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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 10, 2021 13:08:41 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 26 December 1944.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were made merry for Nips on Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland by night hecklers and patrol planes bombing and strafing from Piva, Green and Emirau.
Main strike yesterday was by Emirau and Green PBJs and PVs against possible plane parks at Vunakanau, where they dropped 57 1/2 tons, cloud obscuring observation of results.
On Bougainville F4Us hit Nip personnel areas at Numa Numa and Katsinkoveri.
NEW BRITAIN
(78 sorties-62 3/4 tons)
Possible Plane Parks Hit: Two possible plane parks at Vunakanau were hit by 27 Emirau PBJs, dropping 78 half-tonners. Cloud obscured observation of results and photos.
Nine Green PBJs and six Green PVs dropped 18 half-tonners and 38 quarter-tonners, reporting good area coverage.
For the Record:
27 PBJs 1112-1115 dr 78x1000.
9 PBJs VMB 423 18x1000.
6 PVs NZ 1 1106 dr 38x500.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Patrolling of Rabaul: Four Green F4Us patrolled Rabaul for an hour on Christmas Eve and 20 in pair patrolled from 0620 to 1715 on Christmas Day, with negative results. A PBJ heckled Rabaul from 2200 to 2400 on Christmas Eve, dropping three quarter tonners on the Sulphur Creek area, one on the Talili supply area and one on Vunakanau. One inaccurate searchlight was operating.
For the Record:
24 F4Us NZ 14 Rabaul patrols 24-25 Dec. No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB 423 Night heckling 24 Dec. dr 5x500.
Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: Four Piva F4Us on the Duke of York-Cape Archway sweep on 24 December dropped four 500 pounders on huts in the Ralum supply area. One plane was damaged by A/A and is still at Green Island. Details have not been reported.
Seven Piva F4Us made the Watom Island-Pondo and Duke of York-Cape Archway sweeps. One plane ditched in Atalikukun Bay, a Green Island report saying it was hit by A/A from Keravat. Dumbo picked up the pilot. Twelve quarter tonners were dropped on huts, a truck and a bridge with unobserved results.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 21 1430-1515 24 Dec. dr 4x500.
7 F4Us NZ 24 25 Dec. dr 12x500.
BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(26 sorties-9 tons)
Nip Concentration Hit: Nips living in Katsinkoveri Village (N. Bougainville) were bombed by eight Piva F4Us which dropped eight half-tonners, all in the target area, and strafed the whole area from the coast to two and a half chains inland.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 21 0905 dr 8x1000.
Bougainville Patrols: The dusk patrol by two Piva F4Us on 24 Dec was negative as was the dawn patrol on 25 Dec. Two Able-Charlie searches were flown, the Leuss-Avia Road being strafed.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dusk patrol 24 Dec. No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 24 Dawn patrol 25 Dec. No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 24 Able-Charlie searches 25 Dec. No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(10 sorties-5 tons)
Nips on North New Ireland Have Merry Christmas: Emirau F4Us made Christmas merry for Nips on north New Ireland.
The first patrol of two dropped two half-tonners on Kavieng. Moderate accurate light fire evidently hit one or both planes as the despatch says the patrol had to return to base, the same pilots going out again with new planes and new bombs, with which they blew out a wharf in the harbour at Kavieng.
The second patrol dropped two half tonners on a house a mile north of Pananai. Intense accurate light fire holed one plane and the pilot parachuted into the water, being picked up safely by Dumbo.
Weather shortened a third patrol which put its half tonners on the airfield at Kavieng with unobserved results.
The dawn PV put six 120 lb frag clusters on huts in Lamussong Plantation and a PV on truck and shipping recco dropped three frag clusters and three depth charges on Koka Plantation.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrols dr 8x1000.
2 PVs NZ 4 dr 9x120 Frags.
3x325 D.C.
SEARCHES: 25 DECEMBER
The regular Admiralties and Emirau searches were all negative, with the following track and cover percentages:
Beefsteak- (NZ 4) Track Cover
Tare 100 100
Uncle 95 100
Victor 80 80
Brewer-(VPB 146)
Able 100 90
Baker 100 95
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 10, 2021 13:28:27 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 27 December 1944.
The Nips had their quietest day for months yesterday, when weather caused the cancellation of nearly all air strikes on Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland. Only activity of note was a combined air and naval strike on the Nip personnel and supply concentrations at Lakuruai and Mamagata (S. Bougainville), which were well covered with bombing and shelling.
BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(20 sorties-6 1/2 tons)
Personnel and Supply Area Bombed and Shelled: The Lakuruai-Mamagata personnel and supply area was shelled by 12 PTs, two PCs and two LCIs and bombed and strafed by 16 Piva F4Us.
Twelve F4Us put 19 quarter-tonners into the target areas. Three were jettisoned, one undershot and one was returned. Four F4Us striking later dropped two quarter-tonners into the area but one half-tonner was a dud and one undershot. The target areas were well covered and fires were observed.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 24 0730 dr 20x500.
4 F4Us NZ 21 0815 dr 2x500
2x1000.
Bougainville Patrols: Two Piva F4Us made a dawn patrol without incident except that one was holed by machine-gun fire from an undetected location.
Able-Charlie search planes were turned back by weather. Other flights were cancelled by weather.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 21 0615 Dawn patrol.
2 F4Us NZ 21 1330 Able-Charlie search.
NEW BRITAIN
(12 sorties-one ton)
Rabaul Patrols: Rabaul was covered by Green F4Us from 1755 to 1805 on 25 Dec. and from 1255 to 1620 on 26 Dec. One flight carried four quarter-tonners and bombed five barges seen on the south-east side of Keravia Bay, destroying one. They also strafed and burned a loaded camouflage truck at Vunapope. Bad weather prevented any further flying.
For the Record:
1755-1805 25 Dec.
12 F4Us NZ 14 1255-1620 26 Dec. dr 4x500.
Strikes From Nadzab: B-25 and A-20 strikes on the Rabaul area from Nadzab could not get through the bad weather but five B-24s dropped 40 half-tonners on Lakunai strip with unobserved results. Two did not reach the target and one sent out a distress call, the cause being unknown.
NEW IRELAND
(Two sorties-1 1/2 tons)
North New Ireland Patrols: An Emirau PV on dusk patrol over New Ireland on 25 Dec. dropped six eighth-tonners from 200 ft. on huts five miles up the coast from Koka Plantation. Results were unobserved. The PV on truck and ship recco on 26 December destroyed two huts in Panemansu Plantation with the same load. Meagre inaccurate light a/c came from the plantation. Other sweeps and patrols were weathered out, except for the dusk sweep and last Kavieng patrol.
