RNZAF activity in the Pacific, 1944

[aircraftclocks]

January 11

With weather preventing the scheduled Strike at LAKUNAI the primary target, or shipping in Simpson Harbor, the secondary target, 48 SBDs of VMSB 341 and VB 98 and 18 TBFs of VMTB 232 and VC 40 covered by 72 fighters, again returned to the lighthouse and radar installations on Cape St. George. They were over the target at 1345L.
The TBFs each carried 1x2000# inst. fused bomb and the SBDs 1x1000# inst. with the following hits reported:
TBFs: One estimated, one reported, and one confirmed direct hits on gun position near the radar station, with one effective miss in the same area and two effective misses on the lighthouse. Five bombs missed, six were unobserved, and one was jettisoned.
SBDs: One effective miss on the lighthouse, three on the radar station, twenty misses in the target area, fourteen unobserved, nine not dropped and one dud.
During and following the attack, a fire war observed in the radar clearing, one building was seen to be hit; eight houses were still standing.
Two SBDs received minor damage from a bomb blast and one made a water landing in the PORTAI Bay area, west Shortland.
There was no interception and AA, all from known positions was light, meager and inaccurate.
Mosigetta-Maririci River: At 1430L, five TBFs bombed and strafed the Mosigetta-Maririci River supply and bivouac area. The planes were spares for the scheduled Lakunai Strike, four of them carrying 1x1000 pounders and the other being empty. Bombs were dropped in the area with unobserved results.
At 1700L, two TBFs carrying 4x500 pounders , bombed and strafed the same area, also without observing results.
In neither attack was there any AA or interception, and no planes were damaged.
X-RAY SEARCHES: Six X-Ray searched (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 15 Baker 33) by PV-1s of VB 138 and 140, were negative except for the sighting of
a Black Cat by 3 Baker 33.
Two New Zealand PVs, on patrol between Cape Orford-Cape St. George to report possible downed planes, made no sightings.

[aircraftclocks]

January 12

The SBDs and TBFs had a maintenance day, but 12 SBDs, kept Pistol Pete quiet at Bougainville while the 19th echelon unloaded at Torokina. Six flights kept 2 dive bombers in the air during the whole day. Bivouac areas at Mawaraka and Mosigetta were also bombed. At 1700 2 TBFs bombed and destroyed a log ford at Nobina.
The X-Ray searches were doubled (10 in all), but were negative.
The 3 NZ patrols from Torokina to Cape St. George were also negative

[aircraftclocks]

January 13

At 0520, just before dawn, 6 TBFs slipped over the ridge west of Simpson Harbor, and making 190 knots at 250 feet dropped their torpedoes at merchant shipping anchored there. At least four torpedoes were seen to run true, but no explosions followed. The torpedoes either hit their targets before having sufficient time to arm or ran too deep. Two searchlights on each side of the Harbor picked up the planes, but the only damage sustained was a 50 cal. hole in the wing of one of the TBFs.
Twenty TBFs, 54 SBDs and 92 escorting fighters, reported airborne at Torokina at 1030, but were unable to effect a rendesvous west of BUKA due to bad weather and were forced to return to base.
Three SBDs, on a ground support mission, scored a near miss on a bridge over the Puriata River, knocking it out.
MUNDA moonlight again attracted Japanese harrassers, one of which closed to attack between 0016 and 0146. On the first run an unreported number of bombs were dropped from 17,000 feet, landing in the repair area at the southwest end of the strip. One B-24 was badly damaged along with 2 P-39s. Two other B-24s, 3 P-38s, an F5A and a J2F were slightly damaged at the same time. The same bombs set fire to several fuel drums which were stacked behind the planes causing slight injury to one men. Five bombs dropped in a second run fell in the 169th Infantry camp area 1/2 mile north of the strip, killing one man and wounding 23. A P-38 was airborne throughout, but the searchlights were unable to catch the bomber or the other two reported bogeys.
SEARCHES: Two Dauntlesses made two searches for a small boat reported adrift off Rendova. They flew west of Bonita Point for 45 miles and saw nothing. Both flights took off at 1200.
X-Ray 20 sighted parachutes in trees at three locations in southeastern Bougainville.
Four PV-1s in morning and afternoon searches from Cape Torokina to Cape St. George were negative.
Photos: January 13th

1350 50% LAKUNAI 52 VF, 10 VLB, R/W serviceable, 35 of above VF alerted NE side of runway.
1400 100% TOBERA 52 VF, 1 VMB, R/W serviceable. Bomb hits all in supply and personnel area.
1340 85% DUKE OF YORK No a/c - 3680 sq. ft. additional surface on R/W.
1400 100% KERAVAT No a/c - R/W rough, but serviceable.
0955 100% BONIS No a/c R/W unserviceable.

