RNZAF activity in the Pacific, 1944

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 23 July 1944

OVER KAVIENG: Sixteen patrolling Emirau F4Us bombed the Kavieng-Panapai area. One patrol met moderate heavy AA. A steady stream of smoke was seen from Ungalik Island.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr 16x500.

GREEN ISLAND PATROLS: Green Island F4U patrols over Rabaul were generally negative except for the sighting of 29 trucks in Rabaul and along the W side of the hbr. When leaving station the first patrol investigated at the request of gunboats seven beached barges in Nakudukudu Bay. Six were found to be known hulks, and the seventh can now presumably be included in that category since it was strafed and fired.

CAPE GAZELLE - CAPE ARCHWAY SWEEPS: There were two 4-plane sweeps by Torokina F4Us. The first one, on its way home, fired a large wooden shed at Kurkurnat (King Bay area, SW New Ireland). Intense accurate MG fire came from the centre of Put Put Pltn, hitting one plane at 200 ft; and accurate fire from 2 MG S. of the Warabu R., hitting another F4U at 200:
The second sweep, like the first, just missed the mark with its bombs.
However, strafing fired a 100 x 20' hut at the N end of Kabanga Bay and a smaller native hut was left smoking. In the Lendip Pltn area a truck was slightly smoked. Meagre inaccurate MG fire came from the Mope area. At 1515 a great amount of greyish - white smoke was seen coming from a point about 2 1/2 miles S of Rapopo.
PUT PUT - KERAVAT: Three sweeps, involving 11 Torokina F4Us, covered this area. One bomb from the first sweep fell among a hut concentration S. of Keravat strip. Light and inaccurate AA came from S. coast of Watom Island and from between Keravat strip and the river, fire from the latter place including some 20mm.
The second sweep saw one of its bombs blow out the W. span of a bridge over the Keravat River near the coast. Two more demolished four huts near gardens on the E bank of the river. Intense and accurate light AA came from between the strip and river, with flashes also seen from the S. coast of Watom Is.
Three planes on the final sweep possibly damaged the remaining span of the Warangoi River bridge.

DUKE OF YORK - CAPE LAMBERT: Four planes on this sweep planted two bombs only a few yards from a 60x20 ft sawmill 2-3 miles E of Keravat gardens. Results were largely unobserved but a small native type hut nearby was completely demolished. Strafing flamed a stationary truck loaded with logs. In Mandres Plantation a 60x20 ft tin-roofed building smoked slightly.
On another sweep over the same area pilots of four F4Us believe they demolished several huts 1 1/2 miles NE of Keravat. A direct hit among 20 of 30 huts on the NW tip of Watom Island flattened six. The target had the appearance of a camp area. The huts were arranged in orderly rows with gardens in the vicinity.

For the Record:

27 F4Us NZ 19 load 1x1000 dr 14x1000 2 dam.

TARGET: NEW IRELAND.
The business of picking off targets of opportunity on New Ireland went on merrily yesterday. All told 114 planes dropped 65 tons of bombs. Opening the attack, 5 PVs had good hunting. The fired 17 huts at various points, one of them a very large one N of Amba. An explosion resulted from a hit on a large camouflaged building at Karu Pltn. and another building was fired at Bulu Pltn. A new bridge in the Pinis area was destroyed and the repaired approach to another at Kimidan Pltn. blown out. Meagre MG fire came from Kamiraba Pltn.
Fifteen Piva F4Us hit a bridge in Belik Pltn and smoked several huts. Intense accurate light AA with tracers to 3500 ft. came from guns in a clearing 2 miles E of Namatanai. One plane was last seen strafing these guns and when search was made for it smoke was seen rising to 150 ft. from nearby jungle. Another plane water-landed near Feni Island. Dumbo rescued the pilot.
A sweep of 8 Torokina F4Us caused billowing black smoke to over 500' from six huts on the NE side of Lamassa Island. Another four planes two bombs among Matankuk Pltn huts but results were unobserved. Strafing fired four huts in the area. Two MGs were seen firing from a mile W of Namatanai.
Emirau had 28 F4Us and 24 SBDs operating N. of the Roger Young Pltn-Munawai Head line. The SBDs destroyed one building and damaged four; the F4Us destroyed a sawmill and a bridge near Ululnono, also two buildings and a hut elsewhere.
Ten 3-plane SBD strikes were out from Green Island. Three bridges were hit, also buildings at Matangahurl, Maritsoan, Matandukuk and Kokola Pltns and at Cape Siar. Two medium fires were seen at Matangahurl. A hit was scored on a bivouac area near the Ujam River and supplies were seen on the bank of the first river S. of the Ujam. There was no flak.

For the Record:

5 VFs NZ 9 0800 - 0910 load 6x500 dr 30x500
15 F4Us VMO 251 0937 - 1300 load 1x1000 dr 15x1000 2 lost
12 F4Us NZ 14 1025 - 1045 load 1x1000 dr 12x1000
24 SBDs Emirau load 1x500 dr 23x500
                                2x250 48x250
28 F4Us Emirau load 1x1000 dr 28x1000
30 SBDs Green 1220 load 1x1000 dr 30x1000
                       1730 2x100 60x100

BOUGAINVILLE STRIKES
Moroni Village, scene of a reported Nip concentration, received considerable attention. Two PVs first put 12 half tonners on the target with unobserved results. Two more followed to destroy 14 huts and damage five more and then another, leading TBFs to the scene in the afternoon, burnt up another 4 huts.
Ten TBFs report covering the target well and causing several fires. From 8-12 huts were seen burning. The village is now reported to be wiped out.
In the morning a similar force of TBFs attacked Rumba Mission, where Nips are also reported to be living. The two mission villages were set afire.
causing white smoke to rise to 1000'. The Rumba and Bova River mouth areas were thoroughly strafed. Flashes, evidently from meagge MG fire, came from the point of the peninsula between Arawa and Anawa Bays.

For the Record:

2 PVs NZ 9 0755 - 0810 load 6x500 dr 12x500
2 " " 1020 " 6x500 dr 12x500
1 " " 1420 " 6x500 dr 6x500
10 TBFs NZ 31 1430 " 4x500 dr 40x500
10 TBFs " 0920 " 4x500 dr 38x500 from 1-2000' (Rumba)

TARGET: SAMIEI BARGE HIDE.
Two Torokina F4Us attacked the above target, one bomb falling directly behind a slipway. From each of the two slipways iron rails and cables run into the jungle. The third plane's bomb missed gun emplacements on Kangu Hill, from which intense and accurate 20mm fire was received.

For the Record:

3 F4Us NZ 19 1400 load 1x500 dr 3x500.

SEARCHES FOR JULY 22
Beefsteak searches were all negative with full track and 80% cover. Sector Uncle at 0800 Love received a friendly recognition signal from a destroyer at 150-00 Easy on the equator. The course was North and the speed 15 knots. Flying conditions were below average with a moderate frontal area extending 01 to 03 degrees North.
Squarepeg searches were all negative with 100% truck and 97% cover. The weather was good.
The local Able and Charlie searches each by 2 New Zealand Avengers dropped 16x500 on targets of opportunity. A bridge near Toborei Plantation was damaged.
The Torokina - New Ireland sweep, the shipping count and the Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 24 July 1944

OVER KAVIENG: Eight two plane F4U patrols dropped 16 quarter ton bombs on Kavieng and nearby areas without observed results.

For the Record:

16 F4U Emirau load 1x500 drop. 16x500

GREEN ISLAND FIGHTERS: Patrols over Rabaul had full coverage for negative results.

DUKE OF YORK-CAPE LAMBERT: A 4-plane sweep bombed a camp near the NW tip of Gazelle Peninsula without observed result and also riddled a truck and a rowboat. Pilots reported no sign of life between Cape Lambert and Massava Bay but groups of huts under the coconuts on the SE slopes of ranges NW of Malabunga appeared to be used. A 20 mm gun firing from Tawui Py holed one plane and an MG fired from KURAKAKAUL Pltn.

CAPE ARCHWAY-CAPE GAZELLE: Two 4-plane sweeps covered this area. Two bombs fell close to a rusty but seemingly serviceable barge in Put Put hrb. Other bombs missed a bridge at the mouth of the Kabanga R. Strafing slightly smoked a truck at Bulung Pltn and an MG beside the truck stopped firing after being strafed. Tracer fire was seen to come from alongside the Put Put barge.

PUT PUT-KERVAT: Two 8-plane sweeps covered this area. Bombs possibly hit a bridge over the Keravat river, demolished two huts nearby, cratered the approach to a bridge over an inlet opposite Induna Island, and scored a direct hit on two large tin-roofed huts at the Vunakanau radio station, sending debris flying through the air. Strafing smoked a truck on the Vunakanau Tobera road, and riddled a 6-wheeled truck at Matakabang. Intense accurate fire from twin auto guns from a garden plot 5 miles S of Vunakanau holed one plane in three places.

For the Record:
28 F4Us NZ 14, 19, 21 load 1x1000 drop 11x1000 2 dam
                            or 1x500 " 16x500


TARGET: CAPE GAZELLE TO RALUANA PT.
The tactics of successive small strikes on targets of opportunity, employed recently over New Ireland, were used yesterday along strips of coast ranging east and south of Cape Gazelle.
Fighter-bombers took the former area. Torokina F4Us flew five 4-plane sweeps in not always favourable weather (a sixth sweep was weathered out). With their bombs they put several craters at the base of a jutty at Vunapope, possibly damaged another jetty E of Lesson Pt, and possibly damaged packing cases alongside the main road W of Vunapope. Strafing fired two trucks (which were seen burning by later sweeps), also a Zeke with a damaged tail at Rapopo field, and smoked 3 or 4 huts 500 yards W of Vunapope.
Intense and accurate 20mm and MG fire from Raluana Pt was encountered by the first sweep, also meagre inaccurate MG fire from Ralum. Two other sweeps received meagre inaccurate auto fire from Rapopo (target Charlie).
Earlier on the scene, 12 Piva F4Us put their bombs on the supply area between Ralum and Vunapope without observed result. A small fire with smoke to 100 feet was seen coming from buildings just W of Rapopo. Huts and beaches were strafed on the way out.

For the Record:
12 F4Us VMO 251 0745 Load 1x1000 drop. 12x1000
20 F4Us NZ 19 0900 " 1x5000 drop. 16x500
             NZ 21 1200

TARGET: CAPE GAZELLE - PUT PUT
While the fighter-bombers were busy between Cape Gazelle and Raluana Pt, 30 SBDs in 3-plane strikes spent the morning working over the stretch of coast southward from Cape Gazelle. Their score added up to 12 huts a buildings seen destroyed plus a direct hit on a barracks-like building at Livuan and other hits on or among buildings with unreported results. Four bursts of MG fire came from Kulon Pltn and three bursts of auto fire from the shore farther south.