For the Record:
2 PVs NZ 4 Dusk patrol 25 Dec. dr 12x250.
Truck and ship recco 26 Dec.
SEARCHES : 26 DECEMBER
The three Emirau searches were all cancelled on account of weather.
Admiralties searches were flown by Venturas of VPB 146 with negative results and the following track and cover:
Brewer (VPB 146) TRACK COVER
Able 100 60
Baker 100 100
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 10, 2021 19:52:50 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 28 December 1944.
Lakunai runway was damaged yesterday by Emirau PBJs and a possible plane park at Vunakanau was hit by Green PBJs. Nip personnel and supply areas were hit on New Ireland and on Bougainville. With better weather operations returned to normal scale, 142 sorties being flown and 79 tons of bombs dropped.
A somewhat obscure despatch from Emirau says that at 0035 on 27 Dec. a floatplane, possibly a Rufe, was seen for 45 seconds at 13,000 ft., with 500 ft. advantage on PBJs heckling Kavieng. It did not close or shadow. About 15 minutes later a radar bogey plot was made but it is thought to have been cloud.
NEW BRITAIN
(70 sorties - 51 1/2 tons)
Possible Plane Park Attacked: Eight Green PBJs and eight PVs, covered by 11 Marine F4Us, struck a possible plane park at Vunakanau. The PBJs dropped 14 100-pounders and four 300-pounders into the area, for unobserved results. The PVs dropped 45 300-pounders but all fell short of the target. Three bombs hung and were jettisoned. The PBJs released three half-tonners over Borpop. Intense, inaccurate to accurate heavy fire was encountered over Vunakanau.
For the Record:
8 PBJs VMB 423 dr. 14x100
8 PVs NZ 1 4x300
3x1000
45x300
Rabaul Patrols: Four Green F4Us patrolled Rabaul in pairs from 1800 to 1815 on 26 Dec. and 16 F4Us were over in pairs from 0645 to 1600 on 27 Dec. The last two patrols were weathered out.
A Green Mitchell heckled Rabaul from 2300 to 0100 on the night of 26-27 Dec., dropping six quarter-tonners on Vunakanau, with unobserved results.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 1600-1815 26 Dec. No bombs.
16 F4Us NZ 0645-1600 27 Dec. No bombs.
1 PBJ 2300-0100 26-27 Dec. dr. 6x500.
Sweep Planes Destroy Huts: Bombing and strafing on the Watom Island-Pondo and Duke of York-Cape Archway sweeps, eight Piva F4Us, carrying two quarter-tonners each, destroyed six huts and killed two Nips. Seven bombs were put into a hutted area at Raluana with unobserved results.
For the Record:
8 F4Us 1150-1240 dr. 16x500
1200-1310
BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(33 sorties 12 1/2 tons)
Nip Concentration Hit: Two hundred Nips in a hilly and wooded position near Kieta were bombed by 12 Piva F4Us dropping half-tonners. All bombs were in the target area but results were unobserved.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 21 0730 dr. 12x1000
Fauro Island Headquarters Bombed: Kalia, reported headquarters of 200 Nips on Fauro Island, received six half-tonners from eight Piva F4Us. Another bomb went into the sea and one was a dud.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 21 1030 dr. 8x1000
Puriata River Supply Dump Destroyed: Four Piva F4Us destroyed the Nip supply dump at Puriata River and tents around it with four quarter-tonners and strafing. They were led into the target by RAAF Boomerangs.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 21 1500 dr. 4x500
Bougainville Patrols: Two Piva F4Us made a negative dusk patrol on 26 Dec. and the dawn patrol on 27 Dec. was also negative. Three F4Us on patrol with two quarter-tonners each destroyed an open boat two miles off Fosai, dropped a bomb on a suspected fuel dump at Banei, dropped two on a personnel area at Kieta, destroyed a canoe at the mouth of the Luluai River and destroyed an outrigger canoe at Taki.
On the Able-Charlie search two Piva F4Us impeded the success of the Nip poultry raising at Taki by destroying a hen coop. They also strafed a garden, destroyed two huts and left smoke issuing from a pillbox. One plane was holed by light arms fire from Taki.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dusk patrol, 26 Dec. No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 24 Dawn patrol, 27 Dec. No bombs.
3 F4Us NZ 24 Bougainville patrol. dr. 6x500
2 F4Us NZ 24 Able-Charlie
NEW IRELAND
(34 sorties - 15 3/4 tons)
Bolegila Huts Struck: Cape Bolegila was visited by three Emirau PVs, which dropped 18 250-pounders on huts and a road. The road was cratered but effect on the huts was not observed.
For the Record:
3 PVs NZ 4 dr. 18x250
Balgai Personnel Area struck: Four Emirau F4Us struck the Balgai Nip personnel area, achieving good coverage with eight half-tonners.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 19 dr. 8x1000
North New Ireland Patrols: Two Emirau F4Us patrolling Kavieng on 26 Dec. put two half-tonners into the Balgai supply area but both were duds. A PV on dusk patrol dropped four 250-pounders on huts near Lakurumau Plantation.
Two PBJs heckling from 0010 to 1140 on 27 Dec. with unobserved results, dropped 12 120 lb. frag. clusters on Kavieng town and strip.
A PV on dawn patrol on 27 Dec. released four 250-pounders on the Lossuk Bay Bridge but missed it. The PV on truck and shipping recco dropped three depth charges and three 120 lb. frags. on huts with unobserved results.
Four F4Us patrolled Kavieng from 1230 to 1500, dropping two half-tonners on huts near Kavieng and one on a camouflaged building near Panapai, with unobserved results. Weather cancelled the last patrol and the dusk sweep.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 19 1435-1820 26 Dec. dr. 2x1000
1 PV NZ 4 1435-1820 26 Dec. dr. 4x250
1 PV NZ ? Dawn patrol 27 Dec. dr. 4x250
2 PBJs 0010-1140 27 Dec. dr.12x120 frags.
1 PV NZ 4 Truck & ship recco. 27 Dec. dr. 3x325 D.C.
3x120 frags.
4 F4Us NZ 19 1230-1500 27 Dec. dr. 3x1000
Borpop and Namatanai Bombed: A late despatch says that on 26 Dec. six Green PVs dropped 17 300-pounders on Borpop and 11 on Namatanai with unobserved results. Intense inaccurate medium fire came from Namatanai.
