WARHAWKS ATTACK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 6

WARHAWKS ATTACK

FIRST BOMBING RAID

CARGO DROPPED ON RABAUL

(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) BOUGAINVILLE, Mar. 8. R.N.Z.A.F. Warhawks to-dav carried out their first raid as fighterbombers when they flew out from an advanced Solomons base to unload a cargo of medium bombs on the middle of Rabaul. Taking advantage of low cloud to hide their approach the Warhawks caught the Japanese by surprise, spreading explosive bombs among buildings, then skimming away on the homeward run without a scratch.

The Warhawk fighters' change to the roll of fighter-bombers has resulted from the deterioration in the Japanese air operational position over Rabaul, enabling bombers to go in with reduced escort.

The New Zealand fighter wing went out in strength for the operation, being led by the commanding officer, Wing-Commander C. W. K. Nicholls, and the pilots came back from their initiation into the art of dive-bombing full of enthusiasm.

A building which looked like a big hotel erupted in a great cloud of brown smoke.

On the way in they let the Japanese have a taste of lead. Altogether the raid was considered very satisfactory.