AeroNotes 4

Pacific: New Guinea Area

5-Jul-06 Page 169

Pacific: New Guinea Area 18-Dec-41 New Guinea: In Sorong was stationed Dutch Naval Air Group GVT-2 with

3 Do-24K plus the seaplane tender Arend. After an inconclusive attack by an H6K4 the day before, another raid by a single H6K4 dropped bombs behind 1 Do24K while taking off. The other two were airborne and tried to intercept, but could not catch the H6K4.

Dutch New Guinea

Jan-Mar-42

Nos. 11 and 20 Sqdn RAAF patrol with Catalinas based out of Port Moresby.

Beer Bottle Barrage

25-Feb-42 3rd BG (personnel) arrives in Australia, joined by some personnel from 27th BG evacuated fom Philippines. First armed with 18 A-24 (8th FS).

Aviation History Society article about 3rd BG

7-Mar-42 Bismarck Sea: RAAF searchers note a large convoy heading toward New Guinea. Planned raid on Rabaul and Gasmata by TF11 (Yorktown and Lexington) cancelled.

First Team by Lundstrom

8-Mar-42 Lae: Japanese land and seize Lae and Salamaua settlements and air fields. First Team by Lundstrom

10-Mar-42 Lae: TF11 raids Lae. 0749 hrs: Lexington launches its Air Group: 8 F4Fs, 30 SBDs (18 VS-2, 12 VB-2), 13 TBDs w/ torps. 0805 hrs: Yorktown starts to launch first deckload: 13 VS-5 SBDs, 12 TBDs w/500lb bombs. 0829 hrs: Yorktown launches 2nd deckload: 17 VB-5 SBDs. 0846 hrs: Yorktown launches third deckload: 10 F4Fs. VT-2 got over the pass by luckily finding an open field to get a thermal. 0920 hrs: Lexington aircraft arrive. Lae surprised. Strip ready for fighters, but they were to move on 12-Mar-42. In Huon Gulf were CL Yubari, ML Tsugaru, DDs Yunagi, Oite, and Asanagi, two small MS, and air unit Kiyokawa Maru (seaplane tender with E8N2 Daves) and DD Mochizuki and the real prizes, 7 MMs. Lae defended by 4x 80mm AA guns. 0950 hrs: Yorktown air group arrives to join the attack. 1030 hrs: 8 B-17Es from 19th BG flying from Townville join raid. 1040 hrs: 8 RAAF Hudsons flying from Pt Moresby join in. Sunk 3 MMs.


12-Mar-42 After heading south into the Coral Sea, TF11 (Lexington) trades best-condition aircraft and provisions to Yorktown (TF17) and heads back to Pearl Harbor.


18-Mar-42 USAAF units in Australia: 3 FGs: 8th (P-39s), 35th (P-400), 49th FG (P-40s) 337 P-40s (125 lost on Java, 75 to RAAF, 74 in repair, 100 in assembly, ~ 40 in commission), 52/100+ P-400s, 33/90 P-39Ds. Pilots of "Limited" quality.

Cobra! Bell Aircraft 1937-1945

24-Mar-42 RAAF No. 75 Sqdn (in Kittyhawk IAs) to Port Moresby. Pilot quality Limited

Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey)

Apr-42 Australia: 339th FS flies P38Es Aussies have 25 P-40Es in Port Moresby USAAF units begin trading up P-40Es to P-40Ks. New Guina: During first two weeks, Dutch New Guinea seized by the Japanese, capturing small garrisons and chasing out the remaining Dutch (naval) recon units.

Cobra! Bell Aircraft 1937-1945 Air Power # (US Pac air forces article) Dutch New Guinea

1-Apr-42 8 A-24s (8th BS/3rd BG) stage thru Pt Moresby to attack Salamaua. (3rd BGs 1st attack.)



5-Jul-06 Page 170

5-Apr-42 13th and 90th BS (3rd BG), in B-25Cs originally earmarked for Dutch NEIAF, attack Gamusta, New Britain.


9-Apr-42 8 A-24s (8th BS/3rd BG) stage thru Pt Moresby to attack Lae - 6 Kittyhawk IAs of RAAF No. 75 escort.


16-Apr-42 8th Photo Recon sqdn (USAAF) begins to operate F-4s (unarmed P-38Es w/ 75-gal tanks) out of Australia over eastern New Guinea & New Ireland.

Americaa 100,000 by Francis Dean

26-Apr-42 8th FG to Pt. Moresby: 35th & 36th FS, with P-39Ds. 11 a/c lost in transit.

Cobra! Bell Aircraft 1937-1945 Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean

30-Apr-42 13 P-39s take off from Pt. Moresby to strafe Lae (180 miles) over the 13,000 ft. Owen Stanley Mtns. Flew out to sea and then back at Lae. 20 miles out, 4 came forward to handle CAP. Rest flew in threes in right echeleon in 3s, coming in at 100 ft. Tanks on. Led by Buzz Wagner (Vet Ace by now) Strafed a dozen bombers on field. Attacked from above by several Zeros. Dropped tanks, sped up to exit. Last 4 Cobras engaged 3 Zeros, which 6 more Zeros joined. 5 Cobras turned back to fight. Says 3 P-39s lost & claimed 4 Zeros.

Cobra! Bell Aircraft 1937-1945 Confirmed by US Mil History of PTO (online) And online Buzz Wagner bio.

1-May-42 New Guinea: 10 Ki.21 & 8 Zeros intercepted @ 23.0 on way to Moresby. P-39s make 2 head-on attacks. 2 Zeros claimed, 1 P-39 shot down. 39th & 40th FS or 8th FG in Port Moresby. Coral Sea: Yorktown and Lexington TFs in the Coral Sea.

Cobra! Bell Aircraft 1937-1945 Americas 100,000 by F. Dean Giants of the Sea by Boyne

2-May-42 Coral Sea: Yorktown refuels, then separates as Lexington refuels Giants of the Sea by Boyne

3-May-42 Coral Sea: Japanese land at Tulagi. At 1900 hrs, Fletcher is informed and heads north at 27 knots.

Giants of the Sea by Boyne

4-May-42 Coral Sea: The Port Moresby invasion fleet leaves Rabaul. 80 bombers (USN carrier aircraft: 12 TBD w/ torpedos, 28 SBDs with 500 or 1000 lbrs) attack Tulagi, hitting the DD Kikuzuki, which beached, and several seaplanes. A torepedo hit a mine layer. A second strike sunk 4 landing craft. A merchantman and Okinushima was damaged. Okinushima was sunk by a sub a few days later trying to slip into Rabaul. The SBDs suffer from fogging sights in the moist, lower air. US lost 3 aircraft. Takagis carriers (Shokaku, Zuikaku) loitering around northern Solomons, are out of position to counter the raid.

Zero! Giants of the Sea: Carrier Operations by Boyne

5-May-42 Coral Sea: Yorktown rejoins Lexington, refuels her DD escort. 6-May-42 Coral Sea: An H6K4 Mavis spots a US carrier group 600 miles south of

Tulagi. (see also Solomons). B-17s from Australia attack the Port Moresby invasion force in the afternoon. Takagi brings his carriers to the Coral Sea. Neither side spots anything with their searches. US Intel tells Fletcher that the Japanese carriers are in the Coral Sea.


7-May-42 RAAF No. 75 Sqdn (in Kittyhawk IAs) withdrawn from Port Moresby to Australia.


Dawn Coral Sea: USS Lexington and Yorktown steaming NNW toward the Jombard passage and the Louisiades. Australians had sighted the invasion force. Takagi assumed TF17 could not be so far west and concentrated his searches south missing Fletcher.

Giants of the Sea: Carrier Operations by Boyne


5-Jul-06 Page 171

0532 hrs Coral Sea: US carrier and a cruiser sighted 200 miles south of Shokaku. It was actually the tanker USS Neosho and DD Sims. Radm Hara orders a strike

Zero!

0610 hrs Japanese raid launched 18 A6M2 Zeros, 36 D3A2 Vals, 24 B5N2 Kates armed with torpedos.

Zero!

0640 hrs Another US carrier group is spotted 200 miles south of Kinugaua, 280 miles NW of the Japanese carriers.

Zero!

0820 hrs Recon seaplane from Kamikawa Maru sights US Navy force 150 miles out, some 200 from Deboyne Island.

Zero!

0935 hrs Raid searches for a carrier; finds Neosho. 25 Kates missed with torps, but the 36 Vals hit the Neosho 7 times. Sims hit 3 times with 250 kg bombs and broke up. Neosho left afire, but floating. About this time, US carrier aircraft hit Shoho heavily.


1200 hrs Fletcher finds invasion covering force, reported as 2 CVs and 4 CAs (coding error, report should have been 2 Cas and 2 DDs). Fletcher order 93 strike aircraft.


1250 hrs VS-2 spots Shoho 25-30 miles away. 1307 hrs LCdr Bill Ault and 2 wingmen attack from 15000 ft. Dove through 6 zero

CAP, near missing Shoho close enough to blow 5 aircraft over the side.

1310 hrs 10 Lexington SBDs w 500-lbr bombs all miss, partly due to fogged sights. Shoho launches 3 Zeroes in Mid-attack. VT-2s TBDs sweep in from Starboard as VB-2s SBDs hit.

1320 hrs Two bombs hit Shoho near the elevator, exploding on the hangar deck. One or more torpedoes hit aft, knocking out steering and propulsion. Fires rage on the hangar deck. CAP git 1 SBD before it attacked. On pllout, 3 Zeros were tagged by Wildcats; 3 others ditched at Deboyne Island near Kamikawa Maru.

1325 hrs Yorktown strike appears over burning Shoho, tearing into the immobile, burning target.


1331 hrs Shoho sinks. VAdm Innouye orders the Port Moresby invasion to turn around and return to Rabaul. Fletcher decides against a further strike on Shohos escort.


1430 hrs RAdm Grace was detached with HMAS Australia (CA), HMNZS Hobart (CL), USS Chicago (CA), and 2 DDs to run toward the Jombard Passage at 25 knots to try to catch any ships trying to slip through. US force attacked by medium bombers out of Rabaul. First, 9 G4M1 attack with bombs from high level; all missed. Then 12 G3M21 with tropedos attacked, all missed. Then 12 more G3M2 attacked with bombs and a Zero escort. All missed. This sentai was green (FW: Limited), having lost 15 of 17 aircraft sent after the USS Lexington on 20-Feb-42. 500 miles out. 4 bombers lost, 1 crashlanded; 5 others damaged. (These aircraft not used for searches or strikes vs. US carriers.) Graces force was reported as 1 California-class BB sunk, 1 Warspite-class damaged, 1 cruiser burning as they left. No actual damage occurred. Grace was also attacked by 3 B-26s, who nearly hit the DD Faragut. Weather worsens.

Giants of the Sea: Carrier Operations by Boyne Zero!

1630 hrs VAdm Takagi sends out a smaller raid (12 Vals, 15 Kates) to go after US carriers. The weaither worsens, and they spot nothing. They jettison ordnance and head home

Zero! Giants of the Sea by Boyne

2015 hrs In cloudy conditions with the setting sun, the returning raid meets US CAP. F4Fs shoot down 8 of 15 Kates and 1 Val.

