ebery's Lease.
For the Record:
11 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai 0735 dr 4x100 Smoke (1 dud)
5x1000 G.P.
10x500 G.P.
8x325 D.C.
11 F4Us NZ 20 Muguai 1200 dr 4x100 Smoke (1 dud)
5x1000 G.P.
10x500 G.P.
Patrols Strafe and Sight: Two fighters on A-C search at 0830 strafed a home north of Asitavi (central east coast), cooking fires at Arawa and seaward from Kieta strip, a possible truck near Kara. They saw a grass fire SW of Nakaru and three 20' by 20' pits holding covered objects at the south end of Kara strip. The next pair at 1200 were weathered out and landed at Stirling.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0830,1200 No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 9, 2020 10:25:49 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 31 March 1945.
NEW BRITAIN
(27 sorties-21 tons)
Late Rabaul Patrols Thursday Challenge Ship and Sight Zeke: The pair of Corsairs over the Gazelle area from 1600 to 1800 on 29 March challenged two craft moving north 1 1/2 miles off the east coast at Iltis Point. One identified itself as seaplane tender 1143. Travel in these waters is not in accordance with current restrictions.
Two Corsairs on Gazelle patrol were ordered at 1845 to proceed to base as clouds were lowering. The PV also on duty dropped a quarter-tonner on Lakunai, two on Tobera, and three on Rapopo for unseen damage. At 1910, flying at 10,500 feet between Vunakanau and Tobera, a gunner sighted a Zeke for three seconds as it passed under the wing and then entered a cloud. No further sighting was obtained, and the PV left station at 1930.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-Green Rabaul Patrol 29 March 1600-1805 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-15 Gazelle Patrol 29 March 1800-1845 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-3 Gazelle Patrol 29 March 1800-1930 dr 6x500 G.P.
Matupi Targets Heavily Hit: Eight Marine Mitchells with 21 half tonners and 6 quarter tonners led five Venturas with 30 quarter tonners from base at Green to the personnel and supply area on Matupi yesterday morning. No flak was met but clouds partly spoiled the sighting. The PBJs put all six quarter-tonners and 6 of the 21 half tonners on the mark. Two half tonners hung and were returned to base. The remainder splashed in the sea. The PVs put all 30 quarter tonners in the target area. No damage was assessed. This strike was weathered off Tobera, hit Matupi as second choice.
For the Record:
8 PBJs VMB-423 Matupi 1130 dr 19x1000 G.P.
6x500 G.P.
5 PVs NZ-3 Matupi 1130 dr 30x500 G.P.
Patrols Sight Bogie Yesterday Morning: 8 Corsairs watched the Rabaul area yesterday after a negative ship count. The first patrol was unable to reach the area and returned to base 90 minutes after take-off. At 0800 one pilot sighted an unidentified single engine aircraft south of Cape St. George at 6000 feet, watching it from a distance of 2 to 20 miles for 30 seconds before it disappeared in a cloud.
A smoke float was seen on the water between Duke of York and New Ireland. It burnt out three minutes after sighting. In strafing runs, three trucks were destroyed and one damaged in the area. One contained fuel drums.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Rabaul Ship Count 30 March No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ-15, 24 Rabaul Patrols 30 March 0940-1600 No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(36 sorties - 45 1/4 tons)
Green Venturas Hit South Shore Huts: A PV dropped 6 quarter-tonners at medium level on huts at the mouth of the Weiten River, getting one direct hit, two near misses, two longs and a dud. No A/A was met. Another PV put 2 quarter-tonners in the water near Libek Island (SE coast), one direct hit on a gun site at Borpop, two short and a long.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 3 Weiten River 0830 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 3 Lipek, Borpop 1445 dr 6x500 G.P.
Venturas on Recco Destroy Huts: The dusk PV Thursday put 6 quarter-tonners on Lamussong, cratering the bridge approach, and Polli, for the same result on the bridge road there. The dawn run yesterday destroyed 2 huts at Lamernewi with three quarter-tonners, but missed a tin hut with three at Kono. The ship truck recco laid 6 quarter-tonners on Suma Plantation for unobserved results, then strafed various targets.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 9 Dusk Sweep 29 March 1620-1905 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 9 Dawn Sweep 30 March 0644-0940 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 9 Ship-Truck Recco 1200-1446 dr 6x500 G.P.
Corsairs Patrol Kavieng and Damage Wadeil Huts: A pair of fighters dove two 325-pound depth charges but missed the new Balus bridge while watching Kavieng late Thursday afternoon. Six Corsairs on duty yesterday put two half-tonners on huts at Globio Island (unobserved), two which damaged Wadeil Island huts, and two splashes off Mane Island. Huts at Ral, Malapai and Kono were strafed. Meagre inaccurate tracered light A/A came from Kavieng.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 29 March 1600-1800 dr 2x325 D.C.
