RNZAF activity in the Pacific, 1944

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January 31

Loaded with 1000 and 2000 pound bombs in preparation for a shipping Strike, 24 SBDs and 18 TBFs made a glide bombing attack on Tobera when they found Simpson Harbor closed in.
Besides quieting the AA, the SBDs got three hits on the strip and one on a parked Betty. TBFs registered nine hits on the strip, four estimated direct and five effective hits in the southern revetment area, where six planes were claimed destroyed and 15 damaged. Buildings around the operations tower and radio masts at the end of the runway were also damaged.
AA was moderate and interception was by 10 to 12 Japs on the approach and three or four on the pull-out. One SBD was lost off Kabanga Point and two SBDs and four TBFs were slightly damaged by AA. Fighter cover got six Zekes, one Tony and one Hamp, plus four additional probable Zekes. Two F4Us were lost.
At 1028, seven minutes earlier than the SBD-TBF Strike, 17 B-24s had dropped 320x100# on Tobera, having their primary target, Vunakanau, closed in.

SEARCHES - Searches and routine patrols were negative.

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February 1

There were no Strikes today. Weather grounded all offensive operations from Solomons.

SEARCHES - Because of weather most X-Ray searches were cancelled on February 1st. Those that did go out were negative.

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February 2

Weather again prevented Strikes from taking off.

SEARCHES - Searches, for the most part, were again cancelled today because of weather. Those that went out were negative.

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February 3

STRIKES - At 1200 44 SBDs armed with 1000# bombs and 23 TBFs loaded with 2000# bombs attacked Tobera. When overcast made dive bombing impossible SBDs released bombs in formation at 5000 ft. The TBFs let down as far as possible before releasing their 2000 pounders over runway and south revetments. 43x100s fell in target area. SBDs reported 5 estimated effective hits in center of revetment area where one of many planes was seen to blow up. 13 unconfirmed direct hits were reported by TBFs on runway, but it was estimated the strip was left serviceable. TBFs also estimated 4 effective hits in south revetment area, and strafed trucks on road leading east from field.
10-15 Zekes dropped phosphous bombs and made several passes. One SBD and 3 TBFs received slight damage (AA) was not troublesome) but all rallied safely at 4000' east of Kabanga and returned.
The 58 covering fighters shot down 7 Zekes sure, and 3 Zekes and one Hamp probably. 3 F4Us did not return.

SEARCHES - Weather cancelled all X-Ray searches except 10 B which was negative and 15 B which was long overdue.
A special SBD sub search was negative except for observing bubbles rising 10 miles off Buka.

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February 4

STRIKES - The only Strike scheduled for the day was a bombing and strafing attack on the bivouac and beach areas of the SARIME Plnatation by six SBDs. The planes, loaded with 1x1000 pounders, 1/10 delay, attacked at 1720, all bombs falling in the area. Because of heavy growth, results were unobserved, except that two fires were started and one bomb was seen to hit among some huts inshore from the plantation.

SEARCHES - Six SBDs, in three flights of two planes each, carried out the routine Pistol Pete searches, bombing bridges on the Mobiai, Mibo, and Puriata Rivers, and huts at Toko and Sovele missions.

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February 5

STRIKES - Lakunai gun positions and runway were hit by 44 SBDs loaded 1x1000# instantaneous, and 24 TBFs, 18 loaded 1x2000# 1/10 delay and six loaded 1x2000# 4-5 second delay.
The planes were over the target at 1045/L in excellent weather, and the attack resulted in 18 hits or effective misses on gun positions by the SBDs and 15 hits or effective misses on the runway by the TBFs. Thirteen additional SBD bombs hit in the various target areas, eight were unobserved, and the remainder were not dropped. The TBFs claimed an additional six hits on the runway, plus one miss, one dud and one bomb jettisoned.

SEARCHES - Regular Pistol Pete searches were not flown, but two SBD spares from the Lakunai Strike dropped their bombs on the Mawaraka village and half-way between the Puriata and Hongorai Rivers. Results were unobserved.

