A.I.F. IN BOUGAINVILLE

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1945, Page 3

A. I. F. IN BOUGAINVILLE

Helped by N.Z. Airmen MELBOURNE, February 15. Tomohon, an important Japanese base in Northern Celebes, has been destroyed by the Royal Australian Air Force. More than. 200 Kittyhawks and Beaulighters took part in attacks on the base extending over live | days. i Tomohon is believed to have been ! garrisoned by more than 6,000 JapI anese troops. It had substantial ' stores, a large motor transport pool, land elaborate quarters for officers ' and men. Photographic reconnais- | sance after the raids revealed that I the transport pool and almost every administrative and store building had been destroyed. (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News) BOUGAINVILLE, Feb. 15. R.N.Z A.F. Corsairs were continu- ' ing their close support strikes this I morning to enable Australians to advance in north and south Bougain- ' vifie. The first strike was in the : vicinity of Meivo, in south-west BouI gainville. Eight aircraft took oil’ ■ before dawn, and, led by Squadron Leader L. R. Rpnolds (Waipukurau > i dropped 16 daisy-cutters on target indicated by mortar smoke bombs. As the aircraft reformed to make for home, Australians pressed forward : through a bomb blasted jungle in j which opposition had been silenced. ; Another flight of Corsairs from the [ same squadron, led by Flight Lieut. ! J. Parsons, of Auckland, carried out [ a second strike later in the morning ' near Soraken Peninsula, to the north of the island. Four bombs had been dropped on a smoke-marked target, when Australians radioed to cease bombing, as the target had been destroyed. They suggested another target nearby. This was bombed, and strafed and again the Australians, who watched from hilly country below, radioed that the mission had been successful, and added their congratulations on a fine show.

IN PETROL FUMES N.Z. PILOT STICKS IT OUT WELLINGTON, Fob. 16. Partly overcome by fumes when petrol flooded the fuselage of his aircraft during an operational patrol in the’ Bismarck area on October 28, 1944, Pilot Officer William James Porter, of Auckland, who received an immediathe award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, gave a sterling demonstration of devotion to duty by remaining at the controls and making a safe landing under difficult circumstances. Advice that the King had been pleased to confer the award has been received by the Governor-General. The citation adds: A break-down in. the fuel jettison system resulted in fumes filling the aircraft, stupefying the crew, and causing partial asphyxiation. One member was fatally poisoned, and others suffered in varying degrees, but the pilot, by his tenseity, determination and outstanding devotion to duty, remained at the controls and landed his aircraft without damage before collapsing temporarily. In two tours of operations in the Pacific Porter has completed 90 sorties, involving 442 hours ot 'operational flying, and has made eight strikes against enemy -positions in the Bougainville, New Britain and. New Ireland area, mostly in the face of heavy defensive fire. He has at all limes displayed courage above the ordinary, and set a fine example to all ranks. Porter, who is 31, received his early education at a small bac-k--blocks school in Victoria, Australia, and before coming to New Zealand in 1931, he worked on his father':: farm. He was employed as a dairy fitter prior to his enlistment in the R.N.Z.A.F. in July, 1940. His wife resides at Pukekohe, Auckland.