6 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 30 March 0900-1600 dr 6x1000 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(52 sorties-22 1/2 tons)
Sub Search Negative: A possible enemy supply submarine was sighted about 50 miles WSW of Shortland Island and was expected to arrive at Buin about 0400 yesterday. A Ventura from Green searched the area from 0918 to 1248 and a Catalina from VPB-44 watched from 1130 to 1600 for negative results. Two Piva Corsairs flew sub patrol at 0600. One plane was holed by meagre heavy A/A from Kangu Hill on the south coast. Two fighters did a partial A-C search at 0700. Another pair continued the pig-boat search at 0805, saw nothing asea, jettisoned four 325-pound depth charges, strafed and burned two cars and a truck on the Maiki-Moisuru road. Two more fighters at 1000 continued the sub patrol an hour then jettisoned their four 325-ers and strafed the same truck, also located 7 huts and two trucks in a compound on the seaward side of the coast road midway between the junction and Maiki, strafed this target, and burned four of the huts besides destroying both trucks.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Sub Search 0918-1248 No bombs.
1 PBY VPB-44 1130-1600 No bombs.
8 F4Us NZ-20 Sub & A-C Searches 0600-1100 dr 8x325 D.C.
Suspected HQ Attacked: Five or six closely-grouped huts at Oso in southwest Bougainville were said to be the headquarters of the 6th Jap Division. These huts are new and well camouflaged. Four fighters dropped 3 half ton and 4 quarter ton daisy cutters as directed by tac/r yesterday early. 18 strafing runs were then made on the Koriu road junction.
Twelve fighters followed in with a dozen half-ton stick bombs. Four were dropped as directed and the planes strafed 4 huts NE of the target, the jungle area 100 yards southwest, and a hut in the center of the target. All the above were targets indicated by tac/r. A second target 300 yards east was then smoked and the last 8 bombs dropped. One was a dud. A smoke pall prevented observation of results.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-20 Oso 0810 dr 3x1000 G.P.
4x500 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ-18 12x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
Many More Muguai Mansions Mashed: Six fighters hit Muguai #17 at 1205 with 3 half ton and 4 quarter ton daisy cutters. Smoke helped all but one hit true. Eight buildings were destroyed, one flattened and one badly damaged. Fifteen drums were scattered and the wreckage smoked for quite a while after the bombing.
Ten fighters hit #5. A smoke-bomber from the earlier strike showed where to lay the ten half ton stick bombs. Eight fell within 40 yards of the smoke, one was 100 yards south and one hung and was jettisoned in the sea. Smokey Joe estimated 15 huts destroyed and 5 damaged. General recco indicates intense activity in the area. The truck destroyed Thursday was noted under dense foliage cover.
For the Record:
6 F4Us NZ-20 Muguai #17 1205 dr 4x100 Smoke
3x1000 G.P.
4x500 G.P.
10 F4Us NZ-18 Muguai #5 1205 dr 10x1000 G.P.
Quartet Bombs Huts, Strafes Barge, Scares Soldiers: Four Piva Corsairs destroyed 4 huts and damaged a fifth at the mouth of the Samiei River (south coast) with 4 half ton daisy cutters, hit empty oil drums and a barge nearby, also chased 15 or more Japs in dark green uniforms and caps on the road 200 yards south of the Hari River ford, then strafed the brush where they took cover.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-18 Samiei River 1500 dr 4x1000 G.P.
Thursday Search Now Reported: Two fighters flew an A-C search at 1155 on 29 March, strafed a Nip at Ruri Bay and gunned a camouflaged object northwest of Tiperoi on the central east coast.
Two fighters scrambled to search for a ship reported enroute to Bougainville found the ship all copasetic.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 A-C Search 29 March 1155 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-18 Ship Search 29 March No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 9, 2020 10:32:06 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 1 April 1945.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(42 sorties-20 3/4 tons)
54 More Huts Hit at Muguai: Up to this report, 14 targets out of 26 in the Muguai area have been hit. Ten of these targets are reported completely demolished. This includes 200 huts destroyed. Many of these "huts" were in reality large buildings. Also supplies, a sawmill, MT parks, bivouac areas and fuel dumps have been bombed with excellent results. Two more strikes were made yesterday, as follows:
14 Piva Corsairs hit the Malabeta Road junction nt 0745. The target was in dense jungle and much larger then originally estimated. Smoke was laid and all bombs laid in the area. This included 5 half ton and 18 quarter ton daisy cutters. The west side of Malabeta Hill showed signs of intense activity. Meagre inaccurate to accurate heavy A/A from Ebery's Lease dissuaded the Corsairs from strafing a staff car and bridge repair truck seen on Kara Road.
At 1200 another 14 fighters struck with 6 half tonners, 16 quarter ton stick bombs, a 650 pound depth charge and two 500-pound incendiaries. Eight bombs and an incendiary were dropped on the first target, starting an hour-long fire. Damage from this and the earlier attack was estimated at 35 huts destroyed and six damaged, six trucks, three cars and a jeep destroyed, tires and 44-gallon drums scattered.
Four trucks were strafed and damaged a mile from the Malabeta target. A motor bike with side car was seen but not gunned.
Target #12 was then smoked and 8 bombs completely cleared the area, destroying 9 huts and crippling 4. Another target at the foot of Mt. Boeder received the last eight bombs, destroying 5 huts and damaging two. A medium-sized barge and a canoe were strafed and damaged near Maiki. The Koriu road was also gunned. One burst of accurate heavy flak came from a Muliko River position.
For the Record:
14 F4Us NZ-20 Malabeta 0745 dr 4x100 Smoke
5x1000 G.P.
