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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 12, 2020 11:48:56 GMT 12
Frederick Patrick Ladd, NZ414908, as I understand.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 12, 2020 11:54:28 GMT 12
Struck 14 May 1944
TARGET: Vunakanau R/W, New Britain.
MISSION: Bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: F/O L.E. Hadlow, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB30 - 12 planes.
VT 305 - 12 planes.
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 12 planes each with 4 x 500 lb bombs, 1/10 sec. delay. 12 planes each with 12 x 120 lb. T10 Butterfly Clusters, Fuse Mark III.
TIMES: T.O. 0845; T.O.T. 1020; Landed 1145
OTHER A/C COORD.: 24 SBDs.
ENEMY A/C: One, probably damaged, A/C reported at northern corner of SE end of R/W.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Plane #530 - 40 mm hit in tunnel destroying radar set, holes in both sides of fuselage, panel blown off turret and tail plane buckled Plane #23 - 6 to 8 small holes in right wing. Plane #5 - Small hole through tunnel, probable hit in bomb bay which completely, knocked out hydraulic system.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None
ATTACK TACTICS: The target was approached up the Warangoi River at 12500', turned north just east of Keravat, pushing over at 9000' and diving from NW to SE; the planes carrying 4 x 500 lb. bombs releasing at 800' to 3500' and the planes carrying Butterfly Clusters releasing between 2200'/3000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 48 x 5001b. bombs dropped 8 were confirmed direct hits on the R/W, 27 were reported direct, 8 were unobserved, 3 jettisoned and 2 returned to base. Of the 144 x 120 lb T10 Butterfly Clusters carried, 131 were dropped over the target area, 9 were jettisoned, 2 returned to base, and 2 dropped on Put Put Plantation after they hung up over Vunakanau. Strafing runs were made on gun positions, shacks and bivouac areas with results unobserved except for two small fires along the Warangoi River.
WEATHER: Enroute: 5/10 cumulo-nimbus, base 1500' and towering to 11,000'. Over target - Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire - Known positons of all types were firing fairly intensely and accurately from positions to the north and at both ends of the R/W. Heavy and automatic positions west of Tobera were active. A new M/G position was reported south of the SE end of the R/W at Vunakanau. An intense barrage up to 7000' and as low as 2000' was put up throughout the attack to the west of the NW end of the R/W.
2. Enemy Shipping - 8 to 10 barges and one larger ship were reported in Keravia Bay. A number of barges were reported in Greet Harbor and one more in cove just north of the mouth of the Warangoi River.
3. Enemy Activity - No comment.
4. Results of Coordinated attack - There was no noticeable cessation of AA fire after SBD attack.
5. Condition of R/W before and after attack - The R/W was possibly serviceable before the attack, but many hits, with good coverage, threw debris and smoke over area, biggest concentration on SE half. A large black column of smoke to 1000' was reported in the target area - seen during the retirement. Two fires were reported along the Warangoi River and one just east of Vunadadia.
6. Miscellaneous reports - A friendly AK with escorting DD was reported north of Buka heading toward Green Island.
PLANE # PILOT CREW
540 Hadlow Harris, Webb-Pullman
517 Ladd Plucke, Peacock
533 Lambie Marshall, Greaves
509 Burton Miles, Henwood
530 Holmes Alexander, Kelsey
510 Falkner Ripley, Buckingham
542 Fyfe Reid, Shannahan
508 Cameron Thompson, Wanden
514 Kilgour Harrison, Fuller
523 Trewavas Jensen, Doody
525 Mackenzie Hore, Linton
512 Horwell Simpson, Badland
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 12, 2020 11:59:03 GMT 12
Struck - 15 May 1944.
TARGET: Supply Area, North Kahili, Bougainville.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: Lt. A. Vorndam, USNR.
SQUADRON: VT-305 - 12 planes
NZTB-30 - 12 planes P
LANES AND LOADING: 24 planes each loaded with 12 x 100 lb. bombs, 4/5 second delay fusing.
