ATTACK ON KAVIENG

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1945, Page 7

ATTACK ON KAVIENG

WELLINGTON MAN'S PART

(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) ' EMIRAU, March 13. Although.,injured when his Ventura was hit by flak over Kavieng, Wing Commander I. R. Salmond (Wellington) carried on. made his bombing run, and then flew his damaged aircraft back to base. Wing Commander Salmond commands a bomber squadron operating from the New Zealand Air- Task Force base at Emirau. He was participating in a strong attack "by American., and New Zealand bombesa against heavy gun emplacements built up by the Japanese on New Ireland. Nearing the target, the attacking force, which was made up of Mitchells and Venturas, ran into the fiercest concentration of ack ack yet encountered in the Kavieng region. Bursts- from the enemy's guns filled the sky all round the raiders, and two New Zealand Venturas were damaged. Wing Commander Salmond's aircraft was hit by shrapnel.. One large piece penetrated the port windshield missing Wing Commander Salmond and the wireless operator, Pilot Officer L. W. Dornbusch, of Greatford. by inches. Wing Commander Salmond was wounded about the face and in the shoulder by splintered glass. These injuries were late'i found to be mainly superficial.

Despite fierce opposition put up by the enemy gunners, the American and New Zealand aircraft pressed home the attack, plastering the target with bombs. The Japanese opened fire with ack ack guns immediately the leading aircraft came within range His guns were still blazing when th< last Allied aircraft made its run.