18x500 G.P.
14 F4Us NZ-20 Malabeta, 1200 dr 2x100 Smoke
Muguai, Mt. Boeder 6x1000 G.P.
16x500 G.P.
1x650 D.C.
2x500 Incend.
12 Huts Hit at Maika: 9 fighters attacked a group of 12 huts a mile east of Maika at 0800, smoked the target and put seven bombs in the target area (one hung and overshot). Eight huts were destroyed and the other four were damaged. 20 to 30 puffs of correct-height heavy A/A came from Ebery's Lease plus two guns seen to be firing from known positions near the foot bridge a mile to the west.
For the Record:
9 F4Us NZ-18 Maika 0800 dr 3x100 Smoke
8x1000 G.P.
Searches Riddle Empty Drums: A pair of fighters on A-C search at 0755 strafed suspicious black boxes at Tonolei, noted Nips in Shortland gardens. A pair on search at 1055 gunned a stack of empty fuel drums at Tiperoi. Six 500-pounders hit Cape Dunganon (Buka) unobserved.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Searches 0755, 1055 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 3 Cape Dunganon 0830 dr 6x500 G.P.
NEW BRITAIN
(72 sorties - 67 3/4 tons)
Friday Gazelle Watchers Bomb Air Strips: Two Corsairs on late Rabaul patrol Friday afternoon sighted nothing 1550-1800. Two Corsairs and a Ventura had nothing to report 1800-1920 except two 500-pounders dropped on Vunakanau and four on Keravat unobserved. A PBJ heckled from 2200-2400, putting 8 "century" incendiaries from Sulphur Creek to the NE corner of Rabaul for several explosions and 15-minute fires. Two more "century" bombs were dropped at one accurate and 10 inaccurate searchlights near Tobera strip. Two more bombs splashed in the water near Rabaul. No A/A was met.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-15 Rabaul Patrol 30 March 1550-1800 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-24 Gazelle Patrol 30 March 1800-1920 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-3 Gazelle Patrol 30 March 1800-1920 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PBJ VMB-423 Rabaul Heckler 30 March 2200-2400 dr 12x100 Incend.
Mitchells and Venturas Bomb Tobera: 12 PBJs with 11 quarter-tonners and 18 half-tonners led 5 PVs with 30 quarter-tonners to Tobera #2 and 3. The Mitchells put 15 half-tonners in the target. The Venturas landed 18 quarter-tonners north of the target, and eight nearby. All the rest hit the Borpop personnel area, meeting moderate inaccurate medium and heavy A/A from near the strip.
For the Record:
12 PBJs VMB 423 Tobera, Borpop 1055 dr 11x500 G.P.
18x1000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ 3 dr 30x500 G.P.
Corsairs Also Bomb Tobera: A dozen fighters dove 12 half-tonners on Tobera #26 at 1020, putting 5 in the target, 3 near misses, 2 unobserved, and 2 hand-ups later jettisoned. No A/A was met.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 15 Tobera #26 1020 dr 12x1000 G.P.
Corsairs Sight Two Bogies on Tobera: Ton fighters watched Rabaul yesterday. The afternoon patrol sighted 2 silver A/C in revetments at 119082 Tobera from 7500 feet. Serviceability undetermined. All else negative.
For the Record:
10 F4Us NZ 15, 24 Rabaul Patrols 0705-1655 No bombs.
NEW IRELAND (34 sorties - 39 tons)
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 9, 2020 10:45:06 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 1 April.
Major LOWELL, Operations Officer of VMB-423, led six PBJs of VMB-423 and fire PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Vunakanau target number 8. The formation was composed of five PBJs in one three plane and one two plane section as the first squadron and one PBJ and five PVs in two, three plane sections as the second squadron. Captain BEAIRD flew as leader of the New Zealand Squadron so that he could do the sighting for the PVs which do not carry a bombsight.
The strike was airborne by 0835 and joined up as described above, then proceeded to Wide Bay, New Britain. From Wide Bay the formation turned up the coast toward Adler Bay for bombardiers to adjust bombsights and figure drift. The flight then turned into a heading of 320° magnetic for 33 miles and when southwest of Vunakanau turned into the bombing run.
The first squadron bombed from 11,300 feet at 0943 on a heading of 037° magnetic and 160 knots indicated. The second squadron released its bombs from 10,900 feet at 0944 on a course of 037° magnetic and 160 knots.
After bombs were away the formation broke right and returned to base. All planes were safely on deck at Green Island by 1027.
No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
Ninety percent of the PBJs bombs were in the target while thirty percent of the PVs bombs hit the target but others were long and short. Two fires were started in the target area. The pattern of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photographs.
2 F4U from NZ-24 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 9, 2020 11:20:41 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 2 April 1945.
NEW BRITAIN
(46 sorties-49 tons)
Vunakanau Plane Parks Attract 47 Tons: 5 Green Venturas with 30 quarter tonners and 5 Green Mitchells with 15 half tonners blasted target #8 at Vunakanau. This area is a likely aircraft hideaway. 13 of the PBJ's 15 bombs struck the target, causing an explosion and fire at the east end of the area. One half tonner overshot and one fell short, but both stayed right at the edge of the target limits. The Venturas put 12 quarter tonners in the north clump of trees, causing large fires, 12 more on the north edge of the target, and the last six farther north. No A/A was met.