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February 6

STRIKES - No Strikes were scheduled for today.

SEARCHES - Six Pistol Pete planes bombed a bridge on the Maririci River near Bikoram, a village near Menoari, huts in the Hanemo area, a bridge at the lower west end of the Tavena River, and pill boxes on the south side of the mouth of the Jaba River.

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February 7

STRIKES - A scheduled Vunakanau Strike, finding the target closed in by weather, hit at gun positions and the runway at Tobera. There were 59 SBDs, 53 loaded 1x1000 pound instantaneous and six loaded 1x1000 pound, 1/10 delay, and 22 TBFs, loaded 1x2000#, 1/10 delay nose and tail, over the target.
SBDs scored 24 hits or effective misses on gun positions, with 24 hits in various other target areas, four misses and four bombs not dropped.
TBFs got 17 hits on the runway, one near miss and one miss, plus one hit on a BETTY in a revetment.
Some planes were damaged by AA, but not seriously, and the runway was reported unserviceable after the attack. All planes returned.

SEARCHES - Two SBDs bombed pill boxes on the beach on the south part of the Tavena River and on buildings, two of which were destroyed and 3 damaged, near the headwaters of the Jaba River.

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February 8

Rain, no activity.

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February 9

STRIKES - Five TBFs (12x100#, 8-11 sec. delay) hit Lakunai revetment area at 0540. Bombs were dropped in North and South revetment areas and one TBF which did not join up dropped on a 200' AK off Cape St. George. All results unobserved. AA was meager and inaccurate.
At 1240, 58 SBDs (1000#,(47 inst., 11 1/10 sec. delay)) and 24 TBFs (1x2000#1/10 nose and tail) hit Vunakanau Airfield and gun positions. The SBDs estimated that a 4-105 mm gun position was blown up; 2 direct hits on 6 heavies SE of the runway; six effective hits were scored on outer AA positions; Fires were started among buildings and a machine gun nest on the south edge of the strip, and in a revetment containing a Betty. Two planes claimed probably destroyed on the ground. Thirteen bombs were claimed hits in the areas of the gun positions, 6 bombs were not dropped, 2 unobserved, with 4 wild misses and 2 duds.
The TBFs claimed 16 of their 21 runway hits were on the concrete. Three bombs were not dropped. Intense heavy AA was encountered at 13,000 during the approach and intense auto fire on the southeast ridge on withdrawal. One SBD and one TBF were slightly damaged. Fifteen to Twenty Zekes were seen that did not press home attacks, but dropped, inaccurately, aerial bombs.

SPECIAL MISSIONS - 4 SBDs (1000# inst.) bombed and strafed warehouses, south of Bonis strip at about 1530. Results unobserved.
2 SBDs (1x100# inst.) bombed pill boxes at mouth of Jaba River at about 1530. Results unobserved. Two SBDs (1x1000# inst., 1x100# inst.) bombed bridge on Puriata River, SE of Kia Rae at 1500. All misses.
Two SBDs, 2 carrying (1x1000# inst.) and one of them also carrying 2x100# inst., attacked the same bridge over the Puriata River at about 1745. One direct hit and one effective miss.

