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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 3, 2021 15:55:49 GMT 12
3 OCTOBER 1944
Good weather again brought out the Piva planes. Waitavalo was the target for 11 Corsairs (11x1000 inst.)
4 F4U's from VMF 212 and 7 F4U's from VMO 251 - and 22 SBD's (21x500 14x250 and 30x100) 15 SBD's from VMSB 133 and 7 from VMSB 236. Assigned areas were bombed and strafed but results were obscured by foliage. Meager inaccurate M/G fire was received from TOL Pltn.
Five patrols of 2 Corsairs each (6 from VMF 212 and 4 from VMF 223) ran the South Bougainville Patrol in relays from 0605 to 1805. 2 patrols also flew the Able-Charlie search. Many huts throughout area as well as bivouac and cooking fire areas were strafed. Of a total of 12 Japs strafed at least 4 were killed.
4 F4U's from VMO 251 (4x500) on the morning Put Put - Keravat sweep cratered 3 gardens at the Keravat Farms. The afternoon sweep of 4 F4U's from VMF 223 (4x500) dropped 3 in BANIU bivouac area with results consealed by foliage and the remaining bomb destroyed 1 of 2 huts near BANIU. East coast targets were strafed.
8 F4U's (8x500) 4 from VMF 212 on the morning Duke of York -Cape Lambert sweep and 4 from VMF 223 on the afternoon sweep destroyed 3 huts and damaged others by bombing and 3 huts and a house were fired by strafing. Target areas were well strafed. Meager inaccurate maching gun fire was received.
8 F4U's (8x500) 4 from VMO 251 and 4 from VMF 223 on two Cape Gazelle-Lemingi sweeps. 3 bombs on huts were unobserved and 3 missed but cratered road at Watwat Plantation. 1 bomb missed a truck. Strafing fired 1 hut, destroyed 1 truck and killed 2 Japs. Meager inaccurate M/G fire was encountered near MOKURAPAU PLTN.
A FMAW TBF (12x100) got 2 possibly damaging misses on a bridge near IWI PLTN. 10 bombs hung and were jettisoned.
VMF 212 had 4 F4U's on dawn patrol and 4 F4U's on dusk patrol, both negative.
VMF 223 had 2 F4U's on a routine radar track mission.
1 PV from NZ - 3 ran a routine Torokina - Rabaul sweep.
12 SBD's of VMSB 236, 11 SBD's of VMSB 133 and 16 F4U's of VMF 212 engaged in 2 hour division tactics night flying and 28 night flying sorties were flown by VMO 251 in squadron tactics.
1 PBJ of VMB 413 temporarily based at Piva in a night heckling patrol dropped 14x100 on KHILI area with unobserved results.
The same PBJ later cooperated with Army searchlight batteries in a 1 hour search light test.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 66 55
SBD 49 42
TBF 5 3
PV 17 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 4, 2021 11:05:14 GMT 12
4 OCTOBER 1944
Again taking advantage of ideal weather Piva put 140 planes in the air today.
Eleven F4U's (11x1000) from VMF 223 and 26 SBD's (26x500, 4x250, and 48x100) 14 SBD's from VMSB 133 and 12 from VMSB 236 struck Ralum 45. 1 heavy gun position, 1 pier, 7 huts and 1 warehouse were destroyed. A warehouse and several huts were damaged. Other bombs in tree covered areas were unobserved. All targets were strafed. Meager inaccurate heavy fire was received from Tobera.
6 two plane South Bougainville patrols were flown by 6 F4U's from VMO 251. One patrol was combined with Able - Charlie search. 13 Japs seen at different places took to bush and were strafed with unobserved results. Many huts were strafed setting fire to 4 of them. A bridge was also strafed.
4 VMF 212 F4U's and 4 VMO 251 F4U's ran the morning and afternoon York - Lambert sweeps dropping 8x500. 1 hut was destroyed and several damaged by bombing. 2 huts were fired and a truck exploded by strafing. A group of about 20 Japs cooking at WUNAWATUNG and about 100 marching in formation toward the chow scattered before being strafed, results were unobserved. Intense accurate heavy light and M/G fire holed 1 plane.
4 VMF 212 F4U's and 4 VMO 251 F4U's handled the 2 Cape Gazelle -Lemingi sweeps destroying 1 hut and damaging others by bombing and smoking 12 huts and hitting many others in strafing runs 8 quarter tonners were dropped.
4 F4U's each from VMF 223 and VMO 251 made the two Put Put -Keravat runs with a total of 7x500. Several huts were damaged by bombs. Many targets including a truck and 5 Nips who ran into the brush were strafed with unobserved results. One plane with engine trouble landed at Green with his wingman.
