This pic of an early Beaufighter just looks modern and lethal.
Bristol 156 Beaufighter
Bristol's heavily armed night fighter and anti-shipping strike aircraft.www.baesystems.com
Modern surely, lethal.. i don't see weapons
Beaufighter vs. Axis fighters
- Thread starter tomo pauk
- Start date
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Modern surely, lethal.. i don't see weapons
Admiral Beez
Captain
Aren't there four 20 mm cannons visible underneath?
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
R2052 is one of the first four Beaufighter (Bristol 156) prototypes.
It was unarmed in that 1939 photo.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
To follow up on this, the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War posted this vid today about the Bismarck Sea battle, with Jon Parshall co-hosting. Definitely worth the time.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czhxNsfGRrc
Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
25 minutes in, and this is one of the best WW2 aviation discussions I've seen on youtube. Subscribing!
Thumpalumpacus
Major
A lot of the general facts about this battle have been known, but the way they get into the weeds is great.
Most of their stuff is not aviation-related, but their episode on the Cactus Air Force is relevant to this forum if not this thread, and informative as well.
Reluctant Poster
Staff Sergeant
- 1,383
- Dec 6, 2006
I hate to nit pik (that's not true) but their descriptions of the Beaufighter and B-25 contain several factual errors. EG the RAAF Beaufighters did not have Merlin engines. The B-25 of that vintage didn't have a tail gun position, although it is possible that that may have been a field mod on some B-25s.
Geoffrey Sinclair
Staff Sergeant
- 785
- Sep 30, 2021
RAAF Chiefs of Staff Reports. The Battle of the Bismarck Sea reports, see if you can figure out what really happened. Extracts from report for week ending 5 March 1943.
For 2 March 1943
6 RAAF Boston, Lae Aerodrome, 12x500 and 12x250 pound from 50 to 100 feet and 1,200 to 1,500 feet, all bombs on strip and dispersal areas, A/A and M/G positions strafed with 2,175 rounds of 0.5 and 2,525 of 0.3 inch rounds. 1 M/G probably silenced, no interception.
2 B-24, light cruiser and 4,000 tons cargo ship North of New Britain, 12x1000 pound from 7,000 feet, no hits, 1 Zero intercepted.
8 B-17, convoy 23 miles north by east of Cape Gloucester, 30x1,000 pound from 5 to 8,000 feet, 5 hits on 10,000 ton transport enveloped it in smoke, near miss on 5,000 ton cargo ship caused flames from forward hatch, 1 direct hit on 6/8,000 ton cargo ship split it in two and it sank within 2 minutes, 4 to 12 Zeros intercepted, 3 Zeros probably shot down.
1 B-24, cargo ship at Wide Bay (east coast new Britain) and Lae Aerodrome, 6x500 pound from 4,000 to 20,000 feet, direct hit on 100 foot cargo ship with exploded and sank. Jetty at Wide bay also damaged. Bombs at Lae 100 yards NE of runway, no interception.
16 P-38, 50 miles WNW Arawe, interception by 3 type 1 single seat fighters, 2 (destroyed?)
6 B-17, convoy off North coast new Britain, 16x1,000 pound from 5,000 to 7,000 feet, 1 bomb fell within 40 feet of a cruiser, no hits. Results partly observed due to weather. Strafed with 1,500 rounds of 0.5 and 800 of 0.3 inch, interception by 6 type 1 single seat fighters and 6 mark II Zeros.
11 B-17, convoy 5 degrees 30 minutes South, 147 degrees 35 minutes East (16 miles WNW Umboi Island), 44x1,000 pound from 4,700 to 5,600 feet. 1 hit on bow of 6,000 ton cargo ship, 1 near miss on stern of 6,000 to 7,000 ton cargo ship. Interception by 15 to 20 fighters, 2 Zero, 1 type 1 single seat fighter destroyed,
9 B-17, convoy 5 degrees 5 minutes South, 147 degrees 30 minutes East (in Vitiaz Strait), 29x1,000 pound from 4,500 to 7,800 feet, 2 near misses 8,000 to 10,000 ton cargo ship which stopped immediately. 2 direct hits on 5,000 to 6,000 ton cargo ship which was left sinking, other results not observed. Interception by 15 to 18 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters. 1 Zero destroyed, 1 aircraft probably destroyed, 2 damaged.
