[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Other sources, do indeed say it was on the 28th February, 1944:

1/
Having top fighter aces on the Fifth Fighter Command staff proved handy in late February. On February 28th Fifth Air Force Decoders intercepted a Japanese radio message stating that a transport aircraft carrying VIPs would soon be landing at Wewak in New Guinea.

Dick (Bong), and Tom Lynch were called in, hurriedly briefed and scrambled to make the intercept. With their throttles wide open the two Lightnings raced to the Wewak area only to discover that the transport, ahead of schedule, was already in the landing pattern! The after-action report filed by Dick and Lynch reported what transpired:

"At 6:10 p.m. sighted a Betty landing on Wewak Drome. Both planes dove down from 9,000 feet and made a pass. The flight leader made his pass while the plane was still taxiing down the runway with unobserved results. The wingman, Captain Bong, strafed the plane after it stopped, causing it to burst into flames. No one was seen to leave the plane before or after it caught fire. The Betty appeared to be unarmed as no rear gunner was visible. 60-70 Japs, who were believed to be a reception committee for high officials arriving on the Betty, were seen running for cover as the planes came down to make their pass. A/A intense, medium, accurate as to altitude - bursts behind the plane."

The statement about high-ranking officials on board the Betty proved correct. Subsequent radio messages between Wewak and Tokyo confirmed that the Betty had been ferrying a Major General, a Brigadier and various staff officers.

2/
APPENDIX B. Combat Record of Major Richard I. Bong.

SECOND TOUR: February 1944 - April 1944.

2/28/44 - Wewak, N.G.
1 Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Destroyed (GROUND KILL).

P-38J-15-LO "Marge" - s/n. 42-103993.

See:

Ace of Aces:The Dick Bong Story.
Bong,Carl & Mike O'Connor.
Mesa:Champlin Museum Press,1985.
1/ p./72
2/ pp.141-2

Col.