RNZAF activity in the Pacific, 1944

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 19 September 1944.

A positive report, on the basis of visual and radar contact, that an enemy plane was in the air over Kavieng at 0130 L on the morning of September 18 was made by two PBJs which were carrying out a heckling mission at that time. As a result of the loss of two PBJs on night missions in this area recently, each of the four PBJ hecklers on the night of September 17/18 took a PBJ escort.
The main strike yesterday was against gun positions, huts and buildings at Raluana Pt., where 66 SBDs and F4Us dropped 21 tons of bombs. A New Ireland strike and several patrols were cancelled on account of weather, but a total of 179 sorties were made during the day.

NEW BRITAIN
Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: Strafing and bombing attacks on targets of opportunity were made by F4Us of NZ 16 on the Gazelle Peninsula sweeps yesterday.
Four F4Us on the morning Put Put-Keravat sweep dropped four quarter-tonners on gardens at Warenvula (inland N. of the mouth of the Warangoi river) and strafed huts and vehicles. In the afternoon two of the four planes went into Green (one with motor trouble, the other escorting), and the other two, returning to base on account of weather, dropped their bombs on huts about 1 mile S. of the SW end of the Bonis strip. They strafed gardens in this area and killed two or three Japs in a creek near Soraken Harbour.
The first Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweep strafed huts and gardens around Cape Lambert and on the coast of Duke of York Island. The second sweep strafed huts from Cape Lambert to Talili Bay and also at Duke of York. Planes on the Lemingi-Cape Gazelle sweep dropped four quarter-tonners on gardens four miles west of the Kabanga river mouth. They received meager, inaccurate MG with tracer from these gardens, and also possible MG from the SW tip of the Duke of York.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 16 0755-0910 load 1x500 dr 4x500 fr 1000'
4 F4Us NZ 16 1105-1325 load 1x500 dr 2x500 fr 1000'
4 F4Us NZ 16 0755-0850 - - Strafing only
4 F4Us NZ 16 1115-1500 - - Strafing only
4 F4Us NZ 16 0805-0900 load 1x500 dr 4x500 fr 1000'

(Three of the four F4Us on the afternoon Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweep were lost in heavy weather off Bougainville on the return journey. The pilot of the one plane that returned reported
that as the weather thickened they followed the coastline down south of Atsinima Bay when, forced to fly at 50', they turned out to sea in close search formation. In making the turn two of the planes collided and were seen no more; and the leader of the formation, who it is believed may have been hit by his No 3's wing, went into the sea. The fourth pilot just missed the sea and after pulling up to 1000' found himself flying upside down. He reached a clearer spot, contacted Dane base, and finally landed. Three Piva F4Us went out on search and sighted three definite oil slicks at 5-8 miles 280 degrees from Torokina. They directed two crash boats to the spot. Subsequently a J2F recovered one body. The missing pilots were: F/Lt K. W. Starnes, P/O D. McLean and F/Sgt D.K. Ellison)

Rabaul Patrols: Five four-plane patrols from Green were over Rabaul throughout the day. They dropped their half-tonners on a wide variety of opportunity targets, including revetments at Rapopo and supply dumps at Tobera. A miss on plantation houses one mile SE of Davaun fired materials under trees which burned for half an hour. Two trucks were strafed and burned.
The pilots reported evidence of personnel concentration at Makurapau and Ulaveo Plantations.
A/A of undetermined character from the vicinity of Mioko Harbour holed one plane. Moderate, inaccurate light fire was encountered from Raluana Pt., meager inaccurate light from Lesson Pt., and intense, inaccurate 20 mm from half a mile NW of Vunakanau mission.

For the Record:

20 F4Us Green 0710-1740 load 1x1000 dr 20x1000 fr 3200' one plane damaged.

Weather-Ship Count: The PV on the weather-ship count yesterday brought back a negative report, except for the sighting at low altitude of an unidentified installation near the shore on the south side of a stream at Taron village, New Ireland. The Torokina-Rabaul sweep was also negative.

For the Record:

2 PV NZ 3 0625-1240 Sweeps

NEW IRELAND
New Ireland Targets: Bridges and buildings in New Ireland were targets for 17 Green SBDs.
Their bombs hit buildings at Sperber Point, destroyed the rebuilt bridge over the first river N. of Salik and damaged the Soalaba river bridge.
The planes strafed on all runs.
A New Ireland Corsair strike was turned back by a heavy front.

For the Record:

18 SBDs Green 1025-1135 load 1x500 dr 17x500 fr 1800'.
                                              2x250 34x250

BOUGAINVILLE
Reported Nip Bivouac Area: A reported bivouac area at Teninbaubau housing Nips who guard about 200 Indian Pows encamped on either side of it was the pin-point target hit by two strikes of three PVs each yesterday morning. They dropped 7 1/2 tons into the area and strafed it with 6700 rounds of ammunition. On the second attack pilots observed that the target area was well blasted, although results were obscured by jungle.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 3 0740(3) 1030(3) load 4x500 dr 24x500 fr 1000'
                                                 2x250 12x250

South Bougainville Patrols: Three two-plane south Bougainville patrols (one of them combined with the Able-Charlie search) yesterday accounted for eight Nips at Kekere, Aitara, Maiki and Kieta. One of the other patrols was diverted to search for the lost Torokina F4Us and the fifth was cancelled because of weather.
The dawn and dusk patrols were negative.

For the Record:

6 F4Us VMF 212 0615-1250 Patrols-strafing
4 F4Us VMF 212 Dawn patrol
4 F4Us NZ 16 Dusk patrol

SEARCHES FOR 18 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches went full distance and cover with excellent weather. In sector Uncle two armed Nip trawlers, one tug, and one Zeke were sighted at 06-43 North and 149-45 East, course 267 degrees true, speed 12 knots. The Zeke gave chase, but was outrun.
Brewer searches were negative with full distance and averaging 92 percent cover. The weather was good.
Local searches negative.
1 PBJ from Green cooperating with PT boats in area Uncle dropped 14 centuries on Namatanai. No enemy contacts, but noticed many lights on the sea. No S/L or A/A encountered.
Charcoal operated in areas Apple and Uncle. Bombs jettisoned due to weather and plane returned early. A red light was sighted at 2310, ten miles NW of Cape St. George, which was followed for 15 minutes without closing.
Tarbaby was over areas Snake and Oboe. Dropped 2 GP bombs on Cape Pui Pui and 1 GP and 1 incendiary on clearing north of Koromira Mission.
Dumbo dropped 3x500 GP and 1x500 incendiary over areas Orange and Dublin, starting fires at Cape Lemeris and small fire at Medina Pt.

For the Record:

1 PBJ Green 1655-2100 load 14x100 GP dr 14x100
2 PBY5A Green 2250-0225 load 3x500 GP dr 3x500
                                              1x500 incend cl. 1x500 incend cl
                                              3x20 frags 3x20 frags
                      2200-2300 load 3x500 GP
                                             1 incend cl.
                                             3x20 frags Jettisoned
1 PBY Green 2225-0335 load 3x500 GP dr 3x500
                                           1x500 incend. cl. 1x500
                                          20x20 frags 20x20
4 PVs Emirau 500 mile strategic search.
4 PBY5A Manus 500 mile strategic search.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 20 September 1944.

A Nip armed trawler two tug-boats were attacked off Puluwat Island on the evening of September 18 by 10 Emiru PBJs which were more than 600 miles away from their base. One ship was left dead in the water, and possible hits were claimed on the others. One PBJ made a forced water-landing as a result of A/A fire, and the crew is missing. A second strike yesterday failed to find any of the ships and hit Nip buildings and installations on Pukuwat. Yesterday's major local strike was directed against another suspected Nip bivouac area near Porton Pltn. into which 68 planes emptied 33 tons of bombs. Weather hampered activity over New Britain, but a number of attacks were made in the New Ireland area.

BOUGAINVILLE
Porton Bivouac Area: A concentrated attack on a reported Nip bivouac and supply area E of Porton plantation and slightly N. of the area hit on September 16 was made early yesterday by 32 Piva SBDs and 32 Piva F4Us, followed by 1 FMAW TBF.
The SBDs dropped a total of 14 tons into the target area, with reportedly good coverage, but results were obscured by jungle. All planes strafed the area. The first strike reported receiving meager, inaccurate M/G fire which was believed to come from Katitj Island. The second flight encountered no A/A of any description.
The 32 F4Us, which were all over the target area together at 0705, put 28 of their thousand-pounders into the assigned area. Results were again obscured by the jungle, but a number of fires were started and these were still burning when the planes retired. 24 of the F4Us made strafing runs.
An FMAW TBF subsequently observed the results of those strikes and reported apparently excellent coverage, with the target "bombed out" and smoke still hanging over it at 0815. Practically all the huts previously observed in the area by the TBF pilot appeared probably destroyed. Results of the TBFs own bombing were not observed.
Three PVs were directed to an area east of the target for the main strike, and on this they dropped 12 quarter-tonners and 6 250-pounders, and then strafed. Observation was obscured by jungle, but the area was reported well churned up when the planes left. One PV received a bullet hole presumably from meager but accurate M/G fire encountered from a position described as S of a triangular white aircraft wing S of Tsundawan near a clearing on the costal cliff.

For the Record:

17 SBDs VMSB 133 0615 load 1x500 fr. 17x500 fr. 1500'
                                            1x250 10x250
                                            1x100 17x100
15 SBDs VMSB 236 0650 " 1x500 " 14x500 " 1000'
                                       2x250 29x250
16 F4Us VMO 251 0705 " 1x1000 " 13x1000 " 2500-3000'
16 F4Us VMF 223 0705 " 1x1000 " 15x1000 " 1500-3000'
1 TBF FMAW 0730-0815 " 6x250 " 6x250
                                      6x100 6x100
3 PV 3 0915 " 4x500 " 12x500 " 1000'
                     2x250 6x250 one damaged.