For 3 March 1943.
1 RAAF Catalina, convoy 6 degrees 13 minutes South, 140 degrees 2 minutes East (20 miles south of east point of Umboi Island), 2x250 pound anti submarine, 4x250 pound GP from 4,000 feet, 4 bombs fell 50 yards to port of cruiser. Others at unidentified ships, 1 missed, other results not observed. No interception.
4 RAAF Bostons (3 attacked), Lae aerodrome, 6x250 pound GP and 6x500 pound, 2 of each 11 seconds delay 50 MTO from 1,000 feet, results not observed, no interception.
7 B-17, convoy off Lae, 24x1,000 pound. Direct hit on 5,000 to 6,000 ton vessel, direct hit on bow 6 to 7,000 ton cargo ship. Interception by 15 to 18 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters. 7 Zeros destroyed, 1 probably destroyed.
9 P-38, Lae, intercepted by 3 or more type 1 single seat fighters.
6 B-17, convoy off Lae, 24x1,000 pound from 7,000 feet. One possible hit at water line 5,000 ton cargo ship and 1 near miss, 2 hits on 7,000 ton cargo vessel which sank. Interception by 8 to 10 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters, 5 destroyed, 1 damaged.
4 B-17, convoy off Lae, 16x1,000 pound from 6,500 to 7,500 feet, 4 near misses. Interception by 15 probable Zero mark II, 5 type 0 mark II single seat fighter (Zero mark II) destroyed.
14 P-40, Lae aerodrome, 8x300 pound, results not observed. Interception by 9 enemy fighters, 4 destroyed, 3 probably destroyed.
1 B-24, Gasmata, South coast New Britain, intercepted by 4 Zeros, 1 probably destroyed.
7 B-25 Toeal (Kai Island), 17x500 pound GP, 722x4 pound incendiary, all bombs fell in target area. Large quantities of smoke like petrol dump fire. No interception.
6 RAAF Hudson, Dobo Town (Aroe Island), 16x250 pound GP, 8x100 pound anti submarine, 195x4 pound incendiary, 15x25 pound incendiary from 20 to 2,000 feet. Fires started, strafed plantation. Interception by 1 type 97 Medium Bomber.
15 P-40, Lae aerodrome, 30x300 pound, results not observed. Interception by 5 to 7 Zeros, 2 destroyed.
13 RAAF Beaufighters, Lae Convoy, no bombs, strafed 4 ships with 2,000 rounds of 20mm and 10,000 of 0.303 inch, 3 ships left burning, interception by 3 Zeros.
12 A-20, Lae Convoy, 20x500 pound from masthead height, 2 hits on 6,000 ton cargo ship causing smoke and flames, 3 hits on 6,000 ton cargo ship, smoke, flames and explosion. 1 hit on 10,000 ton cargo ship which was also strafed. 2 hits on 100 to 150 foot vessel which was sunk, 1 hit each on two 6,000 ton ships, smoke and flames, 1 hit on 6,000 to 8,000 ton vessel causing smoke and flames. Intercepted by 3 Zeros.
16 P-38 Lae, intercepted by 20-25 Type 0 mark II single seat fighters, Zero mark II, and type 1 single seat fighters. 5 Zeros, 3 type 1 and 1 unidentified aircraft destroyed, 3 damaged.