2 TBF's of the First Wing went out separately on local hops carrying 24x100 of which 13 hung and were jettisoned. 2 bridges were missed and the approach to a third bridge was blown out. A truck was strafed without apparent damage. 10,000 propaganda leaflets were dropped in various areas.
VMF 212 had 4 Corsairs each on negative dawn and dusk patrols while VMO 251 had 2 F4U's on a routine radar track mission.
1 NZ - 3 PV flew a negative Torokina - Rabaul sweep.
On scheduled night flying division tactics VMF 212 flew 28 F4U sorties, VMF 223 flew 8 and VMSB flew 18 SBD sorties.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 60
SBD 49 40
TBF 5 4
PV 17 1
PB4Y 0 0
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 4, 2021 11:07:57 GMT 12
5 OCTOBER 1944
Utilising the breaks in the weather, Com Air Piva completed 75 sorties for today.
The outstanding strike for the day consisted of 36 planes, twelve SBD's fron VMSB 236, 12 SBD's of VMSB 133 covered by 12 F4U's of VMO 251, hitting the Talili Bay Area on New Britian Island. The Dauntless Dive Bombers dropped a combined total of over eight tons of bombs on anti-aircraft guns and huts in the target area. The SBD's also strafed the area with 50 cal. machine guns. The F4U's acting as fighter bombers, dropped six tons of bombs and thoroughly strafed the targets, observing one small fire started. Later photographs confirmed the destruction of two machine guns and thirteen huts by the strike.
2 F4U's from VMF 251 completed a routine and negative local dawn patrol.
2 F4U's of VMF 212 strafed three Japs with unobserved results while on a South Bougainville patrol. Three two hour patrols were maintained by 6 F4U's of VMF 223 over South Bougainville and around the coast of North Bougainville and Buka Islands. During the Patrol, one barge was set afire and several huts and a warehouse area were strafed with unobserved results.
Two sweeps of 4 F4U's each from VMF 223 and VMF 212 covered the Cape Gazelle to Lemingi area on New Britian Island. Huts were strafed and bombed using 3000 pounds of bombs. Five Japs were killed by strafing and one building was destroyed.
The Duke of York - Cape Lambert New Britian areas were covered by two 4 plane sweeps of F4U's. 8 planes from VMF 223 and VMF 212 were used. Hut areas were strafed and bombed with 3,000 pounds of bombs. Results were unobserved.
The Put Put - Keravat area on New Britian was covered by two 4 plane F4U sweeps. The fighter-bombers were furnished by VMF 212 and VMF 223. 3,000 pounds of bombs were dropped on gardens and hut areas and the same areas wore strafed with unobserved results.
The Torokina to Rabaul area was covered during the strike times by one New Zealand PV as a stand-by for air-sea rescue work.
Two F4U's from VMF 212 completed a routine and negative radar track.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 54
SBD 49 36
TBF 5 3
PV 17 2
PB4Y 1 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 4, 2021 11:09:44 GMT 12
6 OCTOBER 1944
30 SBD's - 15 SBD's (15x500 1/10 and 30x100 inst.) from VMSB 236 and (15x500 1/100 and 30x100 inst.) from VMSB 133 and 16 F4U's (14x 1000) scheduled to hit Vunakanau were turned back by a front and hit NUMA NUMA and BUKA targets as secondaries. The Numa Numa bivouac area was well covered with 14x1000, 14x500 and 26x100 and was well strafed but the jungle growth made observation difficult. 2 F4U's had returned early with bombs due to engine trouble, 1x500 and 4x100 hung and were jettisoned. VMSB 236 destroyed a small house and several huts in Gagan village on Buka and 5x500 and 6x100 were dropped in the Tarlena and Chabai supply areas with results concealed by foliage. 6x100 hung and were jettisoned.
VMO 251 with three patrols of 4 F4U's each carrying a total of 12x500 ran the morning York - Lambert, Put Put - Keravat and Gazelle -Lamingi sweeps respectively. Two houses were destroyed west of the NAMBUNG River, at least 3 huts were damaged at MOKURAPAU. 4 huts southeast of Keravat were destroyed, 1 Jap firing a machine gun was killed at Watwat and a hut was probably damaged in Put Put Plantation. Meager accurate machine gun fire from Ralabang Plantation holed 1 plane while 1 burst of heavy accurate fire holed another plane near Kabang Plantation. Meager inaccurate machine gun fire was received from the gunner killed at Watwat. Two huts at Kurrajong Plantation and large building at Watwat were smoked by strafing. Many targets were strafed with unobserved damage. The afternoon sweeps were all cancelled by weather.
8 F4U's, 6 from VMO 251 and 2 from VMF 212 in pairs flew 4 South Bougainville patrols, the third patrol being contained with the Able -Charlie search. 1 Jap was killed and 6 others were strafed with unobserved results. The last 2 patrols were cancelled because of the weather.
