RNZAF activity in the Pacific, 1944

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 23 December 1944.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(34 sorties-11 1/4 tons)

Teop Island Radio Station: Eight Piva F4Us attacked the radio station on the north-east tip of Teop Island with eight quarter-tonners and eight depth charges. Five quarter-tonners and four depth charges hit the last chain of the tip of the island, three quarter-tonners fell about five chains inland and four depth charges landed on the coral or in the sea. The whole area was well strafed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 24 1045 dr 8x500 GP
                                8x325 DC.

Bougainville Patrols and Searches: Piva F4Us flew a negative dusk patrol on 21 Dec. Four Piva F4Us did two-plane searches at 0715 and 1115 on 22 Dec. They strafed five Nips north of Moila Point and killed one on the east shore of Lake Lahala. Eight Piva F4Us in pairs patrolled for targets of opportunity between 1230 and 1500. They dropped 12 quarter-tonners one at Nips on the beach at Motupena Point, three at a ten-foot bridge east of Kieta Harbour, two on huts in Numa Numa Plantation, two on the coast road (with a direct hit) at Ruru Bay and three on and around a garden south of Monoitu Mission. They also strafed the edge of Numa Numa Plantation.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 24 Dusk patrol 21 Dec.
4 F4Us NZ 21 Bougainville patrols 0715-1115.
8 F4Us NZ 21 & 24 Bougainville patrols 1230-1500 dr 12x500.

Sohana Island A/A: Twelve Piva F4Us hit Sohana Island A/A positions, dropping 14 quarter-tonners and 10 depth charges. Five bombs landed close to medium positions on the north tip of the island, one on the reported position of three medium weapons, six were well spaced over the wooded part of the island and one fell in the sea. Two depth charges landed near four medium positions, seven were in the wooded area and one was in the sea. M/G positions on the western end of Buka Island airstrip were strafed, moderate inaccurate fire being returned. Moderate, inaccurate heavy fire was received from apparently new positions south of those plotted and moderate, accurate 40 mm from norther positions on Sohana Island. One plane was holed.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 24 0800 dr 14x500 GP
                                  10x325 D.C.

NEW IRELAND
(25 sorties-13 tons)

Balgai Fuel Dump Hit: Eight Emirau F4Us, striking the fuel dump at Balgai, dropped eight half-tonners, damaging several buildings. Intense, inaccurate medium and intense, accurate light fire were received from known positions north of the strip and one plane was holed. Four planes strafing knocked out a M/G post east of Balgai. They also chased a truck into a ditch but ground fire prevented strafing.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 19 0655 dr 8x1000.

Huts Destroyed at Pinikindu: Pinikindu Village received eight half-tonners from four Emirau F4Us. Three huts were destroyed and others damaged.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 19 ?445 dr 8x1000.

Bombs Returned: Six PVs failed to pinpoint their correct Namatanai target before committing themselves to their run. As they had no secondary target they did not drop, returning all bombs to base.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 1 No bombs dropped.

New Ireland Patrols: Two Emirau F4Us on patrol on 21 Dec. dropped two half-tonners, with unobserved results, near a house in Kavieng. A PV on dusk patrol dropped three 325 lb depth charges and three 120 lb frags on the Katu Bay area with unobserved results.
The dawn patrol PV on 22 Dec. dropped the same load on huts in Panemansu Plantation, without observing results. A PV on truck and shipping recco dropped two depth charges and three frag clusters on Panatgin Village with unobserved results.
Four F4Us in pairs patrolled Kavieng from 0900 to 1500 and possibly damaged two houses in Kavieng with half-tonners. Strafing damaged a truck near Panapai and set fire to another, plus a hut, at Lossuk Bay. Meagre inaccurate heavy A/A came from Balgai and moderate (type and accuracy unspecified) from the south end of Panapai.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 19 1435-1825 21 Dec. dr 2x1000.
1 PV NZ 4 Dusk patrol 21 Dec. dr 3x325 D.C.
                                                 3x120 Frags.
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol 22 Dec. dr 3x325 D.C.
                                                 3x120 Frags.
1 PV NZ 4 1130-1335 22 Dec. dr 2x325 D.C.
                                                3x120 Frags.
4 F4Us NZ 19 0900-1500 22 Dec. dr 4x1000.