12 B-25, Convoy off Lae, 33x500 pound from masthead height, direct hit on destroyer which was sunk. 2 direct hits on 4,000 to 5,000 ton ship which sank, direct hit on 8,000 ton transport which was left burning, 2 hits on 4,000 to 5,000 ton ship which stopped and began to settle. Hit on 3,000 ton cargo causing thick black smoke, 2 hits on 5,000 ton ship, 1 hit on 6,000 to 8,000 ton transport, 2 hits on large destroyer. Interception by 10 fighters.
8 B-17, Convoy off Lae, 32x1,000 pound from 6,500 to 7,500 feet, 2 hits on 5,000 to 6,000 ton ship, explosion and fire, gradually sinking, Life boats strafed, direct hit on stern of destroyer, smoke and flames. Interception by 20 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters. 2 type 1 destroyed, 1 Zero probably destroyed.
1 B-17, Convoy Huon Gulf, 4x1,000 pound from 7,000 feet, destroyer hit with 2 bombs, stopped and burned, strafed with 2,500x0.5 inch rounds small boats and Japanese in the water.
6 B-25, Convoy 7 degrees South, 148 degrees East (70 miles ESE Lae), 19x500 pound from 3,000 to 6,000 feet, hit on 6,000 to 8,000 ton cargo ship later seen sinking. Interception by 5 Zeros and 1 possible type 1 single seat fighter. 1 Zero probably destroyed.
5 B-17, Convoy off Lae, 20x1,000 pound from 5,000 feet, direct hits on destroyer and cargo ship, causing fire strafed with 7,600 rounds of 0.5 and 2,000 of 0.3 inch, cargo ships, lifeboats and Japanese. Interception by 15-20 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters, 3 aircraft destroyed.
14 B-25 (13 attacked), convoy 7 degrees 15 minutes South, 148 degrees 15 minutes East (East of Huon Gulf), 35x500 and 30x500 pound from 200 to 5,300 feet. 3 cargo ships hit, 1 of which exploded, transports strafed with 770 rounds of 0.5 and 475 of 0.3 inch. No interception.
1 B-24, ships 7 degrees 10 minutes South, 148 degrees 20 minutes East (East of Huon Gulf), 6x500 pound from 6,100 feet, 6 bombs at large destroyer or cruiser, results not observed, strafed with 100 rounds of 0.5 and 100 rounds of 0.3 inch. Interception by 8 Zeros and 2 type 97 Medium Bombers, 1 Zero damaged.
1 B-17, 7 degrees 15 minutes South, 148 degrees 30 minutes East, intercepted by 2 fighters.
6 B-25 (5 attacked), Destroyer 67 miles east of Lae, 23x500 pound from 5,500 feet, 4 direct hits, listed to port and smoke seen. Interception by 3 to 4 Zeros. Damage to enemy aircraft not reported.
13 B-25 (9 attacked), convoy Lae, 25x500 pound, 20x500 pound delay from 4,800 and 200 feet, 3 hits on destroyer burning and exploded, 3 hits on another destroyers, 4 hits on third destroyer, 2 close misses on large cargo vessel. Strafed life rafts with 1,425 rounds of 0.5 and 135 rounds of 0.3 inch. Interception by 8 to 15 type 1 single seat fighters. Damage to enemy aircraft not reported.
10 B-25 (8 attacked), convoy Lae, 24x500 pound from minimum altitude, 4 hits on large destroyer which was left burning, 4 hits on another destroyer, left sinking, hit on cargo vessel. Lifeboats strafed with 15,000 rounds of 0.5 inch. Interception by 17 Zeros, 1 probably destroyed.
5 RAAF Boston, convoy Lae, 10x250 pound SAP, 10x500 pound GP from 1,200 to 2,000 feet, 2 direct hits on destroyer, left possibly sinking. No interception.
5 RAAF Boston Intercepted by 3 Zeros, location and damage to enemy not reported.
7 P-38, east of Salamaua, Interception by 15-20 type 1 single seat fighters and Zeros, 4 Zeros destroyed, 3 aircraft damaged.