4 VMF 223 F4U's flew a negative dawn patrol. The dusk patrol was rained out.
2 F4U's from VMF 212 carried out a routine radar track mission.
1 NZ - 3 PV made the Torokina Rabaul sweep with no results.
1 F4U from MAG-24 on a local sweep strafed huts around Buka and Bonis and 6 Japs repairing a hut at Tahitahi.
1 FMAW TBF dropped 4x250 and 2x100 on huts at KAROLINGAR with observation obscured by weather. 10 Japs and a possible 75mm camoflouged gun were observed at TSIMBA.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 53
SBD 49 37
TBF 5 5
PV 17 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 5, 2021 10:38:53 GMT 12
7 OCTOBER 1944
16 VMF 223 Corsairs (16x1000) and 13 VMSB 133 Dauntlesses (13x500 1/100 and 26x100 inst.) got through to Kanakdran, plastering the target area with the full bomb loadings. Results were generally obscured but observations included 1 bridge and 1 hut destroyed, 1 bridge and 3 huts damaged. Target areas were strafed as were a group of 30 Japs at mouth of Melkone River but actual damage was not observed.
14 SBD's from VMSB 236 with 14x500 1/10 and 28x100 inst., scheduled to hit Kanakdran were closed out and dropped on gardens at Chabai and huts at Munlus village with unobserved results. All planes strafed targets and vicinity.
VMO 251 handled the Rabaul area sweeps with 24 F4U's carrying a quarter ton bomb a piece. 4 planes on the morning Gazelle - Lemingi sweep dropped 2 misses and a dud on bridges and trenches.
Another miss on trenches north of the Warangoi cratered the road. One hut was strafed. The afternoon sweep was prevented from reaching the area by a front and swept Bougainville. 4 bombs on a group of huts at Cape Hatsia probably damaged some. Huts were strafed along the east coast of Bougainville with unobserved results. Accurate intense machine gun fire was received from Ervente and Popotala Islands.
3 planes on the morning Put Put - Keravat sweep cratered a garden at Keravat and missed a hut at Balu. Several huts were strafed with no visible damage. The afternoon sweep was weathered out and the 4 planes destroyed a hut at BUTCHKOMBO and got a hut on some caves along a creek with undetermined damage. Various huts were strafed but damage was not observed.
5 planes on the morning and 4 on the afternoon Duke of York -Lambert sweep destroyed a building at Waterhouse Cove, several huts at URUKUK and damaged several huts and buildings on Duke of York Island. Many huts were hit by strafing.
VMF 212 maintained the South Bougainville patrol with 4 pairs of F4U's. The last 2 scheduled patrols were grounded by rain. 7 Japs strafed, took to brush and results were unobserved. Meager inaccurate machine gun fire was encountered by 1 plane near Koromira.
On a local strike 2 First Wing TBF with 8x250 and 15x100 missed the MOBINA bridge but hit the approaches. Windows were dropped on a special mission for Army radar units.
4 VMF 212 F4U's made a negative local dawn patrol. The dusk patrol was cancelled.
2 F4U's from VMF 212 carried out a routine radar track mission.
1 NZ - 3 PV flew a negative Torokina - Rabaul sweep.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 53
SBD 49 37
TBF 5 2
PV 17 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 5, 2021 10:40:42 GMT 12
8 OCTOBER 1944
Army bombers from Nadzab were given a clear field over Rabaul for the morning confining Piva to local strikes and patrols.
26 SBD's, 14 SBD's (14x500 1/100 and 28x250 inst.) from VMSB 236 and 12 SBD's (12x500 1/100 and 24x100 inst.) from VMSB 133 hit the Jap bivouac area at Baniu with good coverage but undetermined results. The target area was well strafed. Meager inaccurate rifle fire was reported.
VMF 223 flew 4 two Corsair South Bougainville patrols, 3 of which were combined with Able-Charlie search. The last 2 patrols were weathered out. Many huts throughout the area were strafed with unobserved results.
4 F4U's from VMF 212 (4x500) on the Duke of York - Cape Lambert sweep destroyed a building and a hut and strafed several buildings firing one.
4 F4U's from VMF 212 (4x500) on the Put Put - Keravat sweep destroyed 2 buildings south of Keravat and cratered 3 gardens.
4 F4U's from VMF 212 (4x500) got 4 near misses on buildings at Watta and Kuradui Plantations.
The dawn patrol was cancelled. The dusk patrol flown by 4 F4U's of VMF 223 was negative.