TIMES: T.O. 0825; T.O.T. 0930; Landed 1000.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 18 SBDs.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: None.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: Approached Target Area from West, North of Kara Runway at 12,000'; commenced high speed approach and pushed over at 8000' through hole in cloud; and released at 1500'/2000'; retiring in a Northerly direction.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: An area approximately 3000 yds. North of Ebery' Lease, 1000 yds. wide and approximately 1500 yds West of Ebery's Lease, 2000 yds. wide, was covered. The following is the result of the 288 x 100 lb. bombs carried: 243 hits in area, 14 Jettisoned, 7 Returned to Base, 24 Returned Unarmed. 2 A/C were unable to find the Target owing to cloud interference, so returned to Base with bomb load. Villages, Shacks & Clearings were Strafed. 1 Small Fire was started in a Shack as the result of Strafing.
WEATHER: En route: West Side of Range - Clear. East Side of Range - 9/10th Cumulus, base 7000'. Over Target: 9/10th cumulus, base 7000'.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: 3 Known Gun Positions - Heavy & Automatic -were firing meagrely to moderately, and inaccurately. Also 1 M/G Position on Ridge East of Banongo, the fire being meagre and inaccurate. On the approach, a barrage was put up through a hole in the cloud where approach was made; burts were observed from 7000'/11,000'.
2. Enemy Shipping: 1 Barge alongside the smaller pier in Tonalli Harbour
3. Enemy Activity: None.
4. Result of Co-ordinated Attack: No Comment.
5. Condition of Target Area After Attack: Area was reported to be well-covered by bombs - small fires were started - 1 explosion, followed by white smoke.
6. Miscellaneous Reports: None.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 513 James May, Horton
. . 525 Mackenzie Hore, Linton
. . 509 Fyfe Reid, Shannahan
. . 521 Cameron Thompson, Wanden
. . 517 Falkner Ripley, Buckingham
. . 533 Kilgour Harrison, Fuller
. . 508 Stubbs Wilcox, Byrne
. . 544 Burton Miles, Henwood
. . 522 Holmes Kelsey, Alexander
. . 540 Walton Wakelin, Bainbridge
. . 512 Hornell Simpson, Badland
. . 510 Trewavas Jensen, Doody
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 12:49:56 GMT 12
Struck - 16 May 1944.
TARGET: Bonis Runway, Bougainville.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: F/Lt. M.G. Stubbs, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-30 12 planes
PLANES & LOADING: 12 planes - each loaded, with 4 x 500 lb. bombs, 1/10th second delay fusing.
TIMES: T.O. 1332; T.O.T. 1445; Landed 1526.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 12 SBDs.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: NZ plane #512 - 40 mm. hit in port wing, damaging flaps.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: Formation approached Target over Matchin Bay at 12,500'; peeled off to the right at 9000'; and released between 1000'/3000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: The following is the results of the 48 x 500 lb. bombs carried: 1 Confirmed Hit, 31 Reported Hits, 11 Unobserved, 3 Misses, 1 Jettisoned, 1 Returned to Base. Strafed Revetments, Huts, Sorum and Hanahan Missions.
WEATHER: En route - Over sea, Clear. 8/10th cumulus over land, base 2500' , tops 5000'. Over Target - 3/10th cumulus, base 2500'/ 2600'.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: The Automatics and M/G Positions at N.E. end of Runway were firing meagrely & inaccurate.
2 Enemy Shipping: None.
3. Enemy Activity: New huts at Hanahan Mission and Japura Island, also large building North of Karola Plantation.
4. Result of Co-ordinated Attack: No Comment.
5. Condition of Target Before & After Attack: Possibly centre part of Runway Serviceable. Good coverage of bomb hits reported.