1 B-24, Finschhafen, intercepted by 2 Zeros.
1 B-17, Lae, intercepted by 20 type 1 single seat fighters, 4 destroyed.
8 P-40, Lae, Interception by 10 to 15 Zero mark II, 2 destroyed, 2 probably destroyed.
3 B-17, Lae, 3 type 1 single seat fighters, 1 Zero mark II, damage to enemy aircraft not reported.
Resume of air operations for week.
Reported bomber and fighter strafing sorties totalled 306 (60 RAAF). The primary target was the enemy convoy which was first attacked North East of Cape Gloucester and was then followed to Huon Gulf and dispersed. On the 2nd March 3 ships were sunk and on the 3rd March 3 warships and 10 cargo ships or transports were destroyed and 3 damaged. On the 4th March the only ships visible in the area were two destroyers which were attacked, direct hits being obtained. The convoy when first attacked consisted of 14 ships and 7 ships subsequently joined the convoy at various times. Reports to date state that a total of 3 warships and 15 large cargo ships or transports were sunk and 1 light cruiser and 1 destroyer damaged.
Catalina (1 sortie) attacked pre dawn with unobserved results. Beauforts (9 sorties) attacked without results. Beaufighters (24 sorties) set 3 ships afire and destroyed 3 fighters on the ground at Malahang. Bostons (20 sorties) scored direct hits on ships and also made diversionary attacks on fighters at Lae.
Bostons (6 sorties) also successfully bombed and strafed enemy troops and installations in the Mubo area.
Reported Fifth Air Force sorties against the convoy totalled 153 and results were excellent. Co-ordination between B-17 and B-25 was particularly successful Attacks were also made by the Fifth Air Force on shipping at Wewak and aerodromes at Lae, Salamaua, Gasmata and Finschhafen were successfully bombed and strafed.
Bombs dropped totalled 245 tons.
Extract from report for week ending 12 March 1943, some operations not previously mentioned
2 March 1943
1 B-17 Lae convoy, no bombs dropped, intercepted by 5 to 10 Zero, Zero mark II or type 1 single seat fighter and possible type Fw190 single seat fighters, 1 Zero probably destroyed.
8 RAAF Beauforts (2 attacked), ships Lae Convoy, 1 torpedo from 200 feet, 1 aircraft attacked stationary warship but no hits, another attempted attack on merchant vessel, torpedo failed to release, target strafed with 1,000 rounds of 0.3 inch, no interception.
3 March 1943,
1 B-24, Lae convoy, 4x500 pound demolition bombs from 9,500 feet, dropped at cruiser, no hits.
For 2 March 1943
6 RAAF Boston, Lae Aerodrome, 12x500 and 12x250 pound from 50 to 100 feet and 1,200 to 1,500 feet, all bombs on strip and dispersal areas, A/A and M/G positions strafed with 2,175 rounds of 0.5 and 2,525 of 0.3 inch rounds. 1 M/G probably silenced, no interception.
2 B-24, light cruiser and 4,000 tons cargo ship North of New Britain, 12x1000 pound from 7,000 feet, no hits, 1 Zero intercepted.
8 B-17, convoy 23 miles north by east of Cape Gloucester, 30x1,000 pound from 5 to 8,000 feet, 5 hits on 10,000 ton transport enveloped it in smoke, near miss on 5,000 ton cargo ship caused flames from forward hatch, 1 direct hit on 6/8,000 ton cargo ship split it in two and it sank within 2 minutes, 4 to 12 Zeros intercepted, 3 Zeros probably shot down.
1 B-24, cargo ship at Wide Bay (east coast new Britain) and Lae Aerodrome, 6x500 pound from 4,000 to 20,000 feet, direct hit on 100 foot cargo ship with exploded and sank. Jetty at Wide bay also damaged. Bombs at Lae 100 yards NE of runway, no interception.
