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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 21, 2020 0:10:31 GMT 12
30 August 1944
24 F4U's (1x500 mag. clusters) of which 14 were from VMF 223 and 8 from VMO 251 put 19 of their incendiary clusters on Rataval #128 for good coverage at 1020. They caused at least 12 fires, with 4 columns of dark gray smoke to 1000 feet. They also strafed.
17 SBD's (1x500 1/10 and 2x250 1/10), VMSB 236 put 15x500 and 31x250 square on what they judged to be their assigned target: a Jap bivouac and supply area at 0720. They could not be absolutely sure as the early hour gave long shadows which made identification of their jungle covered target even more difficult,
8 F4U's (1x500 1/10), VMO 251, took care of the Put Put-Keravat sweep in 2 flights 0710-1000 and 1245-1400.4 F4U's, same squadron VMO 251, on Duke of York-Cape Lambert sweep 0800-1100 smoked 2 huts on Cape Lambert.
6 F4U's, VMF 212, in flights of pairs, 0730-0945, 0945-1225 and 1220-1250 patrolled South Bougainville from Motupena to Kieta. They strafed opportunity targets.
NZ 3 Squadron again came to life today. 1 PV took the Rabaul Weather check and Ship count this morning; 1 PV searched South New Ireland for opportunity targets dropping 5x250 without results, and one PV attempted a reconnaissance of Tumuri, North Bougainville but frustrated by weather.
AVAILIBILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 60 42
SBD 26 24
TBF 5 2
PV 20 5
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 21, 2020 0:11:49 GMT 12
31 August 1944
32 F4U's (1x500 inst.), 16 from VMF 223, and 6 from VMO 251, bombed and strafed Rataval #130 (A,B, and C), 1110-1120. They obtained 5 direct hits on buildings, 4 area hits, and 11 unobserved. One plane of VMO 251 was shot down by AA from Tawui. 16 planes strafed.
16 SBD's (1x500 inst. and 2x250 inst.) hit targets of opportunitybuildings, huts, piers, and wharfs on North Bougainville at 1300. Score: 15x500 and 30x250 area hits.
8 F4U's, VMF 212, turned back from a South Bougainville sweep by weather, performed training tactics locally 0830-1030.
2 PV's (6x250, 4-5 sec.), NZ 3, destroyed a bridge and missed two other bridges closely on the east coast of New Ireland (opportunity targets), 0824-1210. They strafed various targets.
AVAILIBILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 59 52
SBD 26 21
TBF 5 5
PV 20 5
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 21, 2020 0:14:47 GMT 12
1 September 1944
Piva F4U's and SBD's, shut off from their Gazelle Peninsula by foul weather, indulged in local strikes today.
17 SBD's (1x500 & 2x250), VMSB-236, hit the Sisivei Road Block at 1100, putting most of their bombs in the assigned target area, results obscured by jungle.
Meanwhile (1100 also) 12 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMO 251, working in an 8/10 overcast, dropped their 12 bombs thru holes in the cumulus cover on huts north of their assigned target; the Jap Naval Headquarters at Kahili. All strafed.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, scheduled for Put Put-Keravat Sweeps in 2 flights, were turned back by weather.
4 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMF-223, were also turned back by weather from a proposed Duke of York-Cape Lambert Sweep this morning.
6 F4U's, VMF-212, swept South Bougainville in 3 flights and strafed several Japs killing approximately six.
4 F4U's, VMF-212, took the Poop-Sheet to Green and made the Able Charlie Search at the same time. They riddled a 20 foot canoe.
2 PV's (4x500 & 2x250). NZ-3, swept the East Coast of South New Ireland. They destroyed a building and strafed and bombed other targets.
1 PV (4x500 & 2x250) made a Bougainville Reconnaissance flight destroying a hut and strafing various targets.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 59 45
SBD 26 24
TBF 5 5
PV 20 8
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 21, 2020 11:04:38 GMT 12
2 September 1944
Rataval-130 (A,B, & C) was the favored target this morning. 18 SBD's (1x500 & 2x250), VMSB-236, sprinkled 16x500 and 32x250 over it for good coverage at 1000. Then 16 F4U's dove down on it at 1055, putting 16x500 over the area for good coverage particularly of section A and B. The F4U's also strafed. Meagre AA was received from 4 positions.