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February 10

At 0900, 59 SBDs and 24 TBFs bombed the Vunakanau runway and gun positions. Loadings: SBDs 45 with 1000# inst., 14 with 1000# 1/10 sec. delay. TBFs, 1x2000# 1/10 nose and tail fuse.
Lt. Paul C. Wells, VMSB 241, Gunner Sgt. Cornelius T Ward, missing. Believed shot down approximately 1200 yards SSW of NW end of runway. Two planes with holes in wing, one with large hole in tail; one with large hole in elevator and rudder.
Lt. F.K. Gundlack, VMTB 143; Radioman, Sgt. G.E. Duffie, USMCR, Gunner Sgt. C.M. Dunham, USMC. Plane believed crashed into a hill at Toma Plantation 1/3 distance from runway to mouth of Warangoi River. Five TBFs damaged by machine gun fire.
Interception: Fifteen to twenty Zeros seen, five pressed home attack. One flamer claimed by TBF turret gunner Farrege. Phosphorous bombs were dropped at various altitudes at rally and on retirement.
AA: From all known positions generally fire was received. Running from meagre and moderate to intense both accurate and inaccurate.
New Positions: 2 Heavy NE corner plantation, intense, accurate. 2 Heavy east side plantation, moderate, accurate. 2 Heavy SW corner plantation, moderate, inaccurate. Machine gun north side center of runway, moderate to intense and accurate.
Machine gun 1000 yards S NW end runway, meager and inaccurate. Machine gun SE from SE end of runway, along ridge, scattered. Machine gun from hulk, mouth of Warengoi River, meager, inaccurate.
Machine gun south bank Warangoi River, intense, accurate. Auto and Machine gun from ridge 13 miles 125° from Vunakanau, intense, accurate.
HITS, SBD: 1 estimated direct hit on auto, due east south edge of plantation. 1 confirmed direct hit on 6 heavies SE of runway. 1 confirmed direct hit on 2 autos, 1000 yards NE of runway. 2 estimated effective hits on 5 heavies SE of plantation. 1 estimated effective hit on 9 machine guns NE of runway. 1 estimated effective hit on 27 machine guns south of runway. 1 estimated effective hit on 4 heavies, NW of NW end of runway. 1 estimated effective hit on 105 mm SW of runway. 2 confirmed effective hits on 6 heavies to SE of runway. 1 effective miss, 27 machine guns SW of runway. 1 effective miss on 4 heavies due south of runway.
Hits in area: 2 auto, due east of south edge of plantation. 1 heavies SE of plantation. 1 auto east end runway. 1 on 9 machine guns NE of runway. 1 heavy NW, NW end of runway. 1 on two autos to SE of runway. 1 on six autos NW of runway. 2 on 4.7 to NW of runway. 1 on 4 heavies NW of NW end of runway. 2 on 27 machine guns south of runway. 3 on 105 mm to south of runway. 2 on two autos south of runway. 5 on four heavies due douth of runway.
Unobserved: 1-5 heavies SE plantation. 1 -2 autos NE of runway. 1-2 autos SE of runway. 1-2 autos off west of runway. 2 duds, 1 jettisoned, 5 not dropped. 9 pilots unable to dive on assigned targets claimed the following on targets of opportunity. One Betty destroyed, confirmed. Six Bettys probably destroyed. One hit among buildings just SW side of runway. One in area of 2 autos north of west end runway.
TBFs: 4 estimated direct hits on concrete strip, 7 confirmed direct hits on concrete strip, 4 hits on runway, 1 wild miss, 1 bomb hung up and was jettisoned. 17 TBFs strafed.
Observations: Oil fires and burning plane, south of west end of runway. Tobera strip appeared unserviceable. Vunakanau appeared serviceable before attack and unserviceable afterwards.
30-40 Bettys seen in revetments south and east of runway; a considerable number of which were painted blue. Parachute seen 8 miles NW Cape St. George at altitude of 1,000 ft.
Unidentified plane crashing and parachute one mile south of Warangoi River and 1/2 mile inland. Weather excellent to target; on return thunder heads over Cape St. George.
Special Mission: 6 TBFs bombed revetment areas, 2 planes on north side runway Lakunai, Tobera and Rapopo, one plane each side runway each strip. Attacking Tobera at 0550; Rapopo at 0550 and Lakunai at 0600.
Estimated effective hits in revetments areas of all three fields.
2 SBDs (1x1000# inst.) and one plane had (1x100# inst.) searched Veune Island to Fauro Island for barges. Negative, so at about 0930 had effective misses on bridge over Hongerai River between Monitou and Maigi Missions.
2 SBDs (1x1000# inst. and 2x100# inst.) and about 1145 destroyed two huts and strafed bivouac area at Pipipaia, NE coast of Bougainville.