6. Miscellaneous Reports: 9 PT Boats reported 40 miles NW of Buka Passage.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 508 Stubbs Wilcox, Byrne
. . 544 Burton Miles, Henwood
. . 540 Hadlow Harris, Webb-Pullman
. . 509 Steel Pettigrew, Bevan
. . 533 Lambie Marshall, Greaves
. . 521 Cameron Thompson, Wanden
. . 517 James May, Horton
. . 511 Falkner Ripley, Buckingham
. . 542 Fyfe Reid, Shannahan
. . 522 Walton Wakelin, Bainbridge
. . 512 Horwell Simpson, Badland
. . 510 Trewavas Jensen, Doody
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 12:53:58 GMT 12
Carried Out - 17 May 1944.
TARGET: East and West of Buka Passage, Bougainville
MISSION: Search and Report on Wreckage, Floating Mine Hulks, Serviceability of R/Ws, and Enemy Activity.
FLIGHT-LEADER: S/Ldr H.N. James, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-30 - 2 planes
PLANES & LOADING: Both planes unloaded.
TIMES: T.O. 0800; T.O.T. 0830; Landed 1010.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: None.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: None.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
TACTICS: A Search along both the East and West Coasts of Buka and Bougainville was carried out, at altitudes varying from 200'/7000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: No bombs dropped and no Strafing runs.
WEATHER: En route - Clear. Over Target - Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: None.
2. Enemy Shipping: None.
3. Enemy Activity: A large number of huts built in rows, were seen in various places along the East Coast of Buka from Cape Hatsia to Capo Suhin. These huts appeared to be in good order and condition.
4. Miscellaneous Reports: No Floating Mines were observed. Both R/Ws appeared to be Unserviceable. 10 large craters were counted on Bonis Strip. 2 Hulks were reported in the vicinity of Chabai, one of 400' just NW of Chabai, with stern only above water, and an oil slick drifting NW; the other an 80' ship sunk in the mouth of a river in the Chabai area. No wreckage of any description was reported.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 508 James May, Horton
. . 509 Fyfe Reid, Shannahan
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 12:56:38 GMT 12
Struck 17 May 1944.
TARGET: Bivouac Area, Hanahan Mission, Buka.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: F/O F.P. Ladd, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-30 - 3 planes.
PLANES & LOADING: 3 planes each loaded with 12 x 100 lb. bombs. Instantaneous fusing.
TIMES: T.O. 1430; T.O.T 1530; Landed 1625.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 6 SBDs.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: None.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: Approached Target from East at 8000', pulled out to Left at 6000', and released at 2000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: The following is the result of the 36 x 100 lb. bombs carried: 32 hits in Target Area, 2 Jettisoned, 2 Returned to Base.
WEATHER: En route - 8/10th strato-cumulus, base 3000'. Over Target - Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: Meagre M/G fire was seen coming from Cape Putpratun. It was inaccurate.
2. Enemy Shipping: None.
3. Enemy Activity: Roads were in good order and wheel tracks were reported. There were a large number of huts all along the coast.
4. Results of Co-ordinated Attack: 2 SBD hits were reported in the Target Area.
5. Condition of Target after Attack: The area was well-covered by bomb hits.
6. Miscellaneous Reports: None.
Plane No. Pilot Crews
N.Z. 511 Ladd Plucke, Peacock
. . 542 Falconer Ripley, Buckingham
. . 513 Mackenzie Hore, Linton
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 13:01:15 GMT 12
Struck - 18 May 1944.
TARGET: Supply and Bivouac Area, Ebery's Lease, Bougainville.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: F/O R.D. Steel, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-30 - 12 planes
VT-305 - 6 planes
PLANES & LOADING: 18 planes ordered - 17 planes attacked, each with 4 x 500 lb. Incendiary Clusters.
TIMES: T.O. 1429; T.O.T. 1600; Landed 1630.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 12 SBDs.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Plane #17 - Shrapnel holes in bomb bay and tunnel.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: The attack on the target was delayed by weather. Shortly before 1600 hrs., the Strike approached the Ebery's Lease area from the NE at 14,000'. They glided down to 12,500', pushed over at 2500', peeled off to the Left, and released their Incendiary Clusters between 1500' & 4000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 68 x 500 lb. Incendiary Clusters carried, 61 were dropped over the Target Area; 1 failed to disperse, and fell beyond the target; 3 were Jettisoned; and 1 Returned to Base. Strafing was carried out against the Target Area, along the South Coast of Bougainville and other small groups of huts.