8 F4U's, VMO-251, handled the Put Put-Keravat Sweeps. They strafed various huts.
8 F4U's (1x500 inst.), likewise of VMO-251, swept Duke of York to Cape Lambert. They destroyed at least 4 buildings and scored 3 area hits on huts, results unobserved.
8 F4U's, VMF-212, patrolled locally for an hour at Dawn and Dusk.
6 PV's of NZ-3, in 2 flights, covered the Jap Bivouac area at Puk Puk with 24x500 and 10x250.
8 F4U's, VMF-212, in flights of 3 each, patrolled Motupena-Kieta throughout the day. They strafed huts.
Other smaller missions were:
2 F4U's, VMO-251, special hop to South Bougainville, killed 1 Jap.
2 TBF's (4x500), FMAW, Special Local Opportunity flights, one in morning, one in afternoon, blew the camouflage off the easternmost of the Moila Point coast guns, and destroyed a small bridge and a truck at Aku.
1 PV, NZ-3, Torokina-Rabaul Sweep, negative.
1 PV, NZ-3, Rabaul Weather Check and Ship Count.
2 F4U's, VMF-212, Poop-Sheet to Green and return.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 59 51
SBD 26 23
TBF 5 5
PV 20 7
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 22, 2020 10:36:11 GMT 12
3 September 1944
14 SBD's, VMSB-236, put 12x500 and 25x250, including 2 direct hits on huts, on Rataval-128 at 1010. Results were unobserved. Meagre light AA damaged 1 plane and wounded its Gunner.
14 F4U's, VMO-251, well covered Rataval-130 at 1050 with 14x500# bombs. Several fires were started. All planes strafed. AA was moderate light accurate.
8 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMF-223, took care of the Duke of York-Cape Lambert Sweep. Four in the morning and four in the afternoon. 2 bombs were area hits on buildings, 6 were misses. Strafing smoked one building.
8 more F4U's, VMF-223, were on Put Put-Keravat Sweeps (morning & afternoon), strafing huts with unobserved results.
3 PV's (4x500 & 2x250), NZ-3, hit opportunity targets along the east coast of New Ireland. They caused a large fire near Borpop and cratered a road, as well as strafed several huts. Moderate light inaccurate AA was received from near Borpop.
1 PV, NZ-3, took the Rabaul Weather Ship Count and another took the Torokina Rabaul Sweep.
1 PV, NZ-3, on a North Bougainville recco flight missed huts with 3 bombs but hit a trail with another.
10 F4U's, VMF-212, in 5 flights patrolled over the Motupena to Kieta area thruout the day, they strafed various huts and observed approximately 40 Japs killing seven.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, took the Dawn and Dusk Patrols.
1 TBF, FMAW, (4x500), went out on 3 special local missions today, He tried unsuccessfully to knock out the east coast gun at Moila Point, but did knock out a bridge near Ruisei.
6 F4U's, VMF-212, in flights of 2 each, delivered dispatches to Emirau, carried the Poop-Sheet to Green, and did Radar Tracking.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 59 48
SBD 26 22
TBF 5 5
PV 20 6
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 24, 2020 0:46:32 GMT 12
4 September 1944
Weather generally curtailed operations today, several strikes and sweeps being cancelled.
16 F4U's (1x1000 inst.), VMF-223, were turned back from their scheduled target, the Kahili Naval Headquarters, and deposited 15x1000 on Motupena Point, 1 of which was on the site of reported heavy AA positions.
The Duke of York-Cape Lambert Sweep - 4 F4U's (1x500), VMO-251, was forced to drop on Buka Island huts with but 1 area hit.
4 F4U's, VMF-212, setting out for Put Put-Keravat Sweep this morning were also fouled by weather. They paused at Green, but had to return later.
8 F4U's, VMO-251, took the one-hour Dawn and Dusk Patrols, reporting negatively.
6 F4U's, in flights of 2, VMF-212, VMO-251, tried to sweep South Bougainville, killing 2 Japs, but otherwise being frustrated by aerological conditions.
2 F4U's, VMF-212, took the Poop-Sheet to Green and returned.
1 TBF (4x500 & 8x100), undetoured by weather, was none the less tricked by faulty arming, and exploded only 4 of his 12 bombs, destroying 2 huts.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 59 50
SBD 32 29
TBF 5 5
PV 20 6
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 24, 2020 11:13:01 GMT 12
5 September 1944
16 F4U's, VMO-251, scored 14x1000 area hits on Nordup-76 at 0855. No damage observed.
16 SBD's put 14x500 and 30x250 on autos and coastal guns at Praed-86 at 0945. They scored 3 direct hits on 1 auto and the rest were area hits. They destroyed at least 4 huts on Duke of York Island with 3 direct and 1 area hits.