Twenty Marine Mitchells from Emirau hit another suspected plane park (#12) at Vunakanau with 118 quarter tonners in the area and 6 close to the east. 6 hung and were jettisoned. No A/A was reported.
For the Record:
5 PVs NZ-3 Vunakanau #8 dr 30x500 G.P.
5 PBJs VMB-423 Vunakanau #8 dr 15x1000 G.P.
20 PBJs VMB-Emirau Vunakanau #12 1057 dr 130x500 G.P.
Patrols Score on Barges and Trucks: The two Corsairs on Rabaul patrol late Saturday afternoon strafed and destroyed a truck at Wangaramut Plantation, two more at Keravat, smoked one at Liguan Bay, destroyed 2 and badly damaged 5 where the Boiler Road and Kurakakaul Road join the coast road at Talili. The two Corsairs and Ventura on station 1800 to 1935 saw nothing. The Ventura dropped one 500-pounder on Lakunai, two on Vunakanau and three on Tobera for unseen damage. No A/A or lights were met.
The ship count yesterday was negative.
Five pairs of Corsairs watched Rabaul yesterday from 0720 to 1625. The first patrol saw three 50 foot barges in an inlet near Keravia Bay and badly damaged two by strafing, also strafed and left in flames a machine gun nest east of Davaun. Other patrols strafed and destroyed a truck at Ratongor, a car south of Tawui, damaged a light truck at Lomondah, killed a Jap at Wunawutung, and damaged a row boat at Wari on Duke of York.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-15 Rabaul Patrols 31 March 1655-1830 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-15 Gazelle Patrol 31 March 1800-1935 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-3 Gazelle Patrol 31 March 1800-1935 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-3 Rabaul Ship Count 1 April No bombs.
10 F4Us NZ-15, 24 Rabaul Patrols 1 April 0720-1625 No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(22 sorties-23 3/4 tons)
Venturas Hole Highway and Huts: A PV from Green put 1 quarter tonner near the Namatanai strip, 1 south of Bopire and 4 in the sea. 6 PV from Emirau on a bombing sweep south of Doi Island put 12 of 17 quarter tonners on the road from Panemane to Lamussong, 6 on bivouac fires in the hills behind Lemakot, 4 which missed the Libba bridge, 1 which destroyed a Medina hut and 8 which damaged the Katenbuang bridge, also strafing 8400 rounds into various targets.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Namatanai 0730-0830 dr 6x250 G.P.
6 PVs NZ-9 Northern Coasts 1030-1140 dr 36x500 G.P.
Recco PVs Destroy Bridge: The dusk PV Saturday put 2 quarter tonners on gardens at Polli, 3 which destroyed the Bohl River bridge (near Libba on the central east coast) and a miss at the Fessoa bridge.
The dawn run yesterday laid 6 quarter tonners for no damage on various bridges.
The ship-truck Ventura holed the Lemakot road 6 times with quarter-tonners, and gunned 1100 rounds into huts and gardens on the coast.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-9 Dusk Sweep 31 March 1625-1905 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Dawn Sweep 1 April 0600-0908 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Ship-Truck Recco 1100-1400 dr 6x500 G.P.
Kavieng Patrols Crater Mongai Road: The late Saturday Corsairs dived a half tonner into the sea and another at Cape Sali huts for unseen damage. 6 Corsairs yesterday watched Kavieng by twos and dropped a dozen quarter tonners missing a truck, hut and gardens near Kavieng, the Mongai and Balus bridges, but hitting the Mongai Bay road with three. A beached canoe on Mane and huts at Malapai were strafed.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrol 31 March 1545-1730 dr 2x1000 G.P.
6 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng Patrols 1 April 0850-1530 dr 12x500 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(28 sorties-13 1/4 tons)
Gun Positions Near Kara Heavily Hit: 13 Piva Corsairs hit guns located by the Muliko River in south Bougainville yesterday morning with a mixture of half and quarter ton, stick bombs and instantaneous fused. Three automatic guns without covers were seen 200 yards east of the reported position. Bombing destroyed 2. The third was still active and firing. Three huts were destroyed. Moderate inaccurate automatic fire came from the target and Ebery's Lease.
13 more Corsairs hit guns on Ebery's Lease at the same time. Smoke showed the target. Four planes low-leveled from northwest and dropped 5 delay-fused bombs on the target. Four planes ran in from the north, undershot 2 stick bombs 20 yards, one by 10 yards and one unobserved. Four Corsairs made the same run with instantaneous fused bombs, getting one 15 yards short, 3 just off to the northwest. One plane then strafed a heavy gun position and figures were seen running. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from Kahili and possibly from Malabeta Hill. About 24 bursts in all. The squadron leader saw bursts of medium A/A leading him when he was still a quarter mile from the target.
For the Record:
13 F4Us NZ-20 Muliko 1020 dr 2x100 Smoke
3x1000 G.P. Inst.
2x1000 G.P. Stick
8x500 G.P. Inst.