For the Record:

30 SBDs Green Is. 0920 load 1x500 drop. 30x500
                           1200 load 2x100 drop. 59x100

TARGET: NEW IRELAND
Seven PVs ranged again over New Ireland. They report destroying two huts at Karu Pltn; a building and six huts at Lossu Pltn; a hut at Lamussong Pltn, where 3 fires were also started; a truck and 2 huts at Penipol Pltn. Bridges were damaged at Kimidan and Belik Pltns and the approach to a third damaged at Kamiraba Pltn. Two bombs landed among a herd of cattle at Karu Pltn.
Moderate accurate MG fire from Kimidan Pltn holed one plane. Meagre fire came from Namtanai but the aircraft were out of range. One plane made an emergency landing at Green Island. The crew was unhurt.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 0805 - 0950 load 6x500 drop. 42x500 1 dam.

BOUGAINVILLE STRIKES
Though definite damage assessment was not possible because of dense foliage, 12 TBFs left very tangible evidence of an attack on the reported Nip bivouac area at Rorovana. Several fires were started and one large column of black smoke rose to between 1500 and 2000 ft. The area was also strafed.

For the Record:

12 TBFs NZ 31 0905 load 4x500 drop. 47x500

Four F4Us weathered out from Rabaul, bombed AA positions on Motupena Pt, one bomb raising a hight flame. Inaccurate 20mm fire was received. Another 4 F4Us on the dawn patrol dropped a 500 lb bomb on huts at Mainuta, damaging one. Camp fires were seen near the mouths of the Puriata and Mibo.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x1000 drop. 4x1000
           NZ 19 or 1x500 drop. 1x500

SEARCHES FOR JULY 23:
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover. The weather was good.
Beefsteak searches not reported.
Local Able and Charlie searches by 2 Corsairs were negative. They observed no signs of life. The huts along the NE and NW shores of Buka appeared deserted.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep, the shipping count and the Emirau antisub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 25 July 1944

OVER KAVIENG: Seven 2-plane F4U patrols dropped 13 quarter-tonners in the vicinity of Kavieng with unobserved results.

GREEN ISLAND FIGHTERS: Patrols over Rabaul had full coverage but were all negative. Medium-sized fires were seen at WALAUR.

DUKE OF YOUK-CAPE LAMBERT: On a sweep between these points 4 Torokina F4Us narrowly missed a bridge two miles N of Keravat strip and put a crater in cross roads about a mile N of MATAKABANG (Talili Bay). A jetty at Kabaira Bay was strafed without visible result.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 1535 load 1x500 dr. 4x500

TARGET: CAPE GAZELLE-PUT PUT.
Over the above area 30 SBDs in 3-plane sections hit targets of opportunity between 0930 and 1145. A "direct demolishing" hit was scored on 12 Buildings in MATALA Pltn. and another on a block house in KABANGA Pltn. A large building S. of the former radio station at BITA PAKA was demolished and a 30-minute fire started among huts along the shore of the KABANGA River. Other damage caused included the following: fire with black smoke in hut area at PUT PUT, building E of crossroads in BULONG Pltn. fired; bridge across Kubanga River fired; three or four buildings damaged at Mokurapau.
One plane received serveral shrapnel holes from an unreported locality.

For the Record:
30 SBDs Green 0930 load 1x500 dr. 30x500 1 dam.
                        1145 load 2x100 dr. 60x100

TARGET: WALAUR
Emirau planes (12 F4Us and 18 SBDs) hit WALAUR with 15 tons of bombs. They report that the area was well covered and that two large explosions followed by fires were seen in the target area. Two F4Us, turned back by mechanical difficulties, dropped two half-tonners on the Kavieng area.
Light, moderate and inaccurate AA came from the vicinity of Vulcan Crater.

For the Record:

12 F4Us Emirau 0930 load 1x1000 dr. 12x1000
18 SBDs Emirau 0940 load 1x1000 dr. 18x1000

TARGET: NEW IRELAND
Six PVs returned to New Ireland to strike targets of opportunity south of Medina. One hut was destroyed at Cape BAKAN and three more at LAMINNIS Pltn. The approach to a bridge over the SALIK River was cratered. Accurate MG fire from KIMIDAN Pltn. hit one PV, fracturing a gunner's leg.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 0830 load 6x500 dr. 36x500 1 dam.
                 0915

Searches for July 24.
Beefsteak searches were all negative with 96% track and cover. The weather was excellent.
Squarpeg searches were negative with full track and cover. The weather was good.
Local Able and Charlie searches by 2 Corsairs strafed targets of opportunity. Torokina-Rabaul sweep, the shipping count, and the Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 26 July 1944

OVER KAVIENG: Fourteen Emirau F4Us dropped 11 quarter-tonners on the Kavieng area with unobserved results. Some meagre inaccurate AA was seen.

GREEN ISLAND FIGHTERS: F4U patrols over the Rabaul area sank a native canoe with 4 occupants off Kabiletap (Duke of York) and sighted 7-8 floating spherical objects in the same place. Three mine-like objects were also seen midway between Tawui Pt and Watom Is. In the afternoon a large fire was seen on Watom Island and another smoking to 1500 feet near Vunakanau. The first two patrols received meagre to moderate heavy and auto fire from Tobera.

TARGET: VULCAN CRATER BARGE HIDE
Thirty Green Island SBDs scheduled to hit AA positions near Vulcan Crater and Keravia Bay, reported that two of their century bombs hit a shed on the N side of the inlet which constitutes the Vulcan Crater barge hide. Most of the other bombs were in the target areas but the explosions obscured results. Moderate but inaccurate AA fire of all categories came from many points, with the addition of moderate accurate auto fire from Raluana Pt.
In co-ordination with the above strike, Emirau planes attacked the barge hideout and reported good coverage of the barge sheds and beached barges. One burst of 40 mm fire came from the Beehives and meagre light AA from Vulcan Crater. One F4U made a water landing 30 miles from Emirau on the return journey, the pilot being speedily rescued by a PT boat in the area. Photos showed one barge slipway and a 50 ft serviceable barge destroyed. Five new craters were visible on the point NE of Vulcan Crater.

For the Record:

30 SBDs Green 0835 load 1x1000 drop. 28x1000
                                       " 2x100 " 56x100
16 F4Us Emirau 0830 " 1x1000 " 15x1000
16 SBDs Emirau 0837 " 1x1000 " 16x1000

TARGET: KERAVIA BAY
The same area was hit by 4 Torokina F4Us which planted one of their bombs directly on a cluster of 4 huts on Raluana Pt. Otherwise the sweep, conducted from tree-top height, was negative.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 1012 load 1x500 drop. 4x500

TARGET: KIMIDAN PLTN.
Six PVs reported complete coverage of Kimidan Pltn, where supplies were recently seen in photographs, with 34 quarter-ton GP and incendiary bombs. There was no visible damage, nor did there appear to pilots to be any supplies present. The plantation was strafed with 18,000 rounds. Although accurate MG fire had been received from the Plantation area on the two proceding days, there was none yesterday.

For the Record:

6 PVs 0815 load 6x500 drop. 34x500.

SEARCHES FOR JULY 25
The Beefsteak searches were all negative with full track and cover.
The ceiling and visibility was unlimited with two tenths scattered clouds. The Squadrpeg searches were all negative with full track and cover. The weather was good.
The Able-Charlie searches by 2 F4Us were negative.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep, the shipping count, and the Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

DAY ENDING 0800 27 JULY 1944

RABAUL-KAVIENG BLOCKADE

Kavieng Patrols: Sixteen Emirau F4Us dropped 13 quarter tonners on the Kavieng area and two more on Roland Young Plantation with unobserved results.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr. 15x500

Green Island Fighters: Patrols over Rabaul, with a quarter and a half-ton bomb, destroyed several quonset-type buildings at Tovakundum Pltn. Another strafed two beached barges causing two Nips to head smartly for nearby brush.

Put Put-Keravat: Two 4-plane sweeps were carried out by Torokina F4Us. One bomb landed among a cluster of huts 3 miles SW of Vunakanau and two more fell among sawmill buildings 3 1/2 miles E of Keravat. Results were unobserved. Strafing flamed 4 trucks damaged another, liquidated one Nip, fired two huts and smoked a third. One plane in each sweep was holed, one by 20 MM fire over Tobera strip.

Cape Gazelle-Cape Archway: This route also occupied the attention of two sweeps Bombing results included three hits among some 30 huts a mile S of Bita Galip, damaging at least six, and the raising of a 1500 ft. column of black smoke from near buildings in Sum Sum Pltn. In addition a truck and a hut were set on fire and another hut left smoking. One MG, firing from 3 miles W. of Bulung, holed 2 planes.

Duke of York-Cape Lambert: A single sweep over this area added to the day's truck score. Two large trucks, loaded with apparent oil drums, a mile S of Rataval were both set on fire. Flames rose above the palm trees and smoke soared to between 2000 and 3000 ft. Three more trucks were damaged and bombs caused possible damage to a barge moored to a damaged jetty in Kabaira Bay. Meagre inaccurate medium AA came from near Tunnel Hill road.

For the Record:

20 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x500 dr. 14x500 4 dam.
                 19 load 1x1000 dr. 9x1000

TARGET: TALILI BAY SUPPLIES
Eleven Piva F4Us (three with incendiary and 8 with GP bombs) dropped in the vicinity of buildings in Target 202, except that three planes, unable to locate satisfactory targets, bombed buildings to the N of the target. One small fire with black smoke came from the target area but results were otherwise unobserved. There was no AA.
Thirty Green Island SBDs reported possible hits on buildings in the same area, also in the area of AA guns. Two large fires were seen in the Dolomakas area. Moderate inaccurate MG fire was received from the vicinity of the target.

For the Record:

11 F4Us VMO 251 0920 load 1x500 dr. 11x500 from 2500/3500.
30 SBDs Green 0918 load 1x1000 dr. 30x1000
                                      2x100 dr. 60x100

TARGET: NORDUP
Nordup was the target fro 18 Emirau SBDs, which reported good coverage. Fourteen F4Us were also to have hit the same target but all but two bombed Ravalue by mistake. Results were unobserved.
Intense and inaccurate auto and MG fire came from N and S of Nordup and E of Hospital Ridge.

For the Record:

18 SBDs Emirau 0907 load 1x500 dr. 17x500
                                       2x250 dr 33x250
12 Emirau 0900 load 1x1000 dr. 12x1000

TARGET: RALUM SUPPLIES
Three F4Us stikes hit one of the Ralum supply targets, No. 46. In the morning 12 NZ planes put all their bombs in the target area without visible result. Intense heavy AA, bursting between 5000 and 8000 ft., was inaccurate. It came from inland from Ralum (targets Easy and Dog). At 1457 12 Piva F4Us resumed the attack and put 11 bombs in the target area, possibly causing one patch of black smoke. About 25 vursts of heavy inaccurate AA, also moderate and inaccurate light and auto fire from SW of Ralum, were encountered.
Later, again, 11 NZ F4Us put all their bombs in the target area without observed result. There was no AA. White smoke was seen from a fire near Vunakanau strip.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 21 0830 load 1x500 from 6000'
11 F4Us VMO 251 1457 load 1x500 from 2500/3500'
11 F4Us NZ 21 1530 load 1x500 from 3000'

TARGET: KIANBI PLANTATION
Kianbi Pltn, where recent photos have shown a number of sizeable huts concealed among trees, was attacked by 7 PVs. Their final tally was 27 huts destroyed and another damaged. In addition a hit was scored on a coral jetty at Muliama Hbr. Considerable activity was noted in the Kianbi area.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 0830 load 6x500 drop. 41x500
                 0900

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
The dawn patrol of four F4Us strafed huts and a bridge near Kara. Moderate medium and heavy fire come from gardens on the S slopes of Mt. Boeder. Two TBFs destroyed the bridge at AKU with a hit in the center of it and also demolished a small bridge over a gully in the same area.