Giants of the Sea: Carrier Operations by


5-Jul-06 Page 172

Boyne 2100 hrs

(Nightfall) Japanese survivors nearly land on USS Yorktown. Almost tried to land when fired on by AAA. 30 miles off, they orbited, lost. To US radar, it looked like they were circling their carrier.


2300 hrs Several more ditch before 6 aircraft finally reaching Japanese carriers, with the crews not recovered. Carriers end the day only about 100 nm apart.


8-May-42 Coral Sea: TF17 is 175 nm SW of Japanese carriers. Japanese Recon out early.


0620 hrs Fletcher launches 18 SBDs on a 360-degree search mission. He was not sure where the Japanese might have gotten to in the night, since he thought they were so close (at one point).


0820 hrs VAdm Hara launches a strike force of 18 Zeros, 33 Vals, 18 kates w/ torpedos before his scouts report a sighting.


0828 hrs A scouting Kate spots US TF with 2 carriers (Lexington). The strike force was vectored toward the sighting.


0838 hrs SBD scout finds Shokaku and Zuikakau and reports. Fletcher orders air strikes.


0915 hrs Yorktown launches 14 F4F, 30 SBDs, 9 TBDs. Giants of the Sea by Boyne

0925 hrs Lexington launches 10 F4F, 24 SBDs, 12 TBDs. Giants of the Sea by Boyne

0950 hrs TBDs become separated from the rest of the strike in bad weather 55 miles NE of TF17.


1020 hrs Strike Force attacks US carriers. Claimed 9 torpedos, 10x 250 kg bombs hit Lexington + 3 torps, 8-10 bomb hits on Yorktown. Actual was 2 torps, 2 bombs on Lexington, 1 bomb on Yorktown. Losses were heavy 26 bombers.


1032 hrs Yorktown SBDs spot Shokaku and Zuikaku several miles apart. They orbit for 20 minutes waiting for TBDs. Shokaku launches more CAP zeros. Zuikaku moves into a rain squall.


1050 hrs CAP goes up after the SBDs. Yorktowns TBDs attack, all from 1 side; all miss. Then the SBDs attack through the Zeroes, canopies and sights fogging through the moist air. Hit Shokaku with 2 1000-lbrs, 1 fore, 1 aft,, causing fire.


1055 hrs Yorktown picks up Japanese formation 68 miles out. Each carrier had 8 F$Fs CAP, plus some SBDs several thousand yards out on anti-torpedo patrol. LCdr Takahashi had 18 Kates, 33 Vals, 18 Zeros. While launched earlier, they had fanned out a bit in transit and spent time forming up. The FDO misjudged height and most of the CAP missed targets. Only 3 F4Fs intercepted 15-20 miles out. About half the CAP missed the Japanese strike altogether.


1105 hrs Lexington TBDs arrive, attacking Shokaku along with 4 SBDs. 6 F4Fs engage the CAP. The TBDs miss; 1 bomb hits. 3 Wildcats and 2 Zeroes did not return. Japanese AAA is ineffective, as the escort is rather scattered. 20 Lexingtion SBDs never spotted the Japanese. The SBDs and TBDs found clouds just after the attack and hid. Of the 15-18 Zeros up as CAP, 6



5-Jul-06 Page 173

were lost. 3 F$Fs, 2 TBDs, 9 SBDs lost. 1118 hrs Kates with torps sent after both carriers. All 18 passed CAP and

Dauntlesses in shallow dives from 7000 ft. 1 destroyed by a direct hit from a 5-inch. Lexington hit by 3-5 torpedoes. Yorktown escorts


1122 hrs Lexington is still making 30 knots; anti-torpedo blisters took most of the damage.


1124 hrs The Vals attack. 15 Vals attack Yorktown from 13000 ft vs. 2 F4Fs, making runs spaced 4 seconds apart. 11-12 miss, but

1127 hrs Yorktown hit by 1 bomb that bursts on the hangar deck. Vals hit Lexington three times: one hit the lip of the stack, killing some 20mm crews one hit #6 5-inch gun, starting a fire and killing the gun crew. SBDs on patrol tangle with the Zero escort, losing 4.


1200 hrs US carriers under control. 1247 hrs Explosion rocks Lexington. Fires begin to rage. Aircraft are recovered until

1445 hrs. Not enough foamite available to stop gasoline fires. Giants of the Sea by Boyne

1630 hrs Lexington abandoned. Nearly all of her crew are recovered. Later Japanese lost 6 Zeros, 15 Vals, 8 Kates, plus had to ditch more in the sea to

recover the strike (additional 6 Zeros, 15 Vals, 10 Kates). Shokaku was damaged and closed for air operations. Several aircraft on Zuikaku jettisoned to make room for aircraft to land. Japanese were left with 24 Zeros, 9 Vals, 6 Kates, so they broke off the battle. Lexington sank at 2200 hrs. Fletcher ordered out of the Coral Sea. Yorktown circuitiously returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Zuikaku cruises around the Coral Sea looking for survivors of the bcarrier battlegroup for two days, then leaves the Coral Sea. Then Zuikaku and Shokaku return to Japan, where they miss the Battle of Midway.


9-May-42 8th BS of 3 BG transfers from NG to Australia US Mil History of PTO (online)

17-May-42

8th BG begins to refit with A-20s. Lt. Col Pappy Gunn field-fits them with extra .50 cal MGs to be strafers.


21-May-42

B-26s hit Lae. US Mil History of PTO (online)

23-May-42


24-May-42

B-25s hit Lae. Intercepted by 15+ Zeros & heavy AAA. "Several lost." US Mil History of PTO (online)

28-May-42


31-May-42

New Guinea: B-17s hit Lae and Salamaua. P-400s from 35th FG relieve 8th FG in Port Moresby.

US Mil History of PTO (online) Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean

1-Jun-42 B-17s hit Lae and Salamaua and Rabaul US Mil History of PTO (online)

2-Jun-42 39th FS of 8th FG moves to Port Moresby US Mil History of PTO (online)

16-Jun-42 B-26s, B-25s, B-17s all hit Lae & Salamaua. US Mil History of PTO (online)

20-Jun-42 B-17s hit Lae US Mil History of


5-Jul-06 Page 174

PTO (online) 25-Jun-42 B-25s hit Salamaua. US Mil History of

PTO (online) 27-Jun-42 B-26s hit Lae and Salamaua. US Mil History of

PTO (online) 29-Jun-42 25th FS of 8th FG (w/ P-39s) leaves Pt Moresby for Australia. US Mil History of

PTO (online) 30-Jun-42 B-25s and B-26s hit Lae.

36th FS of 8th FG (w/ P-39s) leaves Pt Moresby for Australia 39th & 40th FS of 35th FG arrive in Port Moresby.

US Mil History of PTO (online) Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean

3-Jul-42 B-17s hit Lae US Mil History of PTO (online)

20-Jul-42 80th FS of 8th FG (w/ P-39s & P-400s) goes to Pt Moresby from Australia. US Mil History of

PTO (online) 21-Jul-42 Japanese (including Sakai) from Lae maintaining 6-9 a/c over Buna during

landings. 39th & 40 Sqdn, 35th FG with P-39s & P-400s (as only available) heavily strafe invasion barges and enemy troops.

Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean

22-Jul-42 P-40s & P-39s attack landing barges off Gona, New Guinea. 6 Zeroes above 7.0 patrolling over Buna. 1 Hudson hits Buna ammo dump from 7.0, then performs well vs. Sakai & other Zeros. I had thought that a Hudson was impossible based on what Sakai says it did, but apparently it was. See Austory Entry. They also bounce 5x P-39s at low level.

US Mil History of PTO (online) Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai

23/24/26-Jul-42

Major air attack on Gona and Buna: B-17s, B-26s, A-24s, P-39s, P-40s

US Mil History of PTO (online)

26-Jul-42 39th FS of 35th FG (w/P-39s) leaves New Guinea. Kokoda falls. Sakai's last mission over Port Moresby, chasing 5 B-26s (2 shot down).

US Mil History of PTO (online) Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai

29-Jul-42 Buna patrol attacked by USN a/c SBDs, F4Fs w/P-39 guides. IJN claims 3 SBDs, 5 F4Fs, 1 P-39. Was actually 7 A-24s from 8th FS/3rd BG. They lost their escort; they attacked a DD. 5 A-24s were shot down. This was the 8th last mission before being withdrawn.

Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai Aviation History Society article about 3rd BG

30-Jul-42 9 B-17s attack Buna w/ "considerable success." 1 shot down. Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai

2-Aug-42 Over Buna at 12.0, 9 Zeros meet 5 B-17s. Zeros attack head on in column. 5 bombers shot down; while 8 Zeros chasing the last one, with Sakai behind in a wounded Zero, he bounces 3 P-39s trailing the Zeros. 1 Zero downed (p.159-160).

Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai

3-Aug-42 Most Tainan Zeros brought to Rabaul. Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai

4-7-Aug-42

Flew recons and fighter sweeps over Rabi. Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai

7-Aug-42 All 16 B-17s of 19th BG attack Rabaul after Japanese strike left. Fire in the Sky by Bergerud

13-Aug-42 Japanese convoy, headed toward Basabua near Gona with 3,000 construction troops, is attacked first by B-17's 76 mi NE of Gona, followed by B-26's 20-25 mi N of Gona, and another B-17 attack as the convoy approaches landing position. Japanese ground forces attack at Deniki, driving Allied forces back about 5 mi and firmly securing Buna-Kokoda

USAAF History, Aug-42


5-Jul-06 Page 175

trail. 25-Aug-42 Japanese amphibious forces bound for Milne Bay from Buna are stranded on

Goodenough Island when P-40s from Rabi/Milne Bay destroy all their beached barges. P-40s also attack a convoy from New Ireland Island heading toward Milne Bay but are hampered by bad weather and fail to halt landings at 3 points E of Rabi during the night of 25/26 Aug. P-400s hit the airfield and AA positions at Buna.

USAAF History, Aug-42

31-Aug-42 89th BS/3rd BG first uses A-20As modified with 4x .50 cal mg in the nose for strafing. Also first use of A-20As in New Guinea (other 3 sqdns had A-24s (8th), B-25Cs (13th, 90th)

US Combat Aircraft of WW22

6-Sep-42 New Guinea: 30 RAAF Sqdn begins ground support operations in Beaufighters based near Port Moresby. Best affects are dawn and dusk patrols.

Beaufighter History

9-Sep-42 New Guinea: 9 A-20As use the first parafrags over Buna airfield in two waves. Claim 17 of 22 aircraft. Followed by 5 B-26s and 1 B-17

WW2 in the Air: the Pacific ed. Sunderman

20-Sep-42 Australians stop Japanese drive outside Pt Moresby Fire in the Sky by Bergerud

Nov-42 New Guinea: Bunas small airfield becomes untenable due to US air attacks. IJA ground units under seige. US engineers build Dobodura field, a forwad base within a few miles of Buna north of the Owen Stanley Mtns. Eventually built into a major base against Rabaul.