16 P-38, 50 miles WNW Arawe, interception by 3 type 1 single seat fighters, 2 (destroyed?)
6 B-17, convoy off North coast new Britain, 16x1,000 pound from 5,000 to 7,000 feet, 1 bomb fell within 40 feet of a cruiser, no hits. Results partly observed due to weather. Strafed with 1,500 rounds of 0.5 and 800 of 0.3 inch, interception by 6 type 1 single seat fighters and 6 mark II Zeros.
11 B-17, convoy 5 degrees 30 minutes South, 147 degrees 35 minutes East (16 miles WNW Umboi Island), 44x1,000 pound from 4,700 to 5,600 feet. 1 hit on bow of 6,000 ton cargo ship, 1 near miss on stern of 6,000 to 7,000 ton cargo ship. Interception by 15 to 20 fighters, 2 Zero, 1 type 1 single seat fighter destroyed,
9 B-17, convoy 5 degrees 5 minutes South, 147 degrees 30 minutes East (in Vitiaz Strait), 29x1,000 pound from 4,500 to 7,800 feet, 2 near misses 8,000 to 10,000 ton cargo ship which stopped immediately. 2 direct hits on 5,000 to 6,000 ton cargo ship which was left sinking, other results not observed. Interception by 15 to 18 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters. 1 Zero destroyed, 1 aircraft probably destroyed, 2 damaged.
For 3 March 1943.
1 RAAF Catalina, convoy 6 degrees 13 minutes South, 140 degrees 2 minutes East (20 miles south of east point of Umboi Island), 2x250 pound anti submarine, 4x250 pound GP from 4,000 feet, 4 bombs fell 50 yards to port of cruiser. Others at unidentified ships, 1 missed, other results not observed. No interception.
4 RAAF Bostons (3 attacked), Lae aerodrome, 6x250 pound GP and 6x500 pound, 2 of each 11 seconds delay 50 MTO from 1,000 feet, results not observed, no interception.
7 B-17, convoy off Lae, 24x1,000 pound. Direct hit on 5,000 to 6,000 ton vessel, direct hit on bow 6 to 7,000 ton cargo ship. Interception by 15 to 18 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters. 7 Zeros destroyed, 1 probably destroyed.
9 P-38, Lae, intercepted by 3 or more type 1 single seat fighters.
6 B-17, convoy off Lae, 24x1,000 pound from 7,000 feet. One possible hit at water line 5,000 ton cargo ship and 1 near miss, 2 hits on 7,000 ton cargo vessel which sank. Interception by 8 to 10 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters, 5 destroyed, 1 damaged.
4 B-17, convoy off Lae, 16x1,000 pound from 6,500 to 7,500 feet, 4 near misses. Interception by 15 probable Zero mark II, 5 type 0 mark II single seat fighter (Zero mark II) destroyed.
14 P-40, Lae aerodrome, 8x300 pound, results not observed. Interception by 9 enemy fighters, 4 destroyed, 3 probably destroyed.
1 B-24, Gasmata, South coast New Britain, intercepted by 4 Zeros, 1 probably destroyed.
7 B-25 Toeal (Kai Island), 17x500 pound GP, 722x4 pound incendiary, all bombs fell in target area. Large quantities of smoke like petrol dump fire. No interception.
6 RAAF Hudson, Dobo Town (Aroe Island), 16x250 pound GP, 8x100 pound anti submarine, 195x4 pound incendiary, 15x25 pound incendiary from 20 to 2,000 feet. Fires started, strafed plantation. Interception by 1 type 97 Medium Bomber.
15 P-40, Lae aerodrome, 30x300 pound, results not observed. Interception by 5 to 7 Zeros, 2 destroyed.
13 RAAF Beaufighters, Lae Convoy, no bombs, strafed 4 ships with 2,000 rounds of 20mm and 10,000 of 0.303 inch, 3 ships left burning, interception by 3 Zeros.
