|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 11:53:00 GMT 12
11 May 1944.
TARGET: TOBERA Airfield; MARAWAKA (S. Bougainville)
MISSION: Attack with rockets, bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: Lt. Comdr. C.B. Cottingham, VB-306
SQUADRONS: VB306, RNZAF-25, VMSB-241
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 6 planes: 8 x 5.0" HE (Inst.) Forward Firing Rockets 42 planes: 1 x 1000 lb. bomb, 1/10 sec. delay. Planes ordered for attack: 48 SBD-5s Actually attacking: 33
TIMES: T/O 0805 Attack: Tobera 1000; Marawaka 1115 Return 1135-1200
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 24 TBFs, 4 VF
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None
DAMAGE TO PLANES: Plane No. 7: M/G holes: (1) Middle of left wing; (2) leading edge of left wing forward of auxiliary tank; (3) through bottom of engine cowl, throught intake manifold and valve push rod of #7 cylinder, and through 4 cooling fins; (4) fuselage creased on left side 1 ft. below front cockpit enclosure.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None
RANGE: 410 miles (Tobera)
ATTACK TACTICS Both targets glide bombed; releases from 3000' to 5000' (Rockets were not fired)
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
(1) On Tobera R/W, reported direct hits, 10 x 1000; reported hits in area, 4 x 1000.
(2) On revetments at Tobera R/W, reported hits in area 2 x 1000.
(3) On radio tower and adjacent gun position just NW of center of Tobera R/W, reported hit in area, 1 x 1000.
(4) On Warangoi Plantation, reported hit in area, 1 x 1000.
(5) On Kabanga Plantation, reported hits in area, 3 x 1000.
(6) On Marawaka, hits in area, 7 x 1000.
WEATHER: Scattered cumulus en route to target. From Warangoi R. North, 9/10 with base 3/5000' and top 8000'. Primary target (VUNAKUNAU) closed in; 1/3 to 2/3 of Tobera R/W open to some divisions. Weather clear over Marawaka.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) Anti-aircraft:
(a) Moderate and fairly accurate heavy and auto AA, bursts from 8/9000' down to 1000', from SE side of Tobera R/W (presumably positions in garden plot area SE of NE end of R/W).
(b) Fairly intense and accurate M/G gun fire at NE and of Tobera R/W.
(c) A new 3 gun automatic position was observed in the Marawaka area, E of the southern part of Gazelle Harbor, on the edge of a clearing. Firing intensely and accurately.
(2) An arrangement of branches, etc., thought possibly to camouflage two or three barges, was observed on the coast between Kabanga Plantation and Mope.
(3) A large splash in the water (thought to be too large for a bomb) was observed at 1020, 10 miles, 120 degrees from Cape St. George.
MATERIAL DATA: 1 x 1000 lb. bomb failed to release.
MISSION LOG:
Plane No.
57 De Lange Sewell 25 Stone 1 NZ-25 Hit in Marawaka area
48 Howie Robertson 26 " " " " "
64 Graham Watson 27 " " Released on Marawaka area Bomb a dud.
62 McKenzie French 28 " " Hit in Marawaka area
66 Evison Smart 29 " " " " "
60 Jolly Bailey 30 " " Jettisoned bomb. Landed at Green; engine trouble
63 Johnson Howell 31 " " Hit in Marawaka area.
65 Nicholson Cullen 32 " " " " "
68 Hayman Wilkie 33 " " " " "
46 Glanville White 34 " " Dropped on bridge over Warangoi River; missed
56 O'Neil Gray 35 " " " " "
67 Forsberg Leatham 36 " " " " "
* Carried 8 x 5.0" ARs; all others 1 x 1000 lb. bomb. 1/10 sec. delay.
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 12:05:31 GMT 12
12 May, 1944.
TARGET: Rabaul area.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: Major James A. FEELEY JR., VMSB-241.
SQUADRONS: VMSB-241; VB-306, NZ-25.
PALNES AND LOADINGS: 48 planes 1x1000 1/10 sec delay.
ORDERED FOR MISSION: 48
ACTUALLY ATTACKING: 47
RETURNED: 48
TIMES: T.O. 0830; ATTACK; 1030; RETURN 1210 to Green Island.
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 24 TBF; 12 VF.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: *67 small hole in tail.
DAMAGE TO PLANES: None.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
RANGE: Piva to Target to Green, 350 miles.
ATTACK TACTICS: High speed approach at 15500', pushover 9000', release at 3000', pullout at 1000'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
(1) Two hits in area of four heavies south of Talili Bay.