SEARCHES FOR JULY 26
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover.
The weather was average.
Beefsteak searches had 100% track and cover. Sections Sugar Uncle and Victor were negative. Sector Tare at 1040 Love sighted 4 enemy ANs and one gunboat at 05 degrees north 15 2 degrees 50 east on a course of 150 degrees and a speed of 9 knots. The ships immediately turned to course 030 degrees piror to attacks with depth charges. The gunboat and a small AK were possibly damaged. Intense, accurate light AA was received and one new member was slightly wounded. The weather was excellent with 2/10 cover.
The local Able and Charlie searches by 2 F4Us strafed target of opportunity. The Torokina - Rabaul sweep was negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day ending 0800 28 July 1944

OVER RABAUL: The first Green Island fighter patrol over Rabaul strafed Keravat and the Cape Lambert pier without visible results. Two half tonners missed the Lilina-Kaia Wharf. The second sweep destroyed four huts at Tovakundum Pltn. and probably two more. The three later sweeps were negative.

OVER KAVIENG: Eight two-plane patrols dropped 15 quarter tonners on Kavieng with unobserved results.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr. 15x500

PUT PUT-KORAVAT-MALABUNGA: Three F4Us sweeping this area were unable to find a sawmill target at Koravat because of showers so bombed 6-7 native huts on the W side of the Koravat experimental gardens. Two huts were completely demolished and four others damaged. Once again truck targets were plentiful. In the Malabunga area two were smoked and three damaged . About a mile S of the SW end of the Bobera strip pilots spotted a 60' by 40' building thought to be a sawmill. (It had cut lumber inside it).
When strafing trucks N of Malabunga one plane was hit by 20MM fire, apparently from the ridge on the E side of the road and by two or three 30 caliber bullets fired from the opposite side of the road. Fairly accurate medium AA came from just SW of Tobera, other probable medium fire from about two miles SW of Vunakanau; and 4 1/2 miles inland from the S end of Kabanga Bay. One medium gun fired several rounds.

DUKE OF YORK-CAPE LAMBERT: This was an uneventful mission. Bombs missed huts at the Talili Bay crossroads and no strafing targets were found. AA of varying accuracy came from Tawui PT and Tailili Bay.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x500 dr. 11x500 3 dam.
                  21

TARGET: TOBERA SUPPLIES.
Tobera supply area No 35, N of the field, was hit by Piva F4Us and Green Island Dauntlesses. Photos later showed that 16 buildings had been destroyed. The F4Us reported all their bombs in the target area, but saw no results. A blockhous 2 1/2 niles E of Tobera was strafed. Three or four small fires were seen No of Vunakanau. There was no AA.
The 30 SBDs report starting four sizeable fires smoking from 500 to 1000 ft. and destroying a large rectangular building. In addition damaging hits were reported on an auto AA position. One division strafed and sank a 40 ft. barge half a mile off Ralum. Meagre inaccurate MG fire came from the Vunapope area.

For the Record:

14 F4Us VMO 251 1015 load 1x500 mag. cl. dr. 14x500 from 2500
30 SBDs Green 1015 load 2x1000 dr. 28x1000
                                      2x100 60x100

Emirau planes (18 SBDs and 10 F4Us ) hit the Malaguna area. One large fire causing smoke to 2000 ft and several small ones were started. Moderate inaccurate MG and auto fire came from several points. Two F4Us which returned early with hydraulic trouble dropped their half-tonners on the Kavieng area. Photos showed two small piers destroyed.

For the Record:

10 F4Us Emirau 0900 load 1x1000 dr 12 1/2 tons
18 SBDs Emirau 0910 load 1x1000

TARGET: RALUM.
In rapid succession two Torokina F4U strikes hit one of the Ralum supply areas (No 45). The first 12 planes put all their bombs into the target area. One bomb caused a 200 ft column of black smoke. From about 20 miles out the pilots saw 5-6 blobs of white smoke in the target area but those had disappeared by the time the planes were over the target.
Five minutes later the second strike put four bombs into the target area and five more to the N of it without observed result. Two were jettisoned. There was no AA.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 21 1025 load 1x500 dr 12x500
12 F4Us NZ 19 1030 load 1x500 dr 3x500
                                 or 1x1000 7x1000

TARGET: IBU
16 PVs from Piva in two strikes hit Ibu bivouac and supply area on Bougainville at the request of the XIV Corps. A good coverage of the target was reported, but observation was nil due to heavy foliage.
For the Record:

8 PVs NZ 9 0725 load 4x500 G.P. dr 31x500
                        2x500 oil incend dr 16x500
8 PVs NZ 9 1010 load 6x500 G.P. dr 48x500

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
Four F4Us on the dawn patrol located, 1 1/2 miles south of Monoitu Mission, a three-ton truck loaded wuth crated vegetables and heading for Kahili. Strafing scattered vegetables over the road but drew only slight smoke from the truck, which was difficult to get at. Later in the morning the same four pilots were unable to find the truck.
Four other planes set out to hit the Samie River barge hide but after three treetop runs had failed to reveal a target they dropped their bombs among huts along the coast between the Samiei and Mal Rivers. There were no observed results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x500 dr 4x500
                 19

SEARCHES FOR JULY 27
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and 95% cover. The weather was good except for a mild front 50 miles wide 250 miles from base.
Beefsteak searches were negative. All sectors averaged 75% track and cover. The weather was above average, but a front was developing. North of the equator 153 degrees East.
The local Able and Charlie searches by 2 F4Us of VMO 251 strafed 3 Japs lying in the sand along NE shore of Buka. They observed a soldier dresded in a green uniform wearing an American type helmet running ashore through the surf at the western tip of Madehas Inland. They did not straft him.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep and the shipping count were negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 29 July 1944

OVER RABAUL: Fighter patrols from Green Island burnt a loaded truck at the Keravat experimental farms and demolished 4 huts on Watom Island. A hit on huts at Wangaramut produced a huge flame with black and white smoke to 2000 ft.

OVER KAVIENG: Ten F4Us dropped 6 quarter tonners with unobserved results.

For the Record:

10 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 drop. 6x500.

PUT PUT - MALABUNGA - KERAVAT
Four F4Us sweeping this area dropped 1 bomb on a sawmill SE of Keravat strip. It landed in the midst of some stacked timber and scattered it without fire. 2 small buildings were destroyed. Strafing killed 2 Japs SW of Mope. Many Japs were observed in the Malabunga area. Strafing smoked an empty 3 ton truck SW of Napapar. Pilots observed 3 trucks on the main road at Napaper but from Vunakanau prevented strafing. AA fire was meagre inaccurate MG fire from a position along the ridge road west of Mt Varzin. This holed 1 F4U. The usual fire from south of Vunakanau strip was meagre inaccurate and medium. In the afternoon four F4Us strafed the experimental gardens at Keravat with unobserved results. They also strafed the Tavilo plantation garden area leaving 2 huts smoking. These four planes received no AA.

For the Record:

8 F4Us NZ 19 load 4x1000 drop. 4x1000 1 dam.
                14

CAPE GAZELLE - CAPE ARCHWAY
Four F4Us swept over this coastal area, dropping 4x500 with unobserved results. Strafing left one hut smoking at Ralabang plantation. The AA fire was nil.
A second sweep landed one bomb among huts at Ralabang Pltn with unobserved results and then went on for a strafing picnic. They flamed two trucks (one a gasoline truck, the resulting fire burning down a hut) and damaged three more, one loaded with vegetables and containing also an outsize in Nips. The portly gentleman escaped. No AA was seen.

For the Record:

8 F4U NZ 14 load 1x500 drop. 4x500
              19 or 1x1000 " 3x1000

DUKE OF YORK-CAPE LAMBERT
Four F4Us dropped 4x500 on a sawmill 3 1/2 SE of Keravat strip with unobserved results. They observed at least 12 huts in the sawmill clearing. Strafing riddled a large rowboat 15-20 foot on the east side of Sussum point, and damaged but could not smoke a camouflaged empty barge almost hidden under the trees on SE Duke of York. AA was nil.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 load 4x500 drop. 4x500

TARGET: TOBERA 36
Sixteen Piva F4Us, scheduled to hit the above target, were compelled by weather to divide their attentions between that area and targets of opportunity. Observed results were three fires with white smoke from the Vunupope area. One smoked to 500 ft. Large fires were also seen in Rabaul, in the Vulcan Crater and Vunakanau areas. AA was moderate to intense, 1ight and inaccurate from Hospital Ridge and Nordup. Photos showed three buildings destroyed in the Tobera target area.

For the Record:

16 F4Us VMO 251 load 1x1000 drop. 15x1000

TARGET: VUNAPOPE
Vunapope supply areas were attacked by 12 F4Us with mag. clusters. Visible results were three small fires which at the end of 10 minutes were sending black smoke to 400'. At 1000 billowing white smoke to 3/4000' was seen coming from a hillside just N of Rabaul. No AA was seen but two planes were hit by probable 50 calibre fire.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 1005 load 1x500 mag cl. drop 12x500

TARGET: NORDUP
Scheduled to hit Tobera No 36, 30 Green Island SBDs found it closed in and hit Nordup instead, reporting good coverage with damage to huts and buildings. From Hospital Ridge came intense accurate auto fire and from other points round about the target there was moderate auto fire of varying accuracy, also intense and accurate MG fire. Five planes were holed.

For the Record:

30 SBDs Green 0927 load 1x1000 drop. 27x1000
                                      2x100 57x100 5 dam.

TARGET: MALAGUNA AREA
Target 108, between Malaguna and Rabaul, was hit by Emirau planes - 13 F4Us and 18 SBDs. The area was reported to be well covered with numerous hits on buildings causing four fires. After strike photos showed 15 small buildings destroyed. Auto and MG fire was moderate to intense and accurate, damaging one F4U.

For the Record:

13 F4Us Emirau 0912 load 1x1000 drop. 12x1000
18 SBDs Emirau 0910 " 1x1000 " 18x1000

TARGET: KABAGADA PT-CAPE LIGUAN
Six PVs which set out to hit the above target were called back to take part in a search, jettisoning their bombs over the water. One PV, not receiving the instruction, went on the target. Near Tovakundum Pltn it demolished a building, which sent back smoke to 400 ft. Another fire was also caused.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 9 0912 load 6x500 drop. 4x500

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
There was little activity over Bougainville. Two Wing TBFs, each carrying 12x100, demolished a 25 ft bridge at Laguai on the Kahili road and also destroyed a culvert near Kara. The Aku bridge, destroyed a few days ago, has been replaced. Two F4Us on a Green Island poop sheet hop strafed a group of huts along the shore of Queen Carola Hbr. with unobserved results.