X-Ray searches were negative.

[aircraftclocks]

January 14

Striking shipping in Rabaul for the first time 37 SBDs and 16 TBFs scored 9 direct hits on 7 AK besides direct hits on a DL or possible CL and a DD. There were in addition, 20 damaging near misses. All but two of the direct hits were obtained by the TBFs. The Strike was over the target at 1230.
The original and primary target of Lakunai was closed in so the secondary target, shipping in Simpson Harbor, was the object of the strike which cost the enemy 29 fighters confirmed and 16 probables to our loss of 2 SBD's and 1 TBF besides 8 fighters. Only the TBF was credited to fighter action as a result of AA fire and the other by mid air collision. Aerial bombs dropped by Nates were ineffective.
Fighter cover was considered excellent especially the close cover of New Zealand P-40's. The success of the strike may be attrbuted to this excellent cover as interception in force was encountered. There were about 30 Zekes who attacked the SBD and TBF's when they crossed New Ireland from the east. In the target area 50-70 Zekes, Oscars, and Tonys intercepted the formation. In the ensuring fight we lost the TBF while the AA got one of the SBD's. VMF-215 was credited with 19 confirmed hits. Our own TBF's bagged 2 Zekes and probably three others. Of the fighter loss, our forces recovered 4 of the pilots.
This strike was considered highly effective by ComAirSols who commanded Strike Command for a Job Well Done!

OTHER ACTIONS: Earlier in the day 6 TBF's who attempted a pre dawn attack on Rabaul shipping were turned back by foul weather.
In another strike action 12 SBD's bombed and strafed enemy concentrations in the Numa Numa area at the same time the shipping strike was working over the Rabaul area.
2 TBF's attacked the Hargarai River bridge at 1515 with no result.
PV-1s flown by the No. 1 Squadron RNZAF covered the withdrawal of the Rabaul Strike.
During the preceding night 18 B-24s and 12 B-25s were continueously harassing the Rabaul area softening up the enemy for greater things to come. One B-25 was lost.

SEARCHES: X-Ray searches were negative for the day.

[aircraftclocks]

15 January

Eight TBFs of VMTB-232, each loaded with 12x100 pounders with 8-11 second delay fuzes, bombed AA positions, the bivouac area, and a bridge over the Hongorai River, with unobserved results.
Six SBDs, on routine Pistol Pete mission - ground support in the Empress Augusta Bay area - knocked out a bridge near Monoitu Mission at Kirinani. Planes were loaded with 1x1000# and 2x100# instantaneous fuzed bombs.
Six TBFs scheduled to hit Borpop at 0500/L were unable to reach the target because of weather.

SEARCHES: Nine searches of the three X-Ray sectors were negative.

NZ PVs: One New Zealand PV bombed (6x500#, 4-5 sec. delay) and strafed a Japanese coastwatcher station at Kalakarisi, on the west coast of Choiseul Island, at the request of a friendly coastwatcher who accompanied the flight and indicated satisfaction with its results.

[aircraftclocks]

16 January

Weather, which prevented 48 SBDs and 18 TBFs from making a satisfactory rendezvous with fighter cover, stopped a scheduled Lakunai strike. Planes returned to Torokina.
Weather also caused the cancellation of a strike of 6 TBFs on Lakunai and six on shipping in Simpson Harbor.

SEARCHES : Only two X-Ray searches, 1 and 5 Baker 33, were flown, because of weather. Both were negative.

NZ PVs: New Zealand PVs flew three routine patrols of the Torokina-Cape St. George-New Britain area, two of which were negative, the third attacking a surfaced Jap sub at 04-29S, 152-28E. Two bombs were dropped, one hitting the conning tower but not exploding and the other being dropped ahead of the submarine's swirl after it had submerged. No wreckage was observed by the plane, which circled the area for 10 minutes.
A special search of the Shortland-Moila Point area for a reported sub was negative.