Fire in the Sky by Bergerud

18-Dec-42 New Guinea: 6th Hikoshidan formed at Rabaul under 8th Area Army. Deploys 110 aircraft including Ki.43-I Oscar (11th Sentai), Ki.48 Lily, and a few Ki.45 Nick. Based in Lae, Salamaua, Rabaul, Shortland, Medang, Wewak. Main assault on Gona-Buna commences.

Guadalcanal by Richard Frank Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey) Beaufighter History

27-Dec-42 New Guinea: 9th and 39th FS/35th FG flies first P-38F missions in SW Pac. They meet 11th Sentai Ki.43-Is and A6M2 escorting Vals. 2Lt Richard Bong gets first kills; Tommy Lynch claims 2.

Americas 100,000 by F Dean Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey)

Jan-43 New Guinea: 9th FS flies P-38s out of Port Moresby (replacing P-40s). 1st Sentai (w/Ki.43-I) moved to Rabaul. Imediately moved down the Solomons

Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey)

9-Jan-43 New Guinea: P-38s & P-40s of 49th FG have extra good day over Lae, claiming 13 shot down. Lt. Richard Bong claims 3.

Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean

23-Jan-43 New Guinea: Buna falls, much of its garrison starved to death due to lack of supplies


Mar-43 PlG(?): 80th FS flies P-38s. New Guinea: Buna Air Task Force sets up flying from Dobdura with 7 sqdns: 2 x Lightning, 2 x Kittihawk, 1 x Boston and 2 x Mitchell squadrons

Beaufighter History

2:5-Mar-43

Battle of the Bismarck Sea. US 5th AF destroys last major attempt to reinforce Lae/easternl New Guinea. In addition to ship and troop losses, Japanese lose some 40 Zeros during the battle. 1st Sentai JAAF in Lae.


2-Mar-43 Japanese use 24 a/c as CAP (unclear as to whether that is at a time or altogether. 1000 hrs: B-17s

WaS VI:Breaking the Bismarck Barrier by Samuel Morison

3-Mar-43 Japanese use ~40 Zekes vs. B-17s, Skip-bombing B-25s & A-20s, 16 p-38s, 13 RAAF Beaufighters

WaS VI by Morison

Apr-43 1st Sentai moves from Solomons to Wewak, NG In mid-April, Japanese attack Pt. Moresby with more than 100 a/c

Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey) World War II in the Air (Pacific)


5-Jul-06 Page 176

May-43 475th FG flies P-38s in New Guinea. 431st FS 432nd FS 433rd FS 24th Sentai w/Ki.43-IIB in But, NG. Many fights with P-38s. US engineers find and build Tsili Tsili in the Markham Valley, within short fighter range of Lae.

Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey) Fire in the Sky by Bergerud

Jun-43 US seizes Woodlark and Kiriwan Islands between Buna and New Britain, gaining fighter bases for escorts heading to Gasmata and Rabaul.


22-Jun-43 Japanese attack Lae Allies claim 23 of 36 aircraft World War II in the Air (Pacific)

30-Jun-43 Allies land near Salamaua P-47Ds of 348th FG spot from Tony & Oscars 68th and 13th Sentai) sent to intercept them. The Japanese are at 20.0.


Jul-43 59th Sentai (w/ Ki.43-IIB) moves from Timor to But, NG. 68th Sentai (w/ Ki.61-I) moves to Wewak, NG. 78th Sentai (w/ Ki.61-I) moves to Wewak, NG.


18-July-43 39th FS (in P-38s) meets first Ki.61s (of 78th Sentai) for the first time Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey)

21-Jul-43 68th & 78th Sentai scramble Ki.61-Is & Ki.43-IIs to intercept B-25s outside Wewak. Instead meet P-38s of 39th & 80th FS.


28-Jul-43 30 RAAF Sqdn moves its Beaufighters to Goodenough Island, performing sea strikes against Japanese shipping.

Beaufighter History

Aug-43 4th JAAF Kokugan (Air Army) declared in New Guinea. Main bases are Hunsa, Wewak, But, Aitape, plus Hollandia, Lae, Medang, Salamaua. JAAF units moved from Rabaul to NG


10-Aug-43 Japanese 7th Hikodan (Air Division) withdraws from Ambon to Wewak. Beaufighter History 14-Aug-43 New Guinea: P-38Gs of 475th FG *431st, 432nd, 433rd FS) fly form Australia

to New Guinea, 2 sqdn in Dobdura, 1 in Pt Moresby. 1st combat mission flown the next day.

USAAF Chronology: Aug 43

15-Aug-43 59th and 24th Sentai send 36 Ki.43-IIB to escort 7 Ki.21 to Tsili, an airfield Allies were building 50 miles west of Lae. They arrive to bomb and strafe as C-47s are landing at the base. P-39s of the 40th & 41st FS attack them on the way out. P-39s claim 14 Japanese for 3 P-39s lost.


16-Aug-43 33 Ki.43-IIB escorting 3 Ki.21 over Tsili ambushed by P-38s of the 431st FSqdn.


17/18-Aug-43

Raids on Wewak claim 200 a/c destroyed (unlikely that there were 200 a/c present!). 1. 41 B-24s + 12 B-17s hit But, Borum, Dagua, Wewak with 200 tons of

bombs. 2 B-24s lost. AA exteremely heavy and accurate. 2. 33 B-25s and 83 P-38s hit the same fields (except But; 16 B-25s kept

away by bad weather). Borum had 60 bombers and 50 fighter (some of which were starting to scramble). B-25s in line abreast strafed and dropped 1000 parafrags. 12 B-25s did the same to Wewaks 30 fighters. Kenney claims 150 aircraft w/ aircrew. Borum AAA one position was some 6 weapon pits on a hill at the edge of the field between huts and jungle. 1x 25mm each pit?


Sep-43 Nadzab seized by paratroopers. Base construction begins. Fire in the Sky by Bergerud

5-Sep-43 Australian troops land at Lae. 30 RAAF Sqdn provides support Beaufighter History 12-Sep-43 Salamaua falls to Allies. 16-Sep-43 Lae falls to Allies.



5-Jul-06 Page 177

Fall-43 Japanese use Aluminum foil chaff called Gimanshi. Never used in enough quantity to be very effective (few aircraft). Blockade of New Guinea begins to severely limit the number of Japanese aircraft that can fly due to the iunability to get spare parts.

Weapons of Darkness by A Price Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey)

Oct-43 24th Sentai withdrawn to Philippines 248th Sentai sent to Wewak

Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey) 248th Hiko Sentai

6-Nov-43 New Guinea: the 248th Sentai joined with the 13th Sentai to escort Ki.21 bombers to attack the US airbase at Nadzab in the Ramu Valley. The 59th and 78th Sentai were also involved. The bombing was successful and the bombers were too high and far away to be intercepted by American fighters in the area. In addition to the bombing, flights of Hayabusas strafed Nadzab and Gusap: 4 attacked at Nadzab and 3 at Gusap. The bombing and strafing at Nadzab destroyed two P-39's and damaged 23 others. At Gusap, a C-47 was burned and two others damaged. The strafing Japanese fighters completed their attacks and got away several minutes before U.S. fighters arrived. Landing accidents on Alexishafen's inadequately repaired runway damaged several 248 th fighters. The commander of the 3rd chutai , 1 st Lt. Hideo Ota, was killed and 2 nd Lt. Yoshihari Mayekawa was injured.

248th Hiko Sentai

7-Nov-43 New Guinea: Nine Ki.21 bombers targeted Nadzab bombing from 6000-6500 meters (19,700 to 21,000 feet). The Ki.43s of the 13th Sentai provided close escort while the 248th was top cover. The Japanese plan called for a rendezvous near Alexishafen at 2000 meters (6600 feet) followed by a climb to altitude approaching the target. However, mechanical problems with some of the 248th's aircraft delayed the scheduled rendezvous. While flying over the sea on the approach, the Japanese were spotted by four P-40Ns from the 8th FS on a fighter sweep. Veteran flight leader Capt. Clyde Bennett led the P-40s down from six o'clock high and caught a reported twenty Japanese fighters by surprise, claiming three victories in a single pass. Three P-40s zoomed away and returned to base without a scratch. One pilot sparred briefly with the Hayabusas and returned with fragments from an explosive bullet in his fuel tank. Two 248th Ki.43s appear to have been lost in this encounter. The Japanese tried to organize their formation as they gained altitude and crossed the Finnisterre Range to carry out the bombing attack. The Americans were prepared - after the bombing attack three separate formations converged on the Japanese. Eight P-39Qs (40th FS) and eight P-47Ds (36 th and 342 nd FS) hit the attackers, which were reported to consist of nine bombers and just ten or so fighters. The three US flights contacted the Japanese in rapid succession nearly simultaneously. While the Hayabusas were able to distract some of the fighters, many pressed their attacks on the bombers. Two bombers went down under these attacks. A Ki 21-II exploded in spectacular fashion. Its tail with a stylized yellow marking resembling a 4 and part of a wing landed on a hillside while most of the bomber ended up on another hillside on the opposite side of a valley. Three of the Hayabusas were lost by the 13th and 59th Sentai.

The Japanese claimed a P-40 and five F4Fs shot down. Two P-39s were shot down and one P-40 and three P-47s damaged. The bombing damaged aircraft and installations on the ground but nothing like the sixty aircraft destroyed that the Japanese claimed. In addition to two shot down outright, three bombers landed at Madang with heavy damage and four ditched off the coast. The bombers that landed at Madang were bombed and destroyed by American bombers two days later. Shortly thereafter the 14th Sentai was withdrawn from New Guinea.

248th Hiko Sentai

9-Nov-43 The 248th could mount only 18 fighters while providing support for other fighter units attacking the American bases. Penetrating to the vicinity of Lae

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the 248th lost three pilots; one, Sgt. Major Hiroshi Yoshida, bailed out and became a prisoner of war. Yoshida reported he was shot down by two P-40s that shot off part of his right wing. He was probably the victim of 2 nd Lt. Carl Weaver of the 35th FS. Twenty-seven P-40s and P-39s of the 35th , 36th and 40th FS claimed six Ki.43 with only one P-40 crash-landed and two P-39s damaged. The 248th suffered a further loss when one of its aircraft was shot down by P-38s of the 475th FG escorting B-25s over Alexishafen. The American ace Capt. Daniel Roberts was lost when his P-38 Lightning collided with his wingman trying to follow a Hayabusa, possibly a fighter from the 248th, which was taking evasive action at low level near Alexishafen. Three P-38s were lost, all from the 433rd FS. The P-38s of the 432nd and 433rd FS claimed 14 victories. In both combats, the 59th and 248th Sentai lost eight pilots. 1 Ki.61 was also lost though the Americans claimed no Tonys. The Japanese fighters also damaged seven B-25s.

15-Nov-43 The 248th again sent out 18 fighters and lost four pilots killed or missing and another wounded. On this mission twenty-four P-40s of the 8th and 35th FS caught the Japanese formation by surprise with the morning sun at their backs. In all, one Ki.48 light bomber and six Hayabusas were shot down with others damaged. Two P-40s were lost, one from a collision with a Japanese fighter during a head-on pass and another was written off due to battle damage after crash landing at base. The American fighters accidentally attacked a B-25, which later crash-landed at base in a badly damaged condition with casualties among the crew.

