Kiriwina queries
 

Kiriwina was apparently used for staging P-38s during the series of 5th Air Force attacks on Rabaul between 12th Oct-11th Nov 1943. Presumably P-47s also.

Were the fighters landing to refuel en-route to Rabaul? Or only on the homeward leg? Or both?


Were any other types staging through Kiriwina during these attacks? What about the B-25s?

Re: Kiriwina queries
 

AFAIK landings at Kiriwina en-route to Rabaul were mandatory for P-38s only.
P-38s refuelled at Kiriwina and waited for the bombers to be escorted to Rabaul.
B-25s of the 345th BG were on stand-by at Kiriwina between the 5 & 8 NOV but did not flew a mission during these 4 days [Usually the 345th staged at Dobodura].
P-38s, B-25s & B-24s landed at (or ditched off) Kiriwina coming from Rabaul if damaged or short of gas.
P-47s did not participate.

Re: Kiriwina queries
 

Thanks. I wasn't aware the 345th BG were on standby at Kiriwina.

I didn't think P-47s were used until I recently read it in Eric Hammel's Air War Pacific Chronology. He indicates they were used on the 2nd November (see pp 239-240). But maybe that's a mistake.

'Between 12 noon and 3 pm the fighters of Nos 76, 77 and 79 Squadrons RAAF were sent up over Kiriwina to protect the American air escorts which were now arriving back from the mission, but the enemy sent no raiders to molest them' (Air War Against Japan 1943-45, p 92, George Odgers, AWM, 1957).

This is a reference to the first strike on the 12th October, and tends to suggest most, or a substantial number, of the P-38s were refuelling on the homeward leg. The Beaufighters of No 30 Sqn also landed for refuelling.

Re: Kiriwina queries
 

The 12 OCT 1943 the 39th FS was high cover for the B-24, they refuelled at Kiriwina before catching up with the heavies; at 30.000 ft over Rabaul they only had to dodge AAA bursts from 30 min. and got enough gas left to fly the 500 miles to Moresby.
BUT the dog-fighting P-38s emptied their tanks at a faster rate, so all [except in the case mentioned above] of the escort had to land on Kiriwina on the way back.

Looked at the 348th FG history, in OCT-NOV 1943 was active over the northern coast of New-Guinea.
Looked at the 8th history, the 36th FS flew P-47s from OCT 1943, but found no trace of a Rabaul mission.
I see no other 5th AF units with P-47s in OCT-NOV 1943.

Re: Kiriwina queries
 

Thanks for those details re the 12th October.

I found the website below a few days ago which confirmed to my mind that the 348th FG weren't involved in the Rabaul offensive. Someone tell Eric Hammel!!

http://www.ww2f.com/topic/37324-hist...fighter-group/