SEARCHES FOR JULY 28:
Beefsteak searches were negative with 80 percent track and cover. Rain squalls with 3 to 4 tenths cloud cover and bases from 1000 to 1500 feet were encountered.
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover. The weather was above average.
Local Able and Charlie searches by 2 F4Us from VMO 251 strafed and probably killed 1 naked Jap on the beach at Cape Putputun, and killed by strafing 2 naked Japs on the beach at Gogohe.
The shipping count, Torokina-Rabaul sweep, and Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 30 July 1944.

Over Kavieng: Ten F4Us dropped 7 quarter-tonners on Kavieng, Roland Young Plantation and Lauan Bay with unobserved results.

For the Record:

10 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr. 7x500

Over Rabaul: Operations of Rabaul patrols were hampered by weather. The first turned back, the second was negative and the third scored two bomb hits on huts at Tovakundum Pltn. The last two patrols were weathered out.

For the Record:

6 F4Us Green load 1x100 dr. 4x100

TARGET: PRAED POINT
Attacking Praed Pt. 30 Green Island SBDs reported that gun positions, the main building area in the center of the target and another building area in the NE part of the target were well covered. However, smoke and dust obscured definite observation. Moderate to intense accurate auto and M/G fire damaged three planes slightly and one more severely.

For the Record:

30 SBDs Green 0920 load 1x1000 dr. 28x1000 4 dam.
                                      2x100 56x100

TARGET: NAMATANAI-MEDINA
Seven PVs which hit the above area found that a large proportion of their bombs were duds. The few others destroyed one bridge and six huts. There was no AA. The bombs which failed to explode had been dropped without tails to see if they could be used in that form for low-altitude bombing, as when fitted with tails they cannot be used in PV racks.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 0855 load 6x500 dr. 42x500 (34 duds)
                 0930

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
With Rabaul clouded out for pianos from Torokina, Bougainville targets yesterday again played the role of alternate objectives.
Ten F4Us originally scheduled for Vunapope divided their mag. clusters among a number of targets. Two fires were started at the Monoitu Mission gardens and another in apparent bundles of straw at gardens NE of Shishigatero. Three huts were fired near Tiropa and another one at Piano Mission. On a spit at the Samiei R mouth possible camouflaged barges were bombed without visible result. The recently reported iron rails and steel hawsers at the slipway are reported to have been removed, though the wooden sleepers remain.
A small barge 100 yds up the Samiei was strafed with unobserved results. A dozen bursts of accurate 20 mm fire came from the Mt Boeder - Muguai area.
Sixteen Piva F4Us, called back when on their way to hit Praed Pt, bombed Sohana Island without observed results. A few AA flashes were seen on the ground.
In the afternoon another strike of 16 planes dropped their bombs on huts in SW Bougainville. Two of the bombs were classed as confirmed damaging hits.
Four Torokina F4Us bombed building concentrations at Tobago for one direct hit. One bomb cratered a road near a bridge at Kara.
Two TBFs hit a bridge on the S side of Kieta Hbr, destroyed 2 -3 huts at Pitia, and damaged a bridge on Mission Pt. They saw several camouflaged huts on a ridge S of Kieta Hbr. and a camouflaged warehouse in Kieta town.

For the Record:

10 F4Us NZ 19 1125 load 1x500 mag. cl. dr. 10x500 fr. 2000'
16 F4Us VMO 251 0910 " 1x1000 drop. 16x1000
16 F4Us " " 1400 " 1x1000 " 16x1000 fr. 1800'
4 F4Us NZ 21 1010 " 1x500 " 4x500 " 800'
2 TBF Wing 1345 " 12x100 " 24x100
                 1540

SEARCHES FOR JULY 29
Squarepeg searches were negative with 100% track and cover. Frontal condition was at the 260 mile mark with a cloud base of 700 foot.
Beefsteak searches in sector Tare were 100 percent track 90 percent cover, and dropped 4x500 on 40 ft. Jap fishing boat lying dead in water 20 miles West of Satawan and 20 miles South Namoluk. The plane also strafed, but the boat was still afloat after attack with no sign of life aboard. Sector Uncle had 100 percent track and 90 percent cover and dropped 4x500 on a listing 150 ton AK in Satawan lagoon receiveing intense inaccurate medium AA from North tip Satawan. No damaged claimed. Sector Victor had 20 percent track 10 percent cover. It could not penetrate the frontal area 150 miles north of Emirau.
Sector Sugar had 100% track and 95% cover with negative results. A frontal area extended from Emirau to the equator, and the weather beyond the equator was 3/10 cloud cover based at 2000 feet.
The local Able and Charlie search by 2 F4Us of VMO 251 was negative. They smoked a hut near Kieta.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 31 July 1944

OVER KAVIENG: Eight two-plane F4U patrols dropped 14x500# bombs in the Kavieng area with unobserved results.

For the Record:

16 F4U Emriau load 1x500 drop. 14x500

OVER RABAUL: Only two patrols from Green Island reached Rabaul. Results of bombing were the destruction of three huts at Matanakiwus and three more, with others damaged, at Tovakundum Pltn, where smoke rose to 500 ft.

For the Record:

8 F4U Green load 1x1000 drop. 6x1000

NEW IRELAND SWEEP: Four F4Us fired several huts in the Borpop area, destroyed about six more at Pummalon Pltn and a 40 ft square building at Kombon Pltn.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 19 load 1x500 dr. 4x500

TARGET: RATAVAL 127
In spite of unfavorable weather 24 New Zealand Corsairs were able to reach the Rataval supply areas. The results of the half tonners dropped by the first flight of 12 planes were obscured by showers over the whole area. Two bombs hung up, one overshooting and the other being jettisoned. Of the others, 3 were in the target area. Moderate and inaccurate AA was noticed from 4 possible 20mm guns located 100 yards SW of Cape Tawui. The second flight of 12 Corsairs placed 7 of their half tonners in the target area starting 6 fires. Two of these were very large, pushing dark brown smoke to 1000 ft.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 21 0840 load 1x1000 inst. drop. 10x1000
12 F4Us NZ 19 0910 " 1x1000 " " 12x1000

TARGET: S NEW IRELAND
Seven NZ Venturas striking target of opportunity along the east coast of New Ireland between Borpop and East Cape destroyed 1 hut at Samo, 2 huts at Himau Plantation, 2 huts at Kandaus Plantation and 1 large hut south of Cape Sona. Damaged were 3 buildings in the vicinity of Muliama Harbor, a house at Pummalum Pltn. and 2 huts south of Cape Sona. At Pummalum Pltn. a herd of approximately 100 cattle was observed.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 0835 load 6x250 GP 4/5 sec. drop. 42x250
                 0915

Thirty Green SBDs weathered out of their primary target at Tobera struck the east coast of New Ireland with half tonners and centuries and reported the following results: buildings at Matangahurl, Polli, and Lamassong Plantations damaged, a bridge damaged N of Cape Bakan and a building burned near Borpop. Moderate inaccurate 20mm fire came from the Nabuto Bay area, meagre inaccurate auto fire from Belik Pltn. and possible MG fire from Kamidan Pltn.

For the Record:

30 SBDs Green load 1x1000 1/100 sec. dr. 30x1000
                                     " 2x100 inst. " 60x100

TARGET: N. NEW IRELAND
Eight F4Us from Emirau dropped 4 half tonners on reported coastal defences and two light AA positions on Mane Island.
They were followed by six SBDs. The area was well covered but weather obscured results. AA was meagre and inaccurate On a bridge, truck and building sweep 26 F4Us dropped
20 half tonners on Kavieng and the Roger Young Pltn area and strafed 3 trucks. Buildings at Lakurafange Mission were damaged. Light MG fire was received.
Roger Young Pltn. was attacked by 24 SBDs, several building being hit.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Emirau load 1x1000 drop. 4x1000
6 SBDs " " 1x500 " 6x500
             " 2x100 " 12x100
26 F4Us " " 1x1000 " 26x1000
24 SBDs " " 1x1000 " 24x1000

TARGET: SOHANA GUNS
Fourteen other F4Us scheduled to hit the Rataval supply area, target 127, did not penetrate the weather and dropped their 12 half tonners on the gun positions on Sohana Island and one on Chinatown, Buka Island. Results were unobserved. One bomb failed to release and was returned to base.

For the Record:

14 F4Us VMO 251 1030 load 1x1000 inst. drop. 13x1000

TARGET: EBERY'S LEASE, BOUGAINVILLE
Low clouds made selection of the target difficult but 4 Torokina F4Us put their quarter tonners in the northern, part of Ebery's Lease with unobserved results. Fairly accurate meagre MG tracer fire came from the NE end of Kara strip and inaccurate meagre 20 mm tracers came from the S end of the strip.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 1500 load 1x500 inst. drop. 4x500

Two TBFs, bombing again in the Kieta area, destroyed a camouflaged warehouse and several huts with 24x100.
An F6F pilot, down in bad weather yesterday afternoon, was found 10 miles W of Taiof Is. as darkness approached by a NZ F4U, after which Dumbo made the rescue.

SEARCHES FOR JULY 30
Beefsteak searches in sector Tare observed an upside down life raft on the south side of Namoluk atoll, and a 200 ton AK at the dock on the NW side of Satawan lagoon with slight list to port. There were no signs of life around the freighter. The searches were otherwise negative with 100% track and 80% cover. The weather was excellent.
Squarepeg searches in sector Xray went full distance with full coverage. Sector William went 350 miles from 65% coverage. Engine trouble was responsible for the short track of only 350 miles. Visibility was unlimited.
The local Able and Charlie searches were canceled because of weather.
The Torokina-Rabaul sweep, the shipping, count, and the Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 1 August 1944.

BOUGAINVILLE BLOCKADE

KAVIENG PATORLS: Four 2-plane F4U patrols dropped 8 quarter tonners on the Kavieng area with unobserved results.

For the Record:

8 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 drop. 8x500

TARGET: NORDUP (or MANE ISLAND)
Damaging hits were scored at Nordup by 15 Emirau F4Us. They received no AA. This was the only strike to reach Rabaul. Three more F4Us and 15 SBDs, turned back by weather, bombed Mane Island where a jetty was hit. There was no AA.

For the Record:

15 F4Us Emirau 0900 load 1x1000 drop. 15x1000 (Nordup)
15 SBDs " 0930 " 1x1000 " 15x1000
3 F4Us " 0930 " 1x1000 " 3x1000 (Mane Is.)

TARGET: EAST CAPE-BORPOP
Targets in this area were attacked by six PVs, another having returned with engine trouble. Two buildings were destroyed at Muliama Hbr, three at Maritsoan Pltn, one building and five huts at Cape Sena and a hut at East Cape. The entire area was strafed.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 0845 load 6x250 GP drop. 34x250
                 0920

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
Principal target for 10 F4Us was the hulk off the end of Kahili strip. Seven bombs straddled the ship and one which landed on the shoreline opposite the bow caused a sheet of flame followed by slight smoke. Three 1000 lb bombs missed the bridge over the Uguimo River. One burst of inaccurate heavy AA came from Kangu Hill.
Three planes which went to the Samiei River started a small fire, with white smoke which lasted half an hour, on the point just W of the river. A small possibly serviceable barge in the river was hit by strafing but did not smoke and is thought to have been resting on the bottom. Four camouflaged barges of unknown serviceability were seen under trees about 100 yards up the river. A hut in the same area was hit but did not smoke. Meagre inaccurate MG fire came from the direction of Ebery's Lease.
Unable to locate Tobago buildings four more planes possibly damaged a 60 ft bridge over the Samiei R. Meagre inaccurate medium fire came from E of Mt Boeder.
Four VMF 212 planes on the dusk patrol searching the mouth of the Saniei for reported barges found only three brush-covered and shot up hulks.