248th Hiko Sentai

16-Nov-43 27 P-38s of the 475 th Fighter Group flew a sweep over Wewak. Capt. Nobuyoshi Tozuka led 12 Ki.43 of the 248 th to intercept along with about a dozen fighters from the 13th and 59th Sentai . 5 Ki.43 were lost including one from the 248th. Cpl. Takeshi Aihara bailed out when his fighter burst into flames. The 248th may have encountered six P-38s of the 431st FS, which was covering another P-38 squadron when at about 11,000 feet we were jumped by 10/15 Oscars coming down at us out of the overcast. Our position and the excess speed of the enemy aircraft diving from the clouds put us in a very bad tactical position. They rode right up our six plane string opening fire at 500 yards and holding until their speed carried them past us. The six P-38s split up under the attack and the Japanese fighters chased two as far as the Sepik River. The Americans rated the Japanese pilots as able, determined, eager and aggressive. One of these P-38s failed to return and another damaged P-38 was destroyed in a crash landing. For the day three P-38s were lost.

After this and a number of other combats Capt. Tozuka recorded some of his impressions: The P-38 climbs straight upward, but is easier to fight against than the P-40. The P-38 does not possess maneuverability. Enemy fighter planes are usually found to be superior to ours; seldom are ours superior to theirs. Surprise attacks by the enemy must always be expected, and efforts made to forestall them. The enemy (including the P-38) opens fire at a range of 1,000 meters. The enemy usually flies in formation; most of the time in a wing formation. However, they have a formation similar to that of the Japanese Army. As it is difficult to destroy enemy planes at a range greater than 50 or 100 meters, they should be attacked at close range.

Despite recognition that their aircraft was inferior in performance to those of the Americans, many of the 248 th 's pilots felt that if they could avoid surprise attacks they would not be shot down.

A US sub sinks the ship carrying the 248th ground echelon. 186 of 191 men

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lost.

22-Nov-43 248th flies escort missions to support ground troops in the Sattelburg area daily from 22/24-Nov. These missions no doubt heartened the Japanese ground troops but they did little damage to the Australians. The mission on the 23rd was intercepted by twelve P-39s. The 59th Sentai lost one Hayabusa and one P-39 went down. All the 248th's fighters returned to base.

248th Hiko Sentai

26-Nov-43 Major Muraoka led about twenty fighters of the Composite Fighter Unit including 14 from the 248th to escort ten light bombers of the 208 th Sentai attacking Australian artillery positions along the Song River near Finschhafen. After the bombing 20 fighters (P-39s, P-40s and Australian Boomerangs) intercepted the withdrawing Japanese formation. The Americans claimed 9 Zekes and Oscars. Four Hayabusas were lost including two from the 248th. One P-39 and two Boomerangs went down. No Japanese bombers were lost or damaged. This bombing attack was more successful than earlier attacks and inflicted some casualties and damage among the Australians.

248th Hiko Sentai

28-Nov-43 A bombing raid destroyed or damaged four of the unit's fighters on the ground leaving just eight operational at the end of the month. In a month of combat the 248 th lost thirteen pilots killed or missing, more than one third of its strength. Its operational strength had been reduced to that of a chutai or less. The bulk of its maintenance staff had been lost at sea. It had some seventy borrowed personnel to supplement its meager ground staff. In most other air forces this unit would have been pulled out of combat. This, however, was stark reality for the Japanese fighter force in New Guinea. The 248th would have to keep going.

248th Hiko Sentai

Dec-43 68th Sentai down to 3 pilots Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey)

1-Dec-43 Wewak: 46 B-24s and their fighter escort of thirty-two P-47Ds came to attack Wewak. The Japanese had nearly 20 Ki.61 and about 30 Ki.43 fighters operational and most of these scrambled. The American sighted ~40 Japanese fighters in two formations.

The American fighters apparently kept the Japanese fighters away from the leading American bombers. Only one B-24 of the 43 rd Bomb Group was hit by a fighter. The twenty-two B-24s of the 90 th Bomb Group in the trailing formation came under heavy attacks from low on the front quarter. These attacks were driven home to close range by pilots that were described as skilled and aggressive in many American combat reports. One bomber crew recorded that the leader of one group of Japanese fighters flew right through the bomber formation. This could well have been 1 st Lt. Tozuka of the 248th.

Three B-24s went down. One of these bombers may also have been hit by anti-aircraft fire. Two of these bombers fell to attacks by fighters reported as Zekes, Hamps and Oscars. One bomber reportedly fell to a Tony.

After successfully screening the bomber spearhead the P-47s seem to have been diverted by the Ki.61s allowing the Ki.43s including the 248th a relatively free hand with the bombers. The Japanese pilots claimed five bombers and two fighters destroyed. Anti-aircraft gunners claimed two additional aircraft. U.S. fighters claimed five victories (one ZEKE and four TONYS) without loss. The B-24s claimed six victories against their assailants.

In this interception 1st Lt. Nobuyoshi Tozuka, 2nd chutai leader, led eight Ki.43s of the 248th to an outstanding success. The 248th claimed four B-24s.

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Two were credited to Tozuka who was promoted to Captain soon after. The 248th suffered no losses in air combat.

The 248th was not so lucky on the ground. The bombing destroyed its barracks along with those of the 68th Sentai and 81st FCs. Worse yet it lost one pilot killed and four fighters destroyed during the bombing.

12-Dec-43 Gusap: 59th Sentai flew as part of the 248th's formation. The Ki.43s provided close escort for nine Ki.49 heavy bombers in an attack on Gusap. KI.61s were to provide top cover. Apparently the planned escort was 24 Ki.43 and 20 Ki.61s. Things did not go according to plan: the top cover became separated and some of the ki.43s also failed to complete the mission.

The bombers effectively hit Gusap from 4,000m and then eight P-40Ns of the 7th FS followed by four P-47Ds from the 9th FS intercepted. Eight P-39s of the 40th FS saw the action but failed to close enough to engage. The Warhawks and Thunderbolts reported encountering 15 Oscars and nine bombers. The P-40s claimed two Betty bombers and one Oscar definitely destroyed. One bomber (a Ki.49 of 7th Sentai) went down and others returned shot up with dead and wounded crewmen on board. The P-39s saw an unidentified aircraft falling in flames. It was the only aircraft they observed falling. In all five P-40s were damaged by the fighters or bombers' gunners and two crash-landed. One Warhawk shot up by fighters and another hit by a bomber, limped back to base but were write-offs. The P-47s got in at the end of the action and claimed an OSCAR. No Japanese fighters were lost. The reports of some of American fighter pilots state: The enemy pilots appeared experienced and willing to fight.

248th Hiko Sentai

16-Dec-43 Arawe, New Britain: IJAAF made its second attempt to bomb the allied invasion fleet at Arawe (previous day target could not be located in murky weather). Orders called for 7 Ki.49 heavy bombers to be escorted by the Capt. Shigeo Fukuda of the 7th Sentai led the bombers. 16 Ki.43 flew close cover and 18 Ki.61 flew top cover. Only six of the bombers got to New Britain where they were intercepted by a total of twenty-five P-38Hs of the 431 st and 432 nd FS. Combat started east of Umboi Island at about 13,000 feet and ranged south to and over New Britain in the vicinity of Borgen Bay . All the bombers failed to return of which one made a forced landing at the Cape Gloucester (Tuluvu) airfield.

Maj. Muraoka the 248th's CO led his nine fighters as the close escort on the right flank of the bombers. In combat with P-38s, the 248th claimed three destroyed for three pilots MIA; Sgt. Maj. Yasuo Saito of the 3rd chutai landed at the Navy's Gavuvu airfield and was able to fly it back to Wewak two days later. A total of five Japanese fighters were initially listed as lost.

The Americans claimed seven bombers that they identified as Bettys. They only claimed two fighters a Tony and a Zeke destroyed. Ace Capt. Thomas B. McGuire of the 431 st FS claimed a Zeke damaged and two pilots of the 432 nd claimed two Zeros damaged near Cape Gloucester . If, as seems quite possible Sgt. Maj. Saito was one of the damage claims near Cape Gloucester , then it appears that the other two damage claims were in fact victories. Possibly McGuire and one of the two 432nd pilots actually scored a victory rather than a damaged although over an Oscar rather than a Zeke or Zero.

248th Hiko Sentai

18-Dec-43 Arawe, New Britain: four Hayabusas of the 248th joined with the 59th Sentai and flew a fighter sweep to Arawe, along with Ki.61s. The U.S.

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Army Air Force reference history described the combat: [E]nemy pilots displayed considerable skill and aggressiveness. This was especially true on 18 December when 16 P-38s, 433 rd Fighter Sq., jumped 10 to 15 Zekes (sic), Oscars, and Tonys at midday . The P-38s dove through the enemy fighters and were in turn jumped by about 15 fighters, which had been hiding in cumulous clouds. Definitely on the defensive and outmaneuvered, the P-38s destroyed only three of the enemy while losing two P-38s The 248th claimed one P-38 without loss. The Japanese lost a single Ki.61.

21-Dec-43 The 248th was ordered to provide a flight for CAP for a convoy. The flight was to fly on a course of 325 degrees to a distance of 200 km (about 125 miles) and provide cover from 0600 to 0700. One section was to fly at 3000m or below and another section at 1000m, (3,300 feet) or below. The 248th was also to provide CAP from 1150 to 1300 hours when the convoy would be about 125 km distant.

248th Hiko Sentai

22-Dec-43 The convoy would be in port and a flight from the 248th would fly the dawn patrol from 0550 to 0730. The 248th also was assigned the longest mission of the day: provide cover from 1000 to 1300 hours with its entire strength (part of that period also being overlapped by the patrol assignments of other units).

Thirty-six B-25s and four squadrons of P-38s raided Wewak between the 248th's two shifts. Four Ki.43 of the 248th joined with some 30 other Jap fighters to oppose this attack. The 248th claimed a B-25 and a P-38. As a result of combat two P-38s and a B-25 were shot down or failed to return. Four other B-25s and one P-38 were damaged and crash-landed in Allied territory. Four Japanese fighter pilots were killed or wounded in this attack.

248th Hiko Sentai

26-Dec-43 Cape Gloucester: US invasion forces landed. The 6th Hikoshidan could mount only a paltry effort. After several aircraft turned back, five Ki.49 heavy bombers escorted by ten Ki.61 and eighteen Ki.43 from the 59th and 248th attacked. This raid was poorly executed. The bombers failed to rendezvous on time and part of the escort never joined the main force. As on 16-Dec, all the Japanese bombers were lost. Major Muraoka was dismayed by the botched escort mission and later wrote lessons learned from this battle which included a description of the combat:

When we met some P-47s on the way, we were immediately surrounded and separated from the bomber formationThey attacked us from above with three or four times our number, howeverwe suffered no lossesAll in all, we were not losers (even the fighter which failed to drop one of its fuel tanks survived). I am of the firm opinion that even P-47s can be shot down if advantage is taken of their mistakes. Four enemy P-47s really only amount to one or two planes.

Due to the excellent handling by our pilots we escaped damage during combat. We had only to prevent the enemy making surprise passes. Against these surprise passes the protective armor and top covering are urgently necessary.