NEW BRITAIN
(20 sorties-5 1/4 tons)

Rabaul Patrols: Two Green F4Us covering Rabaul from 1600 to 1855 on 21 Dec. strafed and probably killed several Nips in a party of 30 working with four trucks to fill craters on Tobera. They were joined by two more on routine dusk patrol following the report from Manus of bogeys headed toward Rabaul. The patrol was negative. Intense inaccurate light fire was received from Tobera.
Six F4Us in pairs maintained patrols over Rabaul from 0605 to 1700 on 22 Dec. They destroyed two canoes and damaged three.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 21 Dec. 1600-1855 No bombs.
6 F4Us NZ 14 22 Dec. 0605-1700 No bombs.

Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: Jetties at Rabaul and the crossroads at Talili Bay were bombed by eight Piva F4Us on the Watom-Pondo and Duke of York-Cape Archway sweeps. Two direct hits with quarter-tonners were scored on the crossroads.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 21 0735-0820 load 1x500 dr 8x500.
                    0755-0845

Rabaul Hecklers: One PBJ heckled Rabaul from 2035 to 2208 on the night of 21 Dec., dropping two 500 lb GP bombs on the Sulphur Creek plane park, one on Vunakanau and one on Toboi wharf. All results were unobserved. A PV continued heckling from 2145 to 2400, dropping three 500-pounders on Lakunai and two on Rapopo, returning one to base. Results were unobserved.

For the Record:

1 PBJ VMB 423 2035-2208 21 Dec. dr 4x500.
1 PV NZ 1 2145-2400 21 Dec. dr 5x500.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 24 December 1944

NEW BRITAIN
(84 sorties - 73 1/2 tons)

Co-ordinated Strike on Vunakanau: Thirty-five Emirau PBJs dropped 95 1000 pounders on Vunakanau strip and ten Green PBJs and six Green PVs dropped 40 500 pounders and 21 1000 pounders, all from medium altitude. Cloud conditions interfered with the estimation of results. Intense accurate heavy fire holed six Green PBJs, killed one tail gunner and wounded a turret gunner. Emirau planes reported meagre to moderate, inaccurate to accurate heavy fire, one plane being holed.

For the Record:

35 PBJs Emirau dr. 95x1000
10 PBJs VMB-423 dr. 21x1000
6 PVs NZ 1 dr. 40x500

Patrollers and Hecklers Over Rabaul: Four Green F4Us on patrol over Rabaul from 1705 to 1835 on 22 December reported probably killing one Nip by strafing. Twenty F4Us maintaining patrols from 0610 to 1750 on 23 December killed three Nips and set fire to four trucks. The PBJ heckler over Rabaul on the night of 22-23 December dropped four quarter-tonners on the Duke of York Islands and two on Raluana point, with unobserved results.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 Dusk patrol, 22 December. No bombs.
20 F4Us NZ 14 Rabaul patrols 0610-1750. No bombs.
1 PBJ VMB-423 Night heckling, 22-23 December. dr. 6x500

Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps: Eight Piva F4Us on the Watom Island-Pondo and Duke of York-Cape Archway sweeps dropped 16 quarter-tonners on targets of opportunity, destroying five huts at various points and a foot-bridge at Keravat, Five bombs were duds.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 24 1220-1330 dr. 16x500
                    1215-1330

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(30 sorties-12 tons)

Tinputs Plantation Concentrations Bombed: Twelve half-tonners were dropped on Nip concentrations in Tinputs Plantation by 12 Piva F4Us with unobserved results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 21 0730 dr .12x1000