Propaganda Leaflet Drop: As requested by XIV Corps, a PV dropped leaflets at Sisivie, Ibu, Kieta and in the Monoitu-Mosigetta area. Another PV on the weather check and ship count from Green was weathered out from St. George's Channel, and a third found the Torokina-Rabaul sweep negative.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 3 Patrols, leaflet drop.

Matchin Bay-Rabai: Weathered out from New Britain, 12 F4Us of NZ 16 were instructed to hit targets in N. Bougainville. Eight of the planes dropped five quarter-tonners in the Chabai area, with unobserved results, and two of the remaining four dropped their bombs in gardens near Tarongen.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 16 0640-0930 load 1x500 dr. 7x500 fr. 1500'-2500'

Buildings Destroyed: Searching for targets of opportunity around Bongainville, two SBDs probably damaged two buildings in the Kiriwina plantation, destroyed one building on the edge of Mabiri plantation and two or three more buildings on Cape L'Averdy. The pilots observed five or six fires, apparently for clearing purposes, in the Ruri Bay-Cape L'Averdy region, where they reported the gardens in good order.

For the Record:

2 SBDs Piva 1330-1525 load 1x500 dr. 2x500 2x250 4x250

NEW IRELAND
Buildings and Bridges: Varied targets in N New Ireland were attacked by Emirau F4Us and SBDs on September 18.
Eight F4Us and 6 SBDs scored one direct hit and other damaging hits, on a bridge in the Balus Plantation area, into which they unloaded a total of seven tons. The same weight of bombs was dropped on the Fangelawa area by a second strike of eight F4Us and 6 SBDs.
Six F4Us and 6 SBDs demolished two buildings in the Karmiraba plantation and scored two other damaging hits.

For the Record:

22 F4Us Emirau 0840-1400 (18th) load 1x1000 dr. 22x1000 fr. 2500'
18 SBDs Emirau 0840-1400 (18th) " 2x250 dr. 34x250
                                                     1x500 17x500

Strikes against New Ireland bridges and buildings were resumed on September 19 by eight Green F4Us and 18 SBDs. The F4Us claimed a direct hit on the Ujam river bridge, and encountered meager, inaccurate M/G fire from a hill NE of Konebio. The SBDs reported damaging buildings at Kianbi and scoring hits on buildings at Pummalum, Hilalon, and Dumup, and a building at the mouth of the Ujam river. Inaccurate 20 MM fire was encountered from Cape Namaroda.

For the Record:
8 F4Us Green 1445-1545 load 1x1000 dr. 8x1000 fr. 1700'
18 SBDs Green 1400-1535 " 1x500 " 18x500 " 1500'
                                          2x250 36x250

New Ireland Patrols September 18: Nine two plane F4U patrols carrying quarter-tonners over New Ireland on September 18 demolished a 50 ft. warehouse at Koka plantation, damaged a house at Lossuk Bay, destroyed a small warehouse in Roger Young plantation, and scored area hits at Patlangat, Medina and Amba. Meager, inaccurate light A/A fire was encountered from Lossuk Plantation.

For the Record:

18 F4Us Emirau Sept. 18th 1x500 dr. 18x500

September 19: Three two-plane F4U patrols from Emirau on September 19 dropped 1 1/2 tons on Kavieng town the revetment area and Beno harbour. One large building in Kavieng was destroyed.
All other patrols and missions were cancelled because of weather.

For the Record:

6 F4Us Emirau 0840-1400 load 1x500 dr. 6x500 fr. 2000'.

NEW BRITAIN
Rabaul Patrols: Rabaul was covered by four patrols of Green F4Us, a fifth being cancelled.
The first four planes dropped on buildings at Natava and on Rember village, with unobserved results. The second flight was unable to penetrate a front, but surprised a camouflaged type B 35-foot Nip barge rounding a point off Metlik village. The barge contained a minimum of 12 Nips, armed and in green uniforms.
After two strafing runs the barge was left dead in the water, and a bomb hit and a near miss disintegrated it. No survivors were observed from 10 feet. Meager inaccurate 7.7 with tracer came from 1000 yds N of Metlik village.
The remaining patrols dropped their bombs on the Rapopo strip, Vunakanau revetments and Waitavalo mission.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Green 0715-1750 load 1x1000 dr. 16x1000 fr. 3300'

Gazelle Peninsula Sweep (September 18): A delayed report covers the afternoon Cape Gazelle-Lemingi sweep on September 18. This was carried out by 3 F4Us of NZ 16 who remained overnight at Green on account of weather. The F4Us dropped two bombs in gardens two miles SW of Londip plantation and a third on the Kabaoga river bridge which they missed. They strafed the Londip and Duke of York areas. Yesterday's three sweeps were turned back by weather and were instructed to bomb targets in N. Bougainville. (See Bougainville).

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 16 1300 (18th) load 1x500 dr. 3x500 dr. 1500'

Barge Hide-Out: The Sulphur Creek barge hide-out was hit by 9 Green PBJs, which dropped 84 centuries across the inlet. The remaining 42 fell in the water. Moderate, accurate heavy A/A came from Sulphur Creek and Rabaul town.

For the Record:

9 PBJs Green 1330 load 14x100 dr. 84x100 fr. 12,000'

SEARCHES FOR 19 SEPTEMBER.
Beefsteak searches were negative with full distance and averaging 93 percent cover. Frontal area 02 degrees North lying East-West.
Brewer searches went full distance, averaging 91 percent cover. Weather bad in all sectors from base to front 100 miles out. Clear otherwise. All searches negative except for Admiralties report that one Admiral Sherman enroute from Kwajalein was overdue. All available Cats and PVs started search.
Local searches negative.
One Green PBJ cooperating in Apple and Uncle with Pt's dropped 14x100 GP Inst. in two runs on Matakan Pltn. Results unobserved. Communications were good, but weather bad and hence Blackcats cancelled.

For the Record:

1 PBJ Green 1700-2020 dr. 14x100 GP Inst.
4 PVs Emirau 500 mile strategic search.
4 PBY5A Manus 500 mile strategic search.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 21 September 1944.

Yesterday's main projected strike, against the Makurapau-Kulon Plantation areas in the NE corner of the Gazelle Peninsula, was hampered by weather and half of the attacking planes were redirected to the Porton bivouac area in N. Bougainville. The Makurapau-Kulon target was hit by 33 SBDs with 12 tons, and the Porton area by 32 F4Us with 7 1/2 tons.
New Ireland bridges and buildings had a good working over by 70 Green and Emirau SBDs and TBFs. Four survivors of the Emirau PBJ which made a forced waterlanding after the attack on Nip shipping off Puluwat on September 18 were picked up yesterday by a DE about 450 miles N. of Emirau.

NEW BRITAIN
Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: No important targets were sighted on the Karevat-Put Put, Cape Gazelle-Lemingi or Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweeps yesterday.
Three quarter-tonners were dropped on buildings covered with dried leaves in Keravat gardens, and four more on a building in a clearing at Bita Paka. In neither case were results observed. A jetty at Mope and huts on the N. coast of the Duke of York were strafed.
While on a strafing search in the vicinity of Vunakamalama, Sergeant W. Heslop was hit in the left leg and the right forearm by 7.7 bullets which also broke an hydraulic line on his F4U. He landed safely at Green. His wounds were reported superficial.
The morning Put Put-Keravat sweep reported sighting, at 0835 hrs, one unidentified monoplane, possibly twin-engined, near the mouth of the Bulus River, Wide Bay, heading NW at 500 feet. This was possibly a friendly plane.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 0640-0935(4)
                      0640-0955(4) load 1x500(8) dr 7x500 fr 4000'
                      0640-1010(4) one plane damaged.

Rabaul Patrols: Four four-plane F4U patrols from Green were over Rabaul during the day, the fifth being cancelled on account of weather.
Carrying half tonners, they scored hits among huts nt Tovakundum, a hit on Tobera runway, and a hit among huts at Natawa that caused an explosion and a fire lasting an hour and a half. Other drops were unobserved. Meager, accurate auto fire was received from Nambung River.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Green 0640-1530 load 1x1000 dr 15x1000 fr 2500'.

BOUGAINVILLE
Ruri Bay Bivouacs: With a TBF to act as marker, four PVs went out to hit two small reported Nip bivouac areas in the jungle approximately one mile S. of Ruri and N. of Ton.
The TBF's four 500-pound oil incendiary bombs failed to release properly. One exploded half way between the two targets, one fell in the south area, and the other two were duds. Consequently the area was poorly marked, and the TBF pilot reported that only 4 or 5 of the PVs' bombs appeared to fall into the S. target area. All planes strafed the target. Meager, inaccurate MG fire was again encountered from the position half way down the cliff face south of Tsundawan, and this position also was strafed by the TBF.

For the Record:

1 TBF FMAW 0845 load 4x500 (oil incend) dr 2x500
4 PVs NZ 3 0859 load 4x500 dr 16x500 fr 1000'.
                                2x250 7x250

Assorted Targets: Targets on Bougainville were also hit by 8 Torokina F4Us which were weathered out from the Gazelle Peninsula sweeps.
The F4Us dropped their quarter-tonners on huts at Tinputs, at the SW tip of Teop Island, and at the base of a cliff at Tortai, north of Chabai. One hut in the latter location was demolished. Strafing attacks were also made. 
A single FMAW TBF put a hole in the middle of a jetty about 50 feet long on the E. side of Cape Dungannon, destroyed two leantos in the center of a garden at Sapani, and dropped two 250-pounders on a large native canoe, bridge and shack at a river near Kokeviko. The last target was also strafed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 22 1040-1300(4) load 1x500 dr 8x500 fr 4000'
1 TBF FMAW - - - - load 6x250 dr 6x250
                                  4x100 4x100

South Bougainville Patrols: Four two-plane south Bougainville patrols, including the Able-Charlie search, were carried out yesterday, the fifth (and the dusk patrol) being cancelled by weather.
The patrols were mostly negative, Huts north of the Kieta strip were strafed, and a parachute of undetermined type was observed in the trees two miles N. of Koromira Mission.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep and the Rabaul weather check and ship count were routine assignments for PVs. The plane on the sweep escorted an SBD in distress to Green.