Major Muraoka went on to comment on the efficient American radar and communications, needed improvements in Japanese tactics, and the need for a young and vigorous Brigade commander to lead fighter combat.

In this its last battle of 1943, the 248th encountered 16 P-47Ds of the 36th FS and with eight Hayabusas shot down two without loss. In other combat five bombers and two Ki.61s failed to return.

248th Hiko Sentai

Jan-44 US 5th AF attacks shipping, port, and air base at well-defended Kavieng Fire in the Sky by


5-Jul-06 Page 182

Bergerud 2-Jan-44 Wewak: Bad day for 248th Hiko Sentai. 9 Ki.48, escorted by 34 ftrs (Ki.43

II w/ 1 DT and Ki.61) went to hit US landing at Saidor. Took too long to reload and avoid a storm; missed ships, also most Ki.61s had scattered. Lillys at 6600 ft, escort at 15000 ft & trailing; messy formation. 11 P-40Ns of US 7th FS intercepted. Missed bombers on initial pass (too high), but saw Ki.43s. First one shot down was Hiko Sentai commander.

248th Hiko Sentai

15-Jan-44 Ramu Valley: Capt. Shigeo Kojima led eight Hayabusas of the 248 th in a successful attack on airfields in the Ramu Valley . Flying with twelve Ki.61s, the 248th strafed and damaged several aircraft at Gusap and then covered the Ki.61s in their attack on Nadzab. Eleven Hayabusas of the 59th operating independently were in the same area. Two led by Capt. Shigeo Nango surprised four patrolling P-40s, badly shooting up all four. One was shot down (pilot killed) and two were destroyed in crash landings. For the day, the Japanese claimed four P-40s and two C-47s as air victories. Thirty-four planes were claimed as damaged or set afire in the official communiqu. The thirteen (seven medium and six small size aircraft) claimed destroyed at Gusap were credited to the 248th. Damage at Gusap included an A-20 and two P-47s totally destroyed. One of Kojima's fighters was damaged but all the Japanese pilots returned to base.

248th Hiko Sentai

16-Jan-44 Madang: Major Kiyoshi Kimura of the 68th Sentai led the Japanese fighter force. The 248th under Capt. Tozuka flew as part of the 59th's formation led by Capt. Shigeo Nango, one of the most successful Japanese fighter pilots in New Guinea. The Japanese flew to Madang to challenge American strike aircraft. The mission proved disastrous. No pilots were lost from Nango's formation but the other Japanese units suffered heavily. The 68th and newly arrived 63rd Sentai lost seven pilots including Major Kimura and W.O. Noguchi. In total, ten Japanese fighters were shot down. Most of these fell victim to fifteen P-40Ns of the 35th FS, which claimed nineteen victories. Some may have fallen when a few of the Japanese attacked two formations of B-25s that claimed to have destroyed three Zekes. Finally the Japanese fighters engaged in a 25-minute combat with sixteen P-38s. For the day the Japanese claimed seven bombers, three P-38s and three P-40s. Only one B-25 was lost and a few others damaged. Three P-40s and three P-38s were damaged.

248th Hiko Sentai

18-Jan-44 Wewak: Four squadrons of P-38s and two squadrons of P-47s challenged the Japanese fighters over Wewak. Fifty-six Japanese fighters intercepted. Twenty-one Ki.61 of the 68th and 78th were joined by thirty-five Ki.43-II of the 59th, 63rd and 248th. The 248th scrambled ten fighters under Capt. Shigeo Kojima. Wild dogfights took place. One P-38 pilot wrote: The enemy pilots apparently were experienced as they would lead our planes to tree-top level and turn sharply The enemy consistently dived to the deck and disappeared throughout the entire combat. We could not pursue because of our lesser maneuverability and the extremely low altitude. Another P-38 pilot rated the Japanese as experienced, determined and aggressive. In this combat the Americans claimed fourteen confirmed victories and the Japanese claimed thirteen. The U.S. actually lost three and the Japanese four. The 248th suffered only one loss but it was heavy blow - their air leader, Capt. Kojima.

248th Hiko Sentai

23-Jan-44 Wewak: Another vicious air battle over Wewak. Four squadrons of P-38s, two squadrons of P-40s and two squadrons of P-47s escorted thirty-five B-24s. 51 Japanese fighters opposed them including eight from the 248th. The Japanese claimed eight P-38s, three P-40s and a B-24 while losing six

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aircraft. The 248th claimed 2 P-38s, a P-40 and a B-24. The B-24 and one P-38 were credited to 1st Lt. Keiji Koga. The 248th lost two pilots including Capt. Tozuka and Sgt. Major Aikiharu Saito. Capt. Nango of the 59th was killed in this action. Four P-38s and one P-40 were actually lost and though several B-24s sustained hits none was shot down.

Feb-44 Ta-dan aerial bomb used a few times carried on Ki.43. 418th joins 5th AF, transferring from 13th AF on Guadalcanal.

Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey) US Army Air Forces in WW2: Nightfighters

3-Feb-44 Wewak: 1st Lt. Koga led eight Hayabusas of the 248th and joined with Japanese fighters from other units to challenge the attackers. Originally reported at ten B-24s, the thirty-one Japanese fighters found themselves confronting over a hundred American fighters and bombers. During the first phase of the raid little damage was done by either side. About an hour after taking off Koga was flying at 1,500 feet over But with two flight companions when low level B-25s struck. Eight P-40s of the escort jumped the Japanese flight and Koga's fighter was hit. Koga dove and attempted to evade but 1st Lt. Roger Farrell of the 7th FS got hits in Koga's right wing fuel tank. Koga's flaming fighter crashed into the sea a mile or so from shore. Japanese fighters had orders to land at But airfield west of Wewak. They were immediately attacked on the ground by low flying B-25s. The 248th lost seven fighters on the ground. About fifty Japanese aircraft were destroyed or damaged to some degree. After this stinging loss the Japanese retaliated by sending a few fighters to attack the American airfields. 1st Lt. Hachiro Murakami of the 248 th single-handedly attacked Nadzab setting two fires but could not confirm his success in the dim twilight.

248th Hiko Sentai

15-Feb-44 Wewak: 19 Japanese fighters scrambled to meet thirty-two P-40s and P-47s of the 8th and 40th FS over Wewak. Three Japanese pilots were lost.

After this raid the Japanese fighter units withdrew all their flyable aircraft to rear bases to carry out maintenance and recover their operational strength. The 248 th went to Aitape (called Tadji by the Allies) and the other units went to Hollandia or Wakde.

248th Hiko Sentai

19-Mar-44 Wewak: A marauding Thunderbolt sweeps caught a Ki.43 of the 248th over Wewak. 1st Lt. Robert Sutcliffe of the 342nd FS shot it down. The 342nd FS arrived over Wewak at 20,000 feet and Sutcliffe sighted about 16 Japanese fighters and a bomber at about 7,000 feet. Unable to contact his squadron leader by radio, he led his flight of four P-47s down on an isolated Japanese flight of four Oscars at about 3,000 feet. He flamed an OSCAR on his first pass closing to 20 yards range. Apparently this first Oscar did not see [Sutcliffe] coming. With a speed of over 400 m.p.h. Sutcliffe and his wingman zoomed up for a second pass covered by the second element of two P-47s. On this pass the three ships executed a well-planned maneuver The leader pulled into a tight loop, and the wingmen began chandelles to the right and left, respectively. I saw what was coming and did not attempt to follow. Had I followed any one of the three, both of the other two would have been in excellent position to catch me in a cross-fire. This maneuver is a very tempting trap. Neither the Japanese nor the Americans suffered any other losses on this day and Sutcliffe returned to base with his fourth confirmed victory.

248th Hiko Sentai

26-Mar-44 Wewak: The 63rd had just eight operational Ki 43s; the 248th had only four. The entire strength of the 4th Air Army in New Guinea was 127 operational aircraft of which 54 were fighters. During the same week American aerial photographs showed 274 aircraft on Hollandia's airfields of which 132 were

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fighters. This suggests a serviceability rate of only about 40 per cent for the Japanese fighter units.

27-Mar-44 The 4th Air Army's chief of ordnance gave a speech to an assembly of ordnance officers at Hollandia. This speech pointed out the dismal record of the 4th Air Army in the loss of ordnance and supplies from air attacks, particularly the loss of aircraft. In seven months from August 1943 through February 1944 the 4th had lost 710 aircraft but only 225 (30%) had been lost on combat operations. 485 had been lost on the ground or in accidents, most (373) through air attacks. Severe air attacks on Hollandia were predicted. Dispersion and camouflage were essential if continued disastrous losses were to be avoided.

248th Hiko Sentai

30-Mar-44 Hollandia: the Americans struck their first heavy blow with seventy B-24s and fifty-five P-38s. Taken by surprise (no radar), no Japanese resistance.

248th Hiko Sentai

31-Mar-44 Hollandia: Another US attack. 8 Ki.43 from the 248th scrambled with 39 others but only one P-38 was shot down. Over one hundred Japanese aircraft were destroyed on the ground during these two days.

248th Hiko Sentai

3-Apr-44 Raid on Hollandia Another damaging attack by 65 B-24s, 72 B-25s and 97 A-20s. Two escorting P-38s were shot down. The 248th put up 8 of the 47 interceptors. Several Japanese fighters went down in each of these attacks but the 248th avoided losses

WW2 in the Air: the Pacific ed. Sunderman 248 th Hiko Sentai

11-Apr-44 Wewak: the Japanese fighters staged a last hurrah. Sixteen Type 1 and eight Type 3 fighters sortied to the Wewak area. There they encountered nearly a hundred attacking American aircraft A-20s, B-25s, B-24s, P-38s and P-47s. It was the last great victory of the JAAF in New Guinea. They claimed twelve P-47s destroyed and an additional five P-47s and a B-25 uncertain. The reality was rather less impressive but six Type 3 fighters of the 68 th FR and four Hayabusas of the 77 th Sentai took on sixteen P-47s of the 311 th FS and shot down three without loss. Several US aircraft were damaged. A squadron of P-38s jumped a single Type 3 fighter; 5 P-38s engaged in a lengthy low altitude dogfight before finally downing the lone fighter (Cpl. Nakagawa of 78 th FR). It was the only Japanese pilot loss. Three Ki.61s of the 68th were seriously damaged during the day's combat; 1 crashlanded. The three 248th pilots returned unable to report any success and with one aircraft damaged by bullet hits.

248 th Hiko Sentai

12-Apr-44 Raid on Hollandia (188 bombers, 67 fighters) intercepted by 20 Japanese. Bong claims 3 (26-28); 1 was an Oscar.


20-Apr-44 Hollandia: The 6th Flying Division numbered just 32 operational aircraft. Twenty-three were fighters including six Hayabusas of the 248th. Also in New Guinea , mainly at Hollandia, were 150 fighter pilots of whom about fifty were sick or wounded.

248 th Hiko Sentai

22-Apr-44 Hollandia: Allies land. Some JAAF personnel mobilized as ground troops. Some 400 aviation personnel of the 6th Hikoshidan including about 100 fighter pilots to evacuate Hollandia and travel overland to Sarmi from where it was hoped they could be rescued (including Major Kuroda and the surviving pilots and some ground staff of the 248th). At midnight on 23-Apr-43, they trudged off into the New Guinea jungle. US forces land at Hollandia, seizing 3 JAAF airfields. 14th Hikodan destroys remaining aircaft and flees into jungle. The airfields are found by Allies to be too boggy for use, so the US seize nearby islands to build airfields on.

