N.Z. AIRMEN IN PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 8

N.Z. AIRMEN IN PACIFIC

JAPANESE POSITIONS RAIDED (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) BOUGAINVILLE, September 29. The change of seasons bringing heavy rain and great electrical storms restricts air activity over New Britain and New Ireland, but New Zealand Venturas, based on Bougainville, have several times fought their way through severe weather to bomb targets in areas where visibility gives them a chance of success. On a recent mission they led a large formation of American dive bombers to Baniu Harbour and marked the targets while the American crews went down to perform their work of destruction. The New Zealanders then went in with their loads of bombs and also raked the target with their guns. The Americans and New Zealanders in this heavy assault caused considerable damage to a large enemy bivouac area. The commander of a squadron recently engaged on a search operation, Wing Commander I. G. Morrison, of Gisborne, was flying close to enemy country when he encountered anti-air-craft fire and a burst from, a 20mm. shell holed the fuselage of his aircraft and damaged one engine. He was able to make a safe return to his base. Another task of the Venturas is to maintain a count of shipping in Simpson harbour and the sea environs of Rabaul. GUN POSITION STRAFED They also engage in “missions of opportunity.” In one of these Squadron Leader C. R. Parker, New Plymouth, and his crew were fired on by a light calibre gun at Borpop, New Ireland. He went down and returned the fire with his own guns and also dropped bombs. A large grass fire was encircling the Japanese gun position when the New Zealanders turned away for 4 home. On the same day, Flight Lieutenant P. Dignan was unable to find bridges to bomb and decided to create some obstacles of his own to impede enemy transport Selecting a favourable point, he placed his bombs accurately on a steep slope round which ran one of the enemy’s main roads. Several tons of earth, rock, rubble and large trees were piled up across the road, effectively blocking it.