For the Record:

8 F4Us VMF 212 0605-1535 Patrols-strafing.
4 F4Us VMF 212 0610-0715 Dawn patrol.
                        0650-1125
2 PVs NZ 3 0615-0815(Green).

NEW IRELAND
North New Ireland Targets: A variety of targets in N. New Ireland were hit by Emirau F4Us and SBDs.
Four F4Us carrying quarter-tonners destroyed two huts on Ray Plantation and a damaging hit on Dallum Bridge. Six SBDs and 8 F4Us hit Lemakot Plantation, dropping seven tons into the area and strafing it with unobserved results. They received moderate, inaccurate light auto fire from Fangelawa Plantation. Another six SBDs and 8 F4Us hit bridges in the Mongai area, damaging two bridges and several huts.

For the Record:

4 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr 4x500 1x500 12x500
12 SBDs Emirau load 2x250 dr 24x250
16 F4Us Emirau load 1x1000 dr 16x1000

Buildings and Bridges: Buildings and bridges in New Ireland were attacked by 8 Green F4Us in two sections and 30 Green SBDs in sections of three planes.
Dropping 8 to 11 second delay quarter-tonners from 470 feet, the F4Us scored a damaging near miss on houses at Hilalon and a hit on the Ramat Bay bridge.
The SBDs reported damaging the bridge approach, and a bridge over a river N. of Salik; hitting the Sae river bridge; damaging nine of about 12 huts at Bugumal; damaging a group of six buildings at Pummalum; severely damaging a bridge (and the approaches) over a river N. of Sae; and destroying three native huts in Kokola Plantation. Meager, fairly accurate 20 mm fire came from a ridge behind Namatanai strip.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Green 1015-1115(4) load 1x500 dr 8x500 fr 470'
                    1345-1500(4)
30 SBDs Green 0915-0930 load 1x500 dr 30x500 fr 500'-1000'.
                       1545-1645 2x250 60x250

SEARCHES FOR 20 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches went full distance and cover. Weather above average except locally. Negative excent for 3 PBJ sighting the 4 survivors of the downed PBJ crew later rescued by the DE Witter at 2230 Love at 05-01 North 149-47 East.
Brewer searches were negative with full distance, except sector Able which was only 420 miles, and averaging 95 percent cover. Weather reported good.
6 SBD, 12 F4U, 6 PV, 10 PBY5, and 10 PBJ flew scouting searched 500 miles from Emirau to Kwajalein.
Sambo covered Oboe, Easy, and Queen; Charcoal covered Uncle and North Peter; Tarbaby covered Belfast and Foyle.

For the Record:

6 PV Emirau
10 PBY5A and Scouting Searches.
10 PBJ Green
4 PV Emirau 500 mile strategic search.
4 PBY5A Manus 500 mile strategic search.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 22 September 1944.

Targets in New Ireland, mostly bridges, buildings and huts, were hit yesterday by 104 ComAirNorSols planes from Emirau, Green and Piva. They dropped 47 tons of bombs. Considerable damage was reported as a result of the raids which were maintained throughout the day. The only concentrated attack was made against Raluana Point area, in the north of the Gazelle Peninsula, by 52 Piva SBDs and F4Us with 18 tons. A suspected Nip radio station near Tenekau Plantation (NE. Bougainville) was eliminated by an FMAW TBF. The patrols and sweeps were routine.

NEW IRELAND
Buildings and Bridges: A heavy force of 52 F4Us and 48 SBDs from Green and Emirau attacked targets in New Ireland throughout the day. Carrying half tonners, 22 Emirau F4Us demolished 15-25 native shacks between Fatlangat and Koka (meager bursts of possible 12.7 fire were reported from the shack area); started a fire at Lossu, with smoke rising to 1000 ft; and hit a suspected bivouac area between Cape Sass and Medina.
Eighteen more Corsairs on patrol with quarter-tonners damaged a house at Korabin and scored hits in the Pinikindu and Polli Plantations.
Eighteen Emirau SBDs hit the Koka Plantation area (where their strafing started two fires); reported destroying the east bridge at Cape Bolegila; and scored a comfirmed hit, among a number of area hits, on buildings at Cape Sass.
Bridges and buildings were also attacked by 30 SBDs from Green, which reported a direct hit on the Salik river bridge, damage to a pier, barge and buildings at Bom, and area hits in the region of a bridge S of Kinebug, among buildings at Komalu, among huts S of Salik, and among buildings west of Kombom. Meager inaccurate possible 12.7 MM fire was encountered S of Bom.
Twelve Green Corsairs in three sections carrying quarter-tonners reported two probably damaging hits on the Soalaba river bridge. They strafed targets of opportunity from Mumu river to Borpop and from Namatanai to Cape Siara.

For the Record:

22 F4Us Emirau 0950 (8) load 1x1000 dr. 22x1000 fr. 1500'-1000 (8) 3000'
                       1400 (8)
18 F4Us Emirau - - - " 1x500 " 18x500
18 SBDs Emirau 0900 (6) " 1x500 " 18x500 " 1500'
                       1000 (6) 2x250 36x250
                       1130 (6)
30 SBDs Green 0940 (12) " 1x500 dr. 11x500 fr. 1500'
                                         2x250 (12) 24x250
1450 (18) " 1x1000 (18) " 15x1000
                  2x100 33x100
12 F4Us Green 0930-1400 " 1x500 " 12x500 " 600'.

New Ireland targets of opportunity were also attacked by 4 PVs. They cratered a road at Himau plantation and probably destroyed three huts on the Po road. They expended 6750 rounds strafing huts and gardens at Kalili plantation, the east coast from Belik to Namatanai, a village S of Belik and the road from Sae river to the Porire plantation.

For the Record:

4 PVs NZ 3 0845 load 4x500 dr. 16x500 fr. 1000'
                                2x250 8x250

NEW BRITAIN
Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: The three early morning 4-plane sweeps all got through to the Gazelle peninsula.
The 4 FUs on the Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweep strafed the Massava area, Urura Island, huts at Liguan and a heavy truck in Talili Bay. The Put Put-Keravat sweep strafed huts at Mandres and
a jetty at Put Put and dropped its four quarter-tonners on the Keravat experimental gardens. The Cape Gazelle-Lemingi planes straddled the jetty at Put Put and put two bombs in the garden area at Put Put, with unobserved results.
The second Put Put-Keravat sweep (7 F4Us) was weathered out and dropped its bombs on gardens and huts at Merai (on the E coast of the peninsula) with unobserved results. The planes strafed huts along the coast of Adler Bay.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 22 0640-1015 load 1x500 (8) dr. 6x500
7 F4Us NZ 22 1035-1315 " 1x500 " 7x500 fr. 1700'.

Rabaul Patrols: Five flights of 4 Green F4Us each patrolled the Rabaul area from 0630 till 1755. The first patrol reported one direct and one damaging hit on three buildings 500 yds E of Ralum; and the remainder had hits among buildings at Bailu plantation. Meager, inaccurate light A/A was encountered from a 400 ft. hulk off Vunapope.

For the Record:

20 F4Us Green 0630-1755 load 1x1000 dr. 20x1000.

BOUGAINVILLE
Bougainville Patrols: Six two-plane patrols around Bougainville were carried out by NZ 17.
They killed one Nip, end possibly other, by strafing; strafed huts on Bakaulonai Island (W of Shortlands), a possible camp 2-3 miles from Numa Numa, and a wooden jetty near Saenai point.
One of the 4 F4Us of VMF 212 on the Able-Charlie search received a hole as if from M/G in the left wing flap. Source was unknown.
The dawn and dusk patrols were negative.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 17 0620-0715 Bougainville patrols.
4 F4Us VMF 212 0815-1000 Able Charlie Search. One plane damaged.
4 F4Us NZ 17 0620-0740 Dawn patrol.
4 F4Us NZ 17 1723-1835 Dusk patrol.

Leaflet Drop: Propaganda leaflets prepared by XIV Corps were dropped by a PV at Sisivie, Ibu and Kieta. The plane's port engine cut near Numa Numa, but after jettisoning the remaining leaflets, ammunition and gas it was able to make its way home to Piva via Matchin Bay. Four F4Us were scrambled and escorted the PV home.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep was routine. The Rabaul weather and ship count PV saw a large truck moving towards Talili on the Talili-Vunakanau road. When the plane approached to strafe, it received
meager, accurate M/G fire with tracer from the SE corner of Kurakakau plantation.

For the Record:

3 PVs NZ 3 Leaflet drop and sweeps.

SEARCHES FOR 21 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches were negative with full distance and cover. Weather above average with four tenths cloud coverage.
Brewer searches were negative with full distance and averaging 93 percent cover. Weather good in all sectors.
10 Emirau PBJs searched for remainder of missing Mitchell crew (four of whom were rescued on 20 Sept.) from 0720-1205 with negative results.
Local searches negative.
Sambo, on station 2230-0025, but was unable to contact either boats or base on any channel. Jettisoned bombs and returned. Weather fairly thick below 3000 feet. Tarbaby was weathered out and Charcoal returned early because of Radar trouble and weather. Shipping count negative.

[aircraftclocks]

WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY FOR WEEK ENDING TUESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 1944.