12 A-20, Lae Convoy, 20x500 pound from masthead height, 2 hits on 6,000 ton cargo ship causing smoke and flames, 3 hits on 6,000 ton cargo ship, smoke, flames and explosion. 1 hit on 10,000 ton cargo ship which was also strafed. 2 hits on 100 to 150 foot vessel which was sunk, 1 hit each on two 6,000 ton ships, smoke and flames, 1 hit on 6,000 to 8,000 ton vessel causing smoke and flames. Intercepted by 3 Zeros.
16 P-38 Lae, intercepted by 20-25 Type 0 mark II single seat fighters, Zero mark II, and type 1 single seat fighters. 5 Zeros, 3 type 1 and 1 unidentified aircraft destroyed, 3 damaged.
12 B-25, Convoy off Lae, 33x500 pound from masthead height, direct hit on destroyer which was sunk. 2 direct hits on 4,000 to 5,000 ton ship which sank, direct hit on 8,000 ton transport which was left burning, 2 hits on 4,000 to 5,000 ton ship which stopped and began to settle. Hit on 3,000 ton cargo causing thick black smoke, 2 hits on 5,000 ton ship, 1 hit on 6,000 to 8,000 ton transport, 2 hits on large destroyer. Interception by 10 fighters.
8 B-17, Convoy off Lae, 32x1,000 pound from 6,500 to 7,500 feet, 2 hits on 5,000 to 6,000 ton ship, explosion and fire, gradually sinking, Life boats strafed, direct hit on stern of destroyer, smoke and flames. Interception by 20 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters. 2 type 1 destroyed, 1 Zero probably destroyed.
1 B-17, Convoy Huon Gulf, 4x1,000 pound from 7,000 feet, destroyer hit with 2 bombs, stopped and burned, strafed with 2,500x0.5 inch rounds small boats and Japanese in the water.
6 B-25, Convoy 7 degrees South, 148 degrees East (70 miles ESE Lae), 19x500 pound from 3,000 to 6,000 feet, hit on 6,000 to 8,000 ton cargo ship later seen sinking. Interception by 5 Zeros and 1 possible type 1 single seat fighter. 1 Zero probably destroyed.
5 B-17, Convoy off Lae, 20x1,000 pound from 5,000 feet, direct hits on destroyer and cargo ship, causing fire strafed with 7,600 rounds of 0.5 and 2,000 of 0.3 inch, cargo ships, lifeboats and Japanese. Interception by 15-20 Zeros and type 1 single seat fighters, 3 aircraft destroyed.
14 B-25 (13 attacked), convoy 7 degrees 15 minutes South, 148 degrees 15 minutes East (East of Huon Gulf), 35x500 and 30x500 pound from 200 to 5,300 feet. 3 cargo ships hit, 1 of which exploded, transports strafed with 770 rounds of 0.5 and 475 of 0.3 inch. No interception.
1 B-24, ships 7 degrees 10 minutes South, 148 degrees 20 minutes East (East of Huon Gulf), 6x500 pound from 6,100 feet, 6 bombs at large destroyer or cruiser, results not observed, strafed with 100 rounds of 0.5 and 100 rounds of 0.3 inch. Interception by 8 Zeros and 2 type 97 Medium Bombers, 1 Zero damaged.
1 B-17, 7 degrees 15 minutes South, 148 degrees 30 minutes East, intercepted by 2 fighters.
6 B-25 (5 attacked), Destroyer 67 miles east of Lae, 23x500 pound from 5,500 feet, 4 direct hits, listed to port and smoke seen. Interception by 3 to 4 Zeros. Damage to enemy aircraft not reported.
13 B-25 (9 attacked), convoy Lae, 25x500 pound, 20x500 pound delay from 4,800 and 200 feet, 3 hits on destroyer burning and exploded, 3 hits on another destroyers, 4 hits on third destroyer, 2 close misses on large cargo vessel. Strafed life rafts with 1,425 rounds of 0.5 and 135 rounds of 0.3 inch. Interception by 8 to 15 type 1 single seat fighters. Damage to enemy aircraft not reported.