For the Record:
6 PVs NZ 1 26 Dec. dr. 28x300
F4U Hecking: An Emirau despatch relating to the report on 25 Dec. in which it was stated that after a strike by four F4Us on Panapai the leader was rescued out of the water says the F4U ditched, possibly as the result of anti-aircraft fire. The prop feathered itself and the engine raced and then quit.
SEARCHES 27 DEC.
The Ventura searches from Emirau and the Admiralties searches on 27 December were again negative. Track and cover percentages were as follows:
TRACK. COVER. WEATHER
Beefsteak (N.Z.4)
Tare 99 90 Good
Uncle 100 100 "
Victor 60 60 Poor
Brewer (V.P.B. 146)
Able 100 85 Fair
Baker 100 95 Good
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 10, 2021 20:39:18 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 29 December 1944.
Main activity yesterday was over New Ireland, where 50 sorties were flown and 57 tons of bombs dropped. Kavieng strip was well covered by Emirau PBJs and F4Us and PVs hit personnel areas in Roland Young Plantation and at Balgai. Weather protected the Nips on New Britain and also gave them a comparatively trouble-free day on Bougainville.
NEW IRELAND
(50 sorties- 57 tons)
F4Us Bomb Kavieng: Four Emirau F4Us, diving through cloud, dropped eight half-tonners on Kavieng. Results were not observed. Meagre, inaccurate medium fire was received from the waterfront.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 19 0930 dr 8x1000.
Roland Young Plantation Struck: Three Emirau PVs bombed the Nips in Roland Young Plantation, dropping 15 250 pounders with unobserved results.
For the Record:
3 PVs NZ 4 1035 dr 15x250.
Balgai Personnel Area: Four Emirau F4Us destroyed four large buildings in the Nip personnel area at Balgai with eight half-tonners. Intense inaccurate heavy and medium fire was experienced.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ 19 1450 dr 8x1000.
North New Ireland Patrols: The dawn patrol PV from Emirau put six 250 pounders on huts at Medina with unobserved results. The truck and shipping recco plane dropped two like bombs on huts north of Katherine Bay and jettisoned four others when an engine temporarily cut.
Four Emirau F4Us patrolled Kavieng in pairs from 0900 to 1500, each plane carrying one half-tonner. Two were dropped on Kavieng, one was a dud and one fell in the sea.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol dr 6x250.
1 PV NZ 4 Truck and shipping recco dr 2x500.
4 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrols dr 4x1000.
Nip Supplies Bombed: Nip supplies stored in the Kalili Bay area were hit by six Green PVs at low level in very poor weather. Eight quarter-tonners were in the target area, nine missed, one hung and 18 were not dropped on account of the weather.
For the Record:
6 PVs NZ 1 1055 dr 17x500.
BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(26 sorties-6 tons)
Strike In Support of Ground Troops: Twelve Piva F4Us hit Artillery Ridge, Leseipia, where the Nips have ground forces. They were led in by a Boomerang and a Wirriway (RAAF) which marked the target with smoke. Six quarter-tonners and six depth charges landed within 100 yards of the smoke. Six planes found they had insufficient time to bomb and returned to base with bombs. The strike was in support of the Australian Army.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 24 1153 dr 6x500
6x325.
Choiseul Island Personnel Area Hit: A Nip personnel concentration at Tarikokua, Choiseul Island, was hit by eight Piva F4Us, which dropped 14 quarter-tonners and two depth charges. Four overshot but the rest were in the target area.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 24 0735 dr 14x500 GP.
2x325 DC.
Bougainville Patrols: The dusk patrol on 27 December by two Piva F4Us was negative as was the dawn patrol on 28 December. Two Piva F4Us on an Able-Charlie search strafed a barge under a cliff at Avis, probable supply boxes covered with tarpaulins on the coast between Avis and Leuss and a camouflaged native hut west of Teop Harbour, all with unobserved results.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 24 Dusk patrol 27 Dec. No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dawn patrol 28 Dec. No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 21 Able-Charlie search 28 Dec. No bombs.
NEW BRITAIN
(29 sorties-1 ton)
Sweeps Weathered Out: The Watom Island-Pondo sweep was weathered out, the four Piva F4Us jettisoning their quarter-tonners and returning to base, The Duke of York-Cape Archway sweep was weathered out also, the planes landing at Green.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 21 New Britain sweeps. No bombs dropped.
Rabaul Patrols: Twenty Green F4Us patrolled the Rabaul area from 0645 to 1730. The second flight carried four quarter-tonners and destroyed four to five huts in Nagaila Village, Duke of York Islands.
The PV night heckler was turned back by weather.
For the Record:
20 F4Us NZ ? 0645-1730 dr 4x500.
1 PV NZ 1 Night heckler No bombs dropped.
SEARCHES : 28 DECEMBER
The Ventura searches from Emirau and the Admiralties were again all negative, with the following track and cover:
TRACK COVER. WEATHER
Beefsteak (NZ4):
Tare 100 100 Good
Uncle 100 100 "
Victor 100 100 "
Brewer (VPB146):
Able 100 50 Poor
Baker 100 70 Below average.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 10, 2021 20:47:32 GMT 12
WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 26 DECEMBER 1944.
UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT
ADMIRALTIES
VS-61 15 SBD 15 18 VS-61
2 J2F-6 2
VPB-33 10 PBY-5 8 VPB-33
VPB-146 14 PV-1 14 41 VPB-146
NZ-23 18 F4U 16 23 NZ # 4 S.U.
EMIRAU
VMSB-133 24 SBD-6 24 26 *
VMSB-142 25 SBD-6 25 43 *
VMSB-236 25 SBD-6 24 26 *
VMSB-241 24 SBD-6 23 25 *
VMSB-243 25 SBD-5 25 43 *
VMSB-244 25 SBD-5 25 26 *
VMSB-341 24 SBD-6 24 26 *
VMB-413 11 PBJ-1D 11 56 VMB-413
VMB-433 12 PBJ-1D 11 50 VMB-433
VMB-443 12 PBJ-1D 12 51 VMB-443
VMB-611 12 PBJ-1D 10 53 S.S.-61
NZ-19 19 F4U-1D 14 26 NZ #5 S.U.
NZ-4 17 PV-1 14 16 NZ #10 S.U.
GREEN
VMF-222 24 F4U 24 43 VMF-222
VMB-423 11 PBJ-1D 11 51 VMB-423
VPB-44 15 PBY-5A 12 56 PATSU 1-11
NZ-14 18 F4U-1D 18 26 NZ #3 S.U.
NZ-16 18 F4U-1 18 27 NZ #30 S.U.
NZ-1 14 PV-1 13 13 NZ #14 S.U.