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

ADMIRALTIES

VF-79 (RAAF)   14 SPIT        8 16 VF-79
VS-61              15 SBD-5    12 19 VS-61
VB-146            15 PV-1       15 40 PATSU 1-8
FAW-10           26 PBY-5      24 42 HEDRONS 10 & 17

EMIRAU

VMF-115         28 F4U        28 30 VMF-115
VMF-211         30 F4U        30 30 VMF-211
VMF-313          0 0                40 VMF-313
VMSB-142        0 0               40 VMSB-142
VMSB-243       21 SBD-5    21 47 VMSB-243
VMD-254          8 PB4Y-1P   7 27 VMD-254
VMB-433          9 PBJ-1D     8 39 VMB-433
VMB-443        10 PBJ-1D    10 50 VMB-443
VB-148          16 PV-1        15 28 PATSU 1-9

GREEN

VMF-218        21 F4U        21 35 VMF-218
VMF-222        22 F4U        22 30 VMF-222
VMSB-244      40 SBD       40 35 VMSB-244
VMSB-341      22 SBD       22 40 VMSB-341
VMB-423        12 PBJ-1D   12 45 VMB-423
VP-44              5 PBY-5A   15 46 PATSU 1-11
VP-101            5 PBY-5       5 15 PATSU 1-11

BOUGAINVILLE

VMO-251         20 F4U      20 34 VMO-251
VMF-212         19 F4U      19 29 VMF-212
VMF-223         19 F4U      19 32 VMF-223
VMSB-133      22 SBD-6   22 38 VMSB-133
VMSB-236      20 SBD-5  19 32 VMSB-236
VMR-152        18 R4D-5  15 59 VMR-152
VMR-153        16 R4D-5 14 55 VMR-153
17TH PHOTO   6 F5A        6 8 17TH PHOTO
NZ-3             16 PV-1     11 16 NZ #10 S.U.
*NZ-9             2 PV-1       0 0
NZ-16           18 F4U-1    18 20 NZ #2 S.U.
NZ-22           18 F4U-1    17 26 NZ #4 S.U.
VMSB-241     22 SBD-5    22 6 VMSB-241
VMB-413       12 PBJ-1D  12 42 VMB-413

* Awaiting transfer from area.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 23 September 1944.

The main attack by ComAirNorSols planes yesterday was again directed against a suspected Nip bivouac and supply area in the region of the Makurepau and Kulon Plantations near the NE tip of Gazelle Peninsula. The target was hit by 62 planes with 20 tons of bombs. A notable performance was put up by the two FMAW TBFs, which, bombing from treetop level, destroyed, two bridges, two large huts and five huts in the Koromira region for the cost of seven 250-pounders and nine centuries. A PBJ blockader over Rabaul at 0200 yesterday morning reported seeing a Nip searchlight signalling and, two hours later, a red light moving through the air from New Ireland to Rabaul. A blockader over Kahili from 1850 to 2110 last night made almost an identical report—the pilot observed a blinking light at the end of Kahili strip and the running lights of another plane. A photo plane over New Ireland yesterday reported seeing a possible Hamp near the W. end of Kavieng strip.

NEW BRITAIN
Rabaul Patrols: On acount of weather only two of the usual four-plane patrols were over Rabaul. The first patrol bombed buildings at Rataval and the second bombed the Waitavolo Mission buildings, destroying seven of these.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Green 0700-1040 load 1x1000(7) dr 7x1000 fr 2200'.
                                            1x500 (1) 1x500

BOUGAINVILLE
Chabai-Porton Area: All of the five Gazelle Peninsula sweeps were recalled because of dense front extending from Green to 20 miles SE of Cape St George and covering the E. part of New Britain.
On their way home the early morning sweeps dropped one quarter-tonner on a small cooking fire just behind Porton Plantation. It extinguished the fire.
The later sweeps dropped one quarter-tonner on a garden on the Tabut-Chabai road and two on Tabut Village; all carried out local strafing.

For the Record:

20 F4Us NZ 17 0635-1240 load 1x500 dr 4x500 fr 2000'.

Bougainville Patrols: Because of adverse weather, only three of the Bougainville patrols, and the Able-Charlie search, were carried out yesterday.
The planes made strafing attacks on gardens, huts and Nips, with unobserved results. Huts at the mouth of the Puriata. River were set on fire and destroyed. A small hut near Sirukiai, one of six strafed, burst into flames 20 feet high, with smoke rising to 100 feet. The dawn patrol strafed huts on Ailaunu Island, W. of the Shortlands. The dusk patrol strafed Aitara Mission.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep by one PV was negative.

For the Record:

6 F4Us NZ 22 0630-0830 (2)
                    1030-1230 (2) Bougainville patrols.
                    1450-1600 (2)
2 F4Us VMF 212 0845-1100 Able Charlie search.
4 F4Us NZ 22 0635-0755 Dawn patrol.
4 F4Us NZ 22 1735-1830 Dusk patrol.
1 PV NZ 3 0716-1045 Torokina-Rabaul sweep.

NEW IRELAND
Bridges and Buildings: Two Fighter-bomber strikes of four F4Us each set out from Green to bomb targets in New Ireland.
The first strike dropped its quarter-tonners on plantation buildings and the Ujam bridge, with unobserved results. The second strike was weathered out and released its bombs on huts near a river two miles NE of Cape St George. Six SBDs and eight F4Us from Emirau hit the Medina area, reporting damage to three buildings and the destruction of one hut.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Green 0825-0940 load 1x500 dr 8x500 fr 800'
6 SBDs Emirau 1630 load 1x500 dr 6x500
                                     2x250 12x250.
8 F4Us Emirau 1630 load 1x1000 dr 8x1000.

North New Ireland Patrols: Seven two-plane F4U patrols over Kavieng and N. New Ireland destroyed a Dallum Plantation bridge and damaged a house at Lamernewei Plantation.

For the Record:

14 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr 14x500.

Road Cratered: The Po road was cratered and made unserviceable for half a mile by 4 PVs, which also blew up the north part of a bridge and cratered a road at Ramat Plantation, and destroyed at least one of a number of huts at the Po road junction. Huts from the Po road to Mageh Plantation were strafed.

For the Record:

4 PVs NZ 3 0745-1130 load 4x500 dr 15x500 fr 200'.
                                         2x250 8x250

SEARCHES FOR 22 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches were negative with bad weather in all sectors, averaging 35 percent track and 38 percent cover. Sugar, Victor, and Tare were unable to penetrate the heavy front from Emirau North, with winds in Victor up to 35 knots from 110 degrees. Uncle encountered the same front and the winds were from 10-30 knots from 90 to 130 degrees.
Brewer searches were negative with full distance and averaging 84 percent cover.
Tarbaby found squalls, but failed to contact the PT's. After dropping 8x20 frags on a fire at Cape L'Averdy, it jettisoned the other bombs. Charcoal was on station from 2200 to 0230, had good communications with the boats, and dropped 3x500 GP and 1x500 mag cluster on Matakan Plantation, starting 20 minute fire, plus 5 frags at the Matakan Plantation river mouth and 15 frags on Matan Plantation. Sambo jettisoned its bombs after failing to contact boats and returned to base. The shipping count was negative.

For the Record:

4 PVs from VB 148 covered Sugar, Tare, Uncle, Victor.
4 PVs from VB 146 covered Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog.
3 PBY5As from Green on PT cooperation dr 4x500, 28x20.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 24 September 1944.


The weather was the major factor in yesterday's operations. It kept all planes at Green on the ground, and only seven PBJs went out from Emirau. It limited the Gazelle Peninsula sweeps to one, and reduced patrol activity around Bougainville.
 A sizeable strike, however, was made against a Nip concentration in Baniu Plantation, N. Bougainville, which was hit by 64 Piva SBDs and F4Us with 26 tons of bombs. The attack was observed and the results reported good. The only other highlight was a successful bombing raid by 4 PVs on huts near Auda.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA

Auda Huts Destroyed: Twelve to 16 huts were destroyed and another 8 to 10 damaged when 4 PVs hit a group of huts on a ridge 1 1/2 miles N. of Auda with four tons of bombs.
The PVs used 11,000 rounds in strafing the target, gardens and a bivouac area on the Monoitu Mission road, and huts N. of Kara, of which one was set afire.

For the Record:

4 PVs NZ 3 0900-0930 load 4x500 dr 14x500 fr 1000'.
                                        2x250 6x250

Carola Bay and Porton: Four of the Gazelle Peninsula sweeps, weathered out, were redirected to targets around Queen Carola Harbour (W. coast Buka) and Porton Plantation.
Seven quarter-tonners were dropped on a jetty and on huts in Carola Bay E. of Malulu Island, and on a village near Yegits. Strafing runs fired four huts in the latter area.
Four quarter-tonners were dropped on Porton Plantation, which was also strafed. One flash of 20 mm was observed 500 yards from the shore inside the plantation.

For the Record:

14 F4Us NZ 22 0740-1150 load 1x500(11) dr 11x500 fr 3000'.

South Bougainville Patrols: Four two-plane F4U patrols from NZ 17 sought targets of opportunity on the Bougainville run.
They strafed a new jetty and huts at Saenai Point (N. coast Shortland. Is.); killed 2 Nips and possibly four others; and hit other huts and small groups of Nips with unobserved results.
Four F4Us on the dawn patrol strafed huts in the Kessa Plantation and at Cape Lemankoa and Tanamala. The dusk patrol was cancelled on account of weather.
Two F4Us on the Able-Charlie search strafed huts N. of Kieta and in the Dewau Plantation.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep, by one PV, was routine.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 17 0615-1420 Bougainville patrols. Strafing.
4 F4Us NZ 17 0615-0745 Dawn patrol.
2 F4Us VMF 212 0750-0950 Able-Charlie search.
1 PV NZ 3 1110-1520 Torokina-Rabaul sweep.

NEW BRITAIN
Gazelle Peninsula Sweep: Only one of the scheduled four-plane Gazelle Peninsula sweeps got through to its target area: Put Put-Keravat.
This flight of F4Us put three quarter-tonners on the Wangaramut Plantation area; and strafed four trucks with unobserved results except that bullets were seen exploding on impact with two of them. Three white puffs probably of 20 mm A/A, were seen at 2000 feet and appeared to come from the east of the mouth of a river E. of Wunawutung road (Talili Bay).

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 22 0740-0855 load 1x500 dr 4x500 fr 3000'.