(2) Three hits in area of four auto's south of Talili Bay, 2 in supply area.
(3) One hit in area of two heavies southeast of supply area.
(4) Three hits in area of two auto's west of Simpson harbor.
(5) Five hits in area of three heavies north of Simpson harbor.
(6) Three hits in area of three auto's Northwest of Vulcan crater.
(7) One hit in area of two auto's southeast of Vulcan crater.
(8) Three hits in area of three auto's center of Keravia Bay.
(9) Two hits in area of three auto's southeast of Raluana Point.
(10) Rockets (Keravia Bay):
a. Five barges south of Vulcan. 8x5.0" AR reported direct hits. 8x5.0" AR unobserved.
b. Barges west of three auto's. 8x5.0" AR unobserved. 2x5.0" AR in area. 2x5.0" AR reported direct hits.
c. Barge between three auto's Ratuana Point. 2x5.0" AR unobserved.
d. Hulk near three auto's. 8x5.0" AR reported damaging hits. 2x5.0" AR hits in area.
(11) Four hits in area of six auto's northwest of Rabaul.
(12) One hit in area of Berge in Keravia Bay.
(13) Four hits on Matupi Island gun position (center of island).
WEATHER: Weather good, ceiling unlimited.
OBSERVATIONS: Few anti-aircraft positions firing.
(1) Two heavies about three miles south of Talili Bay delivered moderate and inaccurate fire.
(2) Four auto's south of supply area fired moderately and innaccurately.
(3) Four heavies southwest of supply area sent up meagre and innaccurate AA.
(4) Heavies and auto's on Matupi delivered intense but inaccurate AA.
(5) Some heavy moderate innaccurate fire from vicinity of Hospital Ridge directed on retiring aircraft.
(6) In general, targets were well covered, all other positions except those mentioned were found not firing. Approximately five barges were located 300 yds off shore of Keravia Bay. All but one was beached, one afloat. One barge was located west of Credner Island about 500 yds off shore. Two barges or small boats tied up to shore about three miles southeast of Vulcan crater.
(7) Anti-aircraft fire innaccurate throughout.
MATERIEL DATA: Plane #171 had engine trouble. Left formation at Duke of York Island for Green Island.
MISSION LOG:
PLANE PILOT GUNNER CALL SQUADRON REMARKS
49 JOHNSTON HOWELL 37 Stone 1 NZ-25 Hit in area.
65 NICHOLSON CULLEN, R. 38 " " " "
68 HAYMAN WILKIE 39 " " " "
46 GLAINVILLE WHITE 40 " " " "
56 O'NIEL GRAY 41 " " " "
67 FORSBERG LEATHAM 42 " " " "
48 BROWN ASHWORTH 43 " " " "
62 KELLY CULLEN, B. 44 " " " "
52 CLARK SILVER 45 " " " "
63 PENNIKET BRADY 46 " " " "
57 KUHN SMALL 47 " " " "
64 SYMONDS BODEN 48 " " " "
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 12:21:39 GMT 12
12 May, 1944.
TARGET: Native villages Northeast coast of Bougainville, South of Sorum.
MISSION: Bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: Major James A. Feeley Jr., VMSB-241.
SQUADRONS: VMSB-241;VB-306, NZ-25.
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 25 planes 1x500 and 2x250, 20 planes 1x500.
ORDERED FOR MISSION: 48
ACTUALLY ATTACKING: 45
RETURNED: 48
TIMES: T.O. 1440; ATTACK 1600; RETURN 1655.
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 24 TBF
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None.
DAMAGE TO PLANES: None.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
RANGE: 120 miles. (Green to target to Piva)
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 cal. 4070; .30 cal. 14,300.
ATTACK TACTICS: Glide bombing attack: into glide at 9000', release at 1500'.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
(1) On native huts along coast and ridge, direct hits, 1x500 and 2x250.
(2) Hits in area, 42x500 and 140x250.
WEATHER: Over target weather good, scattered clouds, base 1000', top 3000'.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) The area under attack was observed to have been well covered with bombs.
(2) No AA was encountered.
MATERIEL DATA: 1x500 and 6x250 failed to release.