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February 11

EARLY STRIKE: Six TBFs led by Capt. Voyles of VMTB 233 took off at 0240 on the following missions: 2 TBFs to hit Vunapope supply area with 12x100# incendiaries and 12x100# 1/10 sec. delay fuses; 2 TBFs to hit Tobera revetment area with 24 x 100# 8-11 second fuses;
2 TBFs to hit Simpson Harbor shipping with 2x2000# 4-5 sec. delay. Planes reached target areas at 0500, and scored 24 confirmed effective hits in Tobera south revetment area, 12 confirmed effective hits with 12 misses along east end of Vunapope supply area. Small fires were started on beach near power plant at Vunapope and in Tobera revetment area. The two Simpson Harbor planes did not drop due to cloud conditions and interference by probable night fighter. Six or seven searchlights were encountered, with meager and inaccurate auto AA fire. All planes landed safely at 0630.
MAIN STRIKE: 36 SBDs carrying 1000# inst. bombs and 24 TBFs with 2000# 1/10 sec. delay fusing hit the Vunapope bivouac and supply areas at 1100 after finding the primary target of Tobera closed by weather. With two possible exceptions, all bombs are estimated to have struck the area of concentration from Timbur to Takubar. The supposed power plant and 16 other large buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed and numerous other buildings were probably damaged or destroyed. Two supply dumps and a concentration of 6 or more barges were set afire. Area was thoroughly strafed. About 10 Zekes made lackadaisical interception and a TBF gunner claims one smoker. Inaccurate, moderate to meager AA fire was received, automatic from target area and all calibers from Rapopo and Tobera. Our planes sustained only minor damage.

LOCAL MISSIONS: 2 SBD on morning search dropped 2 half-tonners on gun positions near MAMAGATA Mission, 1x100# at Puriata River footbridge and 2x100# at SIRIRUAI Mission with unobserved results. During morning and afternoon 3 SBD and 2 PV-1 dropped 6x100#, 3x1000# and 12x500# on gun positions, bridge and huts at PIPIPAIA probably damaging gun and bridge and destroying 15 or more huts.

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February 12

Fifty-nine SBDs, 44 loaded 1x1000# instantaneous and 15 loaded 1x1000# 1/10 delay, and 23 TBFs, loaded 1x2000# 1/10 delay nose and tail, hit Lakunai AA positions and runway, scoring at least 13 direct or effective hits plus 11 near misses, on gun positions, 11 direct hits on the concrete portion of the runway and three on the coral. In addition to gun positions, one section of one division of SBDs bombed the Hirstein Hulk, probably sinking it.
The TBF attack rendered the runway unserviceable; the effectiveness of the SBD attack is indicated by the TBF report that AA fire materially decreased following it.
AA fire was intense, accurate, and of all types. Fire from a gunboat or DD off Praid Point is credited with the destruction of one SBD which crashed in the water 25 yards off Credner Island. Pilot and gunner of the plane are missing; they, and the plane, were the only losses.
Interception by 15-20 enemy VF was ineffective, attacks not being pressed home. Use of phosphorous bombs by the enemy was again without effect. Shipping observed in the harbor was comparitively meagre, consisting of four AK, one DD or gunboat, and a small number of unidentified small craft.

SEARCHES - SBDs carried out routine searches, dropping 6x1000# and 8x100# on various targets on Bougainville.