10 B-25 (8 attacked), convoy Lae, 24x500 pound from minimum altitude, 4 hits on large destroyer which was left burning, 4 hits on another destroyer, left sinking, hit on cargo vessel. Lifeboats strafed with 15,000 rounds of 0.5 inch. Interception by 17 Zeros, 1 probably destroyed.
5 RAAF Boston, convoy Lae, 10x250 pound SAP, 10x500 pound GP from 1,200 to 2,000 feet, 2 direct hits on destroyer, left possibly sinking. No interception.
5 RAAF Boston Intercepted by 3 Zeros, location and damage to enemy not reported.
7 P-38, east of Salamaua, Interception by 15-20 type 1 single seat fighters and Zeros, 4 Zeros destroyed, 3 aircraft damaged.
1 B-24, Finschhafen, intercepted by 2 Zeros.
1 B-17, Lae, intercepted by 20 type 1 single seat fighters, 4 destroyed.
8 P-40, Lae, Interception by 10 to 15 Zero mark II, 2 destroyed, 2 probably destroyed.
3 B-17, Lae, 3 type 1 single seat fighters, 1 Zero mark II, damage to enemy aircraft not reported.
Resume of air operations for week.
Reported bomber and fighter strafing sorties totalled 306 (60 RAAF). The primary target was the enemy convoy which was first attacked North East of Cape Gloucester and was then followed to Huon Gulf and dispersed. On the 2nd March 3 ships were sunk and on the 3rd March 3 warships and 10 cargo ships or transports were destroyed and 3 damaged. On the 4th March the only ships visible in the area were two destroyers which were attacked, direct hits being obtained. The convoy when first attacked consisted of 14 ships and 7 ships subsequently joined the convoy at various times. Reports to date state that a total of 3 warships and 15 large cargo ships or transports were sunk and 1 light cruiser and 1 destroyer damaged.
Catalina (1 sortie) attacked pre dawn with unobserved results. Beauforts (9 sorties) attacked without results. Beaufighters (24 sorties) set 3 ships afire and destroyed 3 fighters on the ground at Malahang. Bostons (20 sorties) scored direct hits on ships and also made diversionary attacks on fighters at Lae.
Bostons (6 sorties) also successfully bombed and strafed enemy troops and installations in the Mubo area.
Reported Fifth Air Force sorties against the convoy totalled 153 and results were excellent. Co-ordination between B-17 and B-25 was particularly successful Attacks were also made by the Fifth Air Force on shipping at Wewak and aerodromes at Lae, Salamaua, Gasmata and Finschhafen were successfully bombed and strafed.
Bombs dropped totalled 245 tons.
Extract from report for week ending 12 March 1943, some operations not previously mentioned
2 March 1943
1 B-17 Lae convoy, no bombs dropped, intercepted by 5 to 10 Zero, Zero mark II or type 1 single seat fighter and possible type Fw190 single seat fighters, 1 Zero probably destroyed.
8 RAAF Beauforts (2 attacked), ships Lae Convoy, 1 torpedo from 200 feet, 1 aircraft attacked stationary warship but no hits, another attempted attack on merchant vessel, torpedo failed to release, target strafed with 1,000 rounds of 0.3 inch, no interception.
3 March 1943,
1 B-24, Lae convoy, 4x500 pound demolition bombs from 9,500 feet, dropped at cruiser, no hits.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
This is the one that jumped out at me. After all, the Beaus were called "Whistling Death" and not "Roaring Death"
Shortround6
Major General
Beaufighters had 4 machine guns in one wing and two in the other. The landing light was in only one wing.
It was just about the only airplane to use a different number of guns in each wing (some US Navy single seat night fighters took one gun out of the wing with the radar pod on it).
what is not mentioned was that by 1942 the Beaufighter could hold up to 283 rounds (?) per 20mm cannon in the belt feeds.