Reported Nip Ammo Dump Hit: A reported Nip ammo dump at Essospaia near Numa Numa, received eight half-tonners from eight Piva F4Us. The target area was well covered but results were not observed.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 21 1000 dr. 8x1000

Bougainville Patrols: Two Piva F4Us flew a negative dusk patrol on 22 December. Two Bougainville patrols of two F4Us each put five quarter-tonners in and around a garden near Maigi and three near the bridge (destroying the approach) over the Hongorai River. Two Able-Charlie searches were flown by Piva F4Us which strafed various villages and personnel areas with unobserved results.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 21 Dusk patrol, 22 December. No bombs.
4 F4Us NZ 24 Bougainville patrols, 23 December. dr. 8x500
4 F4Us NZ 24 Able-Charlie searches, 23 December. No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(8 sorties -4 1/2 tons)

New Ireland Patrols: Emirau F4Us patrolled over Kavieng from 1500 to 1800 on 22 Dec., dropping two thousand pounders with unobserved results and strafing a truck and a footbridge.
An Emirau PV on dusk patrol dropped three 120 lb. frag clusters and three 325 lb depth charges, on the Bagaterre Bay area with unobserved results.
The PV on dawn patrol on 23 Dec. reported good coverage with the same load dropped on Panaras Plantation. Meagre, inaccurate medium fire was received from Panaras and intense, inaccurate medium from Kavieng. Four Emirau F4Us patrolled north New Ireland from 0830 to 1520 dropping four half-tonners on buildings on the coast road near Panapai, cratering the road and probably damaging a house.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 19 New Ireland patrol 22 Dec. dr 2x1000.
1 PV NZ 4 Dusk patrol 22 Dec. dr 3x120 Frags.
                                                3x325 D. C.
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol 23 Dec. dr 3x120 Frags.
                                                 3x325 D. C.
4 F4Us NZ 19 New Ireland patrols 23 Dec. dr 4x1000.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 25 December 1944.

BOUGAINVILLE AND BUKA
(32 sorties-12 tons)

Nip Garrison Hit: A Nip garrison in jungle-covered positions at Amun were hit by 20 Piva F4Us, dropping eight half-tonners, twelve quarter-tonners and twelve depth charges, achieving good coverage. They were led to the target by RAAF Boomerangs. The F4Us returned after the bombing and gave the whole area a good strafing. After strike photos showed the whole area marked by bomb hits.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 24 0637 dr 8x1000 GP.
8 F4Us NZ 21 dr 12x500 GP
                        12x325 DC.

Kieta Garden Area Hit: Eight Piva F4Us hit a garden at Kieta with quarter-tonners, dropping five in the garden and three on the south fringe. One hung and was returned and five were duds.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 24 1100 dr 13x500.

Bougainville Patrols: Two Piva F4Us made an uneventful dusk patrol on 23 December. Two F4Us on an Able-Charlie search on 24 December killed a Nip north of Luluai Point. A second Able-Charlie search was cancelled.

For the Record:

2 F4U NZ 24 Dusk patrol 23 Dec. No bombs.
2 F4U NZ 21 Able-Charlie search No bombs.

NEW IRELAND
(15 sorties-13 1/2 tons)

Namatanai Hit: Five Green PVs dropped 29 quarter-tonners on Namatanai with excellent cover. Two planes were holed by 20 mm fire from northwest of the strip.

For the Record:

5 PVs NZ 1 1025 dr 29x500.

Panapai Personnel Area Hit: Four Emirau F4Us hit the personnel area at Panapai with eight half-tonners without observing results. The despatch covering this mission says the leader was picked up out of the sea five hours later 20 miles from base but gives no indication as to how or why he came to be in the sea.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 19 1??5 dr 8x1000.