8 F4U's, (4x500 inst.), VMF-223, took the Duke of York-Cape Lambert Sweeps, bombing opportunity targets.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, swept Put Put-Keravat. They strafed buildings, huts, and a possible truck hide.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, inaugurated the new Cape Gazelle-Lemingi Sweep today dropping 8x500 on Lemingi with 1 bulls eye, 2 hits on edges, 4 near misses. Also strafed various areas.
NZ-3 Squadron sent 1 PV on Rabaul Weather Check and Ship Count, 1 PV on Torokina-Rabaul Sweep and 3 PV's to bomb and drop propaganda leaflets on Bougainville. They dropped leaflets in assigned areas, put bombs on opportunity targets.
10 F4U's, VMF-212, were on patrol over South Bougainville, Motupena-Kieta, in flights of 2 from 0620 to 1800. They strafed many Japs, killing 2 sure, 3 probable, several others possible.
8 F4U's, VMF-212, took the Dawn and Dusk Patrols.
Miscellaneous missions included 2 F4U's, VMF-212, taking the Poop-Sheet to Green; 2 F4U's, VMF-223, taking dispatches to Emirau; and 2 F4U's, VMO-251, on a special local hop, killing 2 Japs.
2 TBF sorties (4x250 & 8x100, 4-5sec. delay) destroyed 1 bridge, missed all others. 5 of their bombs were duds, 5 hung and jettisoned.
VMSB-133 Flight Echelon composed of 39 pilots, 40 gunners, one Intelligence Officer, 1 Medical Officer, and 2 clerks, under the command of Major Lee A. Christoffersen, USMC, reported for duty today.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 59 50
SBD 43 35
TBF 5 4
PV 20 8
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 25, 2020 11:03:12 GMT 12
6 September 1944
Our Strikes were generally curtailed by continuing bad weather today.
16 F4U's (1x1000 inst), VMO-251, out for an attack on Jap Naval Headquarters this morning were called back at 0930 because of weather.
The SBD strike on Kaino was likewise cancelled.
4 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMF-223, slated for a Cape Gazelle to Lemingi Sweep were forced to return because of weather at 1430.
8 F4U's, VMF-212, carried out 2 Duke of York-Cape Lambert Sweeps, staging thru Green.
4 F4U's, VMF-212, made a Put Put-Keravat Sweep, staging thru Green. 1 F4U, number 56094, pilot, 2nd Lt. L. Parker, VMF-212, hit by accurate moderate light AA from Tomavatur, was forced to water land 20 miles southwest of Cape St. George. He was rescued by Dumbo.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, made the Dawn and Dusk Patrols.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, in flights of 2, made South Bougainville Patrols, Motupena-Kieta through the day. The first also made the Able-Charlie Search around Bougainville. On the 1137-1350 Search, 1 F4U, #55837, pilot, 2nd Lt. H.E. Baker, VMF-223, was lost going through a front inland from Mamagata Mission, and all attempts to find him were negative.
2 F4U's, VMF-212, made a local Radar hop.
1 PV, NZ-3, enroute Emirau to Piva 0850-1443, located a downed pilot about 15 miles 140 degrees from Cape Gazelle at 1150, and circled him till 2 Dumbos and another escort arrived.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 56 44
SBD 42 25
TBF 5 3
PV 20 8
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 13:48:52 GMT 12
7 September 1944
Again our strikes were frustrated by the weather. Although we did get out 34 sorties.
5 PV's (4x500 & 2x300 inst.), NZ-3, were the only ones to get through to the Keravat Experimental Farms area where they put 25 bombs on reported supply areas at 0700, causing several fires, and 2 large columns of smoke. They thoroughly strafed the area and received light AA from 3 positions.
The 1 TBF (5x250), FMAW, could not be kept down and had a field day on Bougainville, destroying a hut, strafing a truck, and discovering various good targets.
16 F4U's, VMF-223, searched Bougainville and vicinity, especially South Bougainville, for their pilot who disappeared yesterday over South Bougainville. Searches were made with negative results.