BOUGAINVILLE
VMO-251 25 F4U-1D 25 40 VMO-251
VMF-212 24 F4U 24 42 VMF-212
VMF-223 24 F4U 24 41 VMF-223
VMR-152 16 R4D-5 13 68 VMR-152
VMR-153 16 R4D-5 14 70 VMR-153
17TH PHOTO 5 F5A 5 6 17TH PHOTO
1 RA-24B 1
1 UC-64A 1
NZ-21 18 F4U-1D 18 25 NZ #31 S.U.
NZ-24 17 F4U-1D 16 27 NZ #2 S.U.
* Ground echelon enroute Gete.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 11, 2021 0:29:36 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 30 December 1944.
The weather was again on the side of the Nips yesterday, causing cancellation of most strikes and reduation of patrols and sweeps over Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland.
The main strike was against targets in the Vunakanau area by Green PBJs, PVs and F4Us, which dropped 22 tons, covering their targets well but being unable to observe results.
Piva F4Us got in a strike on a Nip bivouac area near the Hongoral before the weather closed in. Over New Ireland there was only patrol activity and that was on a restricted scale.
NEW BRITAIN
(46 sorties - 23 1/2 tons)
Strikes on Vunakanau Area: Nine PBJs, eight PVs and twelve F4Us co-operated in strikes on Vunakanau targets.
The F4Us dropped 12 500 lb G.P. and one 650 D.C. on gun positions, for unobserved results. The PBJs and PVs dropped 20 1000 lb G.P. and 35 500 lb. G.P. on revetment, supply and personnel areas, also with unobserved results. A/A was meagre inaccurate to accurate heavy from known positions.
Twenty-seven Emirau PBJs were to have joined in the strike but they were prevented from getting through by weather. They could not reach their secondary target either, so jettisoned their 234 120 lb frags.
For the Record:
9 PBJs VMB-423 1000 dr. 20x1000 G.P.
4x500 G.P.
8 PVs NZ 1 dr. 31x500 G.P.
12 F4Us NZ dr. 12x500 G.P.
1x650 D.C.
Strikes From Nadzab: Nine RAAF Beauforts bombed Vunakanau on the night of 28-29 Dec., putting all their bombs (number and type not stated in despatch) in the target area, starting several fires. Five B-24s bombed Vunakanau despersal areas on 28 Dec. putting 14 300-pounders in the target area, including one on a gun position south of the field. Three planes (type and condition not stated) were seen in despersal areas and strafed. Two bombs were dropped on gardens at Keravat and four on Warango Plantation.
Rabaul patrols: Four Green F4Us patrolled the Rabaul area from 1730 to 1820 on 28 Dec. with negative results. Twelve patrolled from 0700 to 1300 and from 1430 to 1705 on 29 Dec., also with negative results. Meagre inaccurate fire came from the tip of Makada Harbour, Duke of York Island. One PBJ heckled Rabaul on the night of 28-29, dropping four quarter-tonners on Sulphur Creek and two on A/A positions northwest of Vunakanau, for unobserved results.
For the Record:
4 F4Us NZ ? 1730-1820 28 Dec. No bombs.
12 F4Us NZ ? 0700-1300
1430-1705 29 Dec. No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB-423 Night heckling 28-29 Dec. dr. 6x500
BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(20 sorties - 8 1/4 tons)
Nip Bivouac Area Hit: Sixteen Piva F4Us dropped eight depth charges and 12 half-tonners on a Nip bivouac area near the Hongorai River. All were in the target area, but one depth charge was a dud. One Boomerang and one Wirriway (RAAF) acted as pathfinders, leading the F4Us to the target.
For the Record:
12 F4Us NZ 21 1605 dr. 12x1000 G.P.
4 F4Us NZ 24 dr. 8x350 D.C.
Bougainville Patrols: Piva F4Us made negative dusk and dawn patrols on 28 Dec and 29 Dec. Other patrols and searches were cancelled because of weather.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dusk patrol 28 Dec. No bombs.
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dawn patrol 29 Dec. No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(7 sorties - 4 1/4 tons)
New Ireland Patrols: Two Emirau F4Us on patrol over north New Ireland on 28 Dec. dropped two half-tonners beside a large building near Panapai, with unobserved results. The dusk patrol PV dropped six eighth-tonners on Nip personnel and supplies in Dallum Plantation, also with unobserved results.
The 29 Dec. dawn patrol PV damaged the Lagagon Plantation Bridge with six eighth-tonners and the truck and recco PV reported that one of its six eighth-tonners probably hit the same bridge.
Two F4Us put two half-tonners near a large building and gun positions on the coast road near Panapai. Later patrols and sweeps were weathered out.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 19 1500-1800 28 Dec. dr. 2x1000
1 PV NZ 4 Dusk patrol 28 Dec. dr. 6x250
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol 29 Dec. dr. 6x250
1 PV NZ 4 Truck and ship recco. dr. 6x250
2 F4Us NZ 19 0835-1200 29 Dec. dr. 2x1000
SEARCHES : 29 DEC.
Beefsteak searches were negative with full track and cover, except for sector Tare which was limited to 75 percent track and 95 cover.
Brewer searches were likewise negative with full track in good weather, but averging only 93 percent cover in the two sectors.
The night of 28-29 December Sambo was weathered out of its assigned areas and dropped 4x250 GP on Lemanmanu Mission (NW Buka). Tarbaby, operating over area William, dropped a similar tonnage on the Mibo River mouth, while Charcoal raided Chinese Plantation, area Uncle, with another half ton of bombs.
For the Record:
3 PV (NZ-4) Emirau 300 mile sector searches.
2 PV (VPB-146) Admiralties 300 mile sector searches.
3 PBY-5A (VPB-44) PGM-PT cooperation, dr. 12x250 GP.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 11, 2021 0:32:11 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 31 December 1944.
Nip positions on Artillery Ridge (central Bougainville) were again hit yesterday by Piva F4Us in a strike in support of the Australian Army. A Nip supply area on Choiseul Island was also struck from Piva. Over New Britain and New Ireland air activity was restricted mainly to patrols.
BOUGAINVILLE
(28 sorties - 8 tons)
Army Support Mission: Eight Piva F4Us, led in by Boomerangs, struck Artillery Ridge (central Bougainville) in support of ground forces, dropping two depth charges and 14 quarter-tonners (two of which were duds) in an area marked by mortar fire. The bombing appeared most effective and the target area was thoroughly strafed.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 24 0700 dr. 2x325 D.C.