7 F4U's from VMF 223 were scrambled for radar cooperation with Dane Base.
24 F4U's from VMO 251 engaged in gunnery flights daring the day.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 67 58
SBD 49 39
TBF 5 4
PV 17 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 5, 2021 10:44:24 GMT 12
9 OCTOBER 1944
One major strike of 12 SBD's from VMSB 236. 12 SBD's from VMSB 133 loaded with 1x500 and 2x250 pound bombs each, and 14 F4U's from VMF 212 with 1x1000, was made on the Kanakdran bivouac and hot area on New Britain near Henry Reid Bay. The areas were well hit and were destroyed. Seven huts, one bridge and one derelict barge were destroyed. All planes returned.
2 flights of 4 F4U's each from VMF 223, covered the Put Put -Keravat New Britain area, dropping 4x500 pound bombs destroying 7 pup tents.
The Cape Gazelle to Lemingi area on New Britain was covered by two sweeps of F4U's from VMF 223. One flight contained four planes the second only 3 as one plane returned due to engine trouble. The first flight strafed and dropped 4x500 pound bombs on huts with unobserved results. The second flight did not reach the target, due to weather conditions, so bombed huts on Buka Island.
The Duke of York to Cape Lambert area of the Bismark Archipelago was covered by two sweeps of 4 F4U's each from VMF 223. 7 huts were destroyed and several damaged by 8x500 pound bombs and 12,000 rounds of 50 caliber ammunition.
A dawn patrol and a dusk patrol, each of 4 F4U's from VMO 251, reported negative over Bougainville.
Bougainville was patrolled throughout the day by four, two plane F4U flights from VMO 251, with the planes strafing several huts and destroying at least one hut.
Six SBD's from VMSB 236 searched in three, two plane flights for a lost SCAT plane, with negative results.
A New Zealand - 3, PV covered the strike areas during time of strike as a standby rescue plane.
One New Zealand - 3, PV-1, successfully completed a local reconnaissance hop.
2 F4U's from VMO 251, completed a routine and negative radar track mission.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 58
SBD 49 39
TBF 5 4
PV 17 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 6, 2021 11:32:38 GMT 12
10 OCTOBER 1944
Taking advantage of the good weather during the morning hours. Five sent out one major strike on the Ralum "45", Kenabot and Raniola Plantation areas in North Eastern New Britain. The strike was composed of 15 SBD's from VMSB 133, 15 SBD's from VMSB 236, and 12 F4U's from VMF 223. The 20 and 1/2 tons of bombs from the strike destroyed 12 buildings, and left two fires burning, as was shown by photos. Despite the moderate anti-aircraft fire, all planes returned to base safely.
The Duke of York, Cape Lambert area in the Bismarcks was covered by two flights of 4 F4U's each, from VMO 251. The first sweep attacked a 40 foot boat in Tuwi River, on North Western New Britain, dropping bombs and strafing, with no apparent damage. The second sweep sunk the boat with boats and strafing.
8 F4U's from VMF 223 were sent out to get the above mentioned boat but could not locate it due to the weather, so bombed and strafed Kanakdran bivouac areas on New Britain. Results were obscured by weather conditions.
The Cape Gazelle - Lemingi area on New Britain was covered by two, four plane F4U sweeps of VMO 251. Several hut areas were strafed and bombed with one tin roofed building set afire.
Two sweeps of 4 F4U's each, from VMO 251 covered the Put Put to Keravat New Britain area. Huts and garden areas were strafed and bombed with no results observed.
Bougainville was covered by 5, two plane F4U sweeps, all from VMF 212. Hut and garden areas were strafed and bombed with three huts set afire and destroyed. Two groups of Japs were strafed, one group of 20, and one group of 15, with an undetermined number killed.
1 - TBM from FMAW dropped 20,000 propaganda leaflets over Jap concentrated areas, and released 12x100 pound bombs at bridge and road areas with damage undetermined.
1 New Zealand. PV - 1 covered the Torokina, Bougainville to Rabaul area as a stand-by rescue plane.
A local dawn and dusk patrol of 4 and 3 F4U's respectively, from VMF 212 was successfully completed.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 57
SBD 49 40
TBF 5 5
PV 17 11
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 6, 2021 11:34:42 GMT 12
11 OCTOBER 1944
With no strikes scheduled Piva's activities were of a very routine nature.
VMF 223 had 4 F4U's each on routine negative dawn and dusk patrol and 2 F4U's on the daily radar track mission.
VMF 223 also flew 5 two plane Bougainville patrols during which several huts and buildings, 2 Japs and 1 barge were strafed with undetermined damage. Many observations of possible future targets were reported. Accurate machine gun fire was encountered at two planes and 1 plane was damaged.
1 FMAW TBF on a local strike dropped 7x250 and 3x100, 4-5 sec. delay, destroying 4 huts and 1 log covered revetment. The pilot observed several heretofore unreported gun positions and houses, a large canoe and other activity.
