R.N.Z.A.F. Planes Clash With Jap. Patrols

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 7

R.N.Z.A.F. Planes Clash With Jap. Patrols

(Official R.N.Z.A.F. News Service) BOUGAINVILLE. March 15

Searching the coast of New Britain fo’’ signs of enemy activity, two R.N.Z.A.F. Venturas ran into six patrolling Japanese aircraft. One of tire enemy, a Zeke, as the naval type of Mitsubishi is known, came into attack, but he (vas easily fought oh and the New Zealanders completed their mission unmolested.

The pilot of a thwarted Zeke may never know how close he came to claiming victory over one Ventura, for during subsequent inspection on tire machine’s return to base, it was found that an enemy bullet had entered the bomb bay. struck a SCO lb bomb and richochetted through the top of the bomb bay panel.

Later the same two Venturas were making a second run along the New Britain coast and when approaching Cape Paliiser tire* leading aircraft sighted the enemy in two groups of three, lire first group was about 40G yards to the rear and the second about a mile away. As before, a Zeke broke formation and attacked the loading New Zealand bomber, firing long bursts as he pressed in. The New Zealand bomber captain took evasive action and accurate fire from the turret gunner appeared to enter the enemy’s fuselage, causing the aircraft to shudder and break off the attack.

It made off unsteadily in the direction of Rabaul. The remaining two enemy machines of the first group had seen how the Zekc fared in attacking the Ventura and apparently they, too, had no further taste for mixing it with the New Zealanders and without intercepting, they continued on towards Rabaul. After strafing lorries and barges near plantation areas, a second Ventura was just, out to sea on the way home when a number of Japanese aircraft appeared. Three came out of the sun and passed directly overhead across the path of the Ventura. All continued inland without pressing the attack. New Zealanders continued their searches without further interruption.