[aircraftclocks]

17 January

Today 30 SBDs and 18 TBFs hit shipping in Simpson and Greet Harbors when the primary target, Lakunai Airfield, was obscured by cloud cover.
Over their objective at 1255 and loaded with 1000 lb. inst. bombs, the SBDs scored 2 confirmed direct hits, 2 reported direct hits 4 estimated effective hits and 10 effective misses on 6 large and medium-sized AKs.
The TBFs, carring 2000 pounders fuzed at 4-5 seconds delay, made 12 confirmed direct hits and one reported direct hit on 8 large and medium-sized AKs. One plane also scored an effective miss on a barge. At least 5 ships were definitely sunk and 3 more badly damaged.
1 DD was seen under way S of Matupi Island and 2 DDs and what was possibly a corvette were circling off Praed Pt. during the attack. Four AKs or AOs were moored in Keravia Bay, one seaplane tender or a CA was under way NE of Praed Pt. and one large barge was firing its AA guns between Sulphur & Raluana Pt.
We lost one TBF which crashed into Simpson Harbor after planting a direct hit on an AK. One SBD was shot down 2 miles E of Cape Gazelle. Five TBF's and 7 SBDs were shot up but all got home.
The formation was intercepted by 50-80 Zero's but excellent cover by 70 of our own VF hold our losses to a minimum.
Intense and accurate heavy AA was received from Rapopo, Lakunai and Sulphur Creek. New heavy positions in Auto positions were also active NW of Simpson Harbor. New heavy positions were also firing W of Vulcan Crater. Auto AA from ships in harbor was intense.
3 TBF spares from this strike bombed a bridge 4000 yds. S of Monoitu Mission with unobserved results.
SEARCHES: X-Ray searches were negative with the exception of a Betty in good condition seen by X-Ray 1 35 miles NW of the Russells. A PV-1 later sent out to investigate was unable to find it. X-Ray 15 dropped 4 depth charges, two of which exploded on a cabin boat and small dry dock on the E coast of Choiseul Bay.

[aircraftclocks]

January 18

STRIKES: No Strikes scheduled.

SEARCHES: X-Ray 2 strafed 2 small barges beached at Feni at 0910/L. The remainder of the searches were negative.

NEW ZEALAND: The 2 N.Z. PVs scheduled on the morning Torokina-St. George patrol were turned back by weather and mechanical failure.
The 2 N.Z. PVs on the afternoon patrol were negative. Two PVs each loaded (6x500, 4,5 sec. delay) dropped singly on Jap coastwatcher station, Kalakarisi, west coast Choiseul as indicated by Blue Coastwatcher who accompanied mission. 9x500s in bush surrounding clearing on knoll. 3 direct on knoll (center of target). Whole area strafed using 2500 rounds.
5 SBDs dropped "all sizes" of bombs at Mosiga, Bougainville damaging the bridge.

[aircraftclocks]

January 19

STRIKES 48 SBDs and 18 TBFs were scheduled to hit Lakunai. Of 52 SBDs and 22 TBFs leaving Munda only 23 SBDs and 22 TBFs got through to Torokina, 28 landed at Treasury, one returned to Munda. Secondary target Kieta was also closed in. 17 SBDs (out of 6 divisions assigned) attacked bridge and gun positions along Maririci River near Mosigetta, S.W. Bougainville, between 1245-1415. (17x1000 inst.). One estimated direct and two confirmed direct hits on bridge over Maririci River. Results otherwise unobserved.

SEARCHES: X-Ray searches negative except as follows: X-Ray 2 sighted a Betty at 0825, 10 miles southwest Cape Gazelle.
X-Ray 3 sighted a yellow life raft WSW of Buraku Island. X-Ray 5 dropped (6x325 # D.C.) on barge at Kondakanimboko, North Choiseul, with no results observed.
X-Ray 15, strafed Siposai Island in Choiseul Bay - no results observed.
PV - N.Z. - Torokina-Cape St. George: Morning search negative. Afternoon search - 1230, in position 05-20S, 152-55E sighted double bowed Nip barge. No signs of life. 1x500 lb. dropped, undershot 30', strafed with 1200 rounds.
Sub search: Area due west of Treasury for 70 miles negexcept AA (probably 37mm-Faisi.) Accurate for altitude, but trailing. Can not pinpoint.

[aircraftclocks]

January 20

No Strikes scheduled today.