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February 13

STRIKES - Vunakanau was hit by 59 SBDs, 46 loaded 1x1000 pound instantaneous and 13 loaded 1x1000# 1/10 delay, and 24 TBFs loaded 1x2000# 1/10 delay nose and tail at 1100/L. Targets for the ? on which?
Targets for the SBDs were AA positions surrounding the field, on which 20 hits and near misses were scored, plus 25 in the area of various positions and two estimated effective hits on two Bettys parked in revetments. Two bombs dropped among buildings, one in the east revetment area, one was not dropped, and the remainder were misses.
The 10 hits on the concrete runway, plus five on the coral rendered it unserviceable, according to the TBF report. Six other TBF bombs were unobserved and three were not dropped.
Interception by 12-15 Zekes caused some trouble for the SBDs, even though only three or four attacks were pressed home. TBFs reported no interception, but both SBDs and TBFs reported 15-20 phosphorous bombs which while not effective, appeared to be more accurate than on preceding Strikes. No planes were lost to enemy VF.
AA of all types was intense and accurate from most positions against the SBD; moderate and accurate against the TBFs, several planes being damaged, but none shot down. The TBFs noted a definite slackening of fire during the SBD attack. The fire reopened, however, as the dive bombers retired. TBFs strafed gun positions along the ridge on the retirement course, fire from which was intense. One pilot, Lt. Harold R. Walker, was injured and his gunner, Sgt. Greydon M. Tabor, was killed by AA fire. The plane, an SBD, was badly damaged.
Enemy planes were sighted taking off from Tobera, Rapopo, Lakunai and fires in both the revetment areas and buildings were noted as the Strike retired. One Zeke which attacked an SBD was claimed as a smoker by the SBD gunner and two Bettys were burning off the southeast end of the runway. Six to twelve Zekes were seen in the west revetments and 15 to 20 Bettys in the east revetments, plus others in the trees southeast of the runway.

SEARCHES: A routine morning search by four SBDs dropped 4x1000# and 5x100# bombs, plus two 100# duds, on the various ground targets on Bougainville. One SBD also acted as a spotter, dropping no bombs.

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February 14

STRIKES - At 1140 59 SBDs (1x1000), 10 TBFs (8x100) (4x250) attacked Tobera. TO 0955, TA 1310. All planes returned, three with minor damage. Interception by Zekes was slight, none pressed home. AA was generally moderate and inaccurate. TBFs scored two estimated effective hits and eight unobserved hits in south revetment area. 3x250 and 6x100 were hung up and jettisoned. SBDs dropped 56 bombs in area and destroyed 1 Betty and probably destroyed or damaged three more Bettys and 2 Zekes. Two fires, SW end of runway were visible for 50 miles. Weather enroute was excellent. Vunakanau, primary target was closed in, and Tobera nearly so.
Special Mining Operation - In early morning 25 TBFs in groups of 9, 7 and 9 loaded with 1xMk 12-1 mines, mined Simpson Harbor between Wesleyan Mission and Sulphur Creek. All mines dropped except for one hung up and 2 brought back. Searchlights and intense accurate AA were well co-ordinated. Six planes failed to return, of these four probably shot down, 2 in harbor and 2 on land side. Three were flamers. All crews missing.

SEARCHES: Three searches by TBFs for missing pilots were negative.
Seven SBDs on routine searches dropped 7x1000 and 14x100 on various targets on Bougainville.

WEATHER - The weather was generally good in the area with flying conditions until late afternoon above average.

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February 15

STRIKES - No Strikes went out this date.

Special Missions: Green Island landing. 16 TBFs, 23 SBDs and 2 PV1s flew 7 missions during the day acting on ground support, spotters for artillery and taking photos. No enemy interception except for 2 Vals chased by SBDs and 10-15 Vals attacking the shipping. No bombs were dropped. All planes returned without damage to our planes or personnel. 50 photos taken; no enemy shipping sighted.

SEARCHES: 4 SBDs loaded with 1x1000 and 2x100 both with 1/5 sec. delay fusing bombed targets on Bougainville. 2x100 hung up.

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February 16

STRIKES - No Strikes went out this date.

Special Missions - None.

Searches - Generally negative except as follows: 2 SBDs dropped 2x1000 and 3x100 with probable damage to bridge over Mibo River, Bougainville. Strafed barge and buildings on Mibo and dropped 1x100 miss on Aitara Mission.