For the Record:

17 F4Us NZ 19 load 1x1000 drop. 10x1000
                             or 1x500 " 7x500
4 F4Us VMF 212

TARGET: CHOISEUL
Tarekekeri Village, in the Choisoul Bay area, was hit by 27 Munda SBDs. Three hits were seen on a pier but results were otherwise unobserved. A few MG tracers from Sipasai Island constituted the only AA seen.

For the Record:

27 SBDs Munda 0950 load 1x500 drop. 26x500
                                     " 2x250 " 45x250

SEARCHES FOR JULY 31:
Beefsteak searches were negative with 100% track and 75% cover. A frontal area extended from Emirau to 01 degree north with 9/10 clouds and squalls beyond.
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover. The weather was average with visibility of 20 to 30 miles. At the 400 mile mark there was a weak front with rain.
The local Able and Chralie searches, the Torokina-Rabaul sweep and the shipping count were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 2 August 1944.

Over Kavieng:
Six two-plane F4U patrols harassed the area with 11 quarter tonners with unobserved results.

For the Record:

12 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr 11x500

Over Rabaul: Green Island patrols over Rabaul hit four buildings at Kabagada Pt., also two huts a mile to the E, besides firing a hut at Natava. Two 20' x 60' buildings were destroyed (one E of Wunawatung Pltn., one E of the Vudal river). One plane went down and strafed the unserviceable Mavis which has for so long adorned the N shore of Simpson Harbor. Smoke rose to 2500 ft. One plane was holed by moderate accurate auto AA.

Duke of York-Cape Lambert: Four F4Us on this sweep had no results with their bombing but strafing riddled a truck at Matakabang and smoked a hut at Manwan Pltn. A small barge in the Tarongas R. mouth was strafed with unobserved results. Meagre, medium inaccurate AA came from a ridge E of Rataval. One plane made a water landing two miles N of Tawui Pt., the pilot being rescued by dumbo.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 14 1320 load 1x500 dr. 4x500 1 lost

NEW IRELAND SWEEPS
Three New Ireland sweeps were run by Torokina F4Us. The first one's bombs came near enough to throw debris on a bridge over a river a little S of the a jam. Scrafing flamed a large hut on the E side of Himau Pltn. A beached dinghy just above King Bay was riddled.
The second sweep's bombs missed on couple of bridges but smoked a hut near a nameless river to the E of the Hiruan R. Strafing fired four huts in the same locality and five more at other places.
On the third sweep a bomb damaged buildings in Maritsoan Pltn. Strafing smoked one shed and, off the SE corner of Lamassa Island, killed two of three Nips in an outrigger canoe. Native huts were seen smoking or burning at the S end of Kianbi Pltn., in the SE corner of Labur Bay, and N of Huru Pt.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x500 dr 12x500
                 19

TARGET: TOBOI WHARF AREA
Black smoke rose to 1000 ft. after 20 Emirau F4Us and 16 SBDs had hit the area of reported Nip food storage inshore from Toboi Wharf. Pilots reported three fires and damage to seven buildings. Photos showed that the large warehouse at the Wharf received further damage, a 30' x 60' revetted bldg. was destroyed and a lagre building damaged. The attacking planes received moderate to intense and inaccurate auto and MG fire.

For the Record:

20 F4Us Emirau 0900 load 1x1000 ) dr. 34x1000
16 SBDs " 0930 " 1x1000 )

TARGETS: TOBERA AREA
Fifteen Piva F4Us hit a supply area N of Tobera (450 D). All bombs exploded in the target area. Probable AA flashes were seen between the target and Tobera and one puff of white smoke NW of Tobera R/W.
Two dozen NZ F4Us hit AA target Charlie instead of 450 C without observed result. No AA was seen, nor were any gun positions observed.

For the Record:

15 F4Us VMO 251 ---- load 1x1000 dr 15x1000
24 F4Us NZ 14 0840 " 1x500 " 24x500
                  19

TARGET: VITO-TUNURU
Reported Jap troop concertrations in the above areas of E Bougainville were struck by 12 PVs in four 3-plane flights. Eighteen bombs were dropped on Vito Village, 35 on Tunuru and 17 on Arakawann. All bombs were in the target areas but the jungle obscured results. A native directed the planes to Vito and Arakawaun.

For the Record:

2 PVs NZ 9 0745 load 6x250 dr. 70x250
                 1035

TARGET: CHOISEUL BAY
Munda SBDs returned to Choiseul Bay yesterday to hit Sipasai, Tarekekori and a possible gun S. of the Suj River. Most of the bombs fell in the target area. One plane was holed by meagre MG fire from Taro Island. Photos from the previous day's strike show that only two buildings in Tarekekori village are still standing.

For the Record:

24 SBDs Munda 0930 load 1x500 dr. 22x500
                                       2x250 39x250 1 dam.

OVER BOUGAINVILLE

The dawn patrol bombed the Samiei R. mouth and huts at Maigi Mission with unobserved results. Seven 20MM guns were seen firing from Kangu Hill.
Two TBFs scored a direct hit on the new AKU bridge which replaced the one destroyed by them recently, they received moderate accurate fire from one heavy and one medium gun just off the S end of Kara strip.

For the Record:

4 F4Us NZ 21 0830 load 1x500 dr. 4x500
2 TBFs Wing 1345 " 12x100 " 24x100
                   1600

Searches for August 1.
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and 100% cover. Visibility was 30 to 40 miles with 3 to 8 tenths cumulus, bases 1200 to 1500 feet. Weather was generally clear.
Beefsteak searches averaged 73% track and 84% cover. Sector SUGAR was turned back by front at 12º N. The other sectors report the front dissipating, and the weather improving with 3 to 5 tenths cloud cover.
Sector TARE sighted the wreckage of a recently crashed single engine plane on a reef in Satawan group. The same 200 ton vessel plus a barge are tied up to a pier in the NW end of Satawan lagoon. All other sectors were negative.
The local Able and Charlie searches, the shipping count, the Torokina-Rabaul sweep, and the Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 3 August 1944

OVER KAVIENG: The usual patrols comprising 16 planes dropped 15 half tonners on Kavieng, Fangelawa and Roger Young Pltn. Results were unobserved. Twenty-five canoe-loads of natives were seen crossing to New Hanover from nearby islands.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 drop. 15x500

OVER RABAUL: Only one Green Island patrol got through to Rabaul. Two half tonners were dropped near 10 buildings on Duke of York Island.

TARGET: TALILI
Yesterday's Emirau strike was directed at Talili, which was hit by 17 F4Us and 18 SBDs. Hits were seen on two buildings. Auto and MG fire was meagre and inaccurate.

For the Record:

17 F4Us Emirau 0930 load 1x1000 drop. 17x1000
18 SBDs Emirau 0942 " 1x1000 " 18x1000

TARGET: AMBA-MEDINA
Good hunting attended the efforts of 7 PVs. All told they destroyed 21 huts and four more pretentious buildings, as well as two rafts on the river at Amba. Another hut was damaged. One heavily-camouflaged truck, apparently loaded, was seen heading S at Amba Pltn and another truck, empty, heading N at Libba Pltn.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 0845 load 6x250 drop. 42x250 from 150'
                 0915

A New Ireland reconnaissance was carried out by another PV, which destroyed building at Koka Pltn and knocked the seaward end off a jetty in the same area. Three apparently serviceable whaleboats were seen.

For the Record:

1 PV NZ 9 0650 load 6x250 drop. 6x250
               1205

TARGET: SE NEW IRELAND
Weathered out from Kabagada Pt, 12 Torokina F4Us hit targets of opportunity in SE New Ireland, Huts N of Samo were damaged, and at least two huts were destroyed when two bombs landed among a group of them at Metankuk Pltn.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 0930 load 1x500 drop. 12x500

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
Reminiscent of the height of the fighter-bomber campign against Bougainville targets, 50 planes operated over the island yesterday. There would have been more had the weather made it worth while for the Piva F4Us to carry out the continuous 2 plane sweeps from the Jaba R to Kieta Hbr, which were scheduled to begin yesterday but of which only two were flown.
Forty-four planes were Torokina F4Us, armed with quarter-ton bombs. These comprised nine strikes, one of 11 planes (weathered out from Rabaul), another of 9, and the remainder small strikes. Weather was generally bad. Results were: 4 huts flattened and a small fire caused in the Manauro-Mamamorina area; approach to bridge in Kahili area damaged; some of 30 huts destroyed in Komai area; three direct hits on huts N of Ebery's Lease.
Moderate and accurate light AA came from near Macamoco and three black bursts were seen over Kara. One plane was damaged by 50 calibre fire over the Uguimo River and another over the Samiei River, the latter possibly by ricochets from anoter plane in the same formation.
Four Piva F4Us set out on two two-plane strafing sweeps of S and E Bougainville from the Jaba River to Kieta Hbr. The first pair returned because of weather and the second found no strafing targets. Inland from Aitara Mission these two planes received a few bursts of MG fire.
Two TBFs with 24 centuries damaged a bridge at Mobina.

For the Record:

44 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x500 drop. 43x500
                 19
                 21
4 F4Us VMF 212
2 TBFs " 12x100 " 24x100

SEARCHES FOR AUGUST 2
Squarepeg searches were negative. Sector Xray went 425 miles for 80% cover. Sector William went 490 miles for 90% cover. Visibility was 20 to 30 miles. There was a solid front at the 425 mile line with scattered squalls throughout.
Beefsteak searches were negative with full track and 80% cover. A series of scattered fronts was encountered between 01 degrees south and 02 degrees north.
The Emirau anti-sub search and the Torokina-Rabaul sweep were negative.
The local Able and Charlie searches and the shipping count were canceled.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 4 August 1944.

Over Kavieng: Six F4U patrols heckled the Kavieng area in daylight, dropping six bombs with unobserved results.

For the Record:

12 F4U's Emirau load 1x500 dr. 6x500

Rabaul Patrols: Weather foiled all but two of the patrols from Green Island. Of four half-ton bombs dropped one scored a direct hit on Tavilo Pltn. huts.

TARGET: EAST CAPE-NAMATANAI
Between the above two points six PVs caused the following damage: Two huts destroyed at Kandaus Pltn., Bridge damaged S of Kandaus Pltn., Bridge destroyed at Kombon, Two bridges on Namatanai-Ulaputur road damaged, road cratered., Four huts destroyed, four damaged at Mageh Pltn., Approach to bridge at Cape Dinga knocked out.
Of two coastal guns seen at Cape Namaroda, one was reported as a dummy with a coconut log barrel.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 0732 load 6x250 dr. 35x250
                 1030

TARGET: WESTERN NEW IRELAND
Buildings in the Tambakar area were attacked by 12 Toroking F4Us. Four bombs were aimed at several plantation buildings (already slightly damaged) half a mile N of Tambakar Pt. One building collapsed and another was badly damaged. The remaining eight bombs were released at huts and buildings (again some were already damaged) half a mile S of the first targets. One house and two adjacent buildings were damaged. Strafing smoked one house and two sheds in this area, also several native huts along the coast.
Half way between Huru and Tambakar Points three MGs were seen firing. One plane was hit by a 30 calibre bullet. Where it was fired from is not known.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 14 0915 load 1x500 dr. 12x500 from 1500/2500 1 dam.