2 Boomerangs RAAF 14x500 G.P.
Choiseul Island Supply Area Hit: The Nip supply area at Tarikakau (Choiseul) was bombed by ten Piva F4Us dropping two depth charges each. Twelve fell in the target area, five were duds and three fell in the sea. Explosions brought up columns of water and pilots think the area is mostly swamp.
For the Record:
10 F4Us NZ 24 1115 dr. 20x325 D.C.
Bougainville Patrols: The Piva F4Us dusk patrol on 29 Dec was negative as was the dawn patrol on 30 Dec. Able-Charlie search planes dropped four quarter-tonners on mines at the mouth of the Puriata River, causing one explosion. Strafing sank two canoes.
For the Record:
3 F4Us NZ 24 and 21 Bougainville Patrols 28-29 Dec.
4 F4Us NZ 21 Able-Charlie search. dr. 4x500
NEW BRITAIN
(22 sorties - 3 tons)
Radar Station Attacked: The Tomavatur radar station (near Vunakanau) was bombed by eight Green F4Us with eight 325 lb depth charges, two 650 lb depth charges, and two quarter-tonners. They reported one direct hit, with one depth charge and one quarter-tonner in the area.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 0930 dr. 8x325 D.C.
2x650 D.C.
2x500 G.P.
Rubaul Patrols: Fourteen Green F4Us patrolled Rabaul in pairs from 0730 to 1725. They sank one canoe with strafing and saw numerous trucks throughout the area.
For the Record:
14 F4Us NZ 0730-1725 No bombs.
NEW IRELAND
(13 sorties - 13 3/4 tons)
Namatanai Strike: One Green PBJ and six PVs dropped 40 500-pounders on Namatanai supply and personnel areas, reporting that they covered the target area thoroughly.
For the Record:
1 PBJ VMB 423 0958 dr. 40x500
6 PVs NZ 1
North New Ireland Patrols: The Emirau dawn patrol PV dropped three 250 lb G.P.s on huts at Fessoa with unobserved results. The truck and shipping recco PV dropped three 250 lb G.P.s on the Lossuk Bay Bridge from 200 ft. without observing results.
Four F4Us in pairs patrolled Kavieng from 0900 to 1330, dropping two half-tonners on huts a mile east of Kavieng airfield with unobserved results and two (one a miss and the other a dud) on a light gun position delivering moderate inaccurate fire from 2000 yards north of Panapai.
For the Record:
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol. dr. 3x250
1 PV NZ 4 Truck and ship recco. dr. 3x250
4 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrols. dr. 4x500
SEARCHES FOR 30 DECEMBER
Searches for 30 December were negative. Beefsteak sectors reported the following track and cover percentages: Tare both 90, Uncle 100 and 95, Victor both 100. Brewer sectors went the full distance with 90 and 80 percent cover in Able end Baker sectors respectively.
Sambo the only Black Cat scheduled for the night of 29/30 December was weathered out of its assigned area in sectors Oboe, Easy and Queen.
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Post by davidd on Apr 11, 2021 10:17:09 GMT 12
Nice to see the Australian Boomerangs popping up from time to time, normally in the narrative only, although possibly first mention of one actually toting larger bombs is listed above (day ending 0800, 31/12/44). By this stage the RAAF presence at Piva (Bougainville) included several small units, apart from No. 5 (AC) Sqdn (Boomerangs, plus a couple of Wirraways). These were No. 17 (AOP) Flight with perhaps ten or so Auster Mk. III's (believed all unserviceable at this time, perished fabric seemed to be the main problem), also a "Local Air Supply Unit" (No. 10, equipped with a few Beauforts and "Beaufreighters", later supplemented with a detachment of No. 36 Squadron C-47s). The RAAF official history 1943 - 1945 (Odgers) relates on page 317, that these small units made up an "Army Co-operation Wing" (No. 84), and was essentially non-offensive in character. As its name implies, it worked with army forces providing them with a number of essential services, namely: tactical reconnaissance, artillery reconnaissance, supply by air to troops, anti-malarial spraying, and the "lead-in" of attacking squadrons. It was never allowed to carry out offensive operations, but it was permitted to attack "targets of opportunity". I guess that is what the Bommerangs were up to when they started slinging around those 500 lb GP's. Have also noticed more signs of those obsolete 300 lb GP bombs being used against the Japanese, so it was not only the RNZAF squadrons who had to deliver these rather elderly bombs. However the American theatre commander has not yet been moved to include any of the RAAF units in his weekly tables of organization, which generally only include offensive aircraft (although he does list the American photo units, as well as the two C-47 squadrons at Bougainville, listed correctly as R4D-5s).
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 11, 2021 14:20:46 GMT 12
Day Ending 0800 1 January 1945.
Main strike in the NorSols area yesterday was by Green and Emirau PBJs and PVs which dropped 39 tons on the reported plane hideway and repair center in the rubber plantation at Tobera. Bombing was through cloud, which prevented observation of results.
On Bougainville Nip positions in the Sisivie area were struck by Piva F4Us supporting the Australian Army and a combined air and naval strike was made on the Puriata River area. Emirau F4Us hit a Nip bivouac area at North Cape, New Ireland. Patrol activity was curtailed somewhat by bad weather.
NEW BRITAIN
(61 sorties-39 1/2 tons)
Co-ordinated Strike on Tobera Rubber Plantation: Twenty-seven Emirau PBJs hit the Tobera rubber plantation, site of a reported plane hideaway and repair centre, dropping 316 frag clusters, plus two dropped safe. Clouds hampered bombing and obscured results. Bombing was from medium altitude.
Seven Green PBJs and eight Green PVs also hit the same area with 14 half-tonners and 52 quarter-tonners. Cloud obscured the target and prevented estimation of results.
For the Record:
27 PBJs 1143-1146 dr 316x120 frags.
7 PBJs 423 1145 dr 14x1000 GP.
4x500 GP.
8 PVs NZ 1 1146 dr 48x500 GP.
Rabaul Patrols: Two Green F4Us patrolled Rabaul from 1725 to 1805 on 30 December with negative results. Two other planes in the patrol returned early because of engine trouble.
Sixteen F4Us patrolled Rabaul from 0815 to 1720 on 31 Dec. Along a road in a coconut plantation, extensive activity was observed approximately a mile to a mile and a half north-east of the north-east end of Tobera strip, three-quarters of which appeared serviceable. Earlier patrols were weathered out.
A Green PBJ heckled Rabaul on the night 30-31 December, dropping one 250 pounder on the Sulphur Creek plane park and three on Vunakanau.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 1725-1805 30 Dec. No bombs.