New Ireland Patrols: Two Emirau F4Us on patrol over northern New Ireland on 23 Dec. dropped two half-tonners at a house near Panapai with unobserved results. Meagre inaccurate light fire was received from Panapai. The PV on dusk patrol dropped three 120 lb. frag. clusters on huts at Cape Lemeris. The PV on dawn patrol on 24 Dec. jettisoned its load of frags. after release failures. Weather caused the cancellation of the F4U patrols except for one which dropped two half-tonners on Kavieng.

For the Record:

2 F4Us NZ 19 1425-1827 23 Dec. dr. 4x500
1 PV NZ 4 Dusk patrol 23 Dec. dr. 3x120 frags.
1 PV NZ 4 Dawn patrol 24 Dec. None
2 F4Us NZ 19 0920-1200 24 Dec. dr. 2x1000

NEW BRITAIN
(29 sorties - 2 tons)

Successful Gazelle Peninsula Sweep: Four Piva F4Us making the Watom Island-Pondo sweep destroyed a truck on the Tunnel Hill Rd. with one quarter-tonner, destroyed another at the crossroads in the Talili Bay area with two quarter-tonners and demolished a footbridge a mile south of the Tunnel Hill Rd. with a fourth quarter-tonner. With strafing they destroyed a car and two trucks and caused another truck to roll into a ditch and killed two Nips. Meagre inaccurate light fire was received from Tawui Point. The Duke of York-Cape Archway sweep was weathered out.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 1430-1545 dr. 4x500

Patrollers and Heckler Over Rabaul: Four Green F4Us, patrolling over Rabaul on 23 Dec., killed two Nips in small boats at the mouth of the Ramandu River. A PV heckled Rabaul from 2340 to 0130 on the night of 23-24 Dec., dropping four quarter-tonners with unobserved results. Twenty F4Us in pairs patrolled Rabaul on 24 Dec. They destroyed a raft with strafing and one of four trucks loaded with belly tanks between Vunakanau and Tobera. One plane failed to pull out of a strafing run and crashed in flames.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 1750-1910 23 Dec. No Bombs.
1 PV NZ 1 2340-1030 23-24 Dec. dr. 4x500
20 F4Us NZ 14 0650-1720 24 Dec. No Bombs.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 26 December 1944.

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 Panapai. 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 shinning 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.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 27 December 1944.

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.

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.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 28 December 1944.

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 1600 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 of 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 4 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 Heckling: 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

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 29 December 1944.

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.

[aircraftclocks]

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.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 30 December 1944.

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.

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. 8x35 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.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 31 December 1944.

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.

[pjw4118]

From the late Bill Mackley. He was on No 1 War Course, flew a tour on Whitleys with 58 Squadron. He then returned to NZ serving with 2BR Squadron then 6 Squadron on Catalinas. Postwar Bill had a long career with NAC.

[angelsonefive]

"Panapai Personnel Area Hit: Four Emirau F4Us hit the personnel area at Panapai with eight half-tonners without observing results. The despatch covering this mission says the leader was picked up out of the sea five hours later 20 miles from base but gives no indication as to how or why he came to be in the sea."


25/12/44. NZ5451 of 19 Sqdn was hit by ack-ack causing engine failure and the pilot baled out. S/Ldr J.Kilian RNZAF was picked up from his dinghy by a US Dumbo Catalina.

[aircraftclocks]

Have located reports from June 1944. Will cover these in time.

[chinapilot]

Hi Dave - this is about to disappear off the page - lots of info so maybe a ’sticky’?

[Dave Homewood]

Ian, you're right. But instead of stickying yet another thread to the over-stickied Wartime board, I have created a new sub-board specifically of the US Navy War Diary threads. That way they are easily accessible and will be into the future, they won't roll over into the infinity of old threads, and they don't clog the main board with lots of sticky threads.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 15 June 1944

ADVENT OF COMAIRNORSOLS
As of midnight last night Comairsols, the tactical command which has been responsible for the whole successful air campaign up through the Solomons and the Bismarcks, quietly ceased to exist. In its place we now have Comairnorsols, and are officially part of the South West Pacific area. Major General Ralph J. Mitchell, USMC., who was Comairsols during the height of the air onslaught on Rabaul, becomes Commander Aircraft, North Solomons.