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
Thirty-four Torokina F4Us operated over Bougainville yesterday, mostly on strafing missions. A 12-plane force killed a Jap near Monoitu Mission and fired a hut between Shishigatero and Nakarae One plane received two bullet holes, apparently from rifle fire. Three guns (A 20 MM and two lighter) fired inaccurately from 5 miles N of Kangu Hill.
Four planes with bombs attacked three serviceable barges on the W side of Tonolei Hbr, sighted earlier in the day. One direct hit should have damaged all the barges and another bomb fell only 10 yards away. Boxes were seen under the trees near the barges as though they had been loading or unloading. Meagre inaccurate probable light and medium fire came from the E side of Tonolei Hbr.
Other sweeps in the S Bougainville area briefly smoked a hut in the Tabago area and silenced an MG post W of the mouth of the Muliko River, killing one Nip manning the gun. The sweep which spotted the Tonolei barges reported a camp area under trees on the E side of the harbor. Another sweep reported dozens of gardens in the Iula area.
Meagre and inaccurate light, medium and heavy AA came from known positions between Moisuru and Kahili.
From Piva five of the two-plane Jaba R-Kieta sweeps were flown. Results were generally negative in poor weather.
Two bombing strikes were also run from Piva. In the first 14 F4Us of VMF 223, finding the weather bad over their scheduled North Buka target, bombed huts S of Kahune. One direct hit was scored on a hut.
Later 16 planes of the same squadron made a practice attack on the tip of Queen Carola Pltn. Eleven hits were scored in the area and huts at Lontis were strafed without observed result.

For the Record:

34 F4Us NZ 14 load 1x500 dr. 4x500
                  19
                   21
14 " VMF 223 " 1x500 " 5x500
16 " " " " 1x500 " 13x500
10 " " 212

TARGETS: CHOISEUL BAY AREA.

Tarekekeri Village and Sipasi Island were each attacked yesterday by 12 Munda SBDs, Results on the first target were unobserved but three damaging hits were scored on a craft beached off Sipasai. MG fire came from this area. Taro Island was hit by PBJs carrying century bombs. A good bombing pattern was achieved and three 200 ft. smoke columns rose from the area.

For the Record:

12 SBDs Munda 0920 load 1x500 dr. 11x500 fr. 2000'
                                       2x250 21x250 (Tarekekori)
12 " " 0920 " 1x500 " 11x500 " 1000'
                    2x250 19x250 (Sipasai Is.)
6 PBJs VMB(M) 413 0933 " 14x100 " 82x100 " 1500-4000' (Taro Is.)

Searches for August 3.
Squarepeg searches were negative. Sector William went 450 miles with 90% cover. Sector Xray went 400 miles with 80% cover. The weather was average with cloud bases at 1000 feet. Visibility was 30 miles. The take-off was delayed due to weather.
Beefsteak searches were negative with 100% track and 97% cover. Scattered showers were in the vicinity of the equator. Other areas were excellent.
The local Able and Charlie searches were negative.
The Emirau anti-sub search was negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 5 August 1944

TARGET: SIMPSON HBR. BARGES
In a co-ordinated effort yesterday 105 planes took part in an attack on barges in Simpson Hbr. Fifty-one SBDs plus 31 Emirau F4Us set out to pave the way for 23 NZ F4Us (which strafed the barges) by bombing AA positions ringing the harbor, before and during the strafing. It is to be noted that one of the NZ F4U squadrons made its run across the harbour without encountering any AA fire.
Emirau planes set the ball rolling by hitting gun positions generally to the N and NW of Rabaul-town. They report covering their target well and starting several fires. AA fire was mostly meagre and inaccurate, except for one group of autos sending up moderate and accurate fire. One SBD was holed. Two unidentified silver planes were seen high above the SBDs in their dive.
The 36 Green Island SBDs hit AA positions in the Vulcan crater and Lakunai areas, also to the NW of Rabaul. Bombs fell close to a number of the positions. Near one position on the W side of Simpson Hbr. a possible fuel storage dump was destroyed, an intense 15-second flame shooting up to 250 ft. Bombs from another plane hit the stern of a hulk off Malaguna from which 40 MM fire was received.
AA received on this strike was moderate to intense, inaccurate to accurate from a number of positions. Two planes were holed.
One F4U squadron reports that five apparently serviceable barges were well riddled by strafing in the area N of Toboi Wharf. About 10 others were strafed with unobserved results. This sweep encountered intense inaccurate light fire from Matupi and Lakunai.
The other F4U squadron reported strikes on four possibly serviceable barges N of Walaur. One was left smoking. Because of their speed, the pilots found they could get in only short bursts. Detailed observation of results was not possible. This squadron received no AA fire.
After-strike photos showed the relative positions of the serviceable barges on the W side of Simpson Hbr. unchanged. In the SE corner of Matupi Island 12 small buildings were destroyed. Some of the gun areas hit were cloud-covered but in those visible there was no apparent damage to guns. A small fire was burning N of Lakunai field.

For the Record:

15 SBDs Emirau 0845 load 1x1000 dr. 15x1000 fr. 2000' 1 dam.
31 F4Us " 0900 " 1x1000 " 30x1000
36 SBDS Green 0930 " 1x500 " 36x500 fr. 2000'
                                  2x250 71x250
23 F4Us NZ 19 0915
21                  0930

KAVIENG PATROLS: Fourteen Emirau F4Us dropped 8 quarter tonners on the Kavieng area, 3 on Lossuk Bay and 1 Pon Fangelawa. Results were unobserved. Kavieng sent up heavy meagre inaccurate AA.

For the Record:

14 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr. 12x500

Rabaul Patrols: On five patrols Green F4Us dropped 17 half ton bombs. One was a direct hit on buildings at Keravat, another probably damaged a large building S. of Jacquinot Pt., Duke of York Is. Strafing fired a northbound truck W of Vulcan Crater. Four personnel or supply chutes were seen in trees at Chinese Pltn., SW New Ireland, and three others near Nakudukudu Bay.
Duke of York-Cape Lambert: Two sweeps were run over this area by Piva F4Us. Bombs were dropped by the first four on a group of huts on Makada Island which looked like a bivouac area. One bomb landed among the huts. Many huts were strafed between Massava Bay and Cape Lambert, one hut and a church being smoked.
Three planes on a later sweep missed huts on the S. side of Duke of York Island. They sighted a 3/4000' column of smoke rising from the vicinity of Hospital Ridge.

For the Record:

7 F4Us VMO 251 load 1x500 dr. 7x500

Put Put- Keravat: The first sweep over this area scored a direct hit on a building at Put Put and put its other bombs among huts at Malabunga and Arara (NW of the Warangoi). The second sweep dropped its bombs among buildings in Malabunga Village with unobserved results. A truck which was strafed was last seen heading for a ditch.

For the Record:

7 F4Us VMO 251 load 1x500 dr. 7x500

TARGET: EAST CAPE-NAMATANAI
Returning to their old hunting ground 6 NZ Pvs destroyed a bridge over the Ujam R., six huts at Kombon Pltn., two huts at Rabulut Pltn., four huts at Matangahurl Pltn., and one building at Metandukuk Pltn.
Camouflaged huts were seen in Himau Pltn.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 0825 load 6x250 dr. 35x250
                 0930

TARGET: W NEW IRELAND
Eleven Torokina F4Us struck targets on the W coast of New Ireland. Bombs were released at huts and buildings. One hut was flattened and 3/4 others damaged half a mile inland from Tambakar Pt. Two planes put their bombs among huts on Lambon Is. demolishing at least one. AA of undetermined type hit two planes over Po Village and a third was hit over Tannanlak Pt. One plane water landed 20 miles NW of Duke of York Island and was rescued unhurt by Dumbo within the hour.

For the Record:

11 F4Us NZ 14 0925 load 1x500 dr. 10x500 1 lost, 2 dam.

TARGETS: CHOISEUL BAY
Continuing their private blitz on the Choiseul Bay Nips, 24 Munda SBDs bombed Tarekekeri Village and Sipasai Island. After the strike on the village no buildings could be seen standing. Gardens on the N tip of Sipasai were destroyed.
Six PBJs hit Taro Island gardens and the surrounding area. A good bomb pattern was achieved and one 200 ft. smoke column rose. Large quantities of low smoke were seen over Tarekekori after the SBD strike. There was no AA.

For the Record:

24 SBDs Munda 0930 load 1x500 dr. 23x500 2x250 45x250
6 PBJs VMF(M) 413 0940 14x100 " 84x100

BOUGAINVILLE PATROL
5 pairs of F4Us, sweeping South and East Bougainville from early morning till dusk, observed no targets and no unusual movements. A parachute was seen in the trees at the north tip of Teop Island.

GOOD PRACTICE
16 F4U's scored 12 hits and only 2 misses on the Carola and Dewau plantations on Buke. 2 additional hits were made on huts at Japrau Island. The bombs, one 500 pounder to each F4U, were dropped at 0900. When the runs were completed the planes strafed other huts on the north tip and along the east side of Buka, but saw no result from their attack.

For the Record:

16 F4Us 1100 load 1x500 dr. 16x500

BRIDGE BUSTING
2 TBFs carrying 12 centuries, with 4/5 sec. delayed action fuses, attacked bridges at Mobina and Aku, SE Bougainville. The bridge at Mobina, which had been damaged on the 3rd, was destroyed by one direct hit. Another bridge East of Aku narrowly escaped damage from a near miss, while a third bridge West of Aku lost a few boards to another near miss.

For the Record:

2 TBFs 1515 load 12x100 dr. 24x100

STRAFING IN THE SOUTH
12 F4Us ranged between Muguai and Tobago, hut strafing. At 1300 a plane fired several huts. While flying between 700 and 800 feet north of Tabago, on objects 3 inches wide by 1 1/2 and 2 feet long, which resembled a rocket. The object was seen to shoot straight up 50 yards ahead of one plane, and disappeared into the clouds at 1200 feet. The second pilot in the section saw nothing more recognizeable than "something cylindrical." The weather prevented accurate location of the position.
The next 4 planes thoroughly strafed the entire area, and flamed one of 12 inhabited huts 3 miles NW of Tobago. The final section of 4 planes, at about 1345, strafed two areas. Clusters of huts at Tobago-Muguai, and others 3 miles inland. The huts strafed seemed in good condition, but bad weather prevented noticing the results. At the crossroads at Kormai, a stationary truck was seen, weighing approximately 3 tons and eveidently loaded. Weather prevented an attack on it.