SEARCHES: X-Rays were negative with the following exceptions:
X-Ray 10 reported camouflaged positions in a 75 ft. clearing on a mountain slope off the east central coast of Ambitle Island. It dropped 6 bombs on Siposai Island and strafed 4 islands in Choiseul Bay.
X-Ray 12 was jumped by ? Zekes 20 miles south of Cape St. George at 1327L. By speeding up to 260 knots I.A.S. and flying through 2 fronts, it lost them.
X-Ray 15 strafed an empty 35 ft. barge 15 miles NW of Vella LaVella and dropped 6 bombs on a possible supply area at West Cape Choiseul.
Two SBDs on a hunter- killer sub search SW of Treasury were negative.
The NZ morning patrol from Cape Torokina to St. George Channel dropped 6 bombs on a large barge 30 miles SW of Cape St. George. All missed.

[aircraftclocks]

January 21

STRIKES: 48 SBDs and 18 TBFs escorted by 76 VF were turned back from Lakunai Field by weather. After returning to Piva the Strike was directed to Kara where morning reconnaissance by P39s showed the strip to be possibly operable. At 1715 46 SBDs and 20 TBFs dropped 1000 and 2000 pounders, scoring 12 direct hit on the runway along with 7 effective hits and numerous near misses. One new auto AA position-just east of center of south dispersal loop was knocked out. Light, medium and heavy AA varying from meager to intense slightly damaged 2 SBDs and 2 TBFs. All planes returned. There was no enemy interception.
2 PV-1s attacked a reported Jap radio station at Kolakapis. (Choiseul) during the morning. The area was well covered, but no results were observed.
3 TBF spares from the scheduled Lakunai Strike attacked a gun position and bivouac area 2 miles south of Monoitu Mission with 2000 lb bombs. Two hits on the bivouac area and an effective miss on the gun position were reported.

SEARCHES: The X-Rays were negative with the exception of X-Ray 10 which spotted a new 50x30 ft. 2 story while building with a tin roof on the east side of Green Island.

[aircraftclocks]

January 22

No Strikes scheduled today.

SEARCHES: X-Rays were negative with following exceptions:
X-Ray 5 reported: no planes on Buka Field which from 3 miles appeared in good shape; strafing outrigger canoe 0915L one mile off Kieta Harbor; floating 20' square iron pontoon 2 miles SE Boko Point, Vella LaVella; canoe of natives in Green Island lagoon; 2 small ships, probably our mine sweepers entering Manning Straits; probable floating mine diameter 8' north of NW Santa Isabel (7.55-158-33) and large red buoy 1 mile west.
2 PVs attacked Mamagata Mission where Jap radio station reported. Area well covered, but no results observed. Mission buildings already leveled.
A TBF and 5 SBDs hit pillboxes 2 miles east of Motupena Point scoring at least an effective hit through the trees.

[aircraftclocks]

January 23

47 SBDs and 18 TBFs covered by 84 VFs hit Lakunai at 0915. Coming as a surprise AA was slight to moderate and mechanics could be seen running for foxholes as bombers went into approach glide. Photos show minimum of 17 AA positions around field destroyed or damaged.
One direct hit shows on 4.7 twin mount east end of Sulphur Creek. Both lava and concrete sections of runway knocked out with 5 direct
hits. 8 parked Jap aircraft plus one four engined flying boat were destroyed or damaged, one AK in Matupi Harbor was reported to have received a direct hit. A large fire, probably fuel was started at north end of Matupi Island. Twelve Zekes dropped aerial bombs without results. SBD shot down one Zeke down with 2 others probable. AA apparently sent one TBF down off Cape St. George.
At 1245 5 SBDs and 6 TBFs struck 2 reported Jap concentrations near Ibu blowing up number of huts and covering target area. One SBD and one TBF hit Monoitu Mission instead.

SEARCHES: X-Rays were negative except as follows:
X-Ray 20 dropped 5 depth charges at Kieta Harbor, receiving light AA. Four hit west of Chinatown.
2 special Venturas dropped 2 depth charges on target 30 miles SSW of Buka passage. Results unobserved.
1 Ventura (special) sighted dingy with 3 occupants 0955, 25 miles ESE of Cape St. George.

[aircraftclocks]

January 24

AT 1230L, 18 TBFs shielded by 88 VFs attacked shipping in Simpson Harbor. Photos taken just afterward show Atago Maru (AK-7534 tons) burning and sinking; one 6000 ton AK sinking and a second already sunk; one 3000 ton AK sinking; much smoke billowing from Atago Maru. In Karavia Bay a big oiler is heavily hit and beached; 5000 ton AK is badly hit and possibly beached; one 1000 ton AK sunk. One 5000 ton AK hit, but did not sink.
Shore AA of all types moderate, sometimes accurate. Ship AA ineffective. TBFs shot down 2 out of reported 10-15 Zekes, Hamps and Tonys who closed between pull out and rallying point. None of our planes were lost, though some sustained machine gun hits and flight leader and three others were injured.