MISSION LOG:
PLANE PILOT GUNNER CALL SQUADRON REMARKS
49 JOHNSTON HOWELL 37 Stone 1 NZ-25 1x500 and 2x250.
65 NICHOLSON CULLEN, R. 38 " " 1x500.
68 HAYMAN WILKIE 39 " " 1x500 and 2x250.
46 GLAINVILLE WHITE 40 " " " ".
56 O'NIEL GRAY 41 " " 1x500; 2x250 hung.
67 FORSBERG LEATHAM 42 " " 1x500 and 2x250.
48 BROWN ASHWORTH 43 " " 1x500.
62 KELLY CULLEN, B. 44 " " "
52 CLARK SILVER 45 " " " "
63 PENNIKET BRADY 46 " " 1x500 and 2x250.
57 KUHN SMALL 47 " " " "
64 SYMONDS BODEN 48 " " "
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 12:32:41 GMT 12
14th May 1944.
TARGET: VUNAKANAU AIRFIELD and gun positions adjacent.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe
FLIGHT LEADER: S/Ldr de Lange
SQUADRONS: RNZAF 25 VB 306.
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 6 planes - 8 x 5.0" H.E. (inst.) Forward firing rockets. 18 planes - 1 x 1000 lb bomb 1/10th delay and 2 x 1 00 lb instan.
ORDERED FOR MISSION: 24
ACTUALLY ATTACKING : 24.
TIMES: T.O. 0830 ATTACK 1015 RETURN 1200.
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 24 T.B.F's.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None
DAMAGE TO PLANES: Plane No 8 - hole in right horizontal stabiliser, Plane No 12 - .50 cal. through fuselage behind gunners cockpit. Plane No 13 - Close burst of AA caused plane to skid and break antenna post.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None
RANGE: 430 miles.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 cal. 3650 rds. .30 cal. 9875 rds.
ATTACK TACTICS: High speed approach commenced at 14,000 ft. Push over at 9000ft. Bomb released at 2500 ft. pull out 1500 ft.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Direct hits confirmed on runway by 5 x 1000 lb. and 10 x 100 lb bombs. Direct hits reported by 2 x 1000 lb and 1 x 100 lb bombs.
WEATHER: Over the target the visibility and ceiling were unlimited. On the way back a deep front developed with tops at 12000 ft and base approx. 1500 ft.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) Excellent coverage by the T.B.F's on the runway was observed.
(2) At about 1030 hours near RAPAPO, ff LESSON POINT, at 1000/1500 ft. 6 silver coloured fighters were seen by 2 gunners. The fighter were doing slow rolls and climbing steep turns and made no attempt to interfere with the formation which was about 5 miles away.
(3) The A.A. during the S.B.D's dive was reported to be meagre and inaccurate. The exception was the 5" dual naval guns which fired intensely and accurately throughout the whole attack.
MISSION LOG:
PLANE NO. PILOT GUNNER CALL SIGN SQDN. REMARKS.
57 De Lange Sewell 1 stone 1 NZ 25. Hit in area.
48 Howie Robertson 2 " " " " "
64 Graham Watson 3 " " " " "
62 McKenzie French 4 " " " " "
66 Evison Sharp 5 " " Direct hit on runway
52 Jolly Bailey 6 " " Hit in area
45 Johnson Howell 7 " " " " "
65 Nicholson Cullen R. 8 " " " " "
68 Hayman Wilkie 9 " " " " "
46 Glanville White 10 " " " " "
47 O'Niel Gray 11 " " " " "
67 Forsberg Leatham 12 " " " " "
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 13:40:47 GMT 12
May 16th. 1944.
TARGET: TOBERA supply area RABAUL.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: F/Lt T.R.F. JOHNSTON.
SQUADRONS: RNZAF 25. VB 306.
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 1 x 1000 lb. fused 1/10th sec. delay. 2 x 100 lb. instan.
ORDERED FOR MISSION: 12.
ACTUALLY ATTACKING: 10.
TIMES: T.O. 0830 ATTACK: 1025 RETURN: 1155.
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 12 T.B.F's.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None
DAMAGE TO PLANES: None
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None
RANGE: 430 miles.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 CAL. 1900 rds. .30 cal. 4250 rds.
ATTACK TACTICS: Glide bombing attack. Run in commenced from 15000 ft. Bomb released 5000 ft. Pull out at 4000 ft.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: 10 x 1000 lb and 18 x 100 lb. bombs hit in the area.
WEATHER: Broken cloud on route up. Primary target (Talili Bay) clouded out. Over TOBERA ceiling and visibility were excellent.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) The T.B.F.'s appeared to lay a good pattern across the target area, but the only smoke observed was from their incendiaries.
(2) The bombs from the S.B.D.'s fell in the area, without any visible damaging effect.