WEATHER: En route - 10/10th auto-Stratus at 16,000'. Over Target: Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: Known and New Automatic Positions in Ebery's Lease put up an intense barrage over the Target, ranging from 2000'/ 11,000'. A New Heavy Position was reported West of the Target, fire being moderate and inaccurate.
2. Enemy Shipping: A small barge, approximately 30', possible previously damaged, was Strafed while at small pier on the East Shore of Tonolei Harbour.
3. Enemy Activity: Huts, gardens, fires and cattle corrals were reported in the vicinity of Maika Village, Tonolei Harbour, and throughout the area about 20 miles West of Kara. Several men were seen in a clearing about 1 mile East of Ebery's Lease.
4. Results of Co-ordinated Attack: The co-ordination with the SBDs was good but there was only moderate cessation of Anti-Aircraft fire. Several SBD hits were seen near Gun Positions.
5. Condition of Target after Attack: There were many small Incendiary fires and much smoke over the entire Target Area. Several huts were seen ablaze. Good coverage was reported.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 509 Steel Pettigrew, Bevan
. . 533 Lambie Marshall, Greaves
. . 522 Cameron Thompson, Wanden
. . 540 Hadlow Harris, Webb-Pullman
. . 511 Ladd Plucke, Peacock
. . 517 Kilgour Harrison, Fuller
. . 508 Stubbs Wilcox, Byrne
. . 544 Burton Miles, Henwood
. . 525 Holmes Alexander, Kelsey
. . 523 Trewavas Jensen, Doody
. . 542 Horwell Simpson, Badland
N.Z. 514* *Walton Wakelin, Bainbridge
* Did not attack.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 13:04:09 GMT 12
Struck - 19 May 1944.
TARGET: Gun Boat, South Chabai Pier, Bougainville.
MISSION: Bomb, Strafe & Destroy.
FLIGHT-LEADER: F/Sgt A.H. Trewavas, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-30.
PLANES & LOADING: 2 planes - each loaded with 4 x 500 lb. bombs, 4/5th second delay fusing.
TIMES: T.O. 1624; T.O.T. 1715; Landed 1756.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: None.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: None.
PERSONNEL CASULATIES: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: The A/C approached the Target from the West and owing to the low cloud base of 1500', glided to 100'/500' and released.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 8 x 500 lb. bombs carried, 1 was a near miss in the area, 6 were wild misses, & 1 was Returned to Base. One A/C dropped bombs on another barge in the area. The Target was strafed during several runs.
WEATHER: En route - 6/10th cumulus, base 3000', tops 6000'. Over Target: Scattered cloud, base 1500'/2000'.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: None.
2. Enemy Shipping: 2 barges, 40', were observed under brush, South of Chabai Pier.
3. Enemy Activity: On Jupinor Island, recently bombed, barrels were reported, possibly oil-drums.
4. Condition of Target Before and After Attack: The target appeared to be burnt out, and looked as if it was grounded.
5. Miscellaneous Reports: None.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 522 Trewavas Jensen, Doody
. . 542 Kilgour Harrison, Fuller
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 13:06:53 GMT 12
Struck 20 May 1944
TARGET: Barges in Porton area, Bougainville
MISSION: Bomb, strafe and destroy.
FLIGHT LEADER: F/Lt. Stubbs, RNZAF.
Squadron: NZTB 30 - 2 planes.
PLANES & LOADING: 2 planes each carrying 12 x 100 lb bombs, inst. fuze.