16 F4Us NZ 0815-1720 31 Dec. No bombs.
1 PBJ 423 Night heckling 30-31 Dec. dr 4x250.
BOUGAINVILLE
(32 sorties-13 1/2 tons)
Naval Cooperation: Nip personnel and supply points in the Puriata River area were hit by 12 Piva F4Us in co-operation with naval craft. The F4Us dropped 24 quarter-tonners. Eight were on Nip positions in the Tokinotu area and 16 on the fringe of gardens and suspected personnel areas on both sides of the Puriata River. They also strafed the whole area. Four other F4Us, operating in the same area, dropped four half-tonners on gardens along the river.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 24 0730 dr 24x500.
4 F4Us NZ 21 0845 dr 4x1000.
Army Cooperation: In support of ground forces, eight Piva F4Us struck Nip positions near Sisivie, dropping 16 quarter-tonners. Three were in the vicinity of a hut, which was damaged, three were in the effective area, seven were over the top of the ridge, one burst in the air and two were duds.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 24 1000 dr 16x500.
Bougainville Patrols: Two Piva F4Us on dusk patrol on 30 December dropped two quarter-tonners on mines at the mouth of the Puriata River, without results. The dawn patrol on 31 December was negative.
Four Piva F4Us scheduled to make the Duke of York-Cape Archway sweep were turned back by weather and hit the Kahili area instead, dropping four quarter-tonners, two on the strip with a direct hit and two on gardens two miles west of Kahili. Strafing killed one Nip in the water six miles north of Moila Point.
Four Piva F4Us on Able-Charlie searches destroyed a motorboat anchored off shore between Moisuru River and Tonolei Harbour and holed a boat with seven Nips aboard between Tauno Island and Fauro Island.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dusk patrol 30 Dec. dr 2x500.
2 F4Us NZ 21 Dawn patrol 31 Dec. - - - -
4 F4Us NZ 21 dr 4x500.
4 F4Us NZ 21 Able-Charlie searches - - - - .
NEW IRELAND
(17 sorties - 6 1/2 tons)
Nip Bivouac Area Hit: Eight Emirau F4Us, diving from 9000 feet and releasing at 3000 feet, dropped eight depth charges on a bivouac area at North Cape (Kavieng). Meagre inaccurate light fire came from the target area.
For the Record:
8 F4Us NZ 19 1235 dr 8x650.
North New Ireland Patrols: Two Emirau F4Us on patrol over Kavieng on 30 December dropped a thousand-pounder within a few yards of two light positions sending up moderate inaccurate fire 2000 yds. north of Panapai. Only one plane carried bombs.
The dusk patrol PV dropped three 250-pounders from 250 feet on huts at Cape Lemeris without observing results.
Two Emirau PBJs heckled Kavieng on the night of 30-31 Dec., from 2200 to 2330, dropping 24 frag clusters from medium altitude on possible searchlight positions and Kavieng and Panapai strips with unobserved results. Accurate searchlights and meagre, inaccurate heavy A/A was experienced on all six runs.
Two 250 lb bombs were dropped on a bridge near Lamussong Plantation by the dawn patrol PV. Meagre inaccurate light fire came from near the target.
North New Ireland was patrolled from 0920 to 1120 by two Emirau F4Us, which dropped two half-tonners on buildings north of Kavieng. Meagre, inaccurate light fire came from a clearing at the north end of Panapai strip. Other patrols were cancelled through a storm.
The ship and recco PV dropped three eighth-tonners on Lossuk Bay Bridge with unobserved results.
For the Record:
2 F4Us NZ 19 Dusk patrol 30 Dec. dr 1x1000.
1 PV NZ 4 Dusk patrol 30 Dec. dr 3x250.
2 PBJs ------ Night heckling 30-31 Dec. dr 24x120.
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol 31 Dec. dr 2x250.
2 F4Us NZ 19 Kavieng patrol 31 Dec. dr 2x1000.
1 PV NZ 4 Truck and ship recco 31 Dec. dr 3x250.
SEARCHES FOR 31 DECEMBER
The Emirau and Admiralties Ventura searches on 31 December were all negative. Track and cover of 2 of the Beefsteak searches were reduced by heavy rain in the north. Weather for the Brewer searches was average.
Track Cover
Beefsteak (NZ-4)
Tare 65 65
Uncle 60 60
Victor 97 97
Brewer (VPB-146)
Able 100 80
Baker 100 75
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Post by aircraftclocks on Apr 11, 2021 15:09:54 GMT 12
WEEKLY REPORT OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT AVAILABILITY AS OF 2 JANUARY 1945
UNIT AND LOCATION TYPE AND NO. OF PLANES AVAIL. PLANES OPERATIONAL PILOTS AVAIL. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT
ADMIRALTIES
VS-61 15 SBD 15 18 VS-61
2 J2F6 2
VPB-33 8 PBY-5 5 VPB-33
VPB-146 13 PV-1 13 41 VPB-146
NZ-23 18 F4U 18 23 NZ #4 S.U.
EMIRAU
VMSB-133 24 SBD-6 22 26 *
VMSB-142 25 SBD-6 24 27 *
VMSB-236 24 SBD-6 21 26 *
VMSB-241 24 SBD-6 23 24 *
VMSB-243 25 SBD-5 25 26 *
VMSB-244 24 SBD-5 24 26 *
VMSB-341 24 SBD-6 24 26 *
VMB-413 11 PBJ-1D 11 56 VMB-413
VMB-433 12 PBJ-1D 11 55 VMB-433
VMB-443 12 PBJ-1D 12 52 VMB-443
VMB-611 12 PBJ-1D 6 53 S.S.-61
NZ-19 19 F4U-1D 17 27 NZ #5 S.U.
NZ-4 17 PV-1 13 15 NZ #10 S.U.
GREEN
VMF-222 23 F4U 22 42 VMF-222
VMB-423 11 PBJ-1D 11 45 VMB-423
VPB-44 15 PBY-5A 12 56 PATSU 1-11
NZ-14 18 F4U-1D 18 26 NZ #3 S.U.
NZ-16 18 F4U-1 18 27 NZ #30 S.U.
NZ-1 14 PV-1 13 13 NZ #14 S.U.
BOUGAINVILLE
VMF-212 24 F4U 24 42 VMF-212
VMF-223 24 F4U 24 43 VMF-223
VMR-152 16 R4D-5 13 68 VMR-152
VMR-153 16 R4D-5 13 70 VMR-153
17TH PHOTO 5 F5A 5 6 17TH PHOTO
1 RA24B 1
1 UC-64A 1
NZ-21 18 F4U-1 18 23 NZ #31 S.U.