SEARCHES FOR 23 SEPTEMBER
On the first day of the new local search plan Beefsteak and Brewer searches were negative with full track. 1 Baker 31 had 100 percent cover despite below average weather with rain squalls and scattered cumulus clouds up to 01-30 North. 2 Baker 31 had 75 percent cover and found a solid overcast with cloud base between 1 and 2 thousand feet, 3 Baker 31 got 90 percent cover with weather below average and a solid overcast. 1 Baker 32 had 50 percent cover and 2 Baker 32 had 40 due to poor weather.
Charcoal and Tarbaby that were scheduled to cooperate with PT's were cancelled. The shipping count was negative.

2 PVs from VB-146) Flew 300 mile sector search plan from Manus and Emirau.
3 PVs from VB-148)

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 25 September 1944.

The weather diverted yesterday's main attack to northern Bougainville, where Nip personnel areas were hit by a total of almost
80 Piva-based planes, with better-than-usual observed results. Twenty-seven huts and one bridge in this area were reported destroyed, and twelve huts damaged. Emirau planes were again grounded by weather, and consequently the coverage of New Britain and New Ireland was not as thorough as usual. Munda planes also were grounded for the second successive day.
A PBY5A from Green went out last night in response to a distress call from the hospital ship Samaritan which reported her bow stove-in and bulkheads not holding at 04.54S. 157.13E. The first PBY5A failed to make contact on account of weather, but the search was being resumed this morning. The Samaritan was reported to be under way this morning, with escorts standing by.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
Tarlena and Papas Bivouac Areas: Attacks on Nip bivouac areas at Tarlena and Papas were made by PVs of NZ 3 yesterday. They dropped a total of 14 1/2 tons of bombs.
Results of the first attack on Tarlena by 6 PVs were obscured by jungle, but reconnaissance indicated considerable destruction and a party of about 10 Nips was seen in the neighbourhood. Accordingly, another 3 PVs returned to the Tarlena area, where they reported destroying at least 3 huts.
Three more PVs dropped their bombs on the Papas bivouac area, and both targets were thoroughly strafed. During the Papas attack an M/G was sighted firing continuously from a clearing on the W bank of the mouth of the river at Tarlena.
One PV went on from Tarlena to drop leaflets in the Kiets and Monoitu mission areas.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 3 0703 load 4x500 dr. 23x500 fr. 1000'
                                2x250 10x250
6 PVs NZ 3 1010 " 4x500 " 24x500 " 1000'
                            2x250 11x250

Bougainville Patrols: Five Bougainville patrols were carried out by NZ 22 , which was also responsible for the dawn and dusk patrols.
The patrols strafed a wide variety of targets, including huts, gardens and Nips, several of whom had narrow escapes (if they escaped at all), and one of whom "flew into the air and then sprawled on the ground." Two boats were strafed, and one of these was reported a write-off.
The dawn and dusk patrols, the Able-Charlie search, the Torokina-Rabaul sweep and the Rabaul ship count and weather mission were all routine.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 22 0615-1825 Bougainville patrols.
8 F4Us NZ 22 0615-0730 (4) Dawn and dusk patrols.
                     1730-1838 (4)
2 F4Us VMF 212 0800-1000 Able Charlie search.
2 PVs NZ 3 0610-0820 (1) Ship count.
                 0715-1200 (1) Torokina-Rabaul sweep.

NEW BRITAIN
Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: Five sweeps across the Gazelle peninsula, each by 4 Torokina F4Us hit a wide variety of targets.
The flight on the Cape Gazelle-Lemingi sweep dropped one of its quarter-tonners in a garden at Rainau and scored a direct hit with another on a tight cluster of huts at Lemingi. Flying debris obscured results of the latter hit, and damaged one of the F4Us. Both areas were strafed.
The Put Put-Keravat sweep bombed a small wooden bridge on a coastal road N of Warangoi, the road between Put Put and Warangoi and 5-6 huts in Induna plantation, all with unobserved results. A later sweep over the same course knocked 10 feet out of a small bridge over the N mouth of the Warangoi, cratered a road at Wat Wat, killed three Nips on Duke of York Island, and scored a near miss on a truck at Tovakundum plantation.
The Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweep strafed huts, jetties and a Nip barge en route, and scored direct hits with two quarter tonners on a village on Mioko Island, demolishing six huts. The second Duke of York sweep, which spent the night at Green on account of weather, strafed huts on Ulu Island and slong the shore of Ataliklikun Bay and at Keravat jetty. The planes smoked a 40' x 60' building at Giretar Pt. and a possibly serviceable beached barge 300 yds south of Watom village.

For the Recond:

4 F4Us NZ 17 0705-0804 load 1x500 dr. 3x500 fr. 300-500'.
4 F4Us NZ 17 0752-0825 " 1x500 " 3x500 " 100-200'.
4 F4Us NZ 17 1130-1230 " 1x500 " 4x500 " 100-300'.
4 F4Us NZ 22 0810-0925 " 1x500 " 4x500 " 200'.
4 F4Us NZ 17 1215-1345 strafing only.

SEARCHES FOR 24 SEPTEMBER
Beegsteak searches were weathered out. Brewer searches were negative with full track, Able having 90 percent coverage and Baker 85. Weather was fair.

For the Record:

2 PVs from VB-146 covered sectors Able and Baker for 300 miles.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 26 September 1944.

Report missing.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 27 September 1944.

With New Ireland completely weathered out, and only a limited number of planes over New Ireland, Bougainville became the main target for yesterday's activity and no fewer than 121 sorties were flown around this island. The Koromira and Tarlena areas were again hit, and in addition to the normal patrols five Gazelle Peninsula sweeps were redirected to particular targets. One of these sweeps, Stone 25, produced unusually good results in the Shortland-Faisi region, destroying three huts and two barges and killing one Nip for certain and probably many others out of a group of 50 armed Nips which it strafed.
The one patrol which set out from Green for Rabaul did not get through, and weather also hampered missions over New Ireland.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
Shortland Targets Hit: For the second day in succession all the Gazelle Peninsula sweeps (NZ 17) were weathered out and redirected to targets in Buka and Bougainville. Stone 25 produced especially good results in a sweep around the Shortland-Faisi region.
Results for the day were: A large native hut in a garden at the NE end of Buka airfield demolished. Road cratered in same area. One Nip killed on the beach at Ruri Bay. Two Nips killed near Tekan river mouth. Gardens cratered near Merok and Porton. Two huts at Halola village (Shortland Island) destroyed, others damaged. Barge at mouth of Haleta river (S. Shortland Island) fired and left blazing. Forty-foot wooden barge anchored off the southern tip of Faisi "blown to bits" by strafing from four planes. More than 50 armed Nips surprised and strafed on the crest of a ridge at Korovo; results unobserved. Large hut fired on the shore of the mid-NE. section of Taukuna Island (W. of Shortland). One Nip killed in look-out post at SW end Faisi.
The four F4Us which made the attacks in the Shortland-Faisi area reported A/A as follows: Six black bursts (inaccurate) and two muzzle flashes from two possible 20 mm on top of ridge at Korovo. MG with tracer from SW corner Faisi. MG with tracer from Mosia. MG from jetty at Kepiai Plantation (SE Shortland Island). MG from weapons pits along the backbone of the ridge on Poporang Island.
While strafing the barge off the southern tip of Faisi, in the channel between Faisi and Korovo, the F4U piloted by Squadron-Leader D. St George was hit by A/A in the starboard main plane, main tank and canopy. S/L St George was injured, but made a safe emergency landing.

For the Record:

20 F4Us NZ 17 0635-1315 load 1x500(12) dr 11x500 fr 100'-200'. Fired 14,830 rds .50 cal. one plane damaged.

Porton Again: The bivouac area at Porton Plantation and targets in N. Buka were attacked by seven PVs of NZ 3.
They dropped 2 1/2 tons of bombs on the Porton target area and an equal weight on huts inshore from Cape Hanpan, with unobserved results in both cases. Four quarter-tonners and two 250s, dropped singly at Lemanmanu, damaged one hut. Both targets were strafed.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 3 0910 load 4x500 dr 28x500 fr 1000'
                                2x250 13x250 Fired 10,400 rds .50 cal.

Bougainville Patrols: Five two-plane F4U patrols from NZ 22 strafed huts, gardens, barges and Nips around Bougainville. Results for the most part were unobserved, but one Nip was killed at Hanahan Bay.
Eight F4Us of VMF 212 on familiarization hops killed one Nip on Illina Island and strafed huts around Kieta. The dawn patrol, Able-Charlie search and Torokina-Rabaul sweeps were negative. The dusk patrol was cancelled.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 22 0615-1615 Patrols. 9300 rounds .50 cal.
8 F4Us VMF 212 0920-1200 Familiarization strafing.
4 F4Us NZ 22 0625-0735 Dawn patrol.
2 F4Us VMF 212 0750-0925 Able-Charlie search.
1 PV NZ 3 0655-1048 Torokina-Rabaul sweep.

NEW IRELAND
New Ireland Targets: Targets in N. New Ireland were attacked by four two-plane F4U patrols, and by other flights of SBDs and F4Us from Emirau.
The F4Us on patrol destroyed seven huts at But But Bay. Six SBDs reported hits on a road and huts in the Patlangat area, where they started three fires. Eight F4Us put their half-tonners into the Roland Young Plantation area, without observed results, and seven more F4Us attacked a bivouac area in Lamussong Plantation, where they reported a hit on a road and a near miss on a large house.
All other missions from Emirau were weathered out.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Emirau 0820-1200 load 1x500 dr 8x500 fr 1800'
6 SBDs Emirau 0850 load 1x500 dr 5x500 fr 1500'
                                      2x250 10x250
15 F4Us Emirau 0900 load 1x1000 dr 14x1000 fr 2000'-2700'

SEARCHES FOR 26 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches were negative averaging 97 percent track and 73 percent cover. 1 B 31 met squalls from 40 miles north of base to the end of the sector. 2 B 31 had a front from the Equator to 03 north. 3 B 31 encountered a front lying along the Equator covering the entire sector. Ceiling 500 feet and below with 8 tenths cloud cover.
Brewer searches were negative with full distance and 75 percent cover. The weather was reported poor.
8 Green PBJ's searched for the downed F4U pilot. The Samaritan reported its position by dead reckoning at 1100 Love as 07-40 S 160-09-30 E, speed 4.5 knots on course 143 true. Its condition was unchanged.