248 th Hiko Sentai Japanese Army Aces of WW2 (Osprey) Crisis in the Pacific by Astor

May-44 RAAF Beauforts in sqdn strength (8) raid Wewak

Pacific: Solomon Islands Area

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27-May-44

4 Ki.45 KAIb Nicks make first (recorded) Kamikaze attack vs USN landing at Biak, NG. 1 Subchaser destroyed. The 6th Hikoshidan walking party arrives in Sarmi to find that US units had seized Wakde, so no ship or aircraft could rescue them. They continued to march.

248 th Hiko Sentai

7-Jul-44 Wakde: P-61A of 421st NFS shoots down a Ki.46 Dinah over New Guinea. The 421st NFS got its first kill on July 7, 1944, after seven months of fruitless night patrols with P-70s. (P-61s had been available until summer 44); then showed as marked improvement over P-70).

Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean US Army Air Forces in WW2: Nightfighters

25-Jul-44 68th, 77th, 78th, 248th Sentais disbanded. Remaining personnel become infantry.


4-Aug-44 22 RAAF and 30 RAAF Sqdns move to Noemfoor Beaufighter History 23-Sep-44 The (10 of 100) surviving pilots in New Guinea had reached a point only 10

km from the Japanese base at Windensi. They started the final leg of their journey only to run aground. US Navy PT boats found the two MLCs and subjected them to heavy fire. Only a few Japanese managed to swim ashore, among them were Kuroda and a few men from the 248th and 63rd Sentai. The few remaining survivors of the JAAF contingent reached the Japanese outpost at Yidore on September 30th.

248 th Hiko Sentai

Nov-44 22, 30, 31 RAAF Sqdns form No. 77 Wing RAF flying anti-shipping missions in Beaufighters from Morotai, searching the Celebes Sea.

Beaufighter History

28-Nov-44 Owi Island: 421st NFS moved to Owi Island, where they scored five kills, four of them on 28-Nov. The 421st claimed the most unusual night kill of the war: Pilot Lt. David T. Corts, hard on the tail of a Japanese bomber, put his P-61 into a sharp turn when R/O Lt. Alexander Berg and gunner SSgt. Millard Braxton warned him of an enemy fighter on their own tail. Just as Corts pulled away, the fighter opened fire and shot down the enemy bomber; Corts and his crew did not receive official credit for the kill. Japanese tried to use chaff against night fighters, but it was not very effective against the P-61s SCR-720 radar. On some missions the enemy used fighters at low altitudes to draw Black Widow patrols away from high-flying bombers.

US Army Air Forces in WW2: Nightfighters

8-May-45 / 15-May-45

6th Australian Division supported by Brit Pac Fleet units takes Wewak Pennsinsula in New Guinea.

HMS Newfoundland site

Pacific: Solomon Islands Area 20-Feb-42 In reaction to US raid on Rabaul, 17 G3M2 sent out after USS Lexington.

15 lost (Butch OHares finest hour). Zero!

7-Mar-43 Bismarck Sea: RAF searchers note a large convoy heading toward New Guinea. Planned raid on Rabaul and Gasmata by TF11 (Yorktown and Lexington) cancelled.


3-May-42 Coral Sea: Japanese land at Tulagi. At 1900 hrs, Fletcher is informed and heads north at 27 knots.

Giants of the Sea by Boyne, Zero!

4-May-42 Tulagi: 80 bombers (USN carrier aircraft: 12 TBD w/ torpedos, 28 SBDs with 500 or 1000 lbrs) attack Tulagi, hitting the DD Kikuzuki, which beached, and several seaplanes. A torepedo hit a mine layer. A second strike sunk 4 landing craft. A merchantman and Okinushima was damaged. Okinushima was sunk by a sub a few days later trying to slip into Rabaul. The SBDs suffer from fogging sights in the moist, lower air.



5-Jul-06 Page 186

US lost 3 aircraft. (Yokohama Sentai has seaplanes and flying boats based in Tulagi once captured). Takagis carriers (Shokaku, Zuikaku, Shoho) loitering around northern Solomons, are out of position to counter the raid. Coral Sea: The Port Moresby invasion fleet leaves Rabaul.

6-May-42 Coral Sea: 0810 hrs an H6K4 Mavis spots a US carrier group 600 miles south of Tulagi. (see also New Guinea).

23-Jul-42 Guadalcanal: 11th BG B-17s fly from New Cal to photo recon Tulagi. Attempted interception by float Zeros fails. Photo recon also flown in June and July by 19th BG from Australia. These produce aerial views of Tulagi and Gavotte, but only 2 of Lunga region, where Vandergrift will land.

Army Air Forces in WW2 Vol 3

31-Jul-42 Guadalcanal: 11th BG attacks from Efate, 710 nautical miles from the target at Guadalcanal. 9 B-17Es using a radio compartment tank and a bomb-bay tank, w/ reduced (half) bomb loads under bad weather and unloaded their bombs from 14,000 feet. The first flight, carrying 500-pounders, struck at the new landing strip, while the remaining six aircraft ravaged the supply dumps in the Lunga Point area with 100- pounders. Resistance was slight, the AAA ineffective, and the Rufes at Gavutu, probably without functioning radar, failed to leave the water in time for interception. The bombers returned


1-Aug-42 Espiritu Santo: Field becomes operational. Used to refuel B-17s on return leg to Efate. Allowed use of radio tank w/o Bombbay tank and to carry full bombload. Guadalcanal: B-17s claimed two Rufes, during raid.


2-Aug-42 Guadalcanal: B-17s claimed 1 Rufe and started fires in the Lunga and Tulagi storage areas.


3-Aug-42 Guadalcanal: Reports had come in of land- based Zeros on the Lunga field (false)


4-Aug-42 Guadalcanal: five enemy fighters intercepted a three-plane B-17 flight over the target. In this engagement a float Zero, flaming and pressing a close attack, struck a B-17 near the No. 3 engine, causing an explosion which destroyed plane and crew. This, the first destruction of one of our aircraft by ramming, was considered the result of a Zero out of control rather than intentional self-sacrifice.


5-Aug-42 Guadalcanal: Tulagi and the Kukum area bombed, another B-17 was lost.


6-Aug-42 USS McFarland sets up shop in Ndeni, Santa Cruz with 7 PBY (5 VP-11, 2 VP-14.)

Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank

Guadalcanal landing. Morning CV operations like clockwork. SDBs and F4Fs destroyed the seaplane base on Tulagi. After morning ground support missions, settled into CAP. Most patrolling over CVs. 3rd Defense Btn lands: 3 Batt 90mm AA (12 guns, dug deep around airfield) 30x .30cal mg 16x .50cal mg A Japanese Mk I Mod I radar was seized on the island. All 16 B-17s of 19th BG attack Rabaul after Japanese strike left. 58th FG in region: 67th FS 18 P-39D New Caledonia 68th FS 24 P-39D Tongatabu

7-Aug-42

70th FS 17 P-39D Vanautu

Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank First Team at Guadalcanal, by John Lundstrom Weapons of Darkness by A Price Fire in the Sky by Bergerud Cobra! Bell Aircraft 1937-1945

0300 hrs Two 11th BG search B-17s sent to cover the Solomon's sector to 700 miles from Espiritu, took off at 0300 with instructions to avoid the target area



5-Jul-06 Page 187

where the attack was scheduled at 0530. One aircraft failed to return. 0615 hrs Guadalcanal: Bombardment and air attack begins. 1000 hrs Japanese in Rabaul an immediate attack, but chose not to wait to re-

weapon bombers (had been set for a strike on Pt Moresby). 18 Zeros of Tainan Sentai (Excellent unit, including 4 aces: 2x Vet/Ace/CS/hero, 1x Reg Ace/Hero/CS, +1 Vet/Hero) escort 27 Bettys of 4th Sentai (carrying 2x 250 Kg + 4x 60 kg each) 1120 miles to Guadalcanal. The escort did not carry radios to ensure thatthey had the range. (Japanese fighters usually did not carry radios for these long range missions.) 1 Zeros from 2nd Chutai aborted on the trip down the Solomons.

Samurai by Caidin , Sato, and Sakai Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank First Team at Guadalcanal, by John Lundstrom

1045 hrs 2nd Sentai force leaves Rabaul: 9 Vals, each armed with 2x 60 kg bombs (one should ask why they bothered).

1130 hrs Cactus warned by CINCPAC & Coastwatcher on Buin of the attacking force.

1300 hrs Bogey at 8000 ft coming toward Florida Island. CAP was some 40 fighters, but only 8 F4F were over the invasion fleet (rest were positioned to cover the three CVs positioned south of Guadalcanal). The 8 VF-5 pilots were patrolling at about 12,000 ft under a cloud ceiling of 13,000 ft. (others caught in the shift change landing/lifting from carriers.

1315 hrs Attack begins. 4th AG in wide, flat V of Vs, Chutai 2 (back left) +200 ft, Chtuai 3 (back right) +400 ft. Escort positioned: 1st Chutai (Nakajima) back right +400 (over bombers); 3rd Chutai (Sasai, backed by Sakais vic) back left +400 ft, 2nd Chutai (Kawai) center trailing +700 ft.

The bombers went into a shallow dive at about 16,400 ft (5.0 km) into the clouds, with the 1st & 3rd Chutais of the escort about 3500 ft above them; 2nd Chutai was at 27,900 ft. The bombers closed in so the bomber Chutai vics were in one line.


5-Jul-06 Page 188

The bombers, diving, pop out of the clouds barely 500 yds from Scarlet 2 (4 F4F under Lt James Southerland) at nearly right angles to them. Scarlet 2 turns after the bombers, but is bounced by Kawais 2nd fighter Chutai before they can close. Southerland gets among the bombers, damaging two heavily before being chased out of the formation. Meanwhile, two of his division were shot down, the third escaped with 49 holes in his Wildcat. Scarlet 8 (4 F4Fs) was a bit further behind Scarlet 2, and so missed being pounced on by the Zeros, and began to tail the bombers. The 1st Chutai of the escort tries to bounce them; Scarlet 8 splits, 2 taking on the fighters, 2 continuing after the bombers. For the bombers, the sudden display of 50+ naval vessels, the US fighters, the heavy cloud cover, and the ship-based AAA was startling. Japanese all dropped early, hitting nothing. Meanwhile, 3rd Tainan Chutai came down to remix with Scarlet 2. Sakais wingmen had already left him and he spotted them chasing an F4F (southerland). Sakai joined onto the end of the chase, initiating his fight with Southerland. In addition, SBDs and Avengers were cruising the scene and get involved after shooting down Southerland, Sakai comes upon a pair of TBFs from behind, thinking they were F4Fs, then ran into fire from four .50 cal. They savaged his Zero and badly wounded him. He dove out of the fight and headed back up the Slot alone.

~1330 hrs After the bombing, 6 F4Fs (Red 3) catch up to the bombers on their way out, but are jumped by 8 Zeros.