10x500 G.P. Stick
13 F4Us NZ-20 Ebery's Lease1020 dr 3x100 Smoke
4x1000 G.P. 4/5 Delay
4x1000 G.P. Stick
4x1000 G.P. Inst.
A-C Search Strafes Truck and Huts: Two Corsairs on a look-around at 1215 strafed an empty 4-wheeled truck parked near Chabai (north coast), 2 Nips on Tarbut beach, and two near Mobino; also smoked 2 used huts at Chabai.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Search 1215 No bombs.
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Post by kiwiruna on Sept 9, 2020 12:31:29 GMT 12
Hi Aircrarftclocks,
I don't know if this is any help just over a year ago my ex father in law passed away(Neil Manssen)he was an RNZAF instructor here in NZ and he also did 1 tour on Corsairs in late 44 early 45 flying out of EMIRAU in my memory is correct. I have had a look through his log book and he flew most types here in NZ and took part in interdiction missions when stationed at Emirau. I'm not sure if the ex or her sister has his log book but I can put you in touch if its helpful.
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Post by davidd on Sept 9, 2020 13:18:03 GMT 12
The long-awaited fitting of bomb sights to the RNZAF PV-1s is now imminent, with first operational use on 8th April against Vunakanau airfield target No. 12 by six aircraft crews of No. 3 Squadron.
David D
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Post by davidd on Sept 9, 2020 13:24:06 GMT 12
Kiwiruna, your father in law flew with 25 Squadron on their second tour from Emirau, and he was almost set to depart on their third (his second) when the war ended.
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 10, 2020 0:02:47 GMT 12
kiwiruna
I am just posting the information contained in documents that up until recently were classified and most people interested in the subject would not be able to access. As to logbooks a certain Mr Homewood is always interested in getting his hands on them.
In many respects, publishing the timing and nature of particular sorties may fill in details of what may otherwise be just very limited factual data contained in a log book. For others these reports really show what was going on and in some cases as to why.
Reading the daily tasking orders is really interesting, but since this thread is on the actual activity performed by the RNZAF, I have not included any detail from them.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 10, 2020 0:30:49 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 2 April.
Major TAYLOR, Executive Officer, led seven PBJs of VMB-423 and five PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude daylight bombing attack on target number 9, Muguai, Bougainville. Then Major TAILOR led the first squadron in a strafing attack on installations along the road between Monitu Mission and Tai Tai (see narrative).
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 WALLER flew as leader of the second squadron so he could do the sighting for the PVs which do not carry a bombsight.
After joining up as described above the formation proceeded to the Kieta Air Strip on the east coast of Bougainville where the strike flew a course of 161° magnetic for bombardiers to stabalize bombsights and figure drift. The flight then followed a heading of 173° magnetic for eighteen miles at which point it turned into the bomb run.
The first squadron, composed of PBJs dropped their bombs from 11,100 foot at 1001 on a course of 161° magnetic and at an indicated air speed of 160 knots. The second squadron bombed at 1002 from 10,700 feet on the same course and speed.
When bombs were away the formation broke to the left and Captain WALLER returned to base with the second squadron and was safely on deck at 1105.
In the Muguai strike fourteen bursts of inaccurate, high and trailing, heavy anti-aircraft fire were encountered from known positions in the south end of Ebery's Lease.
All bombs were in the target except two half-tonners which failed to release and were returned to base. The pattern of bomb hits with relation to the target is shown on the attached photograph.
Low Level Monoitu
Following the Muguai attack the six PBJs of the first squadron proceeded to a rendezvous with two Piva Corsairs at 5000 feet, five miles west of Mt. Taroka. The Corsairs then preceded the PBJs and placed smoke bombs on each side of the Tai Tai road. As the Corsairs smoked the target the PBJs orbitted to establish a two minute interval behind the Corsairs and a two minute interval between the first and second sections of PBJs.
The strafing was done at tree top level and at 210 knots indicated by two, three plane sections in line abreast. 18,000 rounds of caliber .50 ammunition was expended in thoroughly strafing the area from Tai Tai to Monoitu, causing a fire which burned for one hour with smoke to 1000 feet.
Meagre, inaccurate light anti-aircraft fire from unobserved positions was encountered during the strafing run.
Following the low level attack the PBJs broke away to the right and turned to base and were safely on deck by 1140.
2 F4U from NZ-15 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 10, 2020 2:01:43 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 3 April 1945.
NEW IRELAND
(34 sorties -43 1/2 tons)
19 Mitchells and 6 PVs Hit Kavieng Camp: At 1150 yesterday a force of 25 Emirau aircraft bombed a personnel area at Kavieng Town. The 19 PBJs carried 112 quarter-tons. The Venturas carried 36 quarter-tonners. Hits were as follows: 6 in the water, 12 in a vacant area north and east of town, 12 in garden south of the road to the airstrip, 10 which damaged buildings on the north side of the road to the strip near a point 2000 feet east of the beach, and 96 bombs which blanketed 3 medium and 3 light A/A positions and a searchlight in 1500 feet of town area south of the west end of the road from Kavieng strip. Two PVs jettisoned 12 hang-ups. No A/A was met.