For the Record:

3 PVs of VB-148 On 300 mile sector search
2 PVs of VB-146 On 300 mile sector search
8 Green PBJs On search for downed F4U pilot.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 28 September 1944.

Continued bad weather yesterday brought activity in the ComAirNorSols area practically to a standstill. Only 52 sorties were flown—25 over Bougainville, 22 over New Ireland, and five strategic searches. No planes at all reached the New Britain area. A more detailed report is given below of the blinking lights seen at Kahili on the nights of September 21/22 and 22/23, and of the reported sighting of a plane in that area on the night of September 22/23.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
Merok-Matchin Bay-Porton: The only Bougainville strike of the day was carried out by eight PVs which hit assigned targets in the Merok-Matchin Bay area, and the Porton Plantation bivouac area.
Forty-seven quarter-tonners were dropped in the target areas, but results generally were obscured by jungle growth. A heavy pall of smoke was left over the area at Merok, where a few Nips and many huts were sighted. All targets were well strafed. Meagre inaccurate 12.7 fire was reported from the NE part of Porton Plantation.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ 3 0645-0705 load 6x500 dr 47x500 fr 1000'. Fired 9350 rds. .50 cal.

Bougainville Patrols; Only one Bougainville patrol was carried out yesterday. The two F4Us strafed a truck on the road NW of Shishigatero (with unobserved results), and reported possible A/A—a puff of white smoke 20 to 30 feet above the trees—in this area. Three Gazelle Peninsula sweeps were weathered out, and two of these were redirected to targets in the Bougainville area. With three quarter-tonners one flight destroyed six of 10-12 huts at Kokoali Point, N. Shortland Island.
The dawn patrol was routine.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 17 0620-0805 Fired 1005 rds. .50 cal.
12 F4Us NZ 22 0625-0740 load 1x500(8) dr 7x500 fr 2000'-4000'.
2 F4Us NZ 17 0630-0720 Dawn patrol.

NEW IRELAND
North New Ireland Patrols: Seven two-plane F4U patrols covered N. New Ireland from 0925 till 1735, dropping 2 1/2 tons on assigned targets.
Small fires were started from strafing in Roland Young Plantation where one bomb was released. Other bombs were dropped on bridges in Balus and Pinikindu Plantations, and on Kabien Plantation. One of the patrols was unsuccessfully vectored towards an unidentified plane reported 20 miles S. of New Hanover on a course of 290°. These two F4Us did not release their bombs.
Eight F4Us hit Lemakot Plantation with half-tonners. All the bombs landed in the area, but results were unobserved. Six SBDs assigned to Dallum returned with their bombs when unable to penetrate a front.

For the Record:

14 F4Us Emirau 0925-1730 load 1x500 dr 10x500 fr 2000'-7000'.
8 F4Us Emirau 1400 load 1x1000 dr 8x1000 fr 2000'.

SEARCHES FOR 27 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches reported only friendly ships sighted. Brewer was negative. Tare made 40 percent track and cover, being unable to break through heavy front running north along the Equator. Uncle was forced back by weather and engine trouble encountering a heavy front at the Equator with squalls and build-ups. Victor also met the Equatorial front, but went full distance with 95 percent cover. Able and Baker averaged 297 miles with 55 percent cover. The weather was poor with a solid overcast and rain squalls in both sectors.
Two Admiralties PBY's searched from Momote to Owi the morning of 25 September and one on the 26th, for the weather plane missing from TG 59.6 since 24 September. Results negative. Three more Cats searched on the 27th.

For the Record:

6 PBY5A Admiralties (25, 26, 27 Sept)—Rescue search.
2 PVs from VB-146 300 mile sector search.
3 PVs from VB-148

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 29 September 1944.

With Piva, Green and Munda planes grounded or prevented by weather from reaching their targets, air activity yesterday was again reduced to a low level. The only Bougainville strikes were made by 15 PVs, which caused a good deal of destruction with their 22 tons of bombs in the Puriata, Mibo and Maririci river areas; and by a single FMAW TBF.
Thirty planes from Emirau were over N. New Ireland during the day, but no planes at all got through to New Britain.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
Eleven Huts, One Bridge Destroyed: Targets of opportunity in South Bougainville, in the region of the Puriata, Mibo and Maririci rivers were attacked by 15 PVs of NZ 3.
The aircraft chose their own targets and attacked individually. In the Puriata river area they destroyed one bridge, one large hut, three huts, and three tents, damaged 5 huts, extensively damaged gardens, and started a fierce fire; at Kunitui they caused a large explosion and high column of smoke; in the Musimania area they destroyed 6-7 huts and damaged 2-3; in the Mibo river area they damaged a bridge and three gardens; and in the Kimaku area they destroyed one hut. Other results were unobserved on account of weather.

For the Record:

15 PVs NZ 3 0715-0930 (8) load 6x500 dr 88x500 fr 1000'.
                  0930-1145 (7)

Bougainville Patrols: The only South Bougainville patrol which was airborne returned in one hour, reporting bad weather and generally poor visibility. The dusk patrol was flown, with negative result.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 22 0825-0925 Bougainville Patrol.
4 F4Us NZ 22 1730-1800 Dusk Patrol.

NEW IRELAND
North New Ireland Activity: N. New Ireland targets were hit by SBDs and F4Us from Emirau.
Only four of the usual two-plane F4U patrols were over Kavieng. The first two patrols carried two quarter-tonners per plane; the others, one quarter-tonner. They destroyed three huts at Katanu, two at Koka and cratered a road at Pinikindu.
A total of 14 SBDs attacked the Kolube and Roland Young Plantations and Katanu. At Kolube and Roland Young they scored damaging hits on buildings and started fires; at Katanu weather obscured results. Meagre, inaccurate light A/A was received in the Roland Young area.
Eight F4Us, carrying thousand pounders, hit targets in the Kaut Bay region with unobserved results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Emirau 0720-1300 load 2x500 (4) dr 12x500 fr 1800'. 1x500 (4)
14 SBDs Emirau 1000-1130 load 1x500 dr 14x500. fr 1500'-1700'.
                                                2x250 28x250
8 F4Us Emirau 1200 load 1x1000 dr 8x1000 fr 2000'.

SEARCHES FOR 28 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak sighted only friendlies, with all sectors encountering a frontal area and line squalls above the Equator. Tare averaged 80 percent track and cover, Uncle 50 and 15, Victor 85 and 80.
Brewer searches were negative with full track and averaging 78 percent cover. The weather was fair to thick with intense front at the sector extremities. Special searches for the weather Cat, reported missing, were discontinued when the plane was found to have landed at Owi the morning of 28 September.
Charcoal covered area Uncle in cooperation with PT's.

For the Record:

2 PVs from VB-146 300 mile sector search.
3 PVs from VB-148

[aircraftclocks]

WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY FOR WEEK ENDING TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER, 1944.

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

ADMIRALTIES
VF-79 (RAAF)   14 SPIT         10 13 VF-79
VS-61              14 SBD         13 18 VS-61
VB-146            14 PV-1         14 43 VB-146
FAW-10           15 PBY-5        13 33 HEDRON 10

EMIRAU
VMF-115         20 F4U           20 51 VMF-115
VMF-211         12 F4U           12 23 VMF-211
VMF-313         15 F4U           15 37 VMF-313
VMSB-142        0                   0 40 VMSB-142
VMSB-243      21 SBD-5       21 47 VMSB-243
VMD-254         8 PB4Y-1P      7 24 VMD-254
VMB-433         9 PBJ-1D        9 39 VMB-433
VMB-443       10 PBJ-1D      10 46 VMB-443
VB-148         16 PV-1          15 34 PATSU 1-9

GREEN
VMF-218       19 F4U          19 46 VMF-218
VMF-222       22 F4U          22 37 VMF-222
VMSB-244     22 SBD-5      22 34 VMSB-244
VMSB-341     20 SBD-6      20 40 VMSB-341
VMB-423       12 PBJ-1D     12 42 VMB-423
VP-44           15 PBY-5A     15 44 PATSU 1-11
VP-52            6 PBY-5         6 11 PATSU 1-11

BOUGAINVILLE
VMO-251     20 F4U           19 40 VMO-251
VMF-212      22 F4U           22 42 VMF-212
VMF-223      22 F4U           22 35 VMF-223
VMSB-133    22 SBD-6       18 35 VMSB-133
VMSB-236    22 SBD-5       21 17 VMSB-236
VMR-152      18 R4D-5       14 59 VMR-152
VMR-153      16 R4D-5       14 55 VMR-153
17TH PHOTO  5 F5A             5 9 17TH PHOTO
                    1 RA-24          1
NZ- 3          16 PV-1          11 16 NZ #10 S.U.
*NZ- 9          2 PV-1            0 0
NZ-17         18 F4U           18 25 NZ #2 S.U.
NZ-22         18 F4U-1        17 26 NZ #4 S.U.

MUNDA
VMSB-241  22 SBD-5        22 13 VMSB-241
VMB-413    12 PBJ-1D       12 42 VMB-413

* Awaiting transfer from area.

[chinapilot]

aircraftclocks - Thanks as usual for your painstaking work posting these entries.
What is interesting is the hourly/daily harassment of the New Ireland area as well as the Gazelle Peninsular and Bougainville.
Not without attrition as there were constant losses, fortunate ones getting picked up by Catalinas. The PT Boats ( of which not much is on record but it seems at times they even ventured to the outskirts of Rabaul) seem to have picked up some crew also.

A tantalising entry on the 28Sept was,

A more detailed report is given below of the blinking lights seen at Kahili on the nights of September 21/22 and 22/23, and of the reported sighting of a plane in that area on the night of September 22/23.