It was just about the only airplane to use a different number of guns in each wing (some US Navy single seat night fighters took one gun out of the wing with the radar pod on it).
what is not mentioned was that by 1942 the Beaufighter could hold up to 283 rounds (?) per 20mm cannon in the belt feeds.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
Yabut, how many Youtube followers do you have, Mr Smarty-Pants?
Shortround6
Major General
I am doing good when I can figure out how to watch Youtube.
Knowing how to read is such a burden.
Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
Very nice, I'm surprised there seem to be fewer Beaufighter sorties than I expected. Also the list doesn't seem to indicate losses, or weren't there any?
Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
I was looking for that clip of the Beaufighter strafing during the Bismarck Sea battle, just the footage not the full propaganda reel. Didn't find it but I ran across this one from the Med which is pretty interesting, and ties into the El Alamein discussion. Crazy how low they were getting and how close they got. Wouldn't want to be in one of those trucks or the boat.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTA7-83GFII
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTA7-83GFII
Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
This is the one that jumped out at me. After all, the Beaus were called "Whistling Death" and not "Roaring Death"
I noticed that too, but I figured it was just a kind of verbal typo. Not super worried about it. I think they covered the key points really well, better than most summaries I've heard or read.
I also agree with them about the horror of shooting helpless people floating in the water and even strafing on the ships, but vis a vis the former, the US Navy claimed anyway that the Japanese troops resisted being rescued and shot at boats coming near them (some allegedly still had weapons with them). I don't know if that's true but I certainly wouldn't rule it out. That war was incredibly nasty especially in this zone. And the Japanese had committed some really ugly atrocities in New Guinea and elsewhere, (torturing prisoners and leaving them on display etc.) apparently in an intentional decision by their leaders to push things in this direction.
The remarkable thing about Bismarck Sea to me is the context. Just a few months earlier the Allies were holding on by their fingernails. Milne Bay was a really close run thing, the Allied air units were all but destroyed in fending off the IJN aircraft, it came down to a few extremely brave and tough pilots (and if they had lost the air battle, the whole thing would have tipped the other way). The poor Aussie militia (their Army being in North Africa) took a heavy toll and suffered brutal privation in fighting off the Japanese army. But they held tough. It was so touch and go, so precarious, conditions so miserable and impossible, and the Japanese were so daunting. Coral Sea was a wrenching struggle too, costly to the USN and they basically fought to a draw. And then just a few months go by hand the air forces have been re-organized incredibly well. Kenny, Pappy Gunn, the Aussie leaders, the Aussie and American aircrews ... all did an incredible job. They went from on the ropes to total KTFO on the Japanese in a very short time period. Milne Bay was eeking out a victory at high cost and just on the margins. Bismarck Sea was a brutal one sided beat down.
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Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
Both the Aussies and US had this culture of tinkering, the whole gear head thing, thinking outside the box, and all of these things came into play here in this big re-organization. The skip-bombing and mast-head bombing, turning the light bombers into strafers, turning fighters into dive bombers, flying boats into torpedo bombers... all of it.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
There's also videos of Coastal Command Beaufighters tearing into German shipping.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
BiffF15 said:
Iris Chang documents several instances of this in her book The Rape of Nanking, including the use of civilians for this "bayonet practice". I think I've read about it as well happening in the Death March, but can't remember author or title.
Amazon link for those interested: Rape of Nanking: Chang, Iris: 8601300280783: Amazon.com: Books
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Reluctant Poster
Staff Sergeant
- 1,383
- Dec 6, 2006
If you can't take them prisoner you kill them. That has been a part of warfare for a long long time. War isn't about destroying machines it's about incapacitating the enemies able bodied young men until they run out of them. Blinding them was another option.
The other popular option was starving the entire enemy population. Machines are a means to the end.
