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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 19, 2020 10:58:18 GMT 12
Struck - 16 July 1944.
TARGET: Targets of Opportunity, Bougainville.
MISSON: Able-Charlie Search.
FLIGHT-LEADER: Able - F/Lt F.J. Adams, RNZAF.
Charlie - F/O A.D. Willcox, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 4 a/c.
A/C & LOADING: 2 a/c on each search, loaded with 4 x 500 lb, G.P. bombs, 8-11 sec delay.
TIMES: Able - T.O. 1020; Landed 1217.
Charlie - .. 0800; 0930.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
TACTICS: 2 a/c North & 2 a/c South, on a combined searching, bombing & strafing mission.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
Able - 3 x 500 lb. bombs at the entrance to caves on the shore near Tohatsi. The entrances to some of these caves appear to have doors or have been boarded up. Several piles of boxes were near the openings & many well-used tracks were observed in the vicinity. Several new gardens are in the area. 6 Nips were seen on the beach at Tohatsi & they fled to the bush at the approach of the a/c. The area was Strafed from deck level. 1 x 500 lb. bomb was a damaging hit on 2 huts near Tohatsi. Strafed up the East coast of Buka from Cape Putputun to Cape Hanpan, North Buka and Tabut, North Bougainville. Gardens & huts at Poroporo received 4 x 500 lb. bombs & strafing.
Charlie - 2 x 500 lb. bombs on the Troop area near Numa Numa Mission. 1 x 500 lb. on Numa Numa Radio Station area Target # 4. 1 x 500 demolished a large hut & damaged 2 others at Tunuru Mission. 1 x 500 in a 2-acre garden North of Tunuru Mission. 1 x 500 in gardens at Auda. 2 x 500s in gardens in a valley near Kemai. The above areas were also Strafed. Small fires & a couple of huts were Strafed in Arawa Pltn. A lean-to thatched structure which appeared to house a gun port was observed on the Western point of Arawa Bay under a large tree near the shoreline. Too similar lean-to's were seen in Roboino Bay.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
Able
N.Z. 522 Adams Davies, Scott SC
. . 525 Jackson Smith, Walker EC
Charlie -
N.Z. 520 Willcox Stevenson, Claris
. . 533 Rollo Walker MJ, Powell
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 20, 2020 10:28:20 GMT 12
Struck - 17 July 1944.
TARGET: Targets of Opportunity, Bougainville.
MISSION: Able-Charlie Search.
FLIGHT-LEADER: Able - F/O W.D. Smart, RNZAF.
Charlie - F/O T. Worsp, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 4 a/c.
A/C & LOADING: 2 a/c on each search, loaded with 4 x 500 lb. bombs, 8-11 sec delay.
TIMES: Able - T.O. 0800; Landed 1010.
Charlie - .. 0800; .. 0955.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
TACTICS: 2 a/c North, and 2 a/c South, from Numa Numa, on a combined Searching, Bombing, & Strafing Mission.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS & OBSERVATIONS:
Able - 2 x 500 lb. bombs on 3 huts at Lontis. 1 Hut was demolished, & 2 damaged. 1 x 500 on huts near Tohatsi. Unobserved. 2 x 500 on Tohatsi cave entrances. 1 x 500 on caves at Cape Kotopan. 2 x 500 straddled Huts & 1 large building in Dewan Plantation. 2 Nips wearing blue denims were seen in a clearing near the beach at Cape Kotopan A white board marker was seen on the shoreline at Cape Hanpan. North Buka areas and from Tohatsi down to Cape Puputan were Strafed.
Charlie - 2 x 500 lb. bombs were damaging hits on several huts in Arawa Plantation. 1 x 500 demolished a large raised observation hut in the centre of a 4 acre garden at Toborei Plantation. 1 x 500 on well tended gardens at Toborei Plantation. 1 x 500 was a direct hit on smoke from a fire at Aitara Mission. 3 x 500s released on a garden at Toborei failed to explode. The Coastline from Kieta down to Cape Friendship was Strafed. Close observation of one of the Supply Parachutes near Aitara Mission showed a small white spherical weight approx. 4"-6" in diamter, attached to the shrouds.
WEATHER:
Able - Closed in over Buka Passage, Buka Island & West coast to Amun fairly clear.