SEARCHES: X-Rays were negative except as follows:
X-Ray 2 at 0807L/24 sighted 2 to 3 men in a life raft with sail 45 miles SSE of Cape St. George - after message same were picked up by crash boat.
2 Venturas on special search of Green Island saw 30' barge beached SE point of plantation on Pinipel Island which they strafed after missing with bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

January 25

There were no strikes scheduled for today by planes under Strike Command.
Strike Command Operations and Intelligence sections were established at the Piva Bomber strip, Bougainville today, Commander Strike, however, remaining at Munda. Constant liaison between Commander Strike and the two sections is maintained via daily aerial mail and messenger service operated by Strike Command.

Other Activity: Weather at Treasury having prevented a scheduled B-25 raid on Lakunai, a fighter sweep was organized instead, 8 F6Fs and 44 F4Us circling Rabaul 5 times without encountering a single enemy plane.

SEARCHES: With the exception of several oil slicks without apparent significance, 11 X-Ray searches were negative, as were the New Zealand searches of the Torokina - Cape St. George sector.

[aircraftclocks]

January 26

At 1220L, 39 SBDs, each loaded with a 1000 pounder, and 18 TBFs, each loaded with 12x100 pounders, hit Lakunai AA positions and revetment areas.
SBD bombing resulted in 27 direct hits, and damaging misses, five unobserved hits in the target area, and seven misses, of which two were caused by overshooting the target, but bombs were dropped on suitable targets of opportunity.
The TBFs dropped a total of 204x100 pound bombs in the revetment areas on both sides of the strip, of which 21 were jettisoned and 12 were duds. The 171 effective bombs caused fires and damage to parked aircraft, but definite results were not observed.
AA fire in the area was meager to moderate, of all types and from known positions. Five SBDs were slightly damaged and one is missing; six TBFs were slightly damaged.
While 20 to 30 Zekes were sighted no attacks were pressed home, and no planes were lost to enemy fighters; 88 of our fighters covered the Strike.

SEARCHES: Six X-Ray searches were negative except for X-Ray 5 which sighted a friendly surfaced sub.

Other Activity: During the night of 25/26 January, 19 B-24s struck Lakunai, reporting hits on the south end of the runway and in nearby revetments. One of these planes bombed the town of Rabaul, without observed results, and one started fires two miles west of East Cape.
Two night fighters were observed in the light of 30 searchlights, but neither attacked.

[aircraftclocks]

January 27

No Strikes today.

SEARCHES: 2 PV-1s sighted man in raft 5 miles west of Kursio Mission on Bougainville. Plane was circling and PT boat on way to rescue at 0832L. At 0925L a life raft, parachute and lifebelt with no survivors were sighted 14 miles WNW of Cape St. George. Two miles inland from Motupena Point a parachute, possibly a supply chute was sighted.
2 PV-1s sighted chute in tree 1/2 mile NNE of south of Mubo River.

[aircraftclocks]

January 28

42 SBDs and 18 TBFs hit the Tobera strip and revetment areas at 0905. Loadings, SBD-(1x1000 inst.) TBF: (12x100# inst.) SBDs reported 1 direct hit, 3 estimated effective hits in area of 4 heavy AA at east end of strip; 2 misses and 2 unobserved in area of auto positions to south of east end of strip; 1 confirmed direct hit, 1 estimated effective hit, 2 misses and 1 unobserved on auto in garden plot east of strip; 2 estimated effective hits and 5 misses in auto on north edge of center of R/W. 5 effective misses and 1 miss in auto in coconuts west of runway; 1 estimated effective hit and 1 miss in auto east of coffee plantations; 1 confirmed direct hit and 1 miss in auto west of coffee plantation; one confirmed effective hit and 2 unobserved on auto in clearing west of coffee plantation; 4 bombs not dropped.
TBFs: 3 confirmed, 2 estimated direct hits and 1 reported effective hit in north revetment area; 2 confirmed, 3 estimated direct hits and 6 reported effective hits in south revetment area. 1 plane did not drop; 1 dropped 8 out of 12 bombs.
AA: Generally the fire of all types was meager and inaccurate - new positions noted: Auto on shore of Kabanga Bay in Village; Heavy; 1 gun 3/4 mile north of center of runway; 1 gun 1200 yards east of east end runway.
Damage: 2 SBDs and 4 TBFs received shrapnel hits. Interception: 20 to 30 Nips observed, 4-5 made runs on SBDs between pull-out and rendesvous, 5-6 pressed home attacks on TBFs.
SBDs claim 3 probables.
TBFs claim 2 sure, 2 probables.
Several phosphorous bombs dropped.
Shipping: 2 AKs (300' - 400') near Vulcan crater: 4 U/I in Karavia Bay and Simpson Harbor.
Weather: Excellent.
Enemy Damage: 20-30 a/c parked along both sides of west end of runway destroyed: 10-15 a/c probably damaged in south revetment area.