I’m guessing that part didn’t make it the records unfortunately.

The previous reports of parachutes in trees on Bougainville and New I indicated they were attempts to supply troops that were now isolated.

[aircraftclocks]

Chinapilot
I did not include the following originally as it concerned aircraft not operated by the RNZAF. If a US squadron is named, I don't usually include it. However if it is an aircraft type operated by the RNZAF, the squadron is not named, and the mission originated from a base other than ones that the RNZAF normally operated from, I include then. There is nothing to say RNZAF aircraft or pilots may not have been involved in these events. It also gives a greater overview of what was going on at the time.

When I start on 1943 war diaries you will see what I mean, lucky to get a line on a report every 2 or 3 days at the start.

Reported Sighting of Plane over Kahili: Further details are available of the blinking lights seen at Kahili on the nights of September 21/22 and 22/23, and of the reported sighting of a plane on the second of those nights. The pilot of the PBJ heckler on the night of 21/22 made most of his runs below 4000 feet. At 0515, while turning right from a 55 degree last run on the naval personnel area, he observed a white light sending blinker at an estimated speed of 10 words a minute, in the NW taxi loop about 100 feet from the W. edge of the runway. The PBJ pilot flashed his landing lights and received more blinker. He answered by strafing from 3500 feet down to 400 feet, passing over the NW end of the airfield. No enemy fire was received, but the light ceased its blinking.
Another PBJ was over the target early on the night of 22/23. At 2015 the pilot was at 20,000 feet in a sharp left turn from a 53-degree run on the naval personnel area. As the PBJ proceeded on a NW heading a low-flying plane with red port, green starboard, white tail running lights was seen passing Moila Point and headed towards Kahili at high speed. A sharp left turn was made by the PBJ pilot to keep the plane in sight. A blinking light was seen in the N. approach clearing of the strip approximately 100 feet from the end of the runway. It was first seen at 1940 and last seen at 2055, when the PBJ left the area.
The plane with running lights was seen for only 5 to 7 seconds, and the sighting was confirmed by the tail gunner. No target was seen on the PBJ's radar screen, but it is suggested this may have been due to an eight degree maximum depression angle on the antenna. The Munda report adds that about three minutes after the sighting the heckler's flash was checked and reported to be functioning properly; and that one bogey was plotted by Torokina along the W. coast of the island.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 30 September 1944.

As the weather began to lift, operations were resumed on a larger scale in the ComAirNorSols command yesterday, and for the first time in three days more than 100 sorties were flown. Fifty-two planes from Emirau and Green dropped 25 tons on buildings, huts and gardens in New Ireland. Munda SBDs and PBJs resumed operations in the Fauro-Shortland area.
The Nips on New Britain, however, still enjoyed the protection of the weather, for comparatively few planes were able to reach that area. Of a large projected strike, only seven PVs got through to Waitavalo, and the Rabaul patrols could be resumed only on a small scale.

NEW IRELAND
New Ireland Targets: An assortment of New Ireland targets were hit by Green and Emirau planes.
Six Emirau SBDs scored one direct and one damaging hit on huts at Fangelawa. Eight Emirau F4Us, carrying half-tonners, hit Panemansu. One plane made a water landing when the oil line broke from an unknown cause. The pilot was picked up uninjured by Dumbo.
From Green, six PBJs destroyed a metal building at Matankuk Plantation, a hut at Matakan Plantation, a 40-foot building at Cape Roloss pier, a 100-foot building at Himau Plantation and several huts near the Nubai River. Moderate, inaccurate MG was received from Maritsoan.
Six SBDs from Green destroyed one building and damaged one building in Maritsoan Plantation area.
New Ireland Targets Cont'd: Twelve F4Us carrying quarter-tonners damaged the abutment at Rabulut Plantation bridge.

For the Record:

6 SBDs Emirau 0830 load 1x500 dr 6x500 fr 1500'.
                                     2x250 12x250
8 F4Us Emirau 0900 load 1x1000 dr 8x1000 fr 2800'.
6 PBJs VMB 423 (Green) 1115-1245 load 4x500 dr 24x500.
6 SBDs VMSB 341 (Green) 1415 load 1x1000 dr 6x1000.
12 F4Us VMF 222 (Green) 0945-1200 load 1x500 dr 10x500.

North New Ireland Patrols: Seven two-plane F4U patrols were over the Kavieng area from 0700 till 1420. They started fires at Kafkaf, scored a direct hit on a house at Medina, and dropped other bombs on Lakuruman Plantation and Kavieng airstrip. Once again a number of the F4Us carried two quarter-tonners.

For the Record:

14 F4Us Emirau 0700-1420 dr 6 1/2 tons.

NEW BRITAIN
Waitavalo Strike: The Waitavalo bivouac area was to have been the target of yesterday's main strike, but the majority of the attacking planes either did not get off the ground or were unable to reach the target because of bad weather.
Six PVs, however, dropped 35 quarter-tonners into their assigned target area, starting fires and leaving the area smoking. Other results were not observed on account of jungle foliage. Two of the PVs strafed, starting fires in the beach area. Inaccurate MG fire was received from a position near the mouth of the Henry Reid river.
A seventh PV was forced to return early because of engine trouble and dropped its load of six quarter-tonners on huts at Mosigetta (SW Bougainville).

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 3 1000-1005 load 6x500 dr 41x500 fr 1000'.

BOUGAINVILLE
Bougainville Patrols: The first two Bougainville patrols got off from Torokina before the weather closed in. The last patrol of the day was also flown.
The first patrol strafed and killed five Nips near what appeared to be a look-out tower at the S. tip of Sohama Island (NW of Bougainville).
The second strafed huts on the W. tip of Sakdriai Island (W. of Shortland Island) and huts and gardens at Sirukisi village (Shortland Island). The late afternoon patrol killed a Nip swimming off Chasai creek and strafed huts at Kieta and a watch-tower at Wairiki.
The Able-Charlie search, the Torokina-Rabaul sweep and the Dusk patrol were negative. The Rabaul ship count was unchanged.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 17 0655-0855 Patrol-strafing.
2 F4Us NZ 17 0815-1010 Patrol-strafing.
2 F4Us NZ 17 1605-1825 Patrol-strafing.
2 F4Us VMF 212 0930-1110 Able-Charlie search.
1 PV NZ 3 0610-0825 (Green) Rabaul ship count.
1 PV NZ 3 0915-1325 Torokina-Rabaul Sweep.
4 F4Us NZ 17 1725-1830 Dusk patrol.

SEARCHES FOR 29 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak searches were unreported.
Brewer searches were negative with full track and averaging 58 percent cover. The weather involved a low ceiling, violent rain, and a front moving South with winds 50-60 knots.
Tarbaby was unable to take off but Sambo and Charcoal cooperated with PT's in areas Easy-Oboe-Queen and Uncle-Victor respectively from 2137-0118. Bombs were dropped on Choiseul Bay, Tambakar Point, and Malagan River mouth. The cooperation was good, but communications poor.

For the Record:

2 PBY5A from VP 44 (Green) 2137-0118 laod 6x500 GP dr 12x500
                                                                2x500 Incend. 4x500
                                                                10x20 Frag. 20x20
2 PV from VB-146 300 mile sector search from Admiralties and Emirau.
3 PV from VB-148

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 1 October 1944.

Although none of the fields in the area was completely closed in yesterday, the total number of sorties flown, 59, was again very small. Bad weather caused cancellation of the main strike and severely limited the scheduled sweeps and patrols in number, range and visibility.
The greatest activity was around Buka and Bougainville where three of the scheduled Gazelle Peninsula sweeps, in addition to five Bougainville patrols, sought targets of opportunity. Considering the conditions, they brought home a very good score. One Torokina F4U was lost, with its pilot, in Orowere Bay, E. coast of Bougainville.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
Buka and N. Bougainville Targets: The three early morning Gazelle Peninsula sweeps were weathered out and redirected to targets of opportunity in Buka and N. Bougainville.
Carrying quarter-tonners, the four planes of Stone 22 scored a confirmed direct hit on the base of a column of blue smoke on a small cape opposite Merok (Matchin Bay), a hit on gardens at Porporo and a hit in front of a cave which demolished the steps leading to it and obliterated the cave mouth. Strafing attacks killed one Nip near Soraken Plantation and burned one hut near Tahitahi.
Stone 23 (without bombs) strafed and killed five Nips at Numa Numa, Anewa Bay, Cape Pui Pui and Tamos; and smoked a hut at Cape Tanabom.
The third sweep (Stone 24) demolished one hut and wrecked a second at Lonahan; and destroyed three more near Metong. They strafed and killed two Nips in the water.
(While making a strafing run, Flying Officer D.I. Blackley (NZ ? Stone 23) dived into the sea at Orowere Bay. After they had strafed some huts, Blackley's No 2 saw him make a strafing run at 200 feet from shore to sea on an unknown target on the beach at Orowere Bay. Blackley ran into the spray of his own bullets and his prop hit the water. He was then seen to pull up to 50 feet but nosed into the sea 300 yards from shore in deep water. The other three planes of the flight patrolled the area for half an hour. Four more F4Us were scrambled from Torokina and made four sweeps of the entire area without locating anything beyond an oil slick. There had been no sign of A/A or MG fire at any stage of the patrol).

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 17 0805-1125 load 1x500(8) dr 8x500 fr 200'-300'.

Bougainville Patrols: Five two-plane Bougainville patrols were flown by NZ 22.
They strafed a camouflaged dinghy on the beach at Benana Island and left it smouldering; smoked five new huts on the seaward side of Tautsina Island; and strafed Toborei Plantation, gardens on the N. side of Numa Numa and huts all over Buka.
The dusk patrol was negative. Dawn patrol was cancelled.
The two F4Us on the Able-Charlie search strafed huts at Irue, setting one on fire.
One PV made the regular leaflet run except that is was weathered out of Ibu and Sisivie. It strafed the Kieta area.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 22 0810-1815 Bougainville patrols. Fired 11,100 rd .50 cal
4 F4Us NZ 22 1725-1830 Dusk patrol.
2 F4Us VMF 212 1025-1155 Able-Charlie search. Fired 600 rds. .50 cal.
1 PV NZ 3 0820-0950 Leaflet drop. Fired 1200 rds. .50 cal.