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February 17 - STRIKES

(1) 47 SBDs (1x1000 1/10 sec.) VMSB 244, VB 98 led by Major Reed, VMSB 244 and 18 TBFs (1x2000 4/5 sec.) and 5 TBFs (2x500 4/5 sec. x 8 rockets) led by Commander Brunton struck shipping in Keravia Bay.
All planes returned. 10 SBDs and 5 TBFs were damaged by AA. Three crew members were injured, none fatally. There was no interception, but 15-20 Zeros were seen.
AA was generally moderate to intense and inaccurate.
19 direct, 15 damaging hits on 12 ships. 15 hits among 15-20 barges, and one direct and one damaging hit on 4.7 SW of Vulcan Crater were scored.
Four rocket planes fired one hitting a ship's hull. Results were not observed.

Weather - Squally, .5 cumulus 2000-9000 feet, over target, clear — 13,000 celling. Return route: squalls, .8 cumulus, bases 500 feet.

(2) 36 SBDs and 18 TBFs due to inclement weather failed to reach Radar Station on Cape St. George. All returned with bomb loads without injury or damage.

SEARCHES - 2 SBDs dropped 2x1000 4/5 sec. and 5x100 inst. and destroyed bridge on Lulua River. Two SBDs sighted possible DD, 2 barges and one AK, Moisuru Bay. 2 PV-1's dropped emergency rations, 62 dye markers to occupant in life raft at 04°-25 S, 152-30 E.

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February 18

STRIKES - No Strikes went out today.

Special Missions - 9 SBDs of VB 98 led by Lt. Lord loaded with 1x1000 1/10 sec. delay attacked Radar and Auto AA at Cape St. George. All planes and personnel returned without damage or injury. AA meagre, light and inaccurate.
Six hits were scored in close area of Radar screen and Auto AA, with estimated destruction or serious damage to screen and some gun positions. Two bombs hung up - one hit water.
Routine Searches were negative except as follows — 4 TBFs and 2 SBDs acted as spotter for artillery. Four at Green Island; two at Bougainville.
2 PV-1s covered Kavieng DD Mission, observed convoy 02-10S, 151-15 E under attack by Vals.
2 SBDs scored direct hits on bridges over Luluai to Kraiona Rivers with 2x1000, 4x200. 2 SBDs strafed, one Jap between Mupeta and Jaba Rivers. Weather was generally good all day.

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February 19

At 1030 48 SBDs (1x1000 1/10 sec. delay) of VC-38, VMSB 241 and VB 98, and 17 TBFs (1x2000 4-5 sec. delay) and 6 TBFs of VMTB 143, (2x500 plus rockets) struck Lakunai airdrome, a secondary target Simpson Hbr. being closed in. All planes and personnel returned. One TBF had minor damage and 2 SBDs had holes in tail assemblies.
A small number of enemy ships were sighted in the harbor including two gunboats, an SS which submerged, 20-30 barges and small craft, 2 medium AK and a number of 4 motored flying boats and float planes.
5-20 Zeros were seen, but only 1 pressed home an attack and was shot down by TBF.
The AA generally was moderate and inaccurate showing a definite tapering off from previous missions.
SBD dropped 46 bombs and TBF dropped 24 bombs in area. Of 7 bombs not dropped 4 were jettisoned. The target in general was well covered with bombs and the runway, both concrete and mat, was rendered unserviceable. TBF scored 2 estimated and 5 confirmed direct hits, three estimated effective hits, one wild miss and 7 unobserved on runway. SBD scored 2 estimated direct hits, 14 estimated effective hits, 11 hits in area, 8 wild misses, 5 unobserved on various targets. Rockets scored estimated hits on 4.7.

Weather - Clouds over target .6, 3500-8000 feet; scattered cumulus .3, 3000-12,000 feet, on the way up. On the way back, same with thunder heads 50 miles East of New Ireland.

Searches - Routine searches were negative except as follows: 2 SBDs dropped (2x1000 x 4x100) on two bridges destroying NR-7 on ComAirSols chart.
6 TBFs (2x500 plus rockets) expended all on 8 hulks in Matsunkei and Puriata Rivers. Observed 10-12 parachutes in trees.
2 SBDs noted bridge at fork of Mibo river already repaired.