....

.....During the week a total of 38 sorties were flown over the Rabaul area. A total of 16 1/2 tons of bombs were dropped and 21,100 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition was expended with the following observed results.

. . .(1) riddled two serviceable classified Zekes at Tobera R/W.
. . .(2) completely destroyed a 100’ derelict schooner in Keravia Bay.
. . .(3) holed by strafing two trucks.
. . .(4) put a few more craters in Vunakanau R/W.

. . .In addition to the above definitely observed results, it can safely be said that many buildings and huts have been damaged or destroyed as a result of considerable strafing and bomb hits in areas of clusters and concentrations.

. . .A nice bit of coordination and tactical deployment was exhibited on the 15th of November when the regular 4-plane Rabaul Patrol was augmented by two additional planes for purpose of destroying two (2) serviceable Zekes in revetments off the southernmost taxiway.

. . .One plane orbited at 7,500' a few miles north of Tobera so as to detract the attention of the enemy, as well as for the purpose of pinpointing any AA, which may fire on the attacking planes. Everything went according to schedule.

. . .Two planes, with 625 pound depth charges, approached from the north at 1630 with one of them bombing known gun positions Just SE of the S end of the R/W, while the other bombed gun positions about 2/3 mile E of the N end of the R/W. At exactly 1632 one plane approaching from the south, also carrying a 625 pound depth charge, bombed gun positions just to the north of the N end of the strip. All bombs hit in the assigned target areas. At exactly 1633 1/2 two planes, not carrying bombs, came in from the west at tree-top level and strafed and hit the two serviceable Zekes.

. . .Plane FG-lA, Bu. No. 14029, piloted by Second Lieutenant Harwood K. RYAN, USMCR, developed engine trouble while in flight over the Rabaul area on the 16th of November 1944. Lieutenant RYAN bailed out from 2000' over Ataliklikun Bay and was picked up an hour and forty minutes later by Dumbo. The plane crashed in the bay.

. . .Second Lieutenant Archie C. PERU, USMCR, is missing in action as of 12 November, 1944. He was on a Rabaul Patrol and was last seen at 1635 entering a hole in a cloud layer at about 2000', and immediately thereafter his wingman, who was trailing by about 400', saw through a break in the cloud layer a long sheet of flames with considerable black smoke about two miles north of Four Ways just west of Malaguna Road on the Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain.

. . .No conclusive evidence of aircraft parts were seen, positively pointing to the fire and smoke as being that of the plane.