TIMES: T.O. 0650; T.O.T. - 0730; Landed - 0818
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: None ENEMY A/C: None
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: None
PERSONNEL CAS: None
ATTACK TACTICS: Planes searched area from about 100 feet altitude but making bombing runs from 1000', dropping at 600'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 24 x 100 lb bombs carried 10 were dropped around camouflaged barge at Porton, 6 were misses in the vicinity of the damaged gunboat in the cove at Chabai, 1 was dropped on Porton plantation, 2 in the Chabai plantation, and 5 were jettisoned. The barge, hulks, and Japinor Islands were strafed.
WEATHER: En route: Clear. Over target: Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: None
2. Enemy Activity: Two small oil slicks about 100 yds long were on the water streaming to the west from the shore just south of of Porton. A tunnel about 30' high and 20' wide was reported in a cliff facing west, location 5 miles east of Kuraio Mission.
3. Enemy Shipping: A 30' camouflaged barge covered with brown foliage was seen between the two southern most piers at Porton. The damaged gunboat in the cove at Chabai was also reported.
4. Condition of target before and after attack. The barge was pulled up on the shore and covered with brown foligae before attack. Afterwards it was blown toward the water and appeared damaged although foliage over it made good observation difficult. A fire war started 10 yards inland of barge possibly an oil drum as black smoke and flames immediately followed bomb explosion.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
508 Stubbs Willcox, Byrue
518 Kilgour Harrison, Fuller
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 13:11:59 GMT 12
Struck 20 May 1944.
TARGET: Supply Area # 3, North of Ebery's Lease, Bougainville.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: S/Ldr H.N. James, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-30 - 12 planes
VT-305 - 6 planes
PLANES & LOADING: 18 planes ordered 17 planes attacked - each carrying 12 x 100 lb. bombs, instaneous fuse.
TIMES: T.O. 0910; T.O.T. 1030; Landed 1100.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 14 SBDs.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Plane # 11 - Starboard hatch blown off pilot's cockpit, ripping the wing and denting the fuselage. Cause undetermined.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: The planes approached from the N.W. at 12,500', pushing over at 10,000', and releasing between 1000'/4000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 204 x 100 lb. bombs carried. 183 were hits in the Target Area, 18 were Jettisoned, & 3 Returned to Base. A few planes reported Strafing huts during their retirement toward the East Coast of Bougainville.
WEATHER: En route: 4/10th cumulus between 3000'/14,000'. Over Target: 2/10th alto-stratus at 14,000'.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: Known Automatic Positions were reported on South side of Malabita Hill, in Ebery's Lease and North of Kahili R/W. A New M/G Position was firing on a clearing S.E. of Target, and a New Automatic Position of 3 or 4 guns was reported along the North side of a Garden 1/2 mile N.E. of the Kara Strip.
2. Enemy Shipping: None.
3. Enemy Activity: None.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: Many hits were seen, causing much smoke and debris in the Target Area.
5. Results of Co-ordinated Attack: A direct hit by an SBD was reported on a Gun Position in North part of Ebery's Lease. Hits were near other guns in South part of Ebery's Lease, and other SBD hits were seen in Target Area. Good co-ordination was reported.
6. Miscellaneous Reports: Good incendiary coverage by fighter-bombers was reported in their Target area. 4 Friendly DDs were seen in Bougainville Strait, heading toward Choiseul.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 513 James May, Horton
. . 522 Mackenzie Hore, Linton
. . 518 Fyfe Reid, Shannahan
. . 511 Horwell Simpson, Badland
. . 523 Trewavas Jensen, Doody
. . 509 Steel Pettigrew, Bevan
. . 533 Lambie Marshall, Greaves
. . 517 Kennedy Wilkie, Moran
. . 540 Hadlow Harris, Webb-Pullmam
. . 508 Ladd Plucke, Peacock
. . 544 Holmes Kelsey, Alexander
N.Z. 521* *Cameron Thompson, Wanden
* Did not attack.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 13:46:33 GMT 12
Struck - 21 May 1944.
TARGET: Vunakanau Runway, New Britain.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe.
FLIGHT-LEADER: Lt. A.V. Vorndam, USNR.