Searches for August 4
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and 100% cover. The weather was excellent and visibility was 30 miles.
Beefsteak searches were negative. Sector SUGAR had 100% track and cover reporting scattered thunderstorms with 5/10 cloud cover. Sector TARE had full track and cover with 2 to 4 tenths clouds. Sector UNCLE had full distance with 95% cover. Clouds were 3 to 6 tenths. Sector VICTOR had 100% track and 95% cover. There was a frontal area at 03 degrees N extending S and E averaging 2/10 cloud cover.
The local Able - Charlie search, the Torokina - Rabaul sweep, and the Emirau anti-sub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 6 August 1944.

Rabaul Patrols: Only one of the Green Island fighter patrols got through to the Rabaul area. It dropped three half-tonners on Duke of York Island.

Kavieng Patrols: Eighteen F4Us from Emirau dropped 14 quarter-tonners on four localities in the Kavieng area with unobserved results. Two patrols observed meagre light inaccurate A.A. fire over Kavieng.

For the Record:

18 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr. 14x500

Put Put-Keravat: Four Piva F4Us sweeping this area narrowly missed Keravat area buildings with their bombs and then strafed the same targets with unobserved results. Intense light A.A. came from 3-4 miles SE of Keravat. Many new huts were seen in the vicinity of and W of the Vunakanau-Malabanga Rd.

For the Record:

4 F4Us VMO 251 0940 load 1x500 dr. 4x500 fr. 1/200'.

Duke of York-Cape Lambert: On this sweep four Piva F4Us damaged a plantation house near the Nambung R. and strafed targets in Lassul Bay. Smoke columns were seen from Vara Vara Pltn. and Keravat. There was no A.A.

For the Record:

4 F4Us (VMF 223) 1020 load 1x500 dr. 4x500 fr. 300/1000'.
                           1130

TARGET: RABAUL AA
A.A. positions NE of Rabaul town (X-Ray and Yoke) were the target for 15 Emirau SBDs and 25 F4Us - the only strike to reach Rabaul. The only tangible result reported was a terrific explosion which occured after three bombs landed near gun positions near a road intersection at Nordup. Moderate accurate MG fire came from Nordup, also meagre inaccurate 40 MM fire from between Hospital Ridge and Rabaul. Three bombs which hung up were later dropped on New Ireland targets.

For the Record:

15 SBDs Emirau 0935 load 1x1000 dr. 15x1000 from 2000'
25 F4Us " 0935 " 1x1000 " 25x1000 " 2000'

OVER BOUGAINVILLE ANK BUKA
Jaba River Strike: The area of a reported Nip concentration S of the Jaba River was hit by 6 PVs at the request of XIV Corps. They report complete coverage of the target area with results obscured by jungle growth. The area was previously bombarded from the sea.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 0720 load 6x250 dr. 34x250
                 0750

Searches for August 5.
Beefsteak searches were negative. Sector SUGAR went full distance with 75% cover finding an East West front at 01 and 03 degrees North. Sector TARE had 100% track and 80% cover reporting small fronts 02 to 04 degrees North to East of TARE. Sector UNCLE had 60% track and 50% cover being turned back by a northeast-southwest front at 02-15 North 152-10 East. Sector VICTOR made full track and cover reporting 6 tenths cloud cover with a frontal area at 00-30 SOUTH extending to Emirau.
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and 98% cover. The weather was squally from base to the 80 mile mark with cloud bases at 300 feet. From the 80 mile mark out the weather was excellent.
The local searches, the Torokina Rabaul sweep, and the Emirau antisub search were all negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 7 August 1944.

RABAUL-KAVIENG BLOCKADE
The only justification for using this headline was provided by a couple of F4Us which patrolled negatively over Kavieng. Two of the five scheduled Green Island patrols to Rabaul tried to reach the area but without success.

BOUGAINVILLE-BUKA
Strafing in the South: Twenty F4Us conducted strafing sweeps of the Tabago - Ebery's Lease area.
The first 8 strafed in poor weather with negative results. Another quartet gave most of its attention to Macomaco where bullets were seen to ricochet off a 20' x 10' rectangular structure covered with logs -thought to be a possible tractor shelter. Moderate inaccurate 20 mm fire came from Kara.
The third sweep strafed various areas inland from Kahili without observed result. Light and medium moderate and accurate fire came from Kara.
A final VMO 251 sweep which scissored up the trail from Ebery's Lease to Tobago smoked one hut. Intense but inaccurate heavy and medium AA came from Ebery's Lease and intense inaccurate light fire from Kara. Much evidence of enemy activity was seen in the target area.

For the Record:

16 F4Us NZ 19
             NZ 21
4 F4Us VMO 251

SOHANA GUNS AGAIN: Unable to carry out their Put Put - Keravat sweep, 4 F4Us put all their bombs in the area of Sohana Island guns with unobserved results. There was no AA.

For the Record:

4 F4Us VMO 251 load 1x500 dr 4x500 fr 2000'

SEARCHES FOR AUGUST 6
Squarepeg searches were negative with full track and cover. There were frontal conditions from base to the 200 mile mark with excellent weather beyond.
Beefsteak searches were negative with all sectors making full distance. Sector Sugar covered 75% due to East West front between 00-30 South and 03 North. The same front reduced sector Tare cover to 70%. Sector Uncle had full cover with 2/10 cloud cover. Sector Victor had 60% cover finding a front from Emirau to 04 degrees North.
Local searches were canceled because of weather.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 8 August 1944.

OVER KAVIENG: Eight-two - plane patrols dropped 10 quarter-tonners on the Kavieng area with unobserved results. Two more F4Us on a truck and barge sweep dropped two quarter tonners on a supply area N of Lemakot Pltn. Meagre AA fire holed one plane.

For the Record:

18 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr 12x500

TARGET: EBERY'S LEASE AREA.
Main target yesterday was the area of Nip concentrations in the Ebery's lease - Muguai area. More than 50 planes took part, SBD's and PBJ's opening the attack by bombing AA positions, after which fighter sweeps strafed and bombed until deteriorating weather brought respite to the Nips.
Four PBJs started proceedings by going for the Ebery's Lense AA with centuries. Twenty bomb bursts were seen in the area of the lease with other results unobserved. Meagre inaccurate heavy fire was received from the lease.
Ten minutes later 14 SBD's reported two direct hits and one damaging hit on the heavy AA battery and three damaging hits on auto guns. During their dives the planes received intense and accurate heavy and auto fire and moderate accurate MG fire. Two were damaged, one making an emergency landing at Stirling.
Aiming at Takasago Farms 8 more SBDs put most of their bombs in the target area. One hit was reported near three autos and one building was seen to be damaged. Moderate inaccurate medium fire came from Maika and ineffective MG from a hulk off the Kahili shoreline.
Following this 32 F4Us worked the area over with bombing and strafing in seven different missions. Several parties of Nips were caught in the open and 10 men were bowled over, plus a couple of mules. Two huts were flamed S of Tabago and others were seen to be hit. A possible camouflaged truck S. of Muguai was also hit. Twelve 1000# bombs were dropped with unobserved results.
Earlier missions reported no AA but the two missions carrying bombs were fired on. One received intense and accurate light and medium fire from Ebery's Lease, the other light and medium fire from the NE end of Kahili, damaging one plane.
The last sweep saw 15-20 small smoke columns E of Ebery's Lease and around Malabita Hill.

For the Record:

4 PBJs VMB(M) 413 0750 load 14x100 dr 48x100 fr 10,500'.
14 SBDs Munda 0800 " 1x500 " 14x500 " 2,000' 2 Dam.
                                   2x250 26x250
8 " " " " 1x500 " 7x500 " 1,000'.
            2x250 12x250
28 F4Us NZ 19 " 1x1000 " 12x1000 1 Dam.
                  21
4 " VMF 223 1040
                  1215

TARGET: NEW IRELAND.
Nakudukudu Bay - Kalili Bay: Sweeping the above area with 250 lb bombs, 6 PVs destroyed a bridge, three huts and another building at Konebio Pltn, 2 huts at Karumut Pltn, 8 huts at Komalu Pltn, a building at Kalili Pltn and 2 huts and 2 buildings at Matakan Pltn. A possible Whaleboat was seen at Kalili Bay and a possibly serviceable barge just N of Matakan Pltn. Both were strafed and left unserviceable. Japs were seen at the entrance to a cave at Belik Pltn, with a possible truck nearby.

For the Record:

6 PVs NZ 9 0815 load 6x250 dr 33x250 from under 200' 0940

SEARCHES FOR AUGUST 7
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover. There was a weak frontal condition from base to the 100 mile mark. Weather was excellent beyond.
Beefsteak searches were negative. Sector Sugar had 90% track and cover. There was a front at the equator and 6/10 cloud cover beyond. Sector Tare had full distance and 85% cover, encountering a small dissapating front at the equator. Sector Uncle had 90% track and 60% cover. There was a heavy front and rains north of 01 degrees North. Sector Victor had full track and 85% cover. A northwest southeast front was building up from 01 degrees south to the equator.
The local Able - Charlie search and the Torokina - Rabaul sweep were negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 9 August 1944.

KAVIENG PATROLS: Eighteen patrolling FAU's dropped quarter tonners on Kavieng, Panapai and Lamernewi Pltn. Strafing hit two beached launches at Bangatang Island. There was no A/A.

For the Record:

18 F4U Emirau load 1x500 dr. 18x500

RABAUL PATROLS: Green Island F4U's dropped 18 half tonners on the Rabaul area. They destroyed a large building at Guntershoe Pltn. and directly hit another at Tovakundum Pltn. Strafing started five fires among huts on Watom Island and a bomb scored a direct hit among huts at Wangaramu Pltn.
The fourth patrol found 20-25 trucks, loaded with supplies and personnel, two miles west of Vulcan Crater. Strafing fired three, two of which contained personnel. Carrying on the good work, the last patrol destroyed a 220 x 100' building at Vunalama and destroyed a plane and truck at Vunakanau.

TARGET: N NEW IRELAND.
Emirau Corsairs were busy yesterday, nine flights of eight each attacking various targets in the northern part of the island with bombs and strafing. Three planes returned early because of engine trouble.
Targets were:
Pinikindu Pt.: 4 direct hits on buildings, demolishing one large one.
Fangelawa Bay: Unobserved bombing of reported Nip headquarters.
Cape Amba: Bombs on huts at possible Nip O.P started a small fire.
Munawei Pt.: Buildings bombed, results unobserved.
Koka Pltn.: Several fires started among buildings.
Cape Sass: Personnel area, results unobserved.
Cape Bolegila: Buildings, results unobserved.
Selapiu Island: Direct hit on email pier.
Kapsu Pltn.: Hits on buildings.