For the Record:
10 PBJs VMB-Emirau Kavieng 1150 dr 112x500 G.P.
6 PVs NZ 9 dr 36x500 G.P.
Venturas Crater Roads and Cattle: The dusk PV Sunday was cancelled because of mechanical difficulties. The dawn sweep yesterday low-leveled 6 quarter-tonners. Three holed the Koko road and three cratered the Patlangat road. 1400 rounds killed cattle near a Koko plantation. The ship-truck recco holed the road near the Dallum detour bridge with 6 quarter-tonners and damaged five huts with 1400 rounds of gunfire. Green PV hit east coast. Nil damage .
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 3 Matankuk, Namatanai, Dorpop. 0800 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 9 Dawn Sweep 2 April 0700-0950 dr 6x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ 9 Ship-Truck Recco 1214-1440 dr 6x500 G.P.
Corsairs on Patrol Destroy Huts: The late pair of fighters over Kavieng Sunday dived 4 quarter-tonners on a Baudissen Island house, missed, but hit a nearby hut. Because of lowering weather, only two pairs of Corsairs watched Kavieng yesterday. The second duo cratered a road at Balus and demolished a hut north of Balgai with 4 quarter-tonners.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrol 1 April 1530-1800 dr 4x500 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 23 Kavieng Patrols 2 April 0930 dr 4x500 G.P.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(34 sorties - 26 3/4 tons)
Nakaru Huts Attacked: 9 Piva Corsairs put 6 half-ton daisy cutters within 40 yards of 20 to 30 huts protected by dense jungle at Nakaru but accurately marked by smoke bombs. Another half-tonner fell 100 yards to the west and one was a dud. A smoke pall and the slanting sun prevented observation of damage.
For the Record:
9 F4Us NZ 18 Nakaru 0750 dr 3x100 Smoke
8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
Guns at Unanai Bombed: 8 fighters led by tac/r hit the suspected location of two 105mm guns which had been causing trouble to the forward patrols of the advancing Australians at Unanai. The target was smoked and 3 half-ton stick bombs dropped for unseen damage. On the way home, 4 planes strafed the northwest side of the road from Monoitu to the Hari River Ford to harass troops reported on the move on that track yesterday.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 18 Unanai 1135 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Able-Charlie Searches: Two Corsairs swept the area at 0700, making a diversionary strafing attack from Baniu Bay to Rugen while supplies were being dropped by a C-47 to a Coastwatcher.
Two more Corsairs went around at 0940. With two 100-pound smoke bombs they marked both sides of the Taitai road at 1020 to help the Green Mitchells scheduled to strafe there. The Corsairs also strafed 3 huts at Gomai Point (west of Shortland), 2 on an island in Potai Bay (west Shortland), a square iron tank in Kupala Bay (north Shortland), 3 huts at Toma Harbor (south Fauro), 2 at Kariki (NE Fauro), a Nip at the Abia River mouth (SE coast). All results unobserved. A possible pill-box was seen near Aliang (south coast of Shortland).
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 18 Able-Charlie Searches 0700-0940 dr 2x100 Smoke.
Muguai Concentration of 100 Huts Attacked: At 0956, 7 Marine PBJs with 6 quarter-tonners and 18 half-tonners joined 5 Venturas carrying 30 quarter-tonners in a strike from Green on Muguai in southern Bougainville. The Mitchells put all bombs in the target but 2 half-ton hang-ups which were returned to base. 10 fires were started in the target area. The PVs put all bombs in the target, with much smoke resulting.
The Mitchells then strafed the area from Taitai to Monoitu, meeting intense inaccurate heavy flak from Ebery's Lease and intense accurate to inaccurate light A/A between Taitai and Monoitu. Meagre accurate light and medium fire also came from unseen positions at the target.
For the Record:
7 PBJs VMB 423 Muguai #9 0956 dr 6x500 G.P.
16x1000 G.P.
5 PVs NZ 3 dr 30x500 G.P.
Ventura Plasters Buka: 1 PV from Green dropped six 500-pounders on Tchatsi on the north coast of Buka for unseen damage.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 3 Buka dr 6x500 G.P.
NEW BRITAIN
(31 sorties - 10 tons)
Easter Sunday Patrols Negative: Two Corsairs over Rabaul late Sunday afternoon had nil sighting. The two fighters and PV who relieved them also reported negative observations. This Ventura dropped 3 small depth charges on Vunakanau, 1 on Rapopo, and 1 on Rabaul unobserved, meeting meagre accurate heavy fire from Rapopo, Keravat and Vunakanau. The Corsairs encountered meagre inaccurate heavy A/A from Praed Point, an inaccurate S/L from Ratongor, an accurate light from Rapopo and 2 accurate search-lights from Keravat.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 24 Rabaul Patrol 1 April 1615-1815 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 15 Gazelle Patrol 1 April 1800-1940 No bombs.
1 PV NZ 3 Gazelle Patrol 1 April 1800-1940 dr 6x325 D.C.
Photo Intelligence: Coverage of 1 April showed that the float planes at Malaguna are no longer present in the positions previously reported and are not visible elsewhere.
Shipping Count: One Royal New Zealand Air Force Ventura from the base at Green Island made the customary weather observation and harbor ship count over Rabaul yesterday morning. As in the past, there were no sightings to report.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 3 Rabaul Ship Count 2 April No bombs.