Charles - Rain squalls Kahili-Kara area. 7/10th cloud over hills. Base 2500'. 2-3/10th cloud up the East coast. Base 4000'.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
Able
N.Z. 520 Smart Logan, Dixon
. . 529 Lamason Pederson, Whitmarsh
Charlie
N.Z. 542 Worsp Goss, Williams
. . 522 Rollo Walker MJ, Powell
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 20, 2020 10:33:20 GMT 12
Struck: 17 July 1944.
TARGET: Vunapaladig - Cape Lambert S/A, N.B.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: F/Lt F.J. Adams, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 10 a/c.
A/C & LOADING: 10 a/c - each loaded with 2 x 500 lb. G.P. bombs, 1/100 sec fusing, & 2 x 500 M.1. (50-1-A1) Mag. Clusters.
TIMES: T.O. 0745; T.O.T. 0915; Landed 1055.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: A/C # N.Z. 2526 got a 2" x 2" hole in the star board wingtip from M/G.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
TATICS: The formation approached from the S.E. across the Peninsula at 9000', pushed over to the Left at 5000' and released over the Target at 1500'/2000'. Retirement was made in a Westerly direction toward Cape Lambert.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 40 x 500 lb. bombs carried: 22 were dropped on targets along the coast, 12 on Target # 25, 4 on Target # 40, & 2 were returned to Base. The Coastline & Target Areas were Strafed.
WEATHER: En route - 5/10th scattered cumulus, base 6000'. Over target - Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: No A/A fire was observed over the Target area. Intense Heavy A/A, bursting at 6000'/8000'. was observed North of the centre of Vunakanau R/W, probably the Dual 5" Navals. Heavy A/A at 5000'/6000' was going up at SBDs over Talili Bay.
2. Enemy Shipping: Nil.
3. Enemy Activity: Nil.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: About a dozen fires were left burning in the area sending white smoke up to 400'. The majority of the bombs were well placed in the Target Areas. A direct hit demolished 5 huts near a church in Target # 25. A large fire was started and 3 buildings destroyed in Target # 40.
5. Miscellaneous Reports: A large fire was seen South of Vulcan Crater.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 513 Adams Davies, Scott SC
. . 545 Willcox Stevenson, Claris
. . 510 Jackson Smith, Walker EC
. . 540 Bayley Metcalfe, Dornbusch
. . 517 McGechie Henderson, Dunwoody
. . 519 Stevenson Norman, Sole
. . 525 Hannah Cameron, Arneson
. . 547 Halford Waters, Blaikie
. . 526 Kissel Scott KR, Bower
. . 511 Stephenson Weir, Walker J
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 20, 2020 11:12:50 GMT 12
Struck - 18 July 1944.
TARGET: Targets of Opportunity, Bougainville.
MISSION: Able-Charlie Search.
FLIGHT-LEADER: Able - F/O A.D. Willcox, RNZAF.
Charlie - F/Lt F.J. Adams, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 4 a/c ordered.
A/C & LOADING: 2 a/c on each search, each a/c loaded with 4 x 500 lb bombs, 1/100 sec fusing.
TIME: Able - T.O. 0815; landed 1015.
Charlie - .. 0830; .. 1035.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES Nil.
TACTICS: Low-level bombing, strafing & searching mission.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS & OBSERVATIONS:
Able - 4 x 500 lb. bombs were dropped & were direct hits which demolished 6 to 8 huts at Cape Lemankoa. 4 x 500s were dropped in a clearing near huts 2 miles West of Lenakan. The above areas were strafed, also huts at Lontis and general coastal areas around Buka Island. When flying over Hitau Island 50' above the trees, 1 a/c saw tracer from a M/G near a small village. The barrel of the gun could be distinguished.
Charlie - 3 x 500s were dropped in the Cape Friendship Coastal Gun Area. 2 x 500s on huts near Cape Friendship - unobserved. 1 x 500 in garden at Moto. 1 x 500 on a garden & huts at Tonu. 1 x 500 was a damaging hit on a track at Taropo. Dust & debris went up around the track. The area was Strafed. Roads & gardens along the coast at South Buka were strafed. 1 a/c reported a single gun remaining at Cape Friendship. Accurate assessment of damage & number of guns remaining is almost impossible owing to the area being completely blasted by bombing. Excellent gardens, many acres in extent, between Kara and Kahili. 5 Japs were seen in a garden at Ruisei and a lone Nip was standing on a hut doorway at Taki.
WEATHER:
Able -Rain down East Coasts of Buka. Large front North of Buka. Extreme turbulence. Cloud base 1000'/1200'.