TARGET: EBERY'S LEASE - MUGUAI
For the second day running the above area, thought to contain more Nips than any other part of Bougainville, was well blitzed yesterday. Because of better weather the attack went on till late on the afternoon.
PBJ's again led off and reported that their centuries blanketed the auto guns in Ebery's Lease. Bombing from 10,000 ft., these planes received no A/A.
Twenty-four SBD's, continuing the attack on A/A guns, reported six confirmed direct hits, with a number of other bombs near enough to have caused damage. As they pushed over from 10,000 ft, they received varying fire, up to intense and accurate, from the heavy guns at the lease. (They reported an extra one 2-300 yards S of the other six). Intense and accurate M/G fire came from two positions near the mouth of the Muliko River, with less intense fire from Kara and the Kahili hulk. One plane landed at Barakoma but it is not known whether this was due to A/A fire.
After the bombers came the strafing F4U's, with one mission releasing 11 half tonners on the N corner of Ebery's Lease and another six quarter tonners in the same area with unobserved results. All told 38 NZ F4U's took part in seven missions. Their strafing fired three huts and smoked 13. One fire E of Tugulau sent smoke to 1500 ft., thought to be
the result of a fire in two huts spreading to the remainder of a group of seven.
Twelve Piva F4U's augmented the strafing team toward the end of the attack, smoking an additional hut and observing two fires in the target area.
The Nip A/A gunners were on their toes all day and opposition came from a number of points from Kara coastward. The fighter-bombers found considerable life left in the Ebery's Lease guns, which sent up very intense but inaccurate auto and heavy fire. A VMO 251 strike encountered intense heavy fire from Kahili but it was not till the last sweep of the day that an F4U was damaged when one plane caught two bullets from the Kara area.
Hot on the scent, one mission went down to strafe a suspected Nip near Tabago. From 50 ft. they saw their supposed quarry was a tree stump rejoicing in a hat and coat.
As a diversion during the afternoon four NZ F4U's set out to bomb the "Kahili Maru". Two returned early because of engine trouble in one. Bombs from the other two flew through the rigging to explode 75' away. As a consolation prize a Jap was killed at AKU.
Photos taken at 0940 showed Ebery's Lease well covered by bomb hits but the gun positions remained seemingly intact. Two buildings in the lease and 12 elsewhere were shown to be destroyed.

For the Record:

5 PBJ's VMB (M) 413 0700 load 14x100 dr. 68x100 from 10,000'
24 SBD's Munda 0800 load 1x500 dr. 22x500 from 2000'
                                           2x250 40x250
38 F4U's NZ 19-21 0815 load 1x100 dr. 11x1000 1 dam
                            1700 1x500 5x500
2 F4U's NZ 19 1520 load 1x500 dr. 2x500 ("Kahili Maru")
12 F4U's VMO 251 1050
              VMF 223 1520

TARGETS: MONOITU
Two 8-plane PV strikes went to Monoitu. The first put 48 250# bombs and 16000 strafing rounds into a reported personnel area; and the second dropped 47 bombs into a reported artillery gun park, besides firing another 17,000 rounds into the area strafed by the first strike. Jungle obscured results of the bombing.

For the Record:
8 PV's NZ 9 0635 load 6x250 dr. 48x250 from 200'
                 0755
8 PV's NZ 9 1025 load 6x250 dr. 47x250 from 200'
                  1135

OTHER BOUGAINVILLE ACTIVITY
With 14 century bombs two TBF's had a field day among SW Bougainville bridges. At Aku they demolished one and damaged two more and at Mobina they damaged another one. In addition three huts were destroyed at a river fork S. of Monoitu Mission.
A gunner from one of the above planes having reported a camouflaged but serviceable - looking twin-engined bomber off Kara, the dusk patrol of 4 F4U's went to seek it. They saw no flame but strafed the revetment area.
Two other F4U's strafed and sank a mine in the area of Mik Mik Island.

For the Record:

2 TBF's Wing 1345 load 12x100 dr. 16x100
                    1535 and 4x100

Searches for August 8: Squarepeg searches were negative with 100% track and cover. The weather was generally good with visibility 30 to 40 miles. Beefsteak searches were negative with 100% truck and cover except sector SUGAR with 95% cover. Sectors SUGAR and TARE encountered scattered showers and 4 to 8 tenths cloud cover from Emirau to 04 degrees north with celling and visibility unlimited beyond. Sectors UNCLE and VICTOR found scattered clouds with 3 to 4 tenths cover.
Local searches and shipping count were negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 10 August 1944.

Rabaul Patrols: Green Island F4Us were over Rabaul all day. Most of their bombing was done over the Duke of Yorks where three direct hits were scored on buildings. Meagre to moderate light inaccurate AA came from the NW tip of Duke of York Island.

For the Record:

20 F4Us Green 0720 load 1x100 dr. 18x100
                      1800

Kavieng Patrols: Eighteen F4Us bombed Kavieng airfield and other targets without notable results. Between 2330 and 0115 on the night of August 8-9 two F4Us negatively searched N New Ireland roads.

For the Record:

20 F4Us Emirau load 1x500 dr. 18x500

TARGET: TAWUI PT. AA
F4Us and SBDs from Emirau hit AA targets at Tawui Pt. One bomb was reported as a direct hit, breaching an auto gun revetment. A building was also reported as having been directly hit. Photos showed one auto gun destroyed. Moderate fairly accurate 20 MM fire holed one F4U.

For the Record:
26 FAUs Emirau 0855 load 1x1000 dr. 24xl000
                                      or 1x500 1x500 1 dam.
15 SBDs " 0905 " 1x1000 " 15x1000 from 1500/2000'

TARGET: RABAUL SAWMILLS
Three 12-plane strikes were dispatched yesterday against Rabaul area sawmills. Aiming at the northerly of two sawmills at Keravat, the first strike left the target area covered with white incendiary bomb smoke but saw no other evidence of damage.
The southerly sawmill site was likewise blanketed with white smoke rising to 3000 ft. A solitary plane with a 1000 lb. bomb (the rest had mag. clusters) hit a group of six huts to the NE of the mill. Two columns of smoke were seen rising from W of the other Keravat mill. Strafing hit two barges, one of which appeared serviceable, in Kabaira Bay.
The third mission attacked a reported sawmill south of Tobera. Four bombs fell in the target area without observed result but no sawmill was sighted. Other bombs possibly damaged the Kabanga bridge, which looked unserviceable, or fell without result on a wooded area N of Ralabang Pltn. No AA was seen but one plane was hit by a 50 calibre bullet while diving on the target S. of Tobera. Heavy white smoke was seen over the Keravat area.

For the Record:

12 F4U NZ 19 0915 load 1x500 mag cl. dr 12x500 fr 2/3000'
12 F4U NZ 21 1000 load 1x500 mag cl. dr 11x500 fr 3000'
                                     1x1000 1x1000
12 F4U NZ 19 1405 load 1x300 dr 12x500 fr 1500 /3000' 1 Dam.

OVER BOUGAINVILLE
Monoitu: PVs again flew two missions against Monoitu yesterday at the request of XIV Corps. The first attack was on a reported personnel area, the second on a reported fuel dump. Jungle obscured results. A total of 27,000 rounds was shot into the area.
Both strikes received meagre inaccurate MG from gardens NW of the target area.

For the Record:

7 PVs NZ 9 0645 load 6x250 dr 38x250 fr 200'
                 0715
7 PVs NZ 9 1050 load 6x250 dr 39x250 fr 200'
                 1100

Bridge Busters: Continuing their private war against bridges, two TBFs destroyed a couple more between Hari and Mobina. They will not run out of targets, as the Nips are industriously rebuilding the bridges as fast as they can. Moderate inaccurate MG fire came from near Kirinani.

For the Record:

2 TBFs 1330 dr 8x100
           1530 10x250

SEARCHES FOR AUGUST 9
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover. The weather was excellent with visibility 30 to 40 miles.
Beefsteak searches were negative. Sector Sugar had full distance and cover with 4 tenths clouds. Sector Tare had 90% track and 95% cover encountering a weak East - West front across Satawan. Sector Uncle had 100% track and 95% cover with 4 tenths cumulus. Sector Victor had 100% track and cover with ceiling and visibility unlimited.
The local searches, and the Torokina - Rabaul sweep were negative.

[aircraftclocks]

Day Ending 0800 11 August 1944.

Kavieng Patrols: Sixteen F4Us dropped 13 half-tonners on Kavieng targets without reported result. One plane was slightly damaged by AA fire.

For the Record:

16 F4Us Emirau load 1x1000 dr. 13x1000 1 dam.

TARGET: VULCAN CRATER BARGE HIDE
This target was hit by 18 SBDs and 23 F4Us. SBDs reported damaging hits on barges on the shores of the inlet, also one hit on buildings in the W part of the target. Some of the planes attacked nearby AA positions. AA fire came from a number of points, including intense and accurate fire from Matupi, where several fires were seen.
The first F4U strike put nine bombs in the target area, with one reported falling among three beached barges. Seventeen bursts of heavy AA came from an unknown position. Pilots reported that the SBD bombing appeared good.
Finally 12 F4Us reported most of their bombs in the target area. Meagre inaccurate heavy AA came from about 2 miles W of Vulcan Crater between target areas Easy Easy and Queen. A large fire, with brown smoke to 3/4000 ft. was seen at Tawui Pt. Photos showed that two unserviceable barges had been destroyed.

For the Record:

18 SBDs Green 0925 load 1x1000 dr. 18x1000 fr. 2000'
                              2x100 30x100
11 F4Us NZ 19 0940 " 1x1000 " 11x1000 " 2500/4000'
12 " NZ 21 0955 " 1x1000 " 12x1000 " 3000'

TARGET: TAWUI PT. GUNS
Emirau's forces (15 SBDs and 18 F4Us) were directed at this target for the second successive day. They reported all positions well covered, with damaging hits on both guns and buildings. Moderate and fairly accurate auto AA, which ceased firing after the SBD attack, holed one F4U and one SBD collected an MG bullet.

For the Record:

15 SBDs VMSB 243 0930 load 1x1000 dr. 15x1000 1 dam.
18 F4Us Emirau 0935 " 1x1000 " 18x1000 fr. 1500/3000' 1 dam.

TARGET: LIGUAN POINT
Huts and buildings in this area were hit by 12 F4Us which reported at least three direct hits on hut clusters. A good 20 huts were believed to be destroyed (10 were smoking when the planes retired). One plane was holed by small arms fire from an unknown position.

For the Record:

12 F4Us NZ 21 1500 load 1x500 dr. 12x500 fr 300' 1 dam.

TARGET: KABAGADA PT.
Seven F4Us bombed this area but saw no results from the bomb bursts.

For the Record:

7 F4Us NZ 19 1500 load 1x500 dr. 7x500 fr. 2000'

TARGET: RUMBA
A reported personnel area at Rumba was hit by 8 PVs with bombs and 16,000 rounds of strafing. The jungle obscured results.

For the Record:

8 PVs NZ 9 0635 load 6x250 dr. 46x250
                 0735

Kapara: Bombing huts in this area, two TBFs destroyed three and damaged two more. Their primary target, a reported fuel dump at Monoitu. Appeared bombed out.

For the Record:

2 TBFs Wing 1340 load 6x250 dr. 12x250
                  1545 6x100 12x100

Searches for August 10.
Squarepeg searches were negative with full distance and cover. The weather was excellent.
Beefsteak searches were negative. Sectors SUGAR, TARE, and VICTOR had full distance and cover with 1 to 3 tenths clouds, bases at 1500 feet. Sector UNCLE had 100% track 85% cover with a weak East-West frontal 06 degrees North and 4 tenths cloud cover.
Local searches were negative.