SEARCHES: At 1210L/28 X-Ray 10 sighted a large explosion with black smoke 8 miles away, 21 miles NW of Oema Island (SE Bougainville.)
The special Torokina-Cape St. George PV search was negative.
At 1041 2 PVs bombed and strafed positions at Talevedo Point, Choiseul, unobserved results.
At 1700 1 PV dropped (2x500) on Kondakanimbako Island, no observed results.

[aircraftclocks]

January 29

23 SBDs (1x1000#) inst. and 17 TBFs (12x100#) inst. hit revetment areas and gun positions at Tobera at 1100.
SBD; claimed 2 estimated effective hits on 4 heavies at east end of runway, 1 estimated effective hit on 2 autos at east end of runway. 1 reported effective hit on 3 Autos at west end of runway; 3 reported effective hits on Autos and tower north side of runway; 2 estimated effective hits on 4 Autos to SE in garden plot; 2 estimated effective hits on 2 Autos to SE in garden plot; 2 hits in target area.; l dropped on Zeke taxying off runway-results unobserved; 1 wild miss, 1 unobserved (fell off on dive); 1 not dropped. Strafed on pull-outs
TBFs; 4 reported effective hits on north revetments. 2 confirmed direct hits on south revetments; 3 estimated effective hits on south revetments; 3 reported effective hits on south revetments. 1 hit on runway; 3 unobserved; 1 hit on Kabanga Plantation. All planes strafed.
AA: Known positions of all types were meager and inaccurate. New positions: light, meager and inaccurate south side of runway, 1/4 way up from south end. Heavy 5,000' north of center of runway in plantation.
Damage: SBDs: None.
TBFs: 6 damaged; 1 from unknown cause, 1 from own bomb shrapnel, 4 from AA. 1 failed to return, Lt. Neupolder and crew plane No. 23, VMTB 143.
Interception: 20-30 Zekes made several passes, dropped phosphorus bombs.
TBFs got one sure.
Shipping: In Karavia Bay 2 AKs, 1 AO, 1 U/I.
One possible SS halfway between Cape St. George and Adler Bay, New Britain.
Weather: Clear over target except for 1 auto position north end of runway-clouds here hindered dives.

SEARCHES: X-Ray 11 sighted a man in a life raft 150 miles west of Munda at 1255. Kept the sighting alive until 50 Baker Dumbo picked it up, found the unidentified occupant dead and sank the raft.
Special Missions: At 0700 2 NZ PVs and 3 P-39s bombed and strafed a reported Nip bivouac on the Mulambuli River, inshore from Choiseul Bay.

[aircraftclocks]

January 30

When a possible Jap Carrier in Simpson Harbor was reported by B-25s which had been over the target earlier in the day, an afternoon shipping Strike of 16 SBDs and 18 TBFs with 50 fighters as cover, was organized and sent over the target at 1815.
No carrier was sighted, but a 480-foot AK was sunk, and a DD, a 500-foot AK and a medium AK were left burning.
AA was the most intense yet encountered and 30 Zekes made aggressive attacks. Of the fighter opposition, 18 Zekes, 2 Tojos, and a Tony were destroyed, plus three probable Zekes, for the loss of a TBF and two F4Us.
Earlier in the day, 26 B-25s had hit Lakunai and 18 B-24s had struck Vunakanau. Neither AA nor fighter opposition was as heavy during these strikes as it was while the SBDs and TBFs were over the target, but a few aerial bombs were seen.

SEARCHES - Routine patrols by 6 SBDs over Torokina were negative, as was the day's 20-plane fighter cover.
Three gray life-boats and a camouflaged barge at Ambittle were bombed by X-Ray 5 with four depth charges, probable damage being the result.
A possible sub target, which disappeared after an attack was made was reported by the 11 Baker sweeper, which also attacked two probable barges with unobserved results off the shore of New Ireland opposite Rabaul.
Sightings by other search and snooper planes were without significance.