NEW BRITAIN
Gazelle Peninsula Sweep: Only two of the usual five sweeps reached the Gazelle Peninsula.
Carrying quarter-tonners, the four F4Us on the Keravat-Malabung-Put Put sweep cratered a road in front of a moving truck in the Kurrjong Plantation, and scored a near miss on a group of three vehicles. They strafed and flamed a hut at Keravat farm and smoked a bridge over the Keravat river.
The flight on the Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweep flamed one hut near Ragaga Bay and a second in Mandres Plantation; and caused a cloud of brown smoke to rise from drums on a jetty NE of Mamaar Bay. MG fire was received from a hut in the SW corner of Keravat farm, and inaccurate, tracer MG from a clearing three miles NE of Mamaar Bay.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 17 1330-1555 load 1x500(4) dr 3x500 fr 100'-300'.

Rabaul Patrols: The weather at Green permitted only one of five scheduled Rabaul patrols to take off from Green, but this was forced back by weather.
One F4U made a water landing 3/4 mile off Green after engine failure. The pilot was rescued.
Weather cancelled all other strikes and patrols from Green.
The Rabaul weather report-ship count was negative.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 3 Weather report-ship count.

SEARCHES FOR 30 SEPTEMBER
Beefsteak 300 mile search 2 Baker 31 was negative with 30 percent track and 5 percent cover; the others were weathered out. There was a heavy frontal area up to 01 degree North. The dawn inshore patrol covered from ??0-015 degrees and was negative with 50 percent track and cover.
The remaining 3 sectors were weathered out. Two heavy fronts 200 miles NW to SE.
Brewer 300 mile searches were negative with full track and an average of 60 percent cover. The weather was improving 200 miles out at extremities of the searches.
Brewer dawn inshore patrols were negative, averaging 70 percent track and 59 percent cover. The weather was bad with line squalls and heavy rain. The dusk patrols were also negative with full distance, averaging 95 percent cover, with weather greatly improved.
Tarbaby and Sambo were negative and Charcoal was cancelled since Green PT's did not operate.
34 Green SBD's searched for the F4U pilot lost on 24 September with results negative.

For the Record:

2 PVs from VB-146
1 PV VB-148 300 mile local search sectors.
2 F4Us (VMF-115) Emirau
2 PVs (VB146) Admiralties 100 mile inshore search sectors.
2 PBY5A from Green Tarbaby and Sambo PT cooperation.

[chinapilot]

Chinapilot
I did not include the following originally as it concerned aircraft not operated by the RNZAF. If a US squadron is named, I don't usually include it. However if it is an aircraft type operated by the RNZAF, the squadron is not named, and the mission originated from a base other than ones that the RNZAF normally operated from, I include then. There is nothing to say RNZAF aircraft or pilots may not have been involved in these events. It also gives a greater overview of what was going on at the time.

Many thanks for the additional info which is interesting and certainly adds to the overall strategy in the area.👍 I think anything you want to post regarding the US forces is welcome.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 2 October 1944.

Apart from an attack on S. Bougainville gun positions by eight TDR, air activity yesterday came practically to a full stop. Only one strike went out in the whole area, and that was made by four F4Us against huts and bridges in N. New Ireland. Only one fighter patrol was flown from Emirau and only one - the dusk patrol - from Piva.
All other planes were grounded by weather.

BOUGAINVILLE
TDR Attack: A strike was made with 8 TDR against Nip A/A positions in the South Bougainville area.
Results were as follows:
Two on Poporang Ridge.
One on west Ballale heavy position.
One 300 ft short of south Ballale heavy position.
One on north-east Kangu automatic area.
One dud.
One of two lost on account of equipment failure was a dud, and one exploded four miles north of Moila Point.

SEARCHES FOR 1 OCTOBER
Beefsteak 300 mile searches were negative with an average of 83 percent track and 73 percent cover. A frontal area extending forty miles north of base was reported.
Brewer 300 mile searches were negative with 100 percent track and 95 percent cover. Weather was good with visibility of 30 miles. Brewer dawn and dusk inshore patrols were negative averaging 94 percent track and cover. In the morning weather was good with four tenths overcast at 1400 feet. Dusk patrols reported rain squalls and frontal area 50 miles from base in sector one.
Sambo cooperating with Treasury PT's bombed Iwi Plantation and a building at Nukiki. Tarbaby bombed Cape Siara with unobserved results. Charcoal did not take off since Green PT's were weathered out.

For the Record:

4 PV's (VB-148) Emirau: 300 mile local search sectors.
2 PV's (VB-146) Admiralties: 300 mile local search sectors.
4 PV's (VB-146) Admiralties: 100 mile inshore search sectors.
2 PBY5A (VP-44) Green: dr 6x500 G.P.
                                        2x500 Incend.
                                        30x20 Frag.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 3 October 1944.

With the lifting of the weather a normal scale of air activity was resumed in the ComAirNorSols command yesterday. More than 200 sorties were flown—the majority in the Bougainville area, where the Numa Numa bivouac was hit by 63 F4Us and SBDs carrying 28 tons of bombs. The Fauro-Shortland region also came in for a good deal of attention from Munda and Torokina planes.
The Gazelle Peninsula sweeps and patrols were not able to penetrate the weather during the morning, but got through in the afternoon. Sixty-one planes were in action over New Ireland, where damage was done to bridges and huts.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(118 sorties—44 1/2 tons dropped)

Numa Numa Bivouac: Weathered out from Waitavalo, 29 SBDs and 34 F4Us found a secondary target in the Nip bivouac area in Numa Numa Plantation. They covered the area thoroughly with 28 tons of bombs. Results were obscured by jungle growth. A good deal of smoke and dust was observed. One flight of SBDs reported seeing flames above the tree-tops at the time of its retirement, and the F4Us of VMO 251 reported starting two columns of black smoke which rose to 700 feet. The four VMF 223 planes attacked huts and the dock; the other flights concentrated on the plantation area. All planes strafed the targets. Moderate, inaccurate MG fire was reported from the SE corner of the plantation. One flight resorted an apparent blinker signal from a group of huts between Kuraipaia and Tubutubue.

For the Record:

15 SBDs VMSB 133 0925 load 1x500 dr 15x500
                                            2x250 29x250.
14 SBDs VMSB 236 0843 load 1x500 dr 14x500
                                            2x250 27x250.
6 F4Us VMO 251 0910 load 1x1000 dr 5x1000.
12 F4Us NZ 17 0930 load 1x1000 dr 9x1000.
12 F4Us NZ 22 0930 load 1x1000 dr 12x1000.
4 F4Us VMF 223 0930 load 1x500 dr 4x500.

Shortland-Fauro Area Hit: After six SBDs of VMSB 241 had made an unsuccessful attempt to get through to Fauro, nine Munda-based PBJs attacked targets on and around Shortland Island.
Photographs taken after the attack showed fair quantities of white smoke rising from Aliang, Halola and Pawtai Point. Bombs were also dropped on the southern tip of Taukuna Island, and all targets were strafed. Targets in the same area were also attacked by several flights of F4Us. Four F4Us of NZ 17—one with a petrol bomb—destroyed 5-8 huts in a clearing 400 yards inland from the SW coast of Shortland Island between Kafai river and Fosai Bay. The second four planes from the same squadron put all their bombs in a tight cluster among five good huts, including two large ones, in the same vicinity. The same planes killed two Nips at the SW corner of Morgusaia Island, and smoked two huts among several strafed along the west coast of Shortland.
Four F4Us of NZ 22 bombed a village of 12 huts at Kariki on the NE coast of Fauro. They destroyed 6-7 huts with three direct hits. A second flight of 4 planes from the same squadron bombed and strafed targets on Fauro and Shortland.

For the Record:

9 PBJs VMB 413 1000 load 4x500 dr 33x500.
8 F4Us NZ 17 1230-1240 load 1x500(7) dr 7x500
                    1 belly tank 1 belly tank
                       incendiary incendiary. (75 gallons)
8 F4Us NZ 22 1320 (4) load 1x500 dr 4x500.
                     1315 (4)

South Bougainville Patrols: Five two-plane patrols from VMF 223 and VMF 212 ranged over Bougainville during the day.
They strafed huts throughout the area, smoking two at Skotolan. They strafed a 25 ft. barge on a reef in the water E. of Cape L'Averdy and caused it to fill with water.
One flight received meagre but accurate MG and 20 mm fire from the Fosai Bay area. One F4U was slightly damaged.
The first patrol reported a 30 ft. barge, occupied by 4 or 6 persons, on Lake Lahala. This barge was searched for by a later patrol, unsuccessfully.
The dusk patrol, and a Torokina-Wide Bay sweep were negative.

For the Record:

6 F4Us VMF 223 0635-1300 Bougainville patrols. One plane dam.
4 F4Us VMF 212 1350-1800 Bougainville patrols.
4 F4Us VMF 223 1740-1835 Dusk patrol.
1 PV NZ 3 0752-1003 Torokina-Wide Bay sweep.

NEW BRITAIN
(17 sorties-6 tons dropped)

SEARCHES FOR 2 OCTOBER
Beefsteak 400 mile searches were negative in all 4 sectors except for friendly shipping with 100 percent track and cover. Frontal area was reported forming from zero degrees to zero degrees 30 minutes north.
Brewer 300 mile searches were negative both in Able and Baker for friendly shipping with 100 percent track and an average of 90 percent cover. Weather was good with visibility of 20 miles.
Black Cat PT cooperation for the night of 1/2 October was weathered out.

For the Record:

4 PVs (VB-148) Emirau: 400 mile search sectors.
2 PVs (VB-146) Admiralties: 300 mile search sectors.