NZ-24 18 F4U-1D 18 27 NZ # 2 S.U.
* Ground echelon enroute Gete.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 5, 2021 13:14:43 GMT 12
January 1, 1944
EIGHTEEN SBDs and 16 TBFs were over the Cherry Blossom area on a ground support mission at 0800. Nearly every bomb of 18x1000 and 216x100 was reported to fall in the target area along the Torokina river. Flames rose from a probable fuel or ammunition dump 200 ft. east of the river and 300 ft. inshore. P39 strafers then followed up.
At 1140, 35 SBDs, finding no signs of activity at Motupena, bombed the Mosigetta area instead. Fifteen to twenty huts were destroyed, and in the Puriata river - Maigi mission area three fires were started and two small bridges over the river were destroyed. Two SBDs returned early, and one crash landed at Goodtime without injury to the crew.
During the day, while the 15th echelon unloaded at Cherry Blossom, six Dauntless kept watch on Pistol Pete. Routine fighter patrols were also flown. TG 31.6 was covered in its withdrawal by one late afternoon and two night patrols.
At 0800/L 40 planes dropped 262 centuries and 25 half tonners
in the area just east of the Torokina River mouth. This action was followed by 30 minutes of artillery shelling. Two companies of paratroops then advanced along the coast into the softened area which was literally chewed to pieces and Jap equipment found scattered about the trenches of some 60 fox holes. One platoon encountered a
strong enemy position 300 yards inland and 1200 yards east of the rivers mouth. A fight followed in which 14 Nips were killed against our losses of 3 killed and 5 wounded.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:46:32 GMT 12
January 2
AFTER HAVING beaten up a Jap strong point east of the Torokina River the day before, 17 SBDs and 12 TBFs returned at 1000 to bomb and strafe other positions about 500 yards East of the river mouth. Three fires, one in the center of the designated area were started. The TBFs, blowing up 6 huts, dropped their loads from only 500 feet. One was holed by its own bombs.
Finding no barges at TEPEROI, two New Zealand PVs left their 11x500 along the shores of the lagoon and the east coast of the peninsula without reported result.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:47:24 GMT 12
January 3
AT 1225 45 SBDs and 24 TBFs gave the AA ridge on Poporang and other positions on Shortlands and Falsi a pummeling with 2000#, 1000#, 500# and 100# bombs. Hitting first, the SBDs reduced the return fire while plastering the Poporang ridge. The TBFs following through, got a reported hit on the Poporang radar antenna, confirmed direct hits on AA positions on all target islands, and a hit on a warehouse on SE Falsi that resulted in a good fire. Other fires were started near a coastal battery on Falsi, and near heavy guns on Shortland and Poporang. 6 SBD and 1 TBF were hit by AA but all returned.
X-RAY 2 sighted an U/I single-engine plane 10 miles off Cape St. George headed ESE.
Two Venturas on special patrol of the northeastern inland groups after the Kavieng strike sighted a sub 5 miles east of Cape Mimias, New Ireland, apparently headed SE. It submerged instantly.
No barges discovered on Green and Feni Islands.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:48:01 GMT 12
January 4
TWO NZ PVs made a thorough, low altitude investigation of reported barge activity between Motupena and the Jaba river yesterday morning. The search was negative, but 9x500 were dropped on likely barge hides near the mouth of the Mamaregu river.
Two TBFs coming back from Cherry Blossom early yesterday bombed a bridge at Mawaraka. They hit the road and may have damaged the bridge.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:49:41 GMT 12
January 5
79 FIGHTERS, 26 SBDs, and 21 TBFs took off from Cherry Blossom at 0950 to strike shipping at Rabaul. At 1115, when the formation ran into impenetrable cloud over central New Ireland the mission had to be abandoned. Twenty-four of the returning SBDs then hit enemy ground concentrations between Meive and Kia Rei, knocking out a bridge in the Kia Rei area and starting a fire on the north shore of the Macirici river near Meive.
Six SBDs in pairs throughout the day kept Pistol Pete quiet during the unloading of the sixteenth echelon at Cherry Blossom, also bombing likely targets around the perimeter.
Two Venturas, according to a delayed report, took off at 1720 on the 4th on a special search for an AK reported in Matchin Bay. They sighted no shipping, although 2 Zeros were seen over Chabai (1645/L) and two men were seen on Antarara Island off SW Bougainville (1555/L). They landed at Torokina at 1720/L.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:50:43 GMT 12
January 6
Three TBFs could not locate reported pillboxes at Koriaris, east of the CB perimeter, and instead blew up 6 huts at Moisigetta, where they also made a dud hit on the bridge over the Hongorai River. This bridge seemed to have been damaged by earlier bombing; another was being constructed nearby.
2 NZ VENTURAS on patrol after the Rabaul strike were negative except for several columns of smoke from clearing on crest of Cape Bun Bun with no other signs of life, and one man sighted near the Cape St. George radar station.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:53:06 GMT 12
January 7
22 SBDs loaded with 1000 pounders, and 18 TBFs with 2000 pounders after going to Tobera and finding it closed in by weather, struck the light house, radar installation and gun positions on Cape St. George with unobserved results. While over Tobera, intense and accurate heavy AA from Rapopo was received and 60-70 Zekes, Hamps and Tony's intercepted. Our cover of 72 F6F's, F4Us and P-40s prevented any real attack from the Zekes, although Sgt. Wm. K. Mitchel, turret gunner in a TBF was killed by gunfire from a Jap fighter. There was no AA from Cape St. George and only 4 Zeros followed the formation down that far. Aerial bombs were dropped by several Zeros over Tobera.
12 Zeros were shot down. Three F6Fs are missing, two of them by mid-air collision. One SBD made a crash landing off Treasury and another was seen to go down 60 miles E of Cape St. George by 2 of our fighters who dropped a life raft. Both members of the crew of the SBD climbed aboard. All TBFs returned.
4 AK were sighted in Karavia Harbor and a CA or CL was spotted steaming out of Simpson Harbor off Matupi Island at 1135.
At 1134 ten B-24s got through to VUNAKANAU dropping 285 1200 lb. frag clusters on the south revetment area. No interception was encountered although 4-6 Zeros were seen at a distance. One plane en route home made a water landing off N tip of Choiseul. The crew was picked up by a Dumbo.
PHOTOS:
Borpop : 1 VMB wrecked. R/way serviceable.
Kahili :
Kara : No A/C. R/way unserviceable.