4 F4U's from VMF 212 on both morning and evening Put Put -Keravat sweeps were weathered out and hit Buka and Porton with a total of 8 quarter tonners. No specific damage was observed from drops on huts and gardens. Both morning and afternoon York - Lambert and Gazelle - Lemingi sweeps were cancelled because of weather.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 69 61
SBD 49 38
TBF 5 4
PV 8 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 6, 2021 11:36:12 GMT 12
12 OCTOBER 1944
Despite the squalls throughout the day, Piva managed to get enough planes in the air to keep the Japs in this area ducking.
The outstanding strike for the day consisted of 12 SBD's from VMSB 236, and 6 F4U's of VMF 212 dropping 16 tons of bombs on Maili Village one eastern Shortlands. The area was very will covered with bomb hits and strafing.
Although one Put Put - Keravat sweep in the New Britain area was weathered out, the second one managed to get through and the 4 F4U's of VMF 223 bombed and strafed Tobera Airfield, and several plantations in that area.
The first Cape Gazelle - Leming, New Britain sweep was weathered out, but the second sweep of 4 F4U's from VMF 223 managed to cover the target area, bombing and strafing huts and plantation areas.
The first Duke of York - Lemingi areas of the Bismark group, sweep was unable to take off due to the weather, but the second sweep of 4 F4U's of VMF 223 reached the target and bombed and strafed huts and plantations and a jetty.
Two TBF's and one TBM from FMAW covered Bougainville, dropping propaganda leaflets and bombing and strafing huts and plantations.
Eight F4U's of VMO 251 patrolled Bougainville, bombing and strafing targets of opportunity.
A dawn and dusk Patrol of 4 F4U's each, from VMO 251 reported routine and negative local patrols.
A radar trach of 2 F4U's of VMO 251 was successfully completed.
5 F4U's of VMF 212 make high altitude gunnery runs on a towed target for practice in gunnery.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 68 57
SBD 49 39
TBF 5 3
PV 8 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 8, 2021 0:41:49 GMT 12
13 OCTOBER 1944
This morning, 1100 - 1110, a reported Nip supply area in the jungle alongside Numa Numa Plantation was our major target. 12 SBD's, VMSB 133, and 8 F4U's, VMF 223, put 20x500 1/100 and 24x250 inst., on their assigned target, which was also strafed by all planes. Results were obscured by jungle foliage.
15 SBD's, VMSB 236, also scheduled to strike Numa Numa, hit opportunity targets on eastern Bougainville account of weather. Although 15x500 and 30x100 were dropped, no observer damage was achieved. 9 planes strafed targets.
Although our first 2 South Bougainville patrols were weathered out, 6 F4U's of VMF 212, completed the other three and an Able-Charlie search. Huts were strafed with unobserved results.
2 TBF's, FMAW, went out on lone local strikes this morning, dropping 4x500 and 11x100 on targets without achieving visible results.
Other miscellaneous missions included 2 F4U's, VMF 212, radar tracking and 4 F4U's, VMF 212, on dusk patrol.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 68 61
SBD 49 43
TBF 5 3
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 8, 2021 0:43:08 GMT 12
14 OCTOBER 1944
Today SBD's engaged in training flights and F4U's in Gunnery practice. No strikes were scheduled.
Five 2 plane South Bougainville patrols were flown by F4U's of VMF 223, 3 patrols being combined with Able-Charlie search. Five Nips, many huts and targets of opportunity were strafed, 1 hut was fired and other results were undetermined. 8x500 4/5 seconds delay bombs were dropped destroying 1 and damaging 3 huts and getting a hit in the mouth of an inhabited cave by skip bombing.
Two 4 plane Duke of York - Pondo sweeps, by 8 F4U's of VMF 212 (7x500) destroyed a building at Pondo, 2 huts at Keravat and a reported camouflaged plane in a revetment at Vunakanau. Strafing of many targets appeared to destroy or damage 4 trucks, kill or injure 15 to 18 Japs and damage several huts. Machine gun fire was encountered at Vunakanau, Tobera and Rabaul holing 1 plane.
Two four plane, Cape Gazelle - Lemingi sweeps, by 8 VMF 212 F4U's with 3x500 inst. damaged 2 or 3 huts. Strafing of 22 huts set 1 afire.
2 Put Put - Keravat sweeps of 4 VMF 212 F4U's each dropped 8x500 destroying a pier and damaging several huts at Mandres and cratering a garden at Malabunga. Targets were strafed with unobserved results.
1 FMAW TBF dropped 14,000 propaganda leaflets in South Bougainville for the Army.
Another FMAW TBF (4x500) scattered dirt and debris over a log covered gun revetment with near misses.
VMF 223 had 4 F4U's on each the dawn and dusk patrols and 2 F4U's on the radar track mission, all negative.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 68 57
SBD 49 41
TBF 5 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 8, 2021 0:44:44 GMT 12
15 OCTOBER 1944
Today our major strike was on Karakakaul Plantation supply area.