(3) All known guns around TOBERA and RAPOPE were firing but pilots could not pinpoint positions with certainty due to scattered cloud. The A.A. was described as fairly intense and fairly accurate.
MISSION LOG.
PILOT. GUNNER. CALL SIGN. SQDN. REMARKS.
Johnston 49 Howell 1 Stone 1 NZ-25 Hit in area.
Nicholson 66 Cullen R. 2 " 2 " " Hit in area.
Hayman 64 Wilkie 3 " 3 " " Hit in area.
Glanville 46 White 4 " 4 " " Hit in area.
O'Neil 56 Gray 5 " 5 " " Ret'd Eng. trouble.
Forsberg 67 Leatham 6 " 6 " " Ret'd Eng. trouble.
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 13:46:13 GMT 12
16th May 1944
TARGET: Gun positions at BONIS airfield.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: F/O L.H. BROWN.
SQUADRONS: RNZAF 25 VB 306.
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 1 x 1000 lb bomb fused 1/10th.
TIMES: T.O. 1330 ATTACK: 1430 RETURN: 1530.
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 12 T.B.F's.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None.
DAMAGE TO PLANES: None. PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: 2500 rds .50 cal. 6400 rds. .30 cal.
RANGE: 100 miles.
ATTACK TACTICS: Dive bombing. High speed approach commenced at 12000 ft. Push over 10000 ft. Bomb released 1000 ft. Pull out 500 ft.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: 3 autos SW end of R/W - 1 confirmed damaging hit 2 hits in area. 3 autos W of W end of R/W - 1 confirmed damaging hit, 1 reported damaging hit. 1 hit in area. Autos at NE end of R/W- 3 hits in area. 3 wild misses
WEATHER: Ceiling and visibility unlimited.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) No A.A. fire of any description was seen and in the opinion of the pilots the gun positions are unoccupied.
(2) Excellent coverage of the R/W by the T.B.F's was observed.
(3) Small boat about 100 ft long was observed off shore opposite PORTON Plantation. The boat was painted grey and had 2 masts in between which was a deck house. It was apparently a motorboat as it left a trail of oil. It was headed towards land and what seemed to be a small jetty.
MISSION LOG:
PLANE. PILOT GUNNER CALL SIGN. SQUADRON. REMARKS.
64 BROWN ASHWORTH 1 mine 3 NZ - 25 Hit in area.
62 KELLY CULLEN B. 2 " " " " "
66 CLARK SILVER 3 " " " " "
61 PENNIKET FRENCH 4 " " Wild Miss.
53 KUHN SMALL 5 " " " " "
56 SYMONDS BODEN 6 " " " " "
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 26, 2020 13:46:31 GMT 12
That's all I have.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Dec 30, 2020 14:22:54 GMT 12
According to the account compiled by the late Cliff Jenks, published in AHSNZ Journal of February 1968, the following details were listed as to the activities on 17th May, 1944.
"This was the last day of major operations by the Squadron. Details are not complete but the squadron did at least provide the following aircraft:
At 0830, three aircraft to strike gun positions, Lakunai. One of these a/c had to return after half an hour with an oil leak.
At 1400, four aircraft took off to bomb the supply area near Buka airfield. They were accompanied by Fg. Of. (L H F) Brown and a (NZ) movie photographer, Mr. Bridgeman, in NZ5049. Movies of the strike were taken.
Later, two NZ crews flew US SBD's "115" and "110" on reconnaissance missions in the East Bougainville area.
May 18th, 19th 1944; These days were spent mainly in attaining and maintaining the maximum number of NZ SBD's serviceable for the flight out.
May 20th 1944; At 0700 Local Time, all 17 SBD-5's took off from Piva for the last time, and set heading for the Russell Islands where they landed at Renards Field about 3 hours later. The aircraft were NZ5046, 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 56, 57, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68. The crews were then flown to Guadalcanal in C-47's NZ3505 and 3517.
May 21st, 1944; In approximately 13 hours flying time aboard 3505 and 3517, the crews reached Whenuapai, via Tontouta (New Caledonia) at 1800 hours for a well-earned rest.
SPECIAL NOTE: although this was the last flying undertaken by the squadron, it officially continued to exist until the 19th June 1944, when it was disbanded. This probably coinciding with the date that the squadron members completed their disembarkation leave, and were to report to their new postings the following day.
Hope these notes round off this thread, more-or-less satisfactorily.
Incidentally the movie film taken on the PM of 17th May can be seen in a compilation of RNZAF Activities in the forward area 1943/44, should be on the historic NZ website, name of which escapes me (Dave H will know!)