Charlie - Hazy along East Coast. Flying conditions only four. Cloud over hills.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
Able -
N.Z. 508 Willcox Stevenson, Claris
. . 522 Stephenson Weir, Walker J
Charlie -
N.Z. 511 Adams Davies, Scott SC
. . 525 Jackson Smith, Walker EC
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Post by chinapilot on Nov 20, 2020 18:41:57 GMT 12
1 July 1944
Aitchison;Mathieson, Walker AF
Did not return.
Not listed in the Rabaul POW list.
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Post by errolmartyn on Nov 20, 2020 19:22:20 GMT 12
1 July 1944 Aitchison;Mathieson, Walker AF Did not return. Not listed in the Rabaul POW list. From my For Your Tomorrow: Strike against flak positions at Tobera airfield, New Britain 31 Squadron, RNZAF (Piva Bomber Strip, Bougainville, Solomon Islands)TBF-1C Avenger NZ2512 - took off at 0820-0825 piloted by Flt Sgt M S Aitchison, with 11 others. After dropping its bombs at 1005 was hit in the bomb bay by flak, followed by a second hit which blew away part of the starboard wing. As NZ2512 went down almost vertically in a slow right-hand spin SE of the NE end of the runway Aitchison ordered his crew to bale out, only to be thrown out of the cockpit himself seconds later when a third burst struck the machine. He parachuted into the jungle, evaded capture and overnight made his way to a river. After a night on the river and two at sea in his dinghy, he was picked up by an American gunboat out on patrol and later awarded the Military Medal in recognition of his exploit. The bodies of his two comrades were recovered from the wreckage in late 1948 or early 1949 and transferred to Port Moresby War Cemetery at Bomana, New Guinea, where they rest in a joint grave. Navigator: NZ4213267 Flt Sgt Rex Tawheta MATHIESON, RNZAF - Age 20. 241hrs. 25th op. WOpAG: NZ425184 Flt Sgt Albert Frederick WALKER, RNZAF - Age 34. 378hrs. 25th op. Errol |
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Post by chinapilot on Nov 20, 2020 20:54:36 GMT 12
Thanks for that Errol.
Puts the human side on reports of losses in this excellent thread.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 20, 2020 22:48:38 GMT 12
In the thread on Piva activity on 5 July 1944, there is a comment on the successful rescue.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2020 8:08:51 GMT 12
Were there military or CWGC teams scouring the Pacific looking for bodies to recover, as there had been in Europe? Or were recoveries of bodies like these chaps based purely on someone chancing across the wreckage?
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 21, 2020 10:37:16 GMT 12
The RAAF were active looking for their lost aircrew. There is a book written by Jim Eames that covers a number of recoveries in PNG, The Searchers : And Their Endless Quest for Lost Aircrew in the Southwest Pacific.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 21, 2020 10:48:26 GMT 12
Struck - 19 July 1944.
TARGET: Vunapaldig - Cape Lambert Supply Areas, New Britain.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafed.
FLIGHT-LEADER: S/Ldr M. Wilkes, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 10 a/c, Mag 24 - 1 a/c.
A/C & LOADING: 11 a/c - 4 loaded with 4 x 500 lb. G.P. bombs with 1/100th second fuzing; & 7 a/c loaded with 4 x 500 M.1. (50-1-A1) Magnesium Clusters.
TIMES: T.O. 0745; T.O.T. 0950; Landed 1145.
OTHER A/C COORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: A/C # N.Z. 2547 received a hole 5" x 5" in the tip of the port wing.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
TACTICS: The formation approached around Tawui Point and led on to the target in a West South Westerly direction at 11,000'. Push over was made at 5000' and release at 2000'. Retirement was made in a westerly direction & a/c rallied West of Cape Lambert. The Formation returned in a South Easterly direction across Open and Wide Bays.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 44 x 500 lb. bombs carried: 2 wore hits in area on buildings near Sussum Point jetty. 17 hits in area of Target # 40. 22 hits in area on a group of buildings on the hillside South of Sussum Point. 1 M.1. Cluster was a direct hit on a house on Cape Lambert, 1 was jettisoned in the sea. And 1 was returned to Base. Strafing was carried out in the Target Areas, along the coast near Sussum Point & Cape Lambert.
WEATHER: En route - 9-10/10th cloud & drizzle. Base ranging from 200'/2000'. An extensive front covered St. George's Channel. Over target - Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: Flashes were observed just S.W. of Target # 40. A large white puff off the port wing of 1 a/c at 1500'.