The scheduled Put Put-Keravat Sweep, 4 F4U's, VMO-251, attempted to blaze trail, but were turned back by weather, 0645-0745.
Routine Missions were 4 F4U's, VMO-251 on Dawn Patrol; 2 F4U's, VMF-212, on South Bougainville Patrol and Able-Charlie Search, 0625-0900; and 2 F4U's, VMF-212, taking the Poop-Sheet to Green.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 66 46
SBD 47 39
TBF 5 4
PV 20 6
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 13:52:25 GMT 12
8 September 1944
Bad weather again fouled things up considerably but not entirely.
16 F4U's (1x1000 inst), VMO-251, put 15x1000 on the Jap Naval Headquarters at Kahili for good coverage at 0745. Moderate inaccurate light AA was received.
4 PV's (4x500 & 2x300, inst.), NZ-3, together with 14 SBD's (1x500 & 2x250), VMSB-236, shut out from Kaino, their primary target, put 28x500, 7x300 and 24x250 on a reported Jap concentration at Tinputts, Baniu Harbor at 1015. The area was strafed with 3300 rounds.
12 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMF-223, cut off from Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps by a front, put 12x500 on good South Bougainville opportunity targets at approximately 0915.
3 F4U's, VMF-212, scheduled for Duke of York-Cape Lambert Sweep, were turned back by weather at 1345. Also this afternoon three other Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps composed of 4 F4U's (1x500 inst), VMO-251, and 8 F4U's (1x500 inst), VMF-223, accomplished their missions, but put up at Green for the night because of weather. 2 F4U's, VMF-223, carried the Poop-Sheet to Green and did the same.
Four South Bougainville Sweeps composed of a total of 8 F4U's, 6 from VMF-212 and 2 from VMF-223, went out today. The first (0645-0945) also made the Able-Charlie Search. They strafed opportunity targets including a total of about 32 Japs, killing at least 2 of the Nips.
4 F4U's, VMF-212, were on Dawn Patrol (0620-0720); while 2 F4U's, VMF-212, were Radar Tracking, 0900-1015.
One TBF (5x250 & 1x100) went hunting locally 0945-1115 today without results other than observation of good targets.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 64 53
SBD 47 42
TBF 5 4
PV 16 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 27, 2020 20:04:19 GMT 12
9 September 1944
Again weather cancelled the proposed Keravat Experimental Farms strikes.
However, 3 PV's (4x500 & 2x250 inst.), taking off before dawn did attempt and partially accomplish fulfilment of their mission. 1 PV, number 4614, pilot, F/Lt. R. Stevens, RNZAF, was lost, being last seen taking off at Piva Uncle, last heard checking his radio ten minutes after take-off. The two other PV's continued over target and put at least 5x500 and 4x250 on reported dump area at 0700-0730. One of these, PV number 4522 was lost for several hours. He had been last seen over the target at 0728, was later heard to say he was ditching, finally turned up at Talasea, his fuel line having been hit by a shell. He made a successful landing on the 1800 foot runway but the plane has been abandoned because it cannot take off from the field.
16 SBD's, VMSB-236, hit opportunity targets in the vicinity of kieta at 1200, scoring 11x500 and 25x250 damaging hits on huts and buildings. 10 SBD's strafed.
12 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMO-251, put 12x500 area hits on a reported Jap concentration at Kaino at 1130. Four planes strafed.
6 F4U's (1x500 inst.), VMF-223, turned back from Gazelle Sweeps this morning, put 4 area hits on huts and 1 near miss (10 feet) on a hulk in the Arawa Bay-Kieta area.
3 Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps, composed of a total of 12 F4U's (VMF-223, VMF-212, and VMO-251), were turned back by a front south of Cape St. George which persisted thru the morning and afternoon. 4x500 were dropped on huts along the west coast of Buka.
8 F4U's, VMF-212, were out on South Bougainville Patrols in 4 flights today, despite poor weather.
4 F4U's, VMF-223, made the Dawn Patrol, 4 F4U's, VMF-223, made a special weather hop (Bougainville and Buka), and 2 F4U's, VMF-223, returned from Green carrying special messages.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 64 53
SBD 47 42
TBF 5 4
PV 16 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 27, 2020 20:05:48 GMT 12
10 September 1944
13 F4U's (1x500 mag clusters), VMF-223, got through to plaster their target Rataval-130 with 12 incendiary clusters at 1030. Coverage was good, results unobserved.