David D
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 31, 2020 0:59:45 GMT 12
17 May 1944.
TARGET: LAKUNAI Airfield and Adjacent AA Positions; Oil barges Simpson Harbor
MISSION: Bomb, Strafe and Attack with Rockets
FLIGHT LEADER: Lt. Comdr. C.B. Cottingham, VB-306
SQUADRONS: VB-306, NZ-25
PLANE AND LOADINGS: 30 planes: 1 x 1000 1/10 and 2 x 100 Inst. 6 planes: 6 x 5.0" HE (Inst.) Rockets and 2 x 3.5" AP (Solid) Rockets Planes ordered for attack: 36 SBD-5s Actually attacking: 35 Planes returned: 35
TIMES: T/O 0830 Attack 1010 Return 1200
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 12 TBFs
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None DAMAGE TO PLANES: Plane #13: crashed 50 yards off-shore E of Hospital Ridge, Plane #4: hole in stabilizer, Plane #5: .50 cal. holes in right wing and left elevator.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: Lt. John N. ANDERSON, Jr., USNR and William George LUMLEY, ARM2/c, USN, missing in crash of Plane #13.
RANGE: 425 miles
ATTACK TACTICS: Dive bombing attack: High speed approach from 14000'; pushover 10000'; release 1800'; pullout 1000'.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 cal., 4940 rds; .30 cal., 13,950 rds.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
(1) On heavy AA, near SE coast of Matupi, confirmed damaging hits, 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100; hits in area, 2 x 1000 and 4 x 100.
(2) On heavy AA, NW of first position, hits in area, 2 x 1000 and 2 x 100
(3) On heavy NW of second position, hits in area, 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100
(4) On auto AA near W coast of Matupi, reported direct hit or damaging hits, 2 x 1000 and 4 x 100 (gun stopped firing after drops)
(5) On S three heavies, Hospital Ridge, hits in area, 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100
(6) On N three heavies, Hospital Ridge, hits in area, 2 x 1000 and 4 x 100
(7) On 2 autos E of heavies, Hospital Ridge, hits in area, 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100
(8) On 3 autos NW of heavies, ? hits in area; 2 x 1000 and 4 x 100
(9) On 3 autos NE of SE end of R/W, hits in ares, 2 x 1000 and 3 x 100
(10) On 3 autos at Sulphur Creek, hits in area, 2 x 1000 and 3 x 100
(11) On 3 heavies N of Sulphur Creek, hits in area, 3 x 1000 and 6 x 100
(12) On 3 autos in Rabaul town, hits in area, 2 x 1000 and 4 x 100
(13) On R/W confirmed direct hits, 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100; reported direct hits 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100; hits in area, 1 x 1000 and 2 x 100
(14) 4 oil barges W of R/W (designated a to d going from N to S).
(a) 8 ARs hit about 20' to W; 8 ARs unobserved.
(b) 2 ARs appeared slightly short; 6 ARs unobserved. (TBFs confirm direct rocket hit on this barge.).
(c) Possible hits out of 8 ARs,
(d) 8 ARs unobserved; believed not hit.
WEATHER: Clear over Matupi and R/W. 7/10 cloud over Hospital Ridge; prevented accurate bombing of targets.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) AA fire:
(a) All Matupi guns firing, except heavy furthest inland, the revetment for which appeared unoccupied. Moderate to intense; fairly accurate.
(b) Hospital Ridge guns were firing, but cloud prevented accurate pinpointing.
(c) Autos near SE end of R/W and at Sulphur Creek were not firing.
(d) Heavies N. of Sulphur Creek were firing intensely and accurately.
(e) Autos in Rabaul Town were intense and inaccurate.
(2) A large patch of oil, 200 yds. x 50 yds., was observed 15 miles SW of Buka.
(3) A large fire was seen near the 2 autos position on Hospital Ridge.
MATERIEL DATA: 4 x 100 lb. bombs failed to release 6 ARs failed to release.
Plane No.
57 Brown, L.F. Ashworth 25 Stone 1 NZ-25 * *
62 Kelly Cullen, B. 26 " " * *
52 Clark Silver 27 " " * *
63 Pemicket Gray 28 " " * *
53 Kuhn Small 29 " " Returned: Engine trouble
49 Symonds Boden 30 " " * *
* * Hit in area of target assigned.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Dec 31, 2020 9:13:50 GMT 12
Interesting to see mentions of rockets being used in this theatre. First use I know of rockets being employed in South Pacific theatre was in about mid-April 1944, when USN PV-1s were using them against targets in Southern Bougainville, with one being shot down (the aircraft, not the rockets!) RNZAF PV-1s were instrumental in providing coverage for the US Navy survivors, although one of the American crew members was killed. USN PBYs carried out the actual rescues under very hazardous conditions, may have been detailed on one of these threads already.
