K  e  n  s  m  e  n   :   4  3  r  d    B  o  m  b    G  r  o  u  p    (H),    5  t  h    A  A  F
 Home > History > The 5th Air Force in WWII > December 1942



Tuesday, 1 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s, B-26s and P-400s pound the Buna area, but Allied ground troops fail in another attempt to capture the village. The Australian 21 Brigade, however, turns back from Giruwa three large groups of Japanese reinforcements destined for Gona, then attacks and takes Gona, forcing the enemy back to Gona Mission for a final stand. In Australia, HQ 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group  with C-47s is established at Brisbane upon arrival from the US. A detachment has been operating from Cairns since 1 November and will remain there until 10 December.

Wednesday, 2 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s, B-17s, B-25s and P-400s attack four destroyers off Guna and Gona, and the airfield and positions in the Buna area and between Watutu Point and Cape Killerton. As a result of this attack, the destroyers, originally bound for Gona with 800 reinforcements, lands the troops near the mouth of the Kumment River twelve miles to the north.  After a bombardment of Gona, Allied ground forces attack in strength but are again halted short of the village.

Thursday, 3 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and P-400s bomb and strafe Sanananda Point and the Buna areas and attack a small torpedo boat in Dyke Acland Bay.  During the night of 3/4 Dec, B-17s bomb airfields at Lae and Salamaua. On the ground, the US roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda trail remains precarious as the Japanese maintain attacks from all sides and hold off US reinforcements. In the Bismarck Archipelago, a lone B-17s attacks a submarine 75 miles southeast of Rabaul, New Britain Island.

Friday, 4 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s pound the Buna area. Allied ground forces again fail to take the village, but some elements push to within 50 yards of Buna, some break through to the sea, and others invest the west bank of Entrance Creek; Buna is thus completely isolated. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s bomb Kavieng Airfield on New Ireland Island.

Sunday, 6 December, 1942

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb Lakunai Airfield and the town of Rabaul on New Britain Island. In New Guinea, B-25s bomb Lae Airfield.

Monday, 7 December, 1942

In New Guinea, B-25s pound the area around Buna as ground forces attack the village and clear a trench at the southern edge; B-25s also hit the airfield at Lae. B-17s attack a wrecked vessel off Gona and a tanker off  Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

Tuesday, 8 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s pound AA positions at Buna and the area around Buna Mission and Cape Endaiadere as ground forces attack bunker positions on the southern end of Buna. P-38s hit a wrecked vessel off Gona. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s bomb the airfield on Gasmata Island, off the southern coast of New Britain. Six destroyers carrying troops to reinforce the Buna-Gona, New Guinea beachhead are bombed by B-17s and a lone B-24 and turn back to Rabaul, New Britain Island.

Wednesday, 9 December, 1942

In New Guinea, B-26s pound the Buna area as ground forces prepare for the final assault on the village. P-40s hit the area along the Sanananda-Soputa trail. In nearby Gona, following air and artillery bombardment, Australian forces overcome resistance, taking the village in hand-to-hand combat.

Thursday, 10 December, 1942

The detachment of the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group with C-47s operating from Cairns, Queensland, Australia returns to their base at Brisbane, New South Wales preparatory to moving to New Guinea.

Friday, 11 December, 1942

In New Guinea, B-26s bomb the airfield and targets of opportunity in the Buna area while B-25s and B-26s attack the Lae Airfield.

Saturday, 12 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe barges off Sanananda Point while B-17s bomb the airfields at Lae and Salamaua.

Sunday, 13 December, 1942

In New Guinea, a Japanese convoy of five destroyers is detected off Madang, as it attempts to bring in reinforcements for the beachhead in the Buna area. B-17s and B-24s attack as it moves south but fail to deter its progress. Meanwhile A-20s bomb and strafe the Cape Killerton area while B-17s bomb the Salamaua area. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-26s hit the airfield on Gasmata Island.

Monday, 14 December, 1942

In New Guinea, the five Japanese troop-carrying destroyers attack by Fifth Air Force aircraft yesterday, reach the mouth of the Mambare River and unload without being detected. However, medium and light bombers and fighters, along with Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, subsequently deliver damaging blows against these troops and their supplies and also hit forces along the Kumusi River in the Cape Endaiadere area and along the Mambare River. The five destroyers are attacked off Cape Ward Hunt by medium and heavy bombers. Attacks are also carried out agains the Lae Airfield and the airfield on Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago. On the ground, American troops capture Buna.

Tuesday, 15 December 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s hit Japanese forces along the Mambare River while a B-24 bombs a wrecked ship at Gona.