1 TBF, FMAW (4x500 oil incendiaries), led the way and marked the TARLENA Jap bivouac and supply area for 33 SBD's (1x500, 1/100, and 2x250 inst.)-15 from VMSB-236 and 18 from VMSB-133, which thoroughly covered the target with 33x500 and 58x250 at 0650.
1 PV, NZ-9, made the Torokina-Rabaul Sweep (0710-1304), while 2 others made the Rabaul Weather and Ship-Count. Hop and searched for their missing crew.
4 - Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps, consisting of a total of 15-F4U's (12 from VMF-212, 3 from VMF-223) were turned back by weather this morning and afternoon. The last dropped 3x500 misses on GAGAN Village, Buka.
A total of 12-F4U's, VMO-251, went out on 6 South Bougainville Patrols, Motupena-Kieta thruout the day. They strafed opportunity targets, including 26 Japs of whom they killed 12.
7 F4U's, VMO-251, patrolled locally, 4 at Dawn, 3 at Dusk.
2 F4U's, VMO-251, took the Poop Sheet to Green, while 2 more F4U's, VMO-251 performed a radar-tracking mission.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 64 53
SBD 47 42
TBF 5 3
PV 16 4
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 27, 2020 20:07:17 GMT 12
11 September 1944
Major Strike of the day consisted of 30 SBD's (1x500, 1/100 and 2x250, inst.) hitting the reported Jap Supply and Bivouac area at WAITAVALO Plantation (Reid Bay), 0850-0940. They put 77 bombs on their assigned target area for good coverage. All 30 SBD's strafed the target and vicinity.
20 F4U's (4 from VMF-223, 4 from VMO-251, and 12 from VMF-212) were on Sweeps on the Gazelle Peninsula (Cape Gazelle-Lemingi, Duke of York-Cape Lambert, and Put Put-Keravat). Opportunity targets were strafed, 3x500 were dropped in hut areas.
8 F4U's, VMF-223, patrolled South Bougainville in flights of 2 through the day, strafing opportunity targets.
8 F4U's, VMF-212, flew the Dawn and Dusk Patrol. Other missions were: 2 F4U's, VMF-223, taking the poop sheet to Green; 2 F4U's, VMF-223, radar tracking; and 1 TBF, FMAW, on a local reconnaissance hop, who found that the SBD's had done a good job at TARLENA on the 10th (8 buildings destroyed, 2 damaged).
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 64 58
SBD 47 36
TBF 5 1
PV 16 5
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 27, 2020 20:09:37 GMT 12
12 September 1944
31 SBD's - 18 from VMSB-133 and 13 from VMSB-236 (1x500 and 2x250) returned to bomb WAITAVALO Plantations reported Jap bivouac and supply area, where they successfully put 30x500 and 57x250 well dispersed over the target area for good coverage. They also out 1x250 direct hit and 1x250 area hit on other groups of huts. Time: 0845-0930. Meagre inaccurate M/G fire was received from 3 positions in the area.
15 F4U's, VMF-223, scheduled to hit the same WAITAVALO target an hour later were turned back by a front and dropped 14x500 on scattered huts in the KIETA area at 1130.
12 F4U's, VMO-251, each with 1x500 inst., made 3 Gazelle Peninsula Sweeps-Cape Gazelle to Lemingi, Duke of York to Cape Lambert, and Put Put to Keravat-this morning, putting all their 12x500 on huts with unobserved results. As the Duke of York to Cape Lambert Sweep was returning, 1 F4U, number 50157, piloted by 1st Lt. M.K. ROBINSON, VMO-251 was last seen heading 120° entering a front 20 miles 120° from Cape Gazelle at 1000. Subsequent searches for him today were negative.
8 F4U's, VMO-251, were out 1240-1540 searching for the above Lt. Robinson without success.
3 South Bougainville Patrols (Motupena-Kieta) were accomplished this morning 0625-1305 by 6-F4U's, 4 of VMF-212 and 2 of VMO-251. Opportunity targets were strafed. 1 flight completed the Able-Charlie Search.
1 F4U, no 56344, piloted by 2nd Lt. M.H. Thompson, VMF-212, crashed on taking off for a South Bougainville Patrol. The plane was surveyed, the pilot sustained only minor injuries.