David D
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 10:56:53 GMT 12
26 March 1944.
TARGET: Kavieng Airfield.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: Major Glenn L. Todd. VMSB-235.
SQUADRONS: VMSB-235; RNZAF-25. ORDERED FOR MISSION-36
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 36 SBD's 1 x 1000 1/10; ACTUALLY ATTACKING-15
TIMES: T.O. 0700; ATTACK 1200; RETURN PIVA 1620.
OTHER A/C COORDINATING: 12 TBF's based Piva. 18 SBD's based Green Island. 12 TBF's based Green Island. 8 VF
DAMAGE TO PLANES: None.
INJURY TO PERSONNEL: None.
ATTACK TACTICS: The SBD's made high speed approach from the north at 14500 ft. The attack was delivered from the north west with pushovers at 8000 ft., releases at 2000 ft., pullouts at 400-1200 ft.; retirement to north between Kavieng and Panapai Airfields with rally point 10 miles north of Panapai.
RANGE: 710 Miles.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 cal. 1420; .30 cal. 4050.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Three confirmed direct hits on gun positions (two of these on 4 dual 25 mm. gun position on coast opposite Nusalik Island, the other on the position of 4 dual 25 mm on the southeast extension of Nusa Island); three reported damaging hits, nine misses in the area, possibly effective hits, and one unobserved. All attacking planes except two, strafed structures to southeast and northeast of the runway on retirement. Nineteen planes in the rear divisions turned back from the attack at the Feni Islands because of inability to join up with the flight.
WEATHER: Ceiling and visibility unlimited over target; on way up and back scattered, with overcast at Feni Island.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) A boat 50-60 ft. in length off Cape Siwnset fired intense inaccurate fire (probably 20 mm) at one plane on retirement, and was strafed by this plane with unobserved results. A hulk partly out of the water was sighted just S/E of Nusalik Island, and an old hulk or possible AK of unestimated dimensions was seen off Nusa Island.
(2) Four to five grass topped huts with several auto vehicles in the vicinity, believed to be a possible operations center, and situated in the area of the auto and heavy guns S/E of the runway took a reported effective hit.
(3) AA generally inaccurate and moderate, intense accurate fire from the 4 dual 25 mm guns on the mainland during the approach and dive, but silenced by direct hits. Fire from other observed gun positions occured mostly during retirement.
(4) A large fire with smoke reaching to 2000 ft. was seen east of Borpop, near Cape Sena.
PLANE PILOT GUNNER CALL SQUAD. REMARKS
57 DE LANGE SEWELL 25 RNZAF-25 Returned early-unable to join up due bad weather.
60 MC L SYMONDS BAILEY 26 " SAME
43 HOWIE ROBERTSON 27 " SAME
59 O'NIEL GRAY 28 " SAME
54 JOLLY PRICE 29 " SAME
61 MC KENZIE FRENCH 30 " SAME
62 JOHNSON HAWELL 31 " SAME
50 CRAY BELL 32 " SAME
52 NICHLOSON CULLEN, R. 33 " SAME
46 GLANVILLE WHITE 34 " SAME
53 GRAHAM WATSON 35 " SAME
58 FORSBERG LEATHAM 36 " SAME
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 11:04:16 GMT 12
27 March 1944.
TARGET: Supply and personnel area 5000 yds. inland from mouth of Maririci River.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: R. F. Ramsey, Captain.
SQUADRONS: VMSB-235; RNZAF-25
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 12 SBD's, 9 TBF's 1 x 1000 inst.
TIMES: TO 1530; Attack 1615; Return 1710 (Torokina); 1800 (Piva).
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: None.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None.
DAMAGE TO PLANES: None.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
RANGE: 50 Miles.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 cal. 460; .30 cal 3200.
ATTACK TACTICS: Glide bombing approach to target with push-overs at 4000 ft.; releases at 1500 ft. and pull-outs 500-1000 ft. Target area and river to mouth strafed on returning.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Ten of the twelve SBD bombs hit in the target area, appearing to be in a well scattered pattern. Two hits were unobserved. No results of the bombing or strafing observed because of density of the foilage.