2. Enemy Shipping: Nil.
3. Enemy Activity: Nil.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: Bombs were well placed amongst buildings & the incendiaries caused several good fires which blanketted the area with heavy white smoke. 2 columns of black smoke went up to 1300'. 1 Mag. Cluster was a direct hit on a fair-sized building at Cape Lambert setting it on fire.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 513 Wilkes McIvor, Loftus
. . 517 Lamason Pederson, Whitmarsh
. . 510 Le Lievre Goodison, Alcock
. . 520 Smart Logan, Dixon
. . 540 Worsp Goss, Williams
. . 529 Kissel Scott KR, Bower
. . 525 Hannah Cameron, Arneson
. . 547 Bayley Metcalfe, Dornbusch
. . 523 McGechie Henderson, Dunwoody
. . 519 Stevenson Norman, Sole
21 Patton
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 21, 2020 10:52:25 GMT 12
Struck - 19 July 1944.
TARGET: Targets of Opportunity, Bougainville.
MISSION: Able-Charlie Search.
FLIGHT-LEADER: Able - P/O Stephenson, RNZAF.
Charlie - F/O Willcox, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 4 a/c.
A/C & LOADING: 4 a/c, each loaded with 4 x 500 lb. G.P. bombs, 8-11 seconds fuzing.
TIMES: Able - T.O. 0805; Landed 0945.
Charlie - .. 0805, .. 1020.
OTHER A/C COORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
TACTICS: 2 a/c North & 2 a/c South, from Numa Numa, on a Combined Searching, Bombing & Strafing Mission.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS & OBSERVATIONS:
Able - 2 x 500 lb. bombs on Huts at Hashan Mission. 3 x 500 lb. bombs on M/G position on Hitau Island. All 3 bombs reported in area where M/G was firing from yesterday. The Island was well strafed. 1 x 500 lb. bombs on huts at Hon Island. 1 x 500 lb. bombs on huts at Pororan Island. 1 x 500 lb. bomb returned to base. Strafed North Buka & East Buka down to Cape Putputan. A red star shell was fired at one a/c at Cape Hanpan. Flashes from M/Gs but no tracer were observed. 6 Nips just South of Gape Putputun and a lone Nip at Cape Kotopan were Strafed.
Charlie - 4 x 500 lb. bombs on huts & gardens at Monoitu Plantation. The huts were strafed & tracer was observed entering them. 2 x 500 lb. bombs on smoke at possible M/G position at Arawa Plantation. 2 x 500 lb. bombs on 3 large huts in the jungle West of the road near Barouge. Debris blew up through the trees from a direct hit on the hut. Strafing was carried out against 2 observation posts and a slit trench at Reboine Bay. Tracks and a road in this area appear well used. Natives have cleared new patches in the bush at Meivo and gardens are being developed. A couple of Nips were seen, one at Komai and one at Taropa.
WEATHER:
Able - Appeared to be closing in. Hazy & light showers. Base 2000'/3000'.
Charlie - Cloud over hills. Hazy along coastline.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
Able -
N.Z. 2511 Stephenson Weir, Walker J
. . 545 Rollo Walker MJ, Powell
Charlie -
N.Z. 542 Willcox Stevenson, Claris
. . 522 : : Halford Waters, Blaikie
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Post by davidd on Nov 21, 2020 12:54:38 GMT 12
Re Dave H's question about any NZ attempts to locate missing aircraft and personnel, there were two separate expeditions. One was mounted by a unit known as MIPU (Missing Personnel Investigation Unit), which was the official one, made up of various officers who were put ashore in likely looking places where RNZAF aircraft were known, or suspected to have crashed (4 teams, with separate teams to Rabaul, New Ireland, Bougainville, and cannot recall the 4th); the other was a lone airmen who made a brave attempt to hunt down other wrecks, although the was mounted in early 1946, some months after the official searches. Cannot recall his name, but think he was a flight sergeant, and he was probably searching in New Britain. His original diary of this expedition is with the RNZAF Museum at Wigram, as are the reports of the MPIU. I have even typed up the diary of the lone NCO, have it on my computer somewhere! From memory, although several wrecks were located and studied, I got the feeling that most of the participants were somewhat disappointed with the results of these searches, although some mysteries were solved. I imagine the Americans also made searches for their own missing airmen in these areas, and no doubt the different groups were to some degree in communications with the others.
