Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2021 23:23:10 GMT 12
ON BOUGAINVILLE
NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN
TAKEN BY SURPRISE
UNDER HEAVY SHELLING
(R.N.Z.A.F Official News Service.) BOUGAINVILLE, March 19.
Under the new experience of artillery shelling and with the Japanese making costly efforts to break through the Allied perimeter no more than a few miles away, men of the R.N.Z.A.F. air and ground units on Bougainville have carried on their work as usual, cheerful and confident. Our airmen suffered only two casualties and these were but minor scratches from shrapnel.
The imminence of a Japanese attack was known for a few weeks beforehand, the indications being given by reports of increased patrol, barge and truck activity, as well as intelligence gained from Japanese prisoners and captured documents.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force ground personnel, all of whom went through an intensive weapon training course before leaving New Zealand, were allotted a part in the Allied defence plan, infantry companies being formed to take up defence positions in the event of a major enemy break-through. Machine-gun posts were prepared and foxholes dug.
The opening of the Japanese attack on the morning of March 8 was heralded by increased enemy artillery fire but it took some time for the New Zealanders to realise that this time the shells were travelling the other way as well as towards the hills held by the enemy. The men were shaving, washing, or breakfasting when the first of the 25 or 30 shells lobbed in and around the camp area or went overhead.
Airmen’s Narrow Escape
Several airmen had narrow escapes and it was a miracle that the casualties were not more serious. Seven pilots were taking a shower bath when a shell exploded less than 25 yards away, spattering them with dirt. Two more shells came in quick succession, but by the time the second landed no one was to be seen.
One officer working in a shed emerged unscathed when a shell landed only four yards away, while the next shell scored a direct hit on the building, but by that time the occupant was well away. A number of tents were peppered by shrapnel, but, generally speaking, the material damage to the camp was negligible.
Our aircraft continued their operations as scheduled and the ground crews worked on them with practically no disorganisation or interruption and with the customary spirit of cheerfulness and assurance.
Enemy aircraft ventured near the Allied area on only one night and it gave everyone great satisfaction the next day to learn that a Japanese float-plane had fallen to an Allied nightfighter.
The New Zealand airmen have adapted themselves courageously and quickly to the new conditions on Bougainville and go about their tasks with little change in routine. They still observe a daily break for a refreshing swim in the surf. The nights are monotonous, with lights out enforced from dusk, but yarning passes the time.
WAIKATO TIMES, 20 MARCH 1944
NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN
TAKEN BY SURPRISE
UNDER HEAVY SHELLING
(R.N.Z.A.F Official News Service.) BOUGAINVILLE, March 19.
Under the new experience of artillery shelling and with the Japanese making costly efforts to break through the Allied perimeter no more than a few miles away, men of the R.N.Z.A.F. air and ground units on Bougainville have carried on their work as usual, cheerful and confident. Our airmen suffered only two casualties and these were but minor scratches from shrapnel.
The imminence of a Japanese attack was known for a few weeks beforehand, the indications being given by reports of increased patrol, barge and truck activity, as well as intelligence gained from Japanese prisoners and captured documents.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force ground personnel, all of whom went through an intensive weapon training course before leaving New Zealand, were allotted a part in the Allied defence plan, infantry companies being formed to take up defence positions in the event of a major enemy break-through. Machine-gun posts were prepared and foxholes dug.
The opening of the Japanese attack on the morning of March 8 was heralded by increased enemy artillery fire but it took some time for the New Zealanders to realise that this time the shells were travelling the other way as well as towards the hills held by the enemy. The men were shaving, washing, or breakfasting when the first of the 25 or 30 shells lobbed in and around the camp area or went overhead.
Airmen’s Narrow Escape
Several airmen had narrow escapes and it was a miracle that the casualties were not more serious. Seven pilots were taking a shower bath when a shell exploded less than 25 yards away, spattering them with dirt. Two more shells came in quick succession, but by the time the second landed no one was to be seen.
One officer working in a shed emerged unscathed when a shell landed only four yards away, while the next shell scored a direct hit on the building, but by that time the occupant was well away. A number of tents were peppered by shrapnel, but, generally speaking, the material damage to the camp was negligible.
Our aircraft continued their operations as scheduled and the ground crews worked on them with practically no disorganisation or interruption and with the customary spirit of cheerfulness and assurance.
Enemy aircraft ventured near the Allied area on only one night and it gave everyone great satisfaction the next day to learn that a Japanese float-plane had fallen to an Allied nightfighter.
The New Zealand airmen have adapted themselves courageously and quickly to the new conditions on Bougainville and go about their tasks with little change in routine. They still observe a daily break for a refreshing swim in the surf. The nights are monotonous, with lights out enforced from dusk, but yarning passes the time.
WAIKATO TIMES, 20 MARCH 1944