1345 hrs Red 3 breaks clear of the Zeros and catches up to the bombers over Tulagi. Surviving bombers have climbed up to 16,000 ft (above the cloud deck) at about 200 mph in a Vof Vs again. 8 A6M2 are above them, nearby; 2 A6M2 are trailing some 800 yds back at 15,000 ft. Red 3 shoots at the bombers, downing 2, finally waking up the trailing Zeros. Then 6 Zeros come down on them from above. 1 F4F eventually ditched the way back to the CVs.

~1420 hrs Well after 1400 hrs, 6 F4Fs with belly tanks catch up to the bombers, which were then at 12,000 ft, speed 200 mph in a wide formation (sloppiness in fatigue). Nakajimas vic was at 10,000 ft to the left of the formation; 8 Zeros were ahead, and the 2nd Chutai (5 A6M2) was above at about 16,000 ft. The F4Fs spotted them from 6000 yds off to the right from 14,000 ft.


5-Jul-06 Page 189

1430 hrs 2nd Sentai force over Florida Island at 9,800 ft. 1445 hrs 2nd Sentai force runs into 3 F4Fs at 11,000 ft (they were right in the attack

path. 8 others close quickly. 4 shot down, 2 damaged and driven off from attacking.

1457 hrs 3 Vals vs. USS Mugford (DD). 1 drops from the sky, probably due to a dead pilot.

All told, 4 G4M1 were shot down, 2 crashed on the way back. 2 Zeros were shot down, 1 crashed, 4 landed at Buka on the way back. 5 D3As were shot down and the other four ditched on the way back. Only three of the crews were picked up. 9 of the 18 F4Fs that engaged were ditched or shot down, including 6 from Scarlet 2 and 8.

8-Aug-42 0800 hrs: 27 G4M1 armed with torpedos (including 1 Chutai from the

Misawa Sentai that arrived the day before) escorted by 15 Tainan Zeros leave Rabaul. USN warned by a watcher on Buka. 5 recond planes sent ahead, but could not find the US carriers, so the force went to attack the US invasion fleet. USS Mackinac (AVD) sets up shop in the Maramasike Estuary at the south end of Malaita Island with 9 PBYs from VP-23. PBYs equipped w/ ASE radar, range 15-25 miles.


9-Aug-42 [Battle of Savo Island] 17 G4M1 and 15 A6M2 from Rabaul search southest of Guadalcanal for US carriers. They find only the wounded USS Jarvis and sink it. US CV and amphibious force leave. USS ??? (small AVD) installed in south end of Malaita Island, with 8 PBY-5As


20-Aug-42 USS Long Island spotted 250 miles south east of Guadalcanal by Mavis flying boats from Shortland. VMF-223 (7 Green, 11 Regular) flown off USS Long Island to Guadalcanal. Kisarazu Sentai brings its 19 G4M1 to Kavieng.

Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank First Team at Guadalcanal, by Lundstrom

21-Aug-42 Another Mavis shot down by carrier fighters (cluing Japanese to the presence of another carrier). Daily raid (26 Bettys w/ 13 Zero escort look for carrier, which wasn't found. Instead, they went to Guadalcanal. Intercepted by 4 F4F of VMF-223 near Savo Island. 2 F4F damaged byeond repair.


22-Aug-42 5 P-400s of 67th Fighter Sqdn fly in. Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank

23-Aug-42 Bad weather cancels Japanese daily raid. 1510 hrs: USS Saratoga launches 31 SBDs and 6 TBFs after the Japanese advanced force (Fletcher had been told there were no carriers). They found no carriers and could not find Saratoga. Instead, they flew to Guadalcanal (which didn't move). 2 SBD-3s spot a Mavis at low level. Clouds only 2-3,000 ft;SBDs start behind. They shoot it down before itcan spot carrier. USS Wasp turns south, missing the battle.


24-Aug-42 Battle of Eastern Solomons: Japanese 1st Carrier Div + Ryujo go after US carriers. US Mk 13 air-launched torpedo slow and erratic Japanese and US air groups both Average.


0930 hrs- 1105 hrs

The strike force from the Saratoga that over-nighted on Guadalcanal returns to the USS Saratoga.


5-Jul-06 Page 190

1213 hrs An Emily flying boat shot down near USS Enterprise. 1220 hrs Ryujo launches a strike of 15 Zeros and 6 Kates vs Guadalcanal. 1320 hrs The Ryujo Raid is seen by Saratoga's radar. 1345 hrs Saratoga launches a raid of 30 SBDs and 8 TBFs under Cmdr Felt. 1 SBD

& 1 TBF turn back before reaching the target.

1400 Japanese spot US carriers. 1420 hrs 15 Zeros, 8 Kates from Ryujo hit Guadalcanal from 9000 ft. Intercepted

by 16 F4Fs & 2 P-400s mostly in 1s and a few 2s. Lost 3 F4Fs, 3 Zeros, 4 Kates.

1455 hrs Japanese strike of 27 Vals, 10 Zeros bound for Enterprise. (18/4 from Shokaku; 9/6 frm Zuikaku).

1500 hrs 2 SDBs locate Shokaku and Zuikaku. They attack and miss - and report position.

1536 hrs 21 SBDs + 6 TBFs from Saratoga vs Ryujo; 7 SBDs + 2 TBFs vs Tone. SBDs attack from 14000 ft; TBFs near surface. 7 Zeros at sea level appearing midway through attack. Final TBF attack at 200 ft, 200 knots. 4 bombs hit plus 1 (maybe 3 torps). Ryujo founders 2000 hrs. Survivors of Ryujo's attack forced to ditch.

1600 hrs 2nd Japanese strike leaves for Enterprise with 18+7 Vals, 6+3 Zeros. 1602 hrs 1st Japanese strike spotted on radar 88 miles out. Saratoga and Enterprise

launch 53 F4Fs.

1620 hrs - 1640 hrs

Enterprise launches 11 SDBs, 7 TBFs under Max Leslie heading for Japanese carriers. 11 SDBs go to Guadalcanal.

1629 hrs 53 F4Fs at 12,000 ft intercept 1st Japanese strike at 16000 ft. 25 miles out. Only 1/3 of interceptors make contact before Jap Vals reach Enterrpise (5-7 F4Fs hit 9 Zuikaku Vals before dive bomb attack; 10 F4Fs hit 9 more Zuikaku Vals duirng the dive bomb attack; the rest are busy with the Zeros).

1642 hrs 1st Strike reaches Enterprise course SE. BB North Carolina in formation 2500 yds behind. CA Portland & DD Grayson nearby. Dives pressed home to 1500/2000 ft. 3 bombs hit Enterprise. 17 Vals, 6 Zeros lost. 2nd Japanese raid undetected.

1735 hrs 7 TBFs from Enterprise attack cruisers of the Advanced Force. All miss, 2 splash. 2 SBDs hit Chitose; 1 hits. Chitose then returns to Truk.

1750 hrs Shokaku and Zuikaku under 30 minutes ineffective bombing by 7 B-17s in 2 elements.

1827 hrs 2nd Japanese strike misses Enterprise in the dark. 25-Aug-42 Early hours attack on Tanaka's convoy succeeds.

Guadalcanal: 1155 hrs: 21 Bettys (from Kisarazu Sentai), 12 Zeros raid, causing minor damage. They are not intercepted. However, 25-Aug to 12-Sep, they lose 4 G4M1 shot down, 3 force landed. Typical raid load = 1x 250 kg + 6x 60 kg bombs, or 10x 60 kg bombs. US Losses: 9 navy, 3 Marine F4F, 4 SBD, 7 TBF, 1 B-17, 1 PBY (7 pilots, 5 aircrew lost) Japanese loses: 33 Zeros, 23 Vals, 8 Kates, 7 Floatplanes, 2 Emily, 1 Mavis. Only 1 Val, 3 Kate, and part of Mavis crew saved.

Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank First Team at Guadalcanal, by John Lundstrom

26-Aug-42 Guadalcanal: 17 G4M2 escorted by 9 A6M2 raid, intercepted by 12 F4F. bombs destroy 2000-gals gasoline. 1 WF4F, 3 A6M2, 2 G4M lost, 2 G4M force landed.



5-Jul-06 Page 191

27-Aug-42 Bad weather stops daily air raid. 28-Aug-42 Shokaku and Zuikaku Zeroes used by 11th Air Fleet into early September

as reinforcements. They were not very effective. 6 Marine, 5 Navy Dauntlesses attack convoy, sink 1 DD, damage 2 others,

First Team at Guadalcanal, by John Lundstrom Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank

29-Aug-42 Rabaul: Japanese down to 41 A6M2, 37 G4M, 6 Val, 1 Irving, 3 flying boats. Plans made for 93 A6M2, 38 A6M3, 81 Betty or Nell, 6 Vals, 4 Irving, 14 Flying Boats by 20-Sep-42


30-Aug-42 1155 hrs: 18 A6M2 Zeros from Shokaku or Zuikaku made a fighter sweep over Tulagi at something under 14,000 ft. They found 4 P-400s flying low (2,000?) over the USS Burrowes, a transport. They also saw the 7 P-39s at 14,000 ft (led by sqdn ldr, Reg/Hero). They climbed to accept battle with them. They missed the 8 F4F-4s at 28,000 ft (led by Vet/Hero). 8 Zeros were shot down; 1 more was damaged and dunked on the way back. 4 p-400s were shot down; 2 Wildcats were damaged and later junked, though the pilots were OK. Hereafter, P-39s used for ground attack only. 1510 hrs: 18 G4M escorted by 13 A6M2 attack USS Calhoun from 15000 ft. 1600 hrs: VMF 224 arrives w/ 19 F4F-4. VMSB-241 arrives with 12 SBDs (VMF-223 down to 5 flyable F4F-4)


31-Aug-42 Rabaul: 13 A6M2 Zeros of 6th Sentai arrive at Rabaul Guadalcanal: Weather shields Guadalcanal from attack. 3 F4F of VMF224 lost in false scramble. USS Saratoga torpedoed. Sent south, then out of theatre for repairs.

FTaG, by Lundstrom Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank

Sep-42 Missions escorted by 12-18 A6M2 flying in as 2 chutai above and behind either flank. None carried radios (pilots chose to sacrifice unrealiable radios for slight improvement in range and maneuverability).

FTaG, by Lundstrom

2-Sep-42 10 Zeroes and 1st chutai of G4M1 brought from Chitose Sentai (in the Marshalls). Next 4 raids cost them 2 shot down, 2 forcelanded. 2nd Sentais A6M3 used to defend Rabaul, used at Lae to defend against the Milne Bay invasion (costs 7 Zero, 3 pilots). 8 H6K4 Mavis added to Rabaul from Toko Sentai (14th is still flying 3 H8K1) Guadalcanal sets up SCR-720B EW radar w/ 150 mile range. VF-5 (off Saratoga) flies to Efate. Eventually sent to Giuadalcanal. Fletcher relieved.

FTaG, by Lundstrom

8-Sep-42 Japanese begin building Buin airfield. 9-Sep-42 Fighter One opens on Guadalcanal. (4600 ft x 300 ft). Henderson is 3800

ft x 150 ft). FTaG, by Lundstrom

11-Sep-42 VF-5 flies 24 F4Fs into Guadalcanal. 10 A6M3 of 6th Sentai fly into Rabaul.

