S.W. PACIFIC AIR RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1945, Page 6

S.W. PACIFIC AIR RAIDS

N.Z. SQUADRONS PARTICIPATE. [R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Servi'ce] GREEN ISLAND, February 23. Rabaul has received almost a daily pounding since R.N.Z.A.F. squadrons landed on Green Island. Rabaul was visited on Friday morning by the R.N.Z.A.F. Venturas and United i States Mitchells, carrying fifty thousand pounds of bombs. The target was a suspected supply and store area on the north of the Toboi wharf in the township itself which is right inside of Simpson Harbour. Bombs were released in a formation pattern, and covered the area. The results could not be observed, owing to cloud. The Venturas were led by Squadron-Leader D. S. Hamilton, of Christchurch. A fighter escort provided by R.N.Z.A.F. Corsairs, which were also from Green Island. Two Bougainville-based Corsairs on Thursday led American Mitchells and R.N.Z.A.F. Venturas from Green Island to a major enemy concentration at Muguai, on the south-east of Bougainville. Muguai is live miles from Kahili. Fighters marked the target with smoke bombs. Then bombers came in and blasted the area with excellent coverage. Three explosions were caused. Clouds of black smoke rose in the air. A considerable number of large huts were destroyed or damaged.