15 SBD's of VMSB 236 and 9 SBD's of VMSB 133 dropped 24x500 and 48x100 in the area possibly destroying a storage shed and small building in the center of the plantation. Other planes reported good coverage of area with bombs and strafing. Possible inaccurate M/G fire was received from coast of Talili Bay. 16 F4U's of VMF 212 also hit Kurakakual Plantation supply area. Dropped 16x1000 on NE and SE portion of supply area. All bombs were reported to have dropped in assigned area, but the results were unobserved. Intense accurate M/G fire from Tobera was received and 2nd Lt. John A. RYAN received a slug in his shoulder not serious, his F4U was hit in the port wing flap and aileron.
2 four plane Duke of York to Cape Lambert sweeps by 8 F4U's of VMF 223 (8x500 GP 4/5 sec.) destroyed 1 hut and probably destroyed 2 others at Tomavatum and Rongarere, also sank a canoe with 2 passengers 1 mile south of Duke of York. Probably killed passengers, nationality unknown. Strafed targets of opportunity from Cape Lambert to Massona with unobserved results.
2 four plane Cape Cazelle to Lemingi sweeps by 8 F4U's of VMF 223 (8x500 GP 4/5 sec.) destroyed 4 huts at Vunabal. Damaged 5 huts at Lemingi. Received accurate M/G fire from Vunaboe, one plane received a hit on port wing near guns. Not serious.
2 four plane Put Put - Keravat sweeps of 8 F4U's of VMF 223 (8x500 GP 4/5 sec.) strafed 2 trucks near Toma Plantation with unobserved results. Sighted 5 Japs along beach at Kabanga Point. Bombs missed huts at Keravat.
5 two plane sections of VMO 251 patrolled South Bougainville and one section patrolled Able-Charlie area. One patrol was cancelled due to weather. Strafed 4 Japs, killing three, sank canoe near Tonolei Harbor, observed and strafed small camouflaged boat NW shore of Tonolei Harbor loaded with supplies. Results unobserved. Strafed building and gardens north of Kahili, unobserved results, reported a barge hideout at month of river from Lake Lahala.
VMO 251 had 4 F4U's, each patrolled islands on dawn and dusk patrol, negative.
2 F4U's of VMO 251 had a radar track mission, negative.
6 SBD's of VMSB 133 was on a training hop, routine.
1 PV of NZ 3 was on a Torokina - Rabaul sweep, negative.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 87 71
SBD 49 39
TBF 5 0
PV 8 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 11, 2021 11:05:41 GMT 12
16 OCTOBER 1944
Today the major strike was on Tenekan Plantation. 15 SBD's of VMSB 236. 9 SBD's of VMSB 133 and 8 F4U's of VMF 223 dropped 32x500 and 46x100 on the target area for good coverage. The area was thoroughly strafed, the planes using 4910 rounds of 50 caliber ammunition and 1410 rounds of 30 caliber.
VMO 251 scheduled for the Put Put - Keravat sweep had to return to base, with bombs, due to bad weather.NZ 17 had the 6 scheduled South Bougainville patrols and the Able-Charlie search. 6x500 were dropped on native huts and buildings but missed. During the course of the patrols. 37 Japs and 12 Natives were strafed with unobserved results. Several native huts and canoes were strafed with unobserved results.
Other miscellaneous missions included 1 TBF, FMAW on an observation mission which observed good area hits by the SBD strike on Tenekan. NZ 17 with 4 F4U's had the dawn patrol. 2 F4U's, NZ 17 were on a routine radar tracking mission. 6 SBD's of VMSB 133 had a dummy glide bombing hop with the 37th Division. 5 F4U's, VMF 212 went on a scheduled gunnery hop which was routine.
The following missions were cancelled today due to bad weather: Cape Gazelle, Lemingi Sweep, Duke of York - Pondo Point Sweep and the Dusk Patrol.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 105 88
SBD 49 42
TBF 5 1
PV 8 1
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 11, 2021 11:09:20 GMT 12
17 OCTOBER 1944
The Kanakdran area was hit by 31 F4U's and 14 SBD's. 16 VMO 251 F4U's (16x1000) got 2 direct and 9 area hits on Japs bivouac in KALAI Plantation, destroying at least 2 houses. 15 VMF 223 F4U's (15x500) on another group of houses in KALAI Plantation destroyed at least 3 others. 14 VMSB 236 SBD's (14x500 and 28x100) got many damaging hits in Kanakdran village with results obscured by smoke.
12 NZ 17 F4U's (12x500) handled the Able-Charlie searches and South Bougainville patrols. Destroyed 11 huts and a 2 story building, damaged several huts, strafed 24 Japs killing 5 and probable killing others. Strafed several huts and cooking fires. Strafed 1 12 foot boat setting it afire. Dropped 2 bombs on a coastal gun and 2 in the Numa Numa bivouac with undetermined results. The last patrol of 2 F4U's did not return and are listed as missing.
