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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.
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