12 Corsairs Bomb Malaguna Hide: A dozen fighters put six 650-pound depth charges and 18 quarter-tonners on another suspected float plane hideout at Malaguna. One plane returned early, jettisoning its 2 quarter-tonners at sea. The leader of the attack scored direct hits with his two depth charges. One 500-pounder was also a "pinwheel". Those hits left a smoke screen into which one 650-pounder and 4 quarter-tonners fell. One 650-pounder and 5 quarter-tonners fell in the sea. Two 650s and six 500s fell west of the target. Gun flashes came from two places west of the target.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 24 Malaguna 0855 dr 6x650 D.C.
18x500 G.P.
Ventura Hits Duke of York: A PV dropped four quarter-tonners on Duke of York yesterday morning and two on Cape Natat. Results were hidden by clouds.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 3 Duke of York 1140 dr 6x500 G.P.
Rabaul Patrolled by Corsairs: 10 fighters watched the Rabaul area yesterday from 0700 to 1705, In strafing runs they smoked a truck at Dunup Plantation and badly damaged another on the Talili Bay coast road, killed a Jap on the north coast, and in turn caught one bullet from an undetermined locality.
For the Record:
10 F4Us NZ 15,24 Rabaul Patrols 0700-1705 No bombs.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 10, 2020 10:39:52 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 4 April 1945.
BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
(31 sorties-14 tons)
Defenses at Rumiki Attacked: At the request of the 7th Australian Brigate, 8 Piva Corsairs with tac/r lead-in hit Jap positions built up from newly-felled trees in a clearing at Rumiki in the Hongorai River area. Two smoke bombs were laid and four half ton daisy cutters were put within 30 yards of the first marker and four more within 40 yards of the second smoke. Results were not observed but parts of the area where definite enemy activity had been spotted were now clear.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-18 Rumiki 1125 dr 8x1000 G.P.
Enemy Center at Togiogu Hit: Helping the AIB, 8 fighters put 6 half ton stick bombs within 40 yards of tac/r smoke on a suspected Jap concentration at Togiogu, northwest of Piano Mission in southwestern Bougainville. A 7th bomb landed 150 yards to the west, between two huts. The 8th was a dud. All results were obscured by smoke.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ-18 Togiogu 0820 dr 8x1000 G.P. (1 dud)
Green Ventura Hits Buka: In a medium level practice bombing, a PV dropped all six 500-pounders as aimed in the Kakalpi area (Buka). Results were not ascertained.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Buka 1240 dr 6x500 G.P.
Quartet of Mitchells Bomb Mamagata-Monoitu: Two fighters from NZ-18 smoked the road junction 012385 and Mamagata 985306 for 4 PBJs from Green making a low-level attack with two dozen 250-pounders. 4 bombs fell in the Mamagata district unobserved. 18 hit the Monoitu area, starting large fires with smoke to 500 feet. The areas were also strafed. Two hung bombs were returned to base.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-18 Mamagata-Monoitu 1516 dr 2x100 Smoke
4 PBJs VMB-423 " " 1516 dr 22x250 G.P.
Patrol Corsairs Bomb Paddies, Strafe Vehicles: Two fighters on A-C search at 0755 put a half-ton daisy cutter near the center of a rice paddy at Aitara. The bombs left cleared dirt for a 20-yard radius and flattened the remaining rice (30x30 yards), ruining it. The rice was a bright green and at least 2’6" high. The second half-tonner was dropped 10 yards to the south of another paddy. Trees shielded the rice from the bomb blast, so no damage was done.
Two Corsairs on a sweep at 1145 experimented with 650-pound depth charges on rice paddies west of the Mobiai River. Both bared the earth for 5 yards, leaving a crater. The stick bombs did twice as much damage.
A car and two heavy duty trucks on the Ratsoa-Ruri Bay road were strafed. One truck was smoked and glass was shattered on all three vehicles. The car was a 1927 Ford. Four fighters returned at 1520, strafed and riddled all three, wrecking them beyond repair.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ-18 Able-Charlie Searches 0755,1145 dr 2x1000 G.P.
2x650 D.C.
4 F4Us NZ-18 Ratsoa-Ruri Bay Road 1520 No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(25 sorties-19 1/4 tons )
Vunakanau Again Blasted: The southwest revetment area was visible only through occasional gaps in the clouds yesterday at 1013 when 7 Marine Mitchells and 4 Venturas from Green dropped their bombs. The PBJs put all 18 half tonners in the target. Their 6 quarter-tonners overshot on to the northwest end of the strip. The Venturas had 6 quarter tonners short and 18 long. Clouds hid all results. No A/A was met.
For the Record:
7 PBJs VMB-423 Vunakanau #10 1013 dr 18x1000 G.P.
6x500 G.P.
4 PVs NZ-3 dr 24x500 G.P.
Monday Patrols Negative; Hecklers Start Fires: The 2 Corsairs over Rabaul late Monday afternoon had a negativereport, as did the Gazelle patrol of 2 Corsairs and a PV. The Venturas dropped 3 quarter tonners in the Raliliei bivouac area, and three more splashed in the sea. No lights or A/A were met.