VMF 212 had the sweeps. 8 F4U's (8x500) on the York - Pondo sweep bombed and strafed huts with unobserved results. Light machine gun fire was received from Guntershoe. On the morning Gazelle -Lemingi sweep of 4 F4U's (4x500) several buildings were damaged by near misses and 12 Japs were strafed and some killed. One plane was holed by LMG fire from Ralabang Plantation. The Put Put - Keravat sweep missed buildings at Mandres and strafed huts and a trailer with unobserved results. The afternoon Put Put - Keravat and Gazelle -Lemingi sweeps were combined with 3 F4U's (3x500). 1 hut was destroyed 2 damaged and others strafed.
18 SBD's of VMSB 133 on a training hop dropped 36x100. NZ 17 ran two 2 plane radar track missions with F4U's.
NZ 17 had 4 F4U's on dawn patrol and 3 F4U's on dusk patrol, both routine.
1 TBF from FMAW journeyed to Ebery's Lease Jap Headquarters and dropped a scroll from the Commanding General of the XIV Corps to the Commanding General of the Jap Bougainville forces.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 105 86
SBD 49 45
TBF 5 0
PV 7 3
Com Air Torokina was dissolved as of October 16. Two Nev Zealand Corsair squadrons, RNZAF # 17 and # 22, moved to the Piva south strips and continued operations under the tactical control of Com Air Piva. RNZAF Operational and Intelligence personnel joined the Com Air Piva staff.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 11, 2021 11:12:36 GMT 12
18 OCTOBER 1944
The Waitavala and Kalai Plantation areas were the targets for the major strike. 11 SBD's, VMSB 133 (10x500 and 21x250) destroyed four buildings at Kalai Plantation area. 9 SBD's, VMSB 236 (9x500 and 18x 250) destroyed several huts and damaged an observed number of huts and buildings at Kanakdran Village. 11 F4U's, VMF 212 (11x1000) for unobserved results at Waitavalo. 16 F4U's, VMO 251 (16x1000) for unobserved results at Waitavalo. The entire area was thoroughly strafed.
8 planes of VMF 223 (8x500) made 2 sweeps from Put Put to Keravat. 8 bombs damaged 2 houses and 2 huts in Mandres Plantation and Raluana area.
8 planes VMF 223 (8x500) made 2 sweeps from Cape Gazelle to Lemingi. A 100 foot barge was possibly damaged at Raluana Plantation and 3 huts were damaged at Lemingi. Targets of opportunity were strafed with unobserved results.
8 planes of VMF 223 (8x500) made 2 sweeps from Duke of York to Pondo. Destroyed 1 hut and one building at Rongaree Plantation. Possibly damaged a 100 foot camouflaged barge at Raluana Point. Sank a floating mine east of Maulim Island.
6 F4U's NZ 17 and 8 F4U's of NZ 22 (8x500) patrolled South Bougainville and completed Able-Charlie search. Primary mission to search for 2 missing pilots. The mission for the pilots was negative. Strafed 17 Japs, results unobserved. Strafed huts and gardens, results unobserved.
6 SBD'S of VMSB 236, 6 SBD's of VMSB 133, 8 F4U's of NZ 17 and 16 F4U's of NZ 22 made thorough search of entire area for missing pilots. The searches were negative.
NZ 17 and NZ 22 with four F4U's each had the Dawn and Dusk patrol as well as mission to search for missing pilots. Mission was negative.
NZ 3 with 1 PV had the Torokina - Rabaul sweep which was negative. Other miscellaneous missions included NZ 22 with 4 F4U's on radar interception problem, NZ 17 with 2 F4U's on radar tracking problem. NZ 17 with 4 F4U's had a trial scramble. VMF 212 had gunnery hops with 13 F4U's participating, VMSB with 6 SBD's had a routine training hop.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 105 86
SBD 49 42
TBF 5 1
PV 4 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 10:41:34 GMT 12
19 OCTOBER 1944
In a Joint allied strike 24 F4U's, 8 from NZ 17 and 16 from VMF 223 - dropped 20x1000 on Waitavalo and Kalai Plantation. 4 VMF 223 F4U's landed at Green with bombs. The bombs dropped, were in the vicinity of the targets consisting of huts, buildings and a bridge but results were obscured by the trees. Target areas were also strafed.
4 NZ 17 F4U's on Gazelle - Lemingi sweep were turned back by weather. NZ 17 had 7 F4U's on Put Put - Keravat sweep and 8 F4U's on the York - Pondo sweep each plane dropping a quarter tonner. 8 or more huts were destroyed, several huts were damaged and the pier at Ralum, and machine gun positions were also damaged by bombs and strafing. Slight machine gun fire was seen at Pondo.