RABAUL BLOCKADE TARGET: WALAUR
After 18 SBDs and 10 TBFs had hit Walaur and neighboring AA guns, photos showed 4 small buildings destroyed, 3 large ones damaged, 2 auto AA positions destroyed and a large crater in the road to Rabaul. The planes had reported good coverage, with one 1000' and 2 smaller smoke columns. Debris was seen flying through the air. AA was generally moderate to intense from known positions during the first stages of the attack but later slackened to meagre and inaccurate. Half a dozen small parachute bombs were seen floating at 3/4000 ft N of Vulcan Crater. The chutes were white, the bombs black.

For the Record:

18 SBDs VMSB 235 0930 load 1x1000 drop. 18x1000
10 TBFs NZ 31 0930 load 4x500 drop. 40x500

Four Torokina F4Us were charged with the joint task of strafing the F/P at Malaguna and distracting AA fire during the SBD - TBF strike. At a gun position overlooking Tunnel Hill Road they caused 4 or 5 Japs to dive for shelter. They also fired a shack on the Kervia Bay beach. On their strafing run along the Malaguna coast they saw alongside the pier a heavily camouflaged craft which they thought was a launch or possibly a small sub. Later they strafed the Cape St. George radar and lighthouse and caused M/G gunners there to cease fire. Two F4Us were holed.
In the afternoon 8 NZ F4Us took off to strafe the two F/Ps on the W side of Simpson hbr. The section taking the northern one overshot it but had previously killed 2 Japs who ran out of a Talili Bay hut. The other section found the F/P off Walaur but claimed no hits. It was thought to be at a Pote and was mottled green and yellow. Tracers were seen to enter small craft with unobserved results. AA of all types was encountered.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 16 June 1944

RABAUL TRUCK SWEEPS
Apart from the usual Duke of York-Garerr Bay sweep, five quartets of NZ F4Us from Torokina conducted sweeps over Rabaul with the primary object of truck hunting. Results were: 4 trucks fired and a wagon smoked (all in Bite Paka area), six more and a car hit without burning. An afternoon sweep reported much truck traffic in both directions between Malaguna and Vulcan Crater. An interesting observation came from one pilot on the morning sweep. He reported that at the point off Walaur where a F/P was moored on Tuesday (it was not visible yesterday) he saw a roughly circular camouflaged covering, part of which extended over the water. He fired a long burst through the covering and a second later flame and black smoke came through the top. The smoke was still rising as the strafer left the area.
Most of the sweeps received some AA and 3 planes collected holes, two of them from intense accurate heavy M/G fire from the N side of gardens in the centre of Ralabang Pltn.
Fighter patrols from Green were generally negative, though the first one strafed a 100 ft vessel and personnel N of Vulcan Crater.
Eight Emirau fighter patrols heckled Kavieng with quarter tonners during daylight.

TARGET: RABAUL AA
AA guns between Rapopo and Tobera underwent another concerted attack yesterday. Positions nearest Rapopo were attacked by SBDs and TBFs. The former reported hits in the area of several positions and the TBFs put all but one of their bombs (which was jettisoned) into the target area. AA was meagre and inaccurate, with many positions not firing.
Next target westward, "D", was hit by 24 Mitchells with quarter tonners. They reported about 96 bombs in the target area. Heavy AA was meagre to moderate but inaccurate.
The same area was hit by 31 SBDs and 16 TBFs from Emirau covered by 4 F4Us. The target was reported well covered. Intense and generally inaccurate AA during the retirement caused 1 TBF to crash in flames south of Vunapope.
Eight P39s and 11 P38s hit target "E", generally N of Tobera. P39s saw no results of their bombing and received only 5 bursts of heavy flak. P39s reported all their bombs in the area, 4 near auto positions at the S. end of Revalien Pltn -the only guns seen firing (they put-up 10 inaccurate bursts).