Ballale:
COASTWATCHER: Bougainville CW reports 2 large ships entering W end of Buka Passage. A further report states 2 ships have anchored in west channel at Sohana and a 3rd in NOVA Passage.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:54:57 GMT 12
January 8
23 B-24s bound for LAKUNAI turned back at 1240 half way between Cherry Blossom and Cape St. George because of insufficient fighter cover. The fighters were delayed in taking off from Barakoma owing to weather and only 16 P-38s from Treasury and 7 F6Fs had caught up with the bombers when they turned back to base. Thirteen bombed POPORANG at 1250 and 1335, dropping 285 frag clusters by dead reckoning in the overcast.
Six TBF's returning from Cherry Blossom dropped their 2000# bombs at 0855 on targets in the KIA REI area, blasting away half of the bridge over the PURIATA River and hitting a nearby bivouac. TBFs, PV's and 4 F4Us investigated the 3 AKs reported at 1835/07 in Buka Passage - the results were negative. The F4Us, however, found and destroyed 3 float planes and set fire to one large and one medium barge. One F4U was last seen over RAMUN Bay, a parachute was later located in a tree at KARSORILA.
4 P-39s covered T.G. 32.4.2 in the afternoon till it entered a heavy front and a Navy PV-1 resumed the patrol from 2000-2200.
Further reports on the SBD-TBF Strike at Cape St. George on the 7th account for an SBD earlier reported missing and add 2 Zekes to the P-40s score. At Cape St. George, the Avengers report two effective hits on the lighthouse and 2 direct hits on the radar screen. They also report observing a CL heading out of BLANCHE Bay at 20 knots.
SEARCHES: X-ray search 5 saw an U/I plane headed south off Cape HENPAN (N. tip of Buka). No shipping at PINEPEL or GREEN (Nissan) Islands, but 4 canoes of friendly natives were observed in the GREEN Lagoon.
2 NZ Venturas on a Cape St. George search saw the following:
1.) Sunlight glinting as if from a mirror at Cape BOUBAINVILLE, but nothing on further search.
2.) A barge on the beach south of Cape MIMIAS, which was thoroughly strafed after bombs missed.
3.) Parachute hanging from a tree 1/2 mile inland from Cape NARUM.
4.) A sub 10 miles S.E. Cape St. George headed WNW, which submerged immediately.
2 NZ PV-1s also sighted a sub that was submerged at 1330/L (probably the same one) moving at a good speed 1/2 mile off Cape St. George headed west from the channel.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:56:48 GMT 12
January 9
Strike Command's TBFs and SBDs after several unsuccessful tries which were frustrated by the weather finally hit pay dirt over Rabaul. This was the first time for land based SBDs and TBFs.
Twenty-three SBDs and 16 TBFs struck Tobera at 1330 with 1000 pounder instantaneous fused bombs and 2000# 1/10 nose and tail. Three hits damaged the concrete runway reducing the serviceable area to 2060 feet from the original 3500. One revetment was hit and planes were destroyed in the area off the north taxiway. There was one possible hit on the heavy AA position on the west end and one on the automatic AA position to the north of the heavy AA. The runway apron was hit with 4 2000# bombs.
Interception by 10-12 Zekes did not prevent Strike from going in. Aerial bombs were dropped by the Zekes causing damage to one of the TBFs by singing. Minor damage to 4 TBFs and 2 SBDs was caused by gunfire and AA which was both accurate and intense from known heavy and auto positions. Several new positions offered moderate, but inaccurate fire. One of VMSB 236s SBDs badly shot up was ditched off Torokina. The pilot was rescued without injury. The gunner Pvt. G.R. Quarternik (345375) USMCR, was killed in action. His body was not recovered.
The Tobera Strike was composed of SBD squadrons VB-98 and VMSB-341 led by Lt. E.T. LaRoe together with TBFs from VC-40 and VMTB-232 commanded by Lt. H.S. Jackson.
Considerable shipping was seen in Simpson Harbor including one possible BB or large AP and 6-8 AKs.
Fighter cover was excellent. Blue fighters knocked down 18 Zekes, 2 Hamps and 1 Tony while losing 1 F6F and 2 P-40s.
TBF spares from the Tobera Strike hit Kia Rei starting fires and exploding huts. The Purata River bridge was definitely destroyed.
B-24s which bombed Vunakanau at the same time Strike planes hit Tobera were observed by SBDs to make their drops in the water off the Vunakanau field area.
New Zealand PVs covered the Strike by patrolling the Cape St. George-Torokina line. They radioed the position of 2 pilots down off Cape Gazelle besides covering a pilot in a dinghy 30 miles WNW of Torokina until he was picked up by a rescue launch.
GROUND SUPPORT: Pistol Pete was kept silent by SBDs during the unloading of the 17th echelon at Torokina
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 6, 2021 12:59:26 GMT 12
January 10
STRIKES * Maririci River Supply Area: Five TBFs, each carrying 1x2000 pound bomb, 1/10 sec. fusing, struck the Jap supply area on the Maririci River in Southwest Bougainville at 1445L. Five huts were destroyed by two direct hits. One bomb failed to release; the other two were misses. No opposition was met.
Cape St. George Installations: 17 TBFs and 22 SBDs struck at the lighthouse, radar screen and AA positions on Cape St. George, New Ireland, at 1220L., after being turned back by weather from their primary target, shipping in Simpson Harbor, RABAUL. VMSB 236 and VMTB 232, escorted by 67 VF, participated. The bombers left MUNDA at 0655 staged through PIVA, and returned to MUNDA at 1600. The TBFs carried one-tonners and the SBDs half-tonners, all fused 1/10 second delay.
The Rabaul area was completely closed in, and an 8000 ft. ceiling, with scattered lower clouds, hampered the attack on Cape St. George. There was one reported direct hit on a gun position northwest of the lighthouse. Other results were unobserved.
There was no interception although several Zeros were seen in St. George's Channel. Enemy shipping sighted included three AKs and a possible DD in Tonolei Harbor.
Meager and inaccurate fire was received from seven M/G, six auto AA and one possible heavy AA, all in the vicinity of the tower and radar screen on Cape St. George. All planes returned.
RESCUE: One SBD pilot, who went into the sea during the Strike against Cape St. George on 7 January 1944, was rescued by Dumbo today.
SEARCHES: Two New Zealand Venturas made a special search of the coastline of Choiseul and Santa Isabel Islands, to investigate reports of enemy activity. Planes departed Munda at 0725L and returned at 1010L. Visibility was excellent; results were negative.
Two New Zealand PV-1s patrolled route from Torokina to Cape St. George during the SBD-TBF Strike, remained on station 1158-1445L.
Five Navy Venturas searched the X-Ray routes; results negative.
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