David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2020 13:21:12 GMT 12
Thanks David, fascinating.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 21, 2020 16:58:01 GMT 12
Struck - 20 July 1944.
TARGET: Rumba Mission Village Area, Bougainville.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: S/Ldr M. Wilkes, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 12 a/c ordered.
MAG-24 - 2 a/c ordered.
A/C & LOADING: (actually attacking) 12 N.Z. and 2 U.S. a/c. 6 loaded with 4 x 500 lb. G.P. 1/100 8 1oaded with 4 x 500 M.1 (50-1-A1) Magnesium Clusters.
TIMES: T.O. 1445; T.O.T. 1520; Landed 1555.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
TACTICS: The Formation went down the West Coast to Maigi Mission, crossed over the hills in the direction of Kieta A/D, circled the Target & made the run-in from the N.W. The primary target was completely closed in by low cloud, so villages on the ridge North of the Target near the first branch of the Bovo River were bombed. Each section made a separate attack and bombs were released from 1000'/2000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
N.Z. A/C: Of the 48 x 500 lb. bombs carried, 45 were hits in area & 3 were returned to Base.
U.S. A/C: 8 x 500 lb. bombs in area. The Target Area & the coastline near the mouth of the Bovo River were strafed.
WEATHER: En route - 6-9/10th Towering Cumulus, base 1500'/2000', tops to 12,000'. Over target - Primary target closed in by low cloud which thinned out toward the coast.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: Possible M/G from coast near Arawa Pltn.
2. Enemy shipping: Nil.
3. Enemy Activity: Nil.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: 1 large house and 4 huts completely destroyed. Incendiaries set fire to several huts and areas of bush. Several huts damaged & one large fire was seen burning when the a/c retired.
5. Miscellaneous Reports: F4Us of a later strike reported 6-8 huts destroyed & several fires burning in the area.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 513 Wilkes McIvor, Loftus
. . 517 Lamason Pederson, Whitmarsh
. . 545 Le Lievre Lockie, Alcock
. . 520 Smart Logan, Dixon
. . 511 Stephenson Weir, Walker J
. . 526 Kissel Scott KR, Bower
. . 542 Adams Davies, Scott SC
. . 533 Willcox Stevenson, Claris
. . 510 Jackson Smith, Walker EC
. . 525 Hannah Cameron, Arneson
. . 547 Bayley Metcalfe, Dornbusch
. . 519 Stevenson Norman, Sole
Hess
Patton
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 22, 2020 10:09:33 GMT 12
Struck - 21 July 1944.
TARGET: Buildings on ridge South of Kabagada Pt., Cape Liguan, N.B.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: S/Ldr M. Wilkes, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 10 a/c ordered.
A/C & LOADING: 10 a/c - 6 loaded with 4 x 500 G.P. 1/100 4 loaded with 4 x 500 M.1 (50-1-A1) Mag. clusters.
TIMES: T.O. 0745; T.O.T. 0930; Landed 1100.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
TACTICS: The Formation approached from Cape Liguan in a S.E. direction at 11,000', turned left, pushed over at 7000', and released over Target Area at 1000'/2000'. Retirement was made over Kabagada Point into Liguan Bay.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 40 x 500 lb. bombs carried: 33 were hits in area & 7 were returned to Base. Strafing was carried out in the Target Area, along the coast near Kabagada Point, and on Watom Island.
WEATHER: En route - 3-4/10th cumulus & towering cumulus. Base 2000', tops going up to 15,000'. Over target - Clear & visibility unlimited.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: No A/A observed anywhere.
2. Enemy Activity Nil.
3. Enemy Shipping. Nil.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: Bombs were well-scattered in the target area on the ridge. White & black smoke was going up to 500' could still be seen during retirement from the Duke of York Island.
5. Miscellaneous Reports: A good-sized fire was observed on the Western side of Rabaul town.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 520 Wilkes McIvor, Loftus
. . 517 Lamason Pederson, Whitmarsh
. . 545 Rollo Walker MJ, Powell
. . 525 Worsp Goss, Williams
. . 511 Stephenson Weir, Walker J
. . 526 Kissel Scott KR, Bower
. . 547 Adams Davies, Scott
. . 533 Willcox Stevenson, Claris
. . 542 Jackson Smith, Walker EC
. . 519 Stevenson Norman, Sole
2 Patton
19 Hess
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 22, 2020 10:13:58 GMT 12
Struck - 21 July 1944.