NZ 22 had 4 F4U's on dawn patrol and 4 F4U's on radar track missions.
2 F4U's from NZ 22 on South Bougainville patrol and Able-Charlie sweep strafed huts, camp fires and gardens with unobserved results.
24 SBD's of VMSB 236 and 15 SBD's from VMSB 133 engaged in training missions.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 105 88
SBD 49 40
TBF 5 0
PV 4 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 10:44:24 GMT 12
20 OCTOBER 1944
The major strike today was the Ruri Bay bivouac area. 12 F4U's, VMF 212 (11x1000), 12 F4U's, VMO 251 (11x1000), 4 F4U's, NZ 22 (4x1000) actually hit Ruri Bay area and dropped 10x1000 in the area, 7x1000 dropped close to area but was unobserved. The actual damage to the area was obscured by weather and foliage. 8 F4U's, NZ 22 (4x1000), 15 SBD's of VMSB 133 (15x500 and 90x100), 9 SBD's of VMSB 236 (9x500 and 54x100) were scheduled to hit Ruri Bay area but were weathered out.
The 8 F4U's, NZ 22, hit Puruata and Shortland's gardens. All bombs in the target area for unobserved results. 15 SBD's of VMSB 133 hit Puruata River bivouac area. 1 hut was destroyed and 3 huts damaged, area
well covered - 9 SBD's of VMO 236 hit gardens at Motupena Point. All bombs were dropped in area.
4 F4U's, NZ 22 (4x500) scheduled for Duke of York - Pondo sweep was weathered out and they actually hit Maigi Mission - all bombs hit in area for unobserved results.
4 F4U's, NZ 22 (4x500), scheduled for Put Put - Keravat sweep was weathered out and they actually hit Togiu Village. All bombs dropped in the area, unobserved results on village.
4 F4U's, NZ 17 (4x500) scheduled for Cape Gazelle - Lemingi sweep was weathered out and they actually hit 8 - 10 huts in North Buka area. Possible damage on huts but jungle obscured the results.
Miscellaneous missions included SBD of MAG 24 (9x100) on a test bomb drop at Nik Nik Island.
2 FAQ's, NZ 17, had Bougainville A/A search and strafed 23 Japs for unobserved results. Strafed a Dummy Naval gun at Moila Point, left gun smoking.
1 TBF FMAW (4x500), bombed 2 trucks and oil drums at Piano Mission, possible damage.
2 F4U's, NZ 17 were on a radar tracking mission, routine and negative.
4 F4U's, NZ 17 had dawn patrol, routine and negative. Dusk patrol cancelled due to bad weather.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 105 89
SBD 49 41
TBF 5 1
PV 5 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 10:46:23 GMT 12
21 OCTOBER 1944
15 SBD's from VMSB 133 dropped 13x500 and 82x100 on Teop Harbor installations destroying 1 building. Other results were obscured by trees. The area was strafed.
The morning Rabaul area sweeps were weathered out and 12 NZ 17 F4U's dropped 12x500 delay bombs on targets of opportunity on the Shortlands and Buka. 3 large huts were destroyed and some dozen huts were damaged. A garden was cratered. 30 Japs and several huts were strafed with unobserved results.
4 NZ 17 F4U's on the afternoon Put Put - Keravat sweep with 4x500 destroyed 4 and damaged 3 huts and got a near miss on a large building. Strafing produced an explosion among camouflaged stores at Watwat. Flak was encountered at 2 places.
4 NZ 17 F4U's on the Gazelle - Lemingi sweep with 4x500 knocked out middle section of a 40 foot bridge and destroyed 1 and damaged 3 huts.
4 F4U's (4x500) from VMF 223 on the York - Pondo afternoon sweep dropped all bombs on Narren village causing a large explosion. Later the area appeared to be burnt out.
5 South Bougainville patrols were flown by 8 NZ 22 F4U's and 2 NZ 17 F4U's. The last scheduled patrol was weathered out. Huts, fires, gun positions, gardens, canoes and Japs were strafed. Results were 3 Japs killed and 2 canoes sunk with other results unobserved.
4 F4U' s from NZ 22 flew a negative dawn patrol. The dusk patrol was cancelled.
51 F4U's engaged in routine gunnery practice.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 107 88
SBD 49 43
TBF 5 2
PV 5 2
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 14, 2021 11:25:42 GMT 12
22 OCTOBER 1944
All regularly scheduled missions were cancelled due to weather.
One division of F4U's NZ 17 was scrambled to escort 2, C-47's to base. Mission carried out.
AVAILABILITY
On Hand Available
F4U 105 92
SBD 49 44
PV 5 2
TBF 5 2
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