FTaG, by Lundstrom

12-Sep-42 The usual mid-day raid arrives, featuring 26 G4M1 of the 6th Sentai escorted by 15 A6M2. They came in high, starting in a shallow dive from 27,900 ft diving to 24,000 ft to gain speed for the final bomb run. Henderson Field was warned too late to intercept before combat, but sent aloft 20 F4F form VF-5 and 12 Marine F4F. 3rd Defense Btn was awake: E batterys 4x 90mm guns aimed by SCR-268 FC radar damaged 1 and shot one down. The bomb run mostly hit the Boneyard at the south end of the Henderson Field. On the way out, 8 Marine and 2 Navy F4Fs attack from above (having finally gained the altitude, and the bombers were down to 21,000 ft by then). They claimed many kills, but only shot down 1. Several bombers were damaged.

First Team at Guadalcanal, by John Lundstrom


5-Jul-06 Page 192

18 F4F-4s fly in from Espiritu Sancto: 9 VMF-212, 9 VMO-251. That night features the fighting on Bloody Ridge.

13-Sep-42 The Japanese command expected the attacking infantry to have secured Henderson field. Indeed, some premature radio reports suggested that they had. To clarify whether or not the field was secure, the Navy sent a recon run of two J1N1-C Irvings, supported by a Chutai from Tainan Sentai. Cactus sends up 38 F4Fs, not all of which make contact. Trade 4 Zeros for 2 F4Fs. (1st shotai also tangles with 2 F4Fs near Lunga at low altitude just before the Irvings make their low pass over the field).


1320 hrs Warning send to Henderson of incoming midday raid. It featured 27 bombers (1 Chutai each from (1) Misawa, (2) Kisaru, and (3) Kanoya Sentais) escorted by 12 A6M2 from Tainan Sentai, with Lt. Kawai in command (in 2 chutai some 1000 yards behind and to each flank). They were intercepted by 11 USMC and 9 USN F4Fs. The bombers base alt was 24,600 ft.

14-Sep-42 Dawn 3 A6M2-N Float Zeros stage through Rekata Bay to Guadalcanal to see who owned the airfield this morning. 1 jumped a VMJ-253 R4D-1 (C-47) just after take off (1500 ft). jumped by dawn patrol of 7 F$Fs, who see them at 3500 ft. All shot down.

Morning: 7 Zeros and Recon a/c (Irving?) intercepted by 6 VMF-223 & 224. Recon & 1 Zero downed, 2 F4F lost on TO, 1 more pilot wounded.

Twilight: Pete Raid: 2 A6M2-N escort 19 Petes loaded with 2x 60kg bombs intercepted by 4 VMF-224 & 6 VF-5 F4F. Cloud deck 7-8000 ft. Stover goes 1v2 at 8200 ft just over cloud deck; gets 1. 2 cases of 1 F4F vs Shotai of Petes just under coud deck. 1 Rufe, 3 Petes shot down; 1 Pete crashes later.

Guadalcanal by Frank

15-Sep-42 Rekata Bay on Santa Isabels northern end (135 miles from Henderson field) opens as a staging base for light float planes. USS Wasp sunk by I-19; also damages USS North Carolina and USS OBrien (DD)


16-Sep-42 Japanese base at Rekata Bay discovered by searching B-17s. 27-Sep-42 Four more VF-5 F4Fs arrive at Guadalcanal, bringing the supply of

fighters and pilots to: Unit Serv/All A/C Pilots VF-5 18/19 23 VMF-223 ?/11 11 + 3 (VMF212) + 3 (VMF121) VMF-224 ?/12 14 + 2 (VMF121)

Japanese send a raid to try to close down Henderson Field (Nisshin on its way). Later this day, the last of Flight 300 (Enterprise SBDs) evacuated.


1015 hrs 12 A6M2 fighter sweep of 2nd Sentai take off from Rabaul. 1030 hrs 18 G4M1 (9 Kisarazu lead, 9 Takoa trail) takes off from Rabaul, with 26

A6M2 (full 3rd Sentai); 2 chtuai ahead, 1 behind and above. 1 G4M1 aborts w/ bad engine.

1315 hrs 2nd Sentai spots Guadalcanal. Main force spotted; 1st MAG scrambled: VMF-229 9 F4F VF-5 14 F4F

1338 hrs Fighter sweep misses interceptors. 1353 hrs Main force arrives. Takoa flight spots F4Fs but cannot alert A6M2 (no


5-Jul-06 Page 193

radios carried). Bombers nearly to Lunga before intercept. 5 Marines (Maj Armistead (R) w/ 2 2Lts; Capt Marion Carl (Vet-Ace, H) + 2Lt) are 2000 ft above bombers, but below close escort at 27,900 ft, + top cover at 31,000 ft. Close escort spreadout. Armistead attacks trailing left bombers; 3 claimed. 1 F4F returns with engine trouble. Other VMF-223 div attacks, but is bouned by a Chutai of escort; F4Fs split and dive away. Bombruns start, damaging 4 SBDs, 5 TBFs, 6 Navy F4Fs. 1 SBD destroyed. Other F4Fs missed intercept. AAA got 1 strafing Zero. Total losses: 2 G4M1 shot down; 1 ditched. All other bombers damaged. 1 Zero lost. No F4Fs lost, but 6 shot up.

Oct-42 About 60 P-38s are in SoPac, but have problems acclimating equipment to climate; not ready for combat til end of the month.

Americas 100,000 by Francis Dean

14-Oct-42 The Bombardment: 0133-0300

hrs 14-inch shells from BBs Kongo and Haruna rain on Guadalcanal to try to suppress US airpower for a high speed convoy run. At dawn, only 7 of 39 SBDs, 0 of 8 TBFs, 24 of 42 F4Fs, and 4 P-400s (destroyed) , 2 P-39s flyable. Adm Fitch orders in 17 SBDs, 20 F4Fs (starts to arrive 16-Oct), plus C-47s with fuel (starts to arrive next day).


1213 hrs:. 16 Betty, 18 Zero raid caught all US a/c on the ground at Henderson Field due to a false air raid warning.

1300 hrs: 12 Betty, 15 Zero raid meets all flyable fighters; 4 bettys lost (plus 1 F4F, 1 P-39 lost).

1545 hrs: 4 SBDs, 3 P-39s, 17 F4Fs attack convoy to no effect; cost 1 F4F. Convoy (6 fast Transports, 8 DDs, 1 AA DD) defended by Petes & Zeros.

1805 hrs: 7 P-39s, 9 SBDs, 8 F4Fs attack convoy east of Santa Isabel vs 7 Petes plus convoy. 1 P-39 lost; 1 P-39, 1 F4F op losses.

15-Oct-42 Guadalcanal, by Richard Frank

000 hrs: High Speed Convoy arrives off Tassafaronga Point and starts to unload. So does a regular Tokyo Express (2 CL, Nisshin, 3 DDs) run to Kamimbo.

0217 hrs: 30 min shelling by two CAs begins 0600 hrs: 6 F4F fly over HS convoy busy unloading, fighting the float Zeros, Petes,

and Zeros (from carr Div 2, Hiyo and Junyo). 1 F4F damaged, 1 did not return. 3 SBDs damaged trying to take off; av gas about out until a hidden cache was remembered. (1x 55-gal drum = 1x F4F in air for an hour). More single attacks went out, then were cancelled.

1030 hrs: Coordinated attack by 12 SBDs, 3 P-39s, 1 P-400, 8 F4F, and 1 PBY-5A Catalina with 2 torps (Gen. Geigers personal a/c; pilot had never made a torpedo run before). SBDs made their attack first to draw Japanese away from the PBY, who dove steeply at 240 knots (above safe dive speed). 1 fast transport set afire, eventually burned.

1100 hrs: 24 Bettys attack Henderson Field unopposed. 1 Betty ditched; 1 F4F destroyed on the ground.

1150 hrs: 11 B-17s raid from Espiritu Santo hits an empty fast transport 1315 hrs: Another US raid hits another fast transport, which beaches and burns.

Ships stand out

1740 hrs: Ships stand in again. US raid with 4 SDBs has no effect, but convinces the Japs to return to Rabaul with ~1/3 ammo and supplies aboard.

R Area AF supplied: 16 Float Zeros, 16 F1M2 11th Air Fleet supplied: 44 Zeros 2nd Carr Div supplied: 36 Zeros Air Losses: 5 Zeros, 1 Pete lost vs 4 SDBs, 2 P-39s, 3 F4F.

16-Oct-42 Nightly shelling again by 2 CAs. More avgas delivered, plus US resupply Guadalcanal, by


5-Jul-06 Page 194

run arrives with 40,000 gals of gas + 12 torps + ammo. USS Hornet flies 74 sorties against Guadalcanal and Rekata Bay. She is spotted, and among the strikes sent after her is 9 Vals from Buin. They miss Hornet, but find USS McFarland, a DD towing a fuel barge at 1750. They wound her, but she gets to Tulagi at 0000 hrs. VMF-212 flies in with 19 F4F, plus 7 SDB. As they fly in, their commander Lt. Col. Harold Bauer flies to help McFarland. He splashes 3 Vals.

Richard Frank

17-Oct-42 0720 hrs: 18 Zeros, 18 Kates from Carr Div 2 sent to Guad for anti-shipping strike. Met by 8 F4F from above. 1 F4F, 7 Kates, 1 Zero shot down. Raid at 1315 unmet (not in time), but 2 Zeros, 1 Betty downed by AAA. VS-3 leaves Guadalcanal (taking only pilots).


20-Oct-42 Kahili field on Bougainville opens for IJN Fire from the Sky by Bergerud

23-Oct-42 Guadalcanal: 16 Zeros sweep ahead of 17 Zeros escorting 16 Bettys. Intercepted by 24 Wildcats + 4 P-39s. Result 6 Zeros, 1 Betty claimed vs. 1 Wildcat damaged beyond repair. Japanese naval units piston (12 hrs north, 12 hours back south)


24-Oct-42 0300 hrs: 5 Night Cats (PBY-5s) attack Adm Abes force with torpedos, scoring a near miss on Chikuma. 1245 hrs: TF-16 (USS Enterprise) and TF-17 (USS Hornet) join 250 miles NE of Espiritu Santo. Then they head to waters east of Santa Cruz.


25-Oct-42 Guadalcanal: a busy day of full Japanese support against an expected consolidation of the expected seizure of Henderson Field, as well as naval elements on both sides jockey for the positions that create the next days Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

First Team at GuadalcanaJohn Lundstrom

Dawn Fighting for Henderson Field dies down, although shelling from Millimeter Mike (Pistol Pete) continues. Fighter 1 muddy; 27 F4F available, but unknown if any can take off.

First Team at GuadalcanaJohn Lundstrom

0700 hrs 3 SBDs take off for dawn search find 3 DDs (Akzuki, Ikazuchi, Shiratsuya) 35 miles N of Lunga point.

0715 hrs 1 Ki.46 of IJAAF 76th Independent Sqdn comes to Henderson, expecting to land; show down over the field by AA. Kondo and Nagumo at sea know that Kunga has not been taken.

0930 hrs B-17 spots Kondo

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