TARGET: Targets of Opportunity, Bougainville.
MISSION: Able-Charlie Search.
FLIGHT-LEADER: Able - F/Lt Bayley, RNZAF.
Charlie - F/Lt Hannah, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31 - 4 a/c ordered.
A/C & LOADING: 4 a/c each loaded with 4 x 500 lb. bombs, 8-11 sec. fuzing.
ENEMY A/C: Nil.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Nil.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Nil.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: Nil.
TACTICS: 2 a/c North from Numa Numa, & 2 a/c South, on a combined searching, bombing & strafing mission.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS & OBSERVATIONS:
Able: 5 x 500s on huts near Cape Hatsia. 2 x 500 on huts near Cape Hanpan. 1 x 500 on huts on Madehus Island. Results unobserved. Huts & gardens etc on Buka Island, especially the coastal areas, were strafed. Smoke from a camp fire on the southern end of Taiof Island was strafed. A lone Nip was seen at Cape Hatsia.
Charlie - 4 x 500 at Arawa Bay near Rankama, on huts in a clearing. 3 x 500 straddled a line of Army type huts with boarded sides & thatched roof at Koromira Mission. Camp fire smoke was observed in the area. 1 x 500 on some smoke near camouflaged huts in Arawa Plantation near a small river mouth. This bomb did not explode. 2 or 3 personnel, possibly Japs, were seen at Tugiu. A lone Nip was observed at Omitara, standing in a hut doorway. The area was strafed & tracer was seen entering the hut.
WEATHER:
Able - Good, 2-3/10th cumulus, base 1500'.
Charlie- Good. 2/10th Strato-Cumulus increasing over the hills.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 509 Bayley Metcalfe, Dornbusch
. . 540 Halford Waters, Blaikie
. . 522 Hannah Cameron, Arneson
. . 529 Smart Logan, Dixon
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Post by camtech on Nov 22, 2020 18:50:18 GMT 12
Were there military or CWGC teams scouring the Pacific looking for bodies to recover, as there had been in Europe? Or were recoveries of bodies like these chaps based purely on someone chancing across the wreckage? There was a team who looked for remains of NZers lost in the pacific theatre. I have a transcript from one of their reports - I'll send it through to you Dave. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 22, 2020 18:53:20 GMT 12
Thanks Les.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 23, 2020 10:41:40 GMT 12
Struck - 22 July 1944.
Target: Moroni Village Area, Bougainville.
Mission: Bomb and Strafe.
Flight-Leader: S/Ldr M. Wilkes, RNZAF.
Squadron: NZTB-31 - 10 a/c.
A/C & Loading: 10 a/c attacked - 5 loaded with 4 x 500 G.P. 1/100. 5 loaded with 4 x 500 M.1 (50-1-A1) Mag. Clusters.
Times: T.O. 1400; T.O.T. 1430; Landed 1505.
Other A/C Co-ordinating: 1 P.V. of No. 9 Squadron.
Enemy A/C: Nil.
Damage to Own A/C: Nil.
Personnel Casualties: Nil.
Tactics: The formation, led by the PV, approached from the S.E. along the ridge, released over the target at 1000'/1500' and retired to the S.W.
Summary of Results: All the 40 x 500 lb. bombs were released in the Target Area, and Strafing was carried out in the target area & on a line of huts on a ridge East of the Target.
Weather: En route- 6-7/10th Cumulus, base 3000'/4000' & towering up to 12,000'. Over target - 5-6/10th cumulus, base 4000'.
Observations:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: Nil.
2. Enemy Shipping: Nil.
3. Enemy Activity: Nil.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: All of the bombs went in the Target Area & started fires over the entire ridge. Smoke going up to 200' covered the area. 8-10 huts were observed to be burning.
5. Miscellaneous Reports: The PV of No. 9 Squadron which led the TBFs in, did an excellent job and marked the target accurately. Incendiaris dotted the area with twinling lights.
A/C No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 513 Wilkes McIvor, Loftus
. . 509 Bayley Metcalfe, Dornbusch
. . 529 Rollo Walker MJ, Powell
. . 540 Worsp Goss, Williams
. . 520 Smart Logan, Dixon
. . 511 Kissel Scott KR, Bower
. . 525 Adams Davies, Scott
. . 514 Halford Waters, Blaikie
. . 510 Jackson Smith, Walker EC
. . 519 McGechie Henderson, Dunwoody
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