WEATHER: Over the target scattered clouds at 3000 ft.; during the return, heavy rain squall was encountered with cloud cover ten tenths.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) A small road runs through the target area in a general north-south direction. A bomb crater from a previous attack has demolished a section of the road.
(2) Two barges were observed under a big tree on the east bank of the Maririci River about 50-75 yds. from the river mouth. These were strafed with unobserved results.
(3) No AA fire encountered.
PLANE PILOT GUNNER CALL SQD. REMARKS
48 JOHNSON HOWELL 7 RNZAF-25
50 CRAY BELL 8 "
54 NICHOLSON CULLEN, R.W. 9 "
46 GLANVILLE WHITE 10 "
56 O'NEIL GEIY 11 "
58 FORSBERG LEATHIM 12 "
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 11:17:31 GMT 12
28 March 1944.
TARGET: Lakunai Airfield, Rabaul.
MISSION: Bomb and strafe gun positions and one section of planes to bomb east one quarter of runway.
FLIGHT LEADER: Major Glenn L. Todd, VMSB-235
SQUADRONS: VMSB-235; RNZAF-25.
PLANES AND LOADINGS: 1 x 1000 1/10 delay.
ORDERED FOR MISSION: 36 SBD's and 6 Spares.
ACTUALLY ATTACKING : 36 SBD's.
TIMES: T.O. Piva 0805; ATTACK 1010; RETURN Piva 1145.
OTHER A/C COORDINATING: 24 TBF's; 8 VF.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None.
DAMAGE TO PLANES: No. F-12 hole in wing caused either by bomb hit from friendly plane above or by shrapnel from Matupi Island. No. 46 hit in stabilizer by severa1 machine gun bullets.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None.
RANGE: 430 miles.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: .50 cal. 400; .30 cal. 5000.
ATTACK TACTICS: High speed approach from the east at 14500 ft., (over the Mother), pushovers from the northwest at 8000 ft.; releases at about 2000 ft, and pullouts from 400-1000 ft., with retirement to the southeast past Praed Point.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: One section with the east quarter of the R/W as the target made confirmed direct hits. A confirmed damaging hit was made on the three heavy AA guns near the road east of the strip. A direct hit was reported on the machine gun position on the southeast side of Matupi Island. Six damaging hits were made on other gun positions east and northwest of the runway. Eighteen bomb hits are reported as misses in the area of the target, four hits were wild misses and three bombs hung up.
WEATHER: Scattered cumulus clouds over target, from 4000 ft. to 12000 ft., with cloud and ground haze obscuring targets at east end of strip. En route the weather was good with scattered clouds from 2000 ft. to 5000 ft.
OBSERVATIONS:
(1) No fire observed from position of three heavy AA guns and the two positions of three machine guns each east of the runway. Intense fire from four machine guns northeast of east end of runway. The several machine guns just off the east end of the runway were firing moderately after the dives. No fire was observed from the 2.7 dual navy guns north of the west end of the strip. Fire from machine gun and AA positions west and north of the strip was moderate-inaccurate. Intense-inaccurate medium AA and machine gun fire came up from several positions on Matupi Island. On approach and retirement there was heavy-inaccurate fire from the ridge on the west side of Simpson Harbor and from the vicinity of Hospital ridge, north of Sulphur Creek.
(2) Two barges with ramp type bows, together with several other smaller barges were moored near the east end of the runway. A large hulk was also seen near this point. One hulk and five barges were off southeast Matupi Island. A log boom and three barges were seen south of the three machine guns east of the strip.
(3) Three pilots, unable to locate their targets because of low clouds, dove on revetments containing several planes, including a twin motored type and a fighter. These planes appeared to have previously been damaged.
(4) The apparent salvaging of a wrecked twin motored or larger plane (possibly an Emily) lying on its back and supported by small boats was observed in Greet Harbor.
(5) A derrick of recent construction 75 ft. high was reported on Gazelle Point.
(6) The smoke from approximately nine fires was observed in the Vunapape area.
(7) Numerous structures in apparent good condition were seen in and about the target areas, and were generously strafed upon retirement.
(8) All SBD's returned to base.