Miscellaneous Missions included 4 F4U's, VMF-212, on Dawn Patrol; 2 F4U's, VMF-212, Radar Tracking; 1 PV, NZ-3, on Torokina-Wide Bay Sweep (0713-1326), and 1 PV, NZ-3, on Rabaul Weather check and Ship Count (0645-1225). The PV's also searched for the missing crew of their PV lost on 9 September. 1 TBF (12x100), FLAW, destroyed 2 large thatched roof buildings and 2 huts inland (S&SW) from KOROMIRA Mission (0926-1027).
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 63 52
SBD 47 40
TBF 5 3
PV 15
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 28, 2020 13:18:23 GMT 12
13 September 1944
Our Strikes to Rabaul today were cancelled because of very bad weather.
However 3 sweeps composed of 4 F4U's each, all of VMF-212, got through to the Gazelle Peninsula this morning. They strafed targets of opportunity and killed several Japs, exact number unknown.
10 F4U's, VMF-223, patrolled South Bougainville, Motupena-Kieta, in flights of 2 throughout the day. They strafed many huts.
Other missions accomplished were: 4 F4U's, VMF-223, on Dawn Patrol, 8 F4U's, VMO-251, in 2 flights, searching without success for the pilot they lost yesterday in St. George Channel; and 2 F4U's, VMF-223, taking the Poop Sheet to Green. 4 F4U's, VMF-223 were sent out to sink a small boat adrift 2 miles South of Motupena, and accomplished their mission by strafing. 2 SBD's (1x500 and 2x250) went out on a special flight to the Kieta area, where they knocked the roof off a building and destroyed a bridge (Time: 1435-1650).
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 63 57
SBD 47 43
TBF 5 4
PV 15 3
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 28, 2020 13:19:42 GMT 12
14 September 1944
A total of 16 F4U's (1x500 inst), VMF-223, 18 SBD's (1x500 and 2x 250), VMSB-133, and 15 more SBD's (1x500 and 2x250), VMSB-236, scored 36x500 and 59x250 area hits, as well as 3 observed damaging hits, on reported Jap supply and bivouac areas in the WAITAVALO Plantation -BROWN Island section. 29 SBD's and 5 F4U's strafed the target areas. Meagre M/G inaccurate was encountered. Results were obscured by jungle.
A total of 20 F4U's, VMF-212, went on Sweeps over the Gazelle Peninsula (Cape Gazelle-Lemingi, Duke of York - Cape Lambert, and Put Put -Keravat) this morning and afternoon. Many huts were strafed, 1 large building which burnt 5 hours was set afire.
8 F4U's of VMO-251 took the South Bougainville Patrols thru the day, and also made the Able-Charlie Search, various targets were strafed.
7 F4U's, VMF-212 and VMO-251, in 2 flights covered Dumbo unsuccessfully searching Wide Bay for a NZ pilot reported downed there. Of these, 1 F4U, VMF-212, crashed on landing in bad weather, and was surveyed, but the pilot is O.K.
Miscellaneous missions were: 4 F4U's, VMO-251, on Dawn Patrol; 2 F4U's, VMO-251, radar tracking; and 3 PV's NZ-3, one of which took the Torokina-Rabaul Sweep, one the Rabaul Weather check and Ship Count Hop, and one a propaganda leaflet-dropping Job for the instruction of Nips on Bougainville.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 61 54
SBD 47 42
TBF 5 4
PV 16 3
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 28, 2020 13:21:45 GMT 12
15 September 1944
A total of 32 SBD's (1x500 inst and 2x250, 1/100) and 16 F4U's, of which 15 SBD's were from VMSB-236, 17 SBD's from VMSB-133, and the 16 F4U's from VMO-251, hit the reported Jap Supply and Bivouac area at Chabai from 0655 to 0840. 16x1000, 31x500, and 62x250 bombs plastered the assigned target with excellent coverage. 30 SBD's strafed the target.
A total of 24 F4U's (1x500, 1/100), all from VMF-223, flew 2 Cape Gazelle-Lemingi, 2 Duke of York Cape Lambert, and 2 Put Put-Keravat Sweeps today. They dropped their 24x500 bombs on groups of huts scoring 3 direct hits and 9 area hits. The sweeps were executed morning and afternoon.
10 F4U's, VMF-212, kept the South Bougainville Patrol, Motupena-Kieta, going through the day. They strafed various huts. During these Sweeps, 1 F4U, bureau number 49929, with its pilot, 2nd Lt. James W. Laggren, USMCR, VMF-212, was lost making a second strafing run on huts 2 1/2 miles northwest of Kangu Hill. The plane crashed, exploded, and burned, the pilot was surely killed according to 2nd Lt. Luther L. Parker, who observed the accident.
