SIGNAL SUCCESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 4

SIGNAL SUCCESS

NEW ZEALAND CORSAIRS PUMPING STATION DESTROYED (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) BOUGAINVILLE. June 12. On their first mission as fighterbombers, R.N.Z.A.F. Corsairs scored a signal success when their 1000-pound-ers struck an. important Japanese pumping station and' nearby buildings in Southern Bougainville. Led by Flight Lieutenant P. R. McNab (Auckland), the Corsairs were sent to attack the pumping station, which is in the Tabago area, and which supplies water for extensive gardens forming an important part of the enemy’s’ food supplies. Peeling off at 10,000 ft, the Corsairs flashed down in a steep dive at a speed approaching 400 miles an hour. The first bomb failed to explode, but the second, dropped by Flying Officer A. G. Pricrard (Palmerston North), hit a large building housing the pumping machinery fair in the centre. Fragments flew high in the air, and the building was completely disintegrated by a further explosion, probably from Diesel oil. A huge column of black smoke rose into the air. and a third pilot. Flight Lieutenant Roy Robertson (Ashburton), found the target had disappeared in his sights. He switched the attack to nearby buildings and housing personnel, and these, too, met a violent end. As the Corsairs withdrew all that was left of the target were a huge crater and twisted, blackened. and scorched debris.