SQUADRON: VT-305 - 18 planes
NZTB-30 - 6 planes
PLANES & LOADING: 24 planes - each loaded with 4 x 500 lb. bombs, 25/1000 second delay fuse.
TIMES: T.O. 0750; T.O.T. 0945; Landed 1105.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 24 SBDs.
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: Plane # 13 - Had hatch cover blown off. Plane # 9 - Shrapnel hole in cockpit on port side, and dent in rudder. Plane # 8 - 2 small holes in port flaps. N.Z. plane # 513 - 2 holes in port wing. Plane # 22 - Pilot: Ensign D.D. Atkiss, USNR failed to return; reported making a forced landing, but gave no position.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: The following are the members of the crew of plane # 22 who are missing: Pilot - Ensign D.D. Atkiss, USNR. Radio - J.B. Kepchia, ARM/2 Gunner - R.I. Lanigan, AOM/2
ATTACK TACTICS: Approached Target over Tobera Strip in a S/W direction, turned right at 12,500' and peeled off to left, pushing over at 9,500', and bombs were released at between 2500'/4000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: The following is the result of the 96 x 500 lb. bombs carried: 23 Confirmed hits, 33 Reported hits, 22 Unobserved, 2 Misses, 6 Jettisoned, 2 Returned to Base, 4 Hits on Shack at Mouth of Warangoi River 4 bombs Unaccounted for. Huts, clearings, revetments and Gun Positions were strafed with no visible results.
WEATHER: En route - 9/10th cumulus, base 1000', top 16,000'. Over Target - Clear.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Anti-Aircraft Fire: The Known Naval, Heavy Automatic and M/G positions South of the R/W, S.E. end of R/W N. of S.E. of R/W, and N.W. end of R/W, put an intense barrage covering the approach between 4000'/6000'. A New Automatic Position is reported on South side of Road South of R/W. As the formation passed over Tobera, A/A pierced the clouds ineffectively. From a stranded Barge at the Mouth of the Warangoi River, M/G fire was meagre and inaccurate.
2. Enemy Shipping: 12 Barges, covered with dead branches, are approximately 3 miles from the Mouth of the Warangoi River.
3. Enemy Activity: None.
4. Condition of R/W Before & After Attack: The concrete strip was reported Serviceable. Good coverage with bomb hits was reported by the last pilot over the Target. Dust & debris completely covered the R/W.
5. Result of Co-ordinated Attack: SBD hits were reported near the Naval guns which ceased for several seconds; also near Autos, S. end of R/W, M/G S. of R/W. and Autos N. of S.E. end of R/W.
6. Miscellaneous Reports: 1. A large fire was reported about 1 mile N. of N.W. end of R/W. Following an explosion, black smoke and flames reached 5000'.
Special Report:
Plane # 22, piloted by Ensign D.D. Atkiss, USNR, with J.B. Kepchia ARM 2/C, USNR, as radioman, and R.I. Lanigan, AOM 2/c, USNR, failed to return from the Strike. At approximately the time when Ins. Atkiss would have completed his dive, a plane called 1 Stone 2, Lt. A.V. Vorndam who was leading the attack, identifying himself as 8 Stone 2, saying that he had been hit in the engine and was going to make a forced landing. 18 Stone 2 not Ensign Atkiss' call, but he may have thought so, as several pilots later believed they recognised his voice. 1 Stone 2 called and requested his position, but received no answer. Lt. Vorndam then broke off from the formation and searched the Warangoi River Valley and the area covered during the retirement, with negative results.
Baker 30 later reported seeing an SBD or TBF crash into the sea one to two miles South of Kabakon Island in St. George's Channel. No survivors were seen to escape from the plane.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z. 544 Steel Pettigrew, Bevan
. . 511 Falkner Ripley, Buckingham
. . 513 Trewavas Jenson, Doody
. . 540 Mackenzie Hore, Linton
. . 522 Ladd Plucke, Peacock
. . 508 Kennedy Wilkie, Moran
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 13, 2020 13:46:56 GMT 12
That's all.
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