For the Record:
18 SBDs VMSB 235 0925 load 1x1000 drop. 18x1000
12 TBFs NZ 31       0925 " 1x2000 " 11x2000
24 B25s 42nd Gr.   0945 " 6x500   " 144x500 from 11,000'
31 SBDs Emirau    1000 " 1x1000 " 31x1000
16 TBFs                1000 " 1x2000 " 16x2000
11 P38s 339th      0933 " 2x1000 " 22x1000 from 6000'
8 P39s 68th          0951 " 2x250   " 14x250 " 4500'

TARGET: BORPOP - NAMATANAI
Searching for targets between Borpop and Namatanai 3 PVs destroyed 3 large buildings, two houses and a hut at Rabulut Plantation and fired two huts N of the Puk River. A new ford has been constructed over the Puk River where the PVs destroyed a bridge last week.

For the Record:
3 PVs NZ 9 0930 1010 load 6x500 dropped 17x500

[aircraftclocks]

Day ending 0800 17 June 1944.

TARGET: SOUTHWEST RABAUL

Buildings at the southwestern corner of Rabaul were successfully attacked by 18 SBDs and 12 TBFs. Photos showed the two principal target buildings, warehouses at Toboi wharf, to have been destroyed.
The SBDs claimed four direct hits on the warehouses, also possible damage to gun positions, with the TBFs reporting two direct hits on one warehouse. Black smoke rose to 1000 ft. AA was moderate and accurate. Possibly hit by flak, an SBD crashed into Simpson Harbor, no survivors being seen. Two other planes were damaged.

For the Record:

18 SBDs VMSB 235 1000 load 1x1000 dropped 18x1000 1 lost 1 dam.
12 TBFs NZ 31 1000 " 4x500 " 42x500 1 dam.

RABAUL SWEEPS FROM TOROKINA

From Torokina 22 NZ F4Us participated in sweeps over the Rabaul area. Tracks again provided the principal target. Two were fired and another 8 seen to have been hit. One mission discovered a new bright green canvas shelter right at the edge of the beach in Ragaga Bay. It was suggested this might be a possible F/P shelter or, alternatively a trap, as fire came from at least 1 20 mm gun. A later mission said the shelter contained nothing conspicuous and was too small to cover a F/P. One F4U was damaged during the day.

SEARCHES FOR JUNE 16

Able search New Zealand PV dropped 2x500 on village near Hague destroyint 6 huts, and 1x500 on Skotolan Mission. A possible supply dump was observed on the East tip of Raua Bay.
Charlie search New Zealand PV strafed campfires at Tovidua and on the eastern shore of Arawa Bay.
The Rabaul sweep was negative including a 2 hour search of area from Simpson Harbor to Duke of York for downed SBD, Dumbo and fighters assisting.
4 New Zealand PVs returned from Nadzab on search for missing B24 which was negative. They had 50 percent coverage of area extending 14 miles north of track.
The missing plane, object of a 2 day search, was finally located at a Australian field. This is the B24 plane referred to above.
The Emirau Baker 84 sub search and the Green Turtle search have been discontinued as of June 15.
The Green Baker 34 searches were full track and cover with negative results. The Emirau Baker 31 searches were full track and cover with negative results.

[chinapilot]

4 New Zealand PVs returned from Nadzab on search for missing B24 which was negative. They had 50 percent coverage of area extending 14 miles north of track.

Interesting that they went to Nadzab - well away from their normal operational sphere.

[davidd]

chinapilot, possibly a reflection of the new command structure, with MacAurthur now their operational boss. See first post of 28th Dec, first item.
David D