PLANE PILOT GUNNER CALL. SQUAD. REMARKS
57 DE LANGE SEWELL 25 RNZAF-25 Observed m/g fire from east end of strip during retirement.
60 McL SYMONDS BAILEY 26 " Reported damaging hit.
48 HOWIE ROBERTSON 27 " " " "
58 O'NEIL GRAY 28 " Hit in area.
54 JOLLY PRICE 29 " Returned, replaced by Lewis.
61 MC KENZIE FRENCH 30 " Hit in area.
51 EDWARDS HAPPE 31 " Hit in area.
53 KUHN CULLEN, R. 32 " Returned-engine trouble, replaced by Weir.
49 SYMONDS BODEN 33 " Returned-engine trouble, replaced by Cooper.
46 BROWN ASHWORTH 34 " Bullet holes in tail of plane.
50 KELLY CULLEN, B. 35 " Claimed damaging hit.
52 CLARK SILVER 36 " " " "
SPARES:
F-11 LEWIS RODEN 39 VMSB-235 Replaced Jolly-hit in area.
F-12 WEIR MOONEY 40 " Replaced Kuhn-hole in wing.
F-13 COOPER HERSHBERGER 41 " Replaced Symonds-hit in target area.
|
|
|
|
Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 13, 2021 11:26:12 GMT 12
30th March 1944.
TARGET: Gun positions at VUNAKANAU AIRFIELD.
MISSION: To bomb and strafe.
FLIGHT LEADER: S/Ldr T.J. McL. de Lange (N.Z.25)
SQUADRONS: R.N.Z.A.F. 25 - VMSB 235.
PLANES & LOADINGS: 36 S.B.D's. 36 x 1000 lb. bomb 1/10th. sec. delay.
TIMES: Take off: 1000 Attack: 1210 Return: 1400
OTHER A/C UNITS COORDINATING: 24 T.B.F's. 8 V.F.
DATA ON ENEMY A/C ENCOUNTERED: None
DAMAGE TO PLANES: Plane No 2 made water landing 50 miles on outward trip. Pilot & gunner rescued later by Dumbo. Plane No 9 received 8 holes severing oil line. No 50 received bullet hits from small arms fire destroying canopy.
Plane No 161 - 2 holes in stabiliser.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: None RANGE: 400 miles
AMMUNITION EXPENDED: 3585 rds .5, 16450 rds .3.
ATTACK TACTICS: High speed approach commenced at 13100 ft. Push over 9000ft. Bomb dropped 2800 ft. Pull out 2000ft.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
1. 5 autos south of runway - not hit.
2. 6 Heavies and 2 autos south of runway - 1 miss in area, 2 unobserved.
3. Light guns immediately south of runway - 3 misses in area, 2 wild misses, 1 unobserved.
4. 4 autos north east of runway - 3 damaging hits reported.
5. 4 autos north east of runway and north of target previously mentioned - 2 misses in area.
6. 4 autos north of eastern end of runway - 2 damaging hits reported, 2 misses in area, 1 wild miss.
7. 5 Heavies north of eastern end of runway -2 misses in area, 1 wild miss.
8. Light guns north of eastern end of runway- 5 reported damaging hits, 3 misses in area.
9. 3 M/G8s north of runway - 1 wild miss.
10. 2 autos north of runway - 2 misses in area. WEATHER: Good - visibility unlimited except over target which was partly obscured by cloud.
Observations:
(1) Cloud over target made pinpointing of individual targets difficult and in many cases impossible.
(2) No A.A. fire during approach and dive and very little M/G fire on retirement.
(3) A number of the targets had craters the vicinity which made it difficult to determine the exact location of the gun positions.
(4) A number of wrecked planes observed in revetments south of strip.
(5) A possible control tower or radio station about 40ft high with a red roof and a thatched hut adjoining were seen about 500 yards north of the position of the 9 M.G's.
(6) A large structure with a screen resembling a radar plate was seen on a ridge south of the runway and a mile north of a Church.
(7) A large house or tower with what appeared to be pill boxes on top was observed by one pilot near Toma Plantation. Intense in accurate light fire from this area.
MISSION: LOG.
PLANE NO. PILOT. GUNNER. CALL REMARKS.
57 De Lange Sewell 1 Bomb failed to release
60 McL-Symonds Bailey 2 Same
52 Howie Robertson 3 Same
56 O'Niel Gray 4
54 Jolly Price 5
51 McKenzie French 6
49 Johnson Howell 7
50 Cray Bell 8 Bomb failed to release
53 Nicholson Cullen R. 9
47 Glenville White 10
59 Graham Watson 11
58 Forbes J. Leatham 12
|
|
|
|
Post by jonathanpix on Mar 21, 2021 20:19:20 GMT 12
Hi,do you have anything from the 1st of April? in my grandfather's diary flights are starting from the 1st of April as he was a LAC with the 25th squadron.
I am trying to work out the aircraft numbers he worked with.
Regards Jonathan
|
|