2 Marine Mitchells dropped 2 centuries on Raluana Point, 3 on Vunakanau, 4 on Tobera, 2 on Keravat, 3 on Rapopo, 8 on Rabaul Town, 1 on Praed Point and 1 on Lakunai. Small fires were started. Meagre inaccurate medium A/A came from near Keravat.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ-24 Rabaul Patrol 2 April 1700-1815 No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ-24 Gazelle Patrol 2 April 1800-1920 No bombs.
1 PV NZ-3 Gazelle Patrol 2 April 1800-1920 dr 6x500 G.P.
2 PBJs VMB-423 Rabaul Hecklers 2 April 2300-0245 dr 24x100 G.P.
Patrols Yesterday Burn Truck: The PV on morning ship count over Rabaul was negative. 3 pairs of Corsairs watched the area as weather permitted. They strafed and burnt a truck at Valavolo. Meagre inaccurate light A/A came from two positions at Vunakanau.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-3 Rabaul Ship Count 3 April No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ-15,24 Rabaul Patrols 0710-1215 bombs.
Submarine Sighted: At 1420 yesterday, plane #144B306 sent a garbled message of a sub seen at 002° 50' South 153° 08' East. on a repeat, the fix was 003° 30' South 152° 07' East at 1434. One PV went aloft at 1445 to investigate area.
NEW IRELAND
(6 sorties-3 1/2 tons)
Bad Weather Limits Air Activity: Storms turned back the dawn PV 30 miles from base. The Mitchells also landed almost immediately after taking off to strike Vunakanau. The early Kavieng patrols were cancelled. Two pairs were on station 1150 to 1540. They dropped 8 quarter tonners, cratering the road near the Mongai bridge but missing other targets. The ship-truck recco Ventura was out from 1440 to 1610 and low-leveled the south Balus bridge, cratering the approach with 5 quarter tonners. A sixth 500-pounder cratered the road north of Balus Plantation.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ-9 Dawn Sweep 3 April No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ-23 Kavieng patrol 1150-1540 dr 8x500 G.P.
1 PV NZ-9 Ship-Truck Recco 1440-1610 dr 6x500 G.P.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 10, 2020 10:57:40 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 3 April.
Major LOWELL, Operations Officer, led seven PBJs of VMB-423 and five PVs of NZ-3 in a medium altitude daylight strike on Target No. 10, Vunakanau, New Britain. The formation was composed of six PBJs in two, three plane sections and one PBJ and five PVs in two, three plane sections in column javelin down. Captain BEAIRD flew as leader of the Venturas so that he could do the sighting for the second squadron since the PVs do not carry a bombsight.
The strike was airborne by 0850 and after joining up as described above the formation proceeded to Adler Bay, New Britain. From this point the flight took a course of 306° magnetic for sixteen miles then turned left for a bomb run of 306° magnetic for the bomb run. The target was covered with clouds so bombs were not dropped. Two more runs were made before the flight found an approach sufficiently clear of clouds to permit bombing.
The PBJs released their bombs at 1013 from 11,300 feet on a course of 090° magnetic with 160 knots indicated. The PVs dropped one minute later from 10,800 feet on the same course and speed.
Following the bomb release the formation broke to the right and returned to base without incident all planes being safely on deck by 1059.
No anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
Eighty percent of the PBJ bombs were in the target in spite of the clouds. PV bombs overshot the target and hit the north and of the runway. The location of bomb hits 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.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Sept 10, 2020 11:19:46 GMT 12
From the VMB-423 aircraft action report from the 3 April.
Captain WALLER led four PBJs in a low level bombing and strafing raid on Jap concentrations near Monoitu, Bougainville.
The strike was airborne by 1351 and proceeded down the west coast of Bougainville in diamond formation. At 1500 rendezvous was made with two Piva Corsairs at 5000 feet five miles west of Mt. Taroka. The Corsairs then preceded the formation to the target and marked the Monoitu road junction and Mamagata with smoke bombs. After the Corsairs were clear of the target the flight started the approach for the attack in two, two plane sections. Halfway to the target the second section made a 360º turn to establish a two minute interval behind the first section.
The first section hit the Jap concentration north-east of the road junction and Mamagata supply dump from tree top level on a heading of 193° magnetic and at 210 knots indicated. The second section hit the Jap concentrations southwest of the road junction and the Mamagata supply dump from tree top level on a heading of 185° magnetic and at 210 knots. The formation broke to the right and returned to base without incident all planes being safely on deck at Green by 1630.
All bombs were in the target areas except two which hung and were returned to base, and the targets were thoroughly strafed. One fire was caused which burned for 45 minutes with smoke to 500 feet.
2 F4U from NZ-20 are listed as having been involved in this sortie.
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Post by davidd on Sept 10, 2020 12:07:29 GMT 12
This thread must be pretty well unprecedented on this site. In its scope and completeness, I hope it will remain here as an extremely valuable resource for all interested in this theatre of war, preferably in an honoured place. You must be improving your typing skills out of sight on this particular task - Well done aircraftclocks! I see that all the practice bombing sorties are being recorded as well - although called practices, these sorties were fully operational, with real Japanese targets. Aircraftclocks, would you mind advising when these diary entries cease (in the original files), as a matter of interest!
David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2020 13:18:58 GMT 12
I completely agree with David, this is a brilliant thread that will be an invaluable research resource for years to come.
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