2 PV's (4x500 & 2x300), NZ-3, sent out to bomb local targets, scored only near misses on bridges and huts but may have done some damage with 4000 rounds of strafing.
Miscellaneous missions included: 8 F4U's, VMF-212, in Dawn and Dusk Patrols; 2 F4U's, VMF-212, Radar Tracking; 2 F4U's, VMF-212, taking the Poop-Sheet to Green; 1 PV, NZ-3, on Rabaul Weather Check and Ship Count; and 3 SBD's, VMSB-133, unsuccessfully searching for a mine reported off Treasury.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 61 56
SBD 47 43
TBF 5 4
PV 17 8
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 29, 2020 10:45:19 GMT 12
16 September 1944
The reported Jap supply and bivouac area inland from Chabai was the target of Piva aircraft - a total of 97 planes - this morning. The area was thoroughly bombed and strafed by 34 SBD's (1x500 & 2x250) from VMSB-133 and VMSB-236, and 32 F4U's (1x1000) from VMF-223 and VMO-251, which put a total of 32x500, 56x250 and 31x1000 on Chabai target number 1; while 3 PV's (2x500 & 4x250), NZ-3, put 6x500 and 10x250 on Chabai target number 2; and 12 F4U's, VMF-212, devoted themselves to strafing the general area including both targets. Time: 0800 to 1115. All bombing was in good pattern, and most planes strafed the area, but results were obscured by jungle.
Miscellaneous Special Missions included: 1 SBD (1x500 & 2x250), ComAirPiva, putting 2x250 on Soraken Plantation, and 1x500 on Sohana Island's north tip; 2 SBD's (1x500 & 2x250), FMAW, which damaged several huts and probably a truck also near Porton Plantation; and 1 TBF (5x250 & 1x100) which destroyed 2 huts and damaged 2 others near Tarongen. 1 PV, NZ-3, flew the Rabaul Weather Check and Ship Count.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 63 55
SBD 47 36
TBF 5 3
PV 17 5
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 29, 2020 10:46:39 GMT 12
17 September 1944
Today we had off for maintenance.
Nevertheless 4 PV's (2x500 & 2x250), NZ-3, combined a Search along the western New Ireland coast with a Strike in the same area. Their quest for their PV crew missing since 9 September was negative.
They did however crater a road, probably damage a water tank, and destroy a house containing at least 6 Japs. They also caused damage including a persistent fire by strafing.
2 Duke of York to Cape Lambert Sweeps by a total of 8 F4U's, VMO 251, were negative.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 63 56
SBD 47 45
TBF 5 3
PV 17 8
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 29, 2020 10:48:23 GMT 12
18 September 1944
Chief target of Piva squadrons today was Raluana Point. A total of 35 SBD's (1x500 and 2x250 inst.), 17 from VMSB 236 and 18 from VMSB 133, put 25x500 and 48x250 in the areas of 3 heavy AA positions, 2 coast defense guns, 3 autos, 2 machine guns, and a searchlight; while 31 F4U's (1x500 inst.), 16 from VMO 251 and 15 from VMF 223, put 28x 500 in the areas of groups of huts in the Raluana Point area. Moderate light accurate and inaccurate AA was encountered. 27 planes strafed their targets. Time: 0945-0955.
6 PV's (4x500 and 2x250), NZ 3, plastered Teninbaubau, North Bougainville, with 24x500 and 12x250 bombs, and 6700 rounds of ammo in 2 flights this morning.
Other NZ 3 activities were 1 PV on Torokina - Rabaul Sweep, and 1 PV making the Rabaul Weather check and Ship Count.
A total of 6 F4U's, VMF 212, in 3 flights, kept the patrol over South Bougainville thru most of the day. 8 Japs were killed by the hunters. Caves, apparently occupied, on Buka were strafed.
2 F4U's, VMF 212, took the poop sheet to Green.
3 F4U's, VMF 212, sent out to search for 3 Torokina F4U's lost this afternoon approx. 280 degrees 7 miles from Torokina found only 3 very definite oil slicks about 200 feet apart. They directed crash boat to each of the slicks.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 64 54
SBD 47 37
TBF 5 4
PV 17 9
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