Wednesday, 16 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s and B-26s hit forces in the Buna area and at the mouth of the Kumusi River, and strafe barges on the lagoon shoreline south of the Kumusi's mouth. Meanwhile, B-24s attack a wreck off Gona, a cargo vessel in the Bismarck Sea, and a destroyer, two cargo ships and two tankers in the Solomon Sea, southeast of Cape Orford.

Thursday, 17 December, 1942

In New Guinea, B-26s bomb Buna Mission while US ground forces make fruitless attacks on the Triangle now dubbed "Bloody Triangle."

Friday, 18 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s hit positions at Kurenada in the Cape Endaiadere area while Allied ground forces launch a concerted assault. B-17s attack a convoy in Astrolabe Bay off Madang, while B-24s bomb the Alexishafen area and other B-24s bomb the airfield at Lae and attack the convoy off Madang and a transport northwest of Lorengau.

Saturday, 19 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s hit the Buna Mission area in which Australian forces attacking The Triangle are halted by fierce crossfire. B-17s and B-24s attack warships, transports and cargo vessels off Madang in Astrolabe Bay and north northwest of Finschhafen off the coast of Huon Peninsula. Meanwhile, B-25 bomb the Lae Airfield.

Sunday, 20 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s pound Giropa Point and the area around Buna Mission near which are located strong bunker positions. After preparatory bombardment Australian forces again assault the positions, attacking twice under cover of smoke, but are beaten back. A decision is made to bypass The Triangle.

Monday, 21 December, 1942

In New Guinea, B-17s attack vessels in Finschhafen harbor while B-24s carry out single-bomber strikes on a cargo ship north of Finschhafen and barges at the mouth of the Mambare River and off Cape Ward Hunt.

Tuesday, 22 December, 1942

In New Guinea, B-25s bomb Maimba mission and the village near Buna when Japanese ground forces continue to resist stubbornly; B-17s hit a ship in the harbor at Arawe. In the Bismarck Archipelago, a single B-24 attacks a transport off Gasmata Island.

Wednesday, 23 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe troops near Gona and at Woiba Islands while B-24s attack a cargo ship at Arawe. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25s bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield on New Britain Island and attack a ship at Pilelo Island. B-24s carry out single-bomber attacks on a transport west southwest of Cape Orford, a vessel northwest of Lorengau and the Cape Gloucester Airfield.

Thursday, 24 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe troops near Kel Kel and along the northern bank of the Amboga River and trail. B-24s, operating singly, bomb Lae, a schooner in Vitiaz Strait, and the harbor at Arawe. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s and B-24s hit shipping and the airfield at Gasmata Island.

Friday, 25 December, 1942

In the Bismarck Archipelago, a B-17 attacks a submarine in Wide Bay off New Britain; one B-24 attacks runways at Cape Gloucester Airfield. In New Guinea, a B-24 bombs Lae.

Saturday, 26 December, 1942

In the Bismarck Archipelago, heavy bombers carry out single-bomber attacks against Cape Gloucester Airfield on New Britain Island and attack shipping off New Britain. In New Guinea, heavy bombers carry out single-bomber attacks against Finschhafen and Madang. Japanese aircraft from Rabaul, New Britain Island attack Doboduru but are driven off by US fighters.

Sunday, 27 December, 1942

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s pound shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island. In New Guinea, B-26s hit targets in the Gona area while a single B-24 hits the runway at Finschhafen. In their first significant action in the Pacific, a dozen P-38s of the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group engage some 24 Japanese aircraft, claiming nine Zekes and two Vals shot down for one P-38 damaged.

Monday, 28 December, 1942

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24 bomb Rabaul on New Britain Island and Gasmata Island. In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Lae. HQ, 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group with C-47s, moves from Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Tuesday, 29 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe forces and occupied areas at Lokanu and along the west bank of the Amboga River while B-24s carry out single-bomber attacks on the Lae Airfield. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s also carry out single-bomber attacks on the airfield on Gasmata Island.

Wednesday, 30 December, 1942

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bombs shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island. In New Guinea, A-20s strafe forces in the Duvira Creek area while B-24s carry out single-bomber attacks on the airfield at Lae, Madang Village, and troops and vehicles at Wewak. A B-17 strafes a schooner in Jacquinot Bay.

Thursday, 31 December, 1942

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe forces in the Sanananda and Giruwa area and along the Amboga River. B-26s pound forces on the north shore of the Markham River near its mouth, while A-20s strafe parked aircraft at Lae In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s operating singly, bomb the airfield on Gasmata Island and attack shipping in Wide Bay and Saint George Channel.