Fortress Rabaul: The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942-April 1943

by Bruce Gamble

  MacArthur’s reluctance to leave the Philippines: Manchester, pp. 252–54.

  MacArthur’s request for three B-17s: Ibid., p. 265.

  Leary’s reply, including I’d like to help you… : Ibid.

  First attempt to rescue MacArthur: Salaker, p. 153.

  Loss of Godwin’s bomber: Ibid., pp. 154–55.

  PT boat rescue of MacArthur and his party: Manchester, pp. 258–64.

  MacArthur’s message to Washington: Ibid.

  Second attempt to rescue MacArthur’s party: Salaker, pp. 155–57.

  I came through… : Manchester, p. 271.

  Status of U.S. Army aerial forces: Craven & Cate, Plans & Operations, pp. 410–11.

  a P-40 with a Zero on its tail: Guttman, “Defending Port Moresby,” Aviation History, Sep. 2002, p. 39.

  God have mercy on us!: James, The Years of MacArthur, 1941–1945, p. 109; also Manchester, p. 270.

  Invasion of Lae and Salamaua: Bullard, pp. 47–48; also Monograph No. 120, pp. 7–8.

  Counterattack by Hudsons and B-17s: Gillison, p. 455; also Steinbinder diary, Mar. 8, 1942.

  Planning for carrier strike on Lae, including We had little information… : Sherman, pp. 85–86.

  Details of Lae/Salamaua raid and claims by carrier pilots: Office of Naval Intelligence, Early Raids in the Pacific Ocean, pp. 62–67; also Lundstrom, pp. 130–32.

  Praise from Roosevelt and pilot awards: Gillison, p. 456; also Johnson, Queen of the Flattops, p. 91.

  Japanese losses at Lae: Lundstrom, p. 131; also Prados, Combined Fleet Decoded, p. 241.

  B-17 raid on Rabaul and experience of DuBose’s crew: Steinbinder diary, Mar. 18, 1942.

  Dispute between Carmichael and Fesmire: Mitchell, On Wings We Conquer, p. 102.

  Chapter 12: The Last Outpost

  Presumed fall of New Guinea: Mainichi Daily News, Mar. 14, 1942, p. 1.

  Example of “victory disease”: Ugaki, Fading Victory, pp. 118–20. On May 4, 1942, just as the Battle of the Coral Sea was starting, Ugaki wrote that he was “a bit tired after a week of continuous conferences starting with the war lessons, table maneuvers, and briefings” related to the next operation, the invasion of Midway.

  Hectic pace of New Guinea aerial operations: Monograph No. 120, pp. 8–10; also Bullard, pp. 53–56.

  Every afternoon and every night… : White, Green Armor, p. 55.

  Stamina of Catalina crews, including Repeatedly I saw them come in… : Ibid., p. 56.

  Monotonous diet at Port Moresby: Steinbinder diary, May 5, 1942.

  officers would be permitted… : White, p. 56.

  Neverhawks and Tomorrowhawks: Ibid.

  Background of 75 Squadron personnel: Wilson, Seek and Strike, pp. 1–4.

  Japanese reconnaissance crew over Port Moresby: Tagaya, p. 39.

  Steinbinder’s observations: Personal diary, Mar. 21, 1942.

  75 Squadron’s first combat: Wilson, pp. 13–14.

  Garrison’s euphoria, including We onlookers… : White, p. 75.

  75 Squadron’s first raid on Lae: Wilson, pp. 14–17; also Tagaya, correspondence with author, Jan. 8, 2006.

  Follow-up attack on Lae by B-17s: Gillison, p. 461.

  Acknowledgment of damage by the Japanese: Bullard, p. 54.

  Eventual return of Wackett: Wilson, pp. 20–21.

  Retaliatory attack on Port Moresby: Ibid., p. 18.

  Profile of Squadron Leader Jackson and his decision to stay at Moresby: Ibid., pp. 3–4, 18.

  4th Air Group’s attrition and claims: Monograph No. 120, p. 10.

  Chapter 13: New Guinea Interlude

  Recollection of voyage aboard Maui: Operational History, 80th Fighter Squadron, p. 1.

  22nd Bomb Group’s arrival in Australia: Hickey et al., Revenge of the Red Raiders, pp. 42–49.

  Arrival of 3rd Bomb Group: Operational History, 8th Bomb Squadron, p. 3.

  First A-24 raid on Lae: Ibid., pp. 3–4; also Wilson, p. 25.

  Jackson’s solo raid and fighter sweep on Lae: Wilson, p. 26.

  Japanese retaliatory raid on Moresby: Ibid., p. 27.

  I feel that this is going to be disastrous… : Steinbinder diary, Apr. 5, 1942.

  B-25 raid on Gasmata: New Guinea Force War Diary, Apr. 6, 1942; also Claringbould, Forty of the Fifth, p. 5.

  B-17 portion of attack on Rabaul: Steinbinder diary, Apr. 6, 1942.

  Developmental history of B-26: Watkins, interview with author. Dec. 18, 2003.

  B-26 segment of attack: Hickey et al., p. 63; also Operational History, 22nd Bomb Group, The Marauder, p. 23.

  Ditching of Liberty Belle and crew rescue: Hickey et al., pp. 63–66.

  the other 69 bombs… : Steinbinder diary, Apr. 6, 1942.

  75 Squadron’s interception on Apr. 6, 1942: Wilson, pp. 28–29.

  B-26 attack on Rabaul, Apr. 9, 1942: Hickey et al., pp. 67–69.

  Assessment of attack by Kanazawa: Bullard, p. 56.

  Two truckloads of bodies… : Hutchinson-Smith, “Guests of the Samurai,” p. 28.

  Details of B-26 attack on Rabaul, Apr. 11, 1942: Hickey et al., pp. 69–70.

  Effort to sink Kasuga Maru: Ibid., pp. 71–72.

  Chapter 14: Wild Eagles

  Background of Tainan Air Group: Hata & Izawa, pp. 132–34.

  Popularization of “Wild Eagles” in Japanese media: Tagaya, correspondence with author, Nov. 18, 2005.

  Composition of 25th Air Flotilla: Monograph No. 120, pp. 12–13.

  Description of unpleasant voyage to Rabaul: Sakai, Samurai!, p. 92.

  Background of Komaki Maru: Cundall, correspondence with author, Feb. 4, 2004.

  B-26 attack on Komaki Maru: Hickey et al., p. 74.

  A few seconds later… : Hutchinson-Smith, p. 18.

  Our antiaircraft guns… : Quoted in Intelligence Bulletin Vol. I, No. 6, p. 18.

  Background of Captain Garnett and crew: Hickey et al., pp. 46–47; also Reed, interview with author, Mar. 21, 2008.

  I was the engineer… : Reed, interview with author.

  We couldn’t get away… : Ibid.

  Background of Lieutenant Junior Grade Sasai: Sakaida, Imperial Japanese Navy Aces, pp. 36–37.

  Downing of Garnett’s bomber: Reed, interview with author

  Capture of Reed and Lutz: Ibid.

  Diary entry of unnamed Kempeitai officer: AWM 55 (12/140).

  He had a riding crop… : Reed, interview with author.

  Casualties aboard Komaki Maru: Hickey et al., p. 75.

  Observations by Japanese witnesses: Quoted in Intelligence Bulletin Vol. 1, No. 6, p. 19.

  They must all be very happy… : Ibid.

  We swooped down… : Sakai, p. 110.

  Details of air battle over Port Moresby on Apr. 24, 1942: Wilson, p. 38.

  Crash of B-17 into Mt. Obree: Salaker, p. 170.

  75 Squadron’s struggles, including loss of Jackson: Wilson, pp. 39–42.

  Attack by B-17s on Hirohito’s birthday and retaliatory strafing raid: Sakai, pp. 111–12.

  Arrival of P-39s and last action of 75 Squadron: Wilson, pp. 43–46.

  Chapter 15: MO: The Offensive Blunted

  Japanese plans for invasion of Port Moresby: Rottman, Japanese Army, Conquest 1941–42, p. 21.

  Background of JN-25 code and its compromise: Prados, pp. 80, 305.

  Analysis of Japanese plans for MO Operation: Ibid., pp. 301–2.

  Japanese order of battle: Monograph No.120, p. 12; also Bullard, pp. 65–68.

  Positioning of Lexington and Yorktown task forces: Lundstrom, pp. 178–82.

  Marauder attacks on Rabaul: Hickey et al., p. 87.

  Loss of Herron and Gurney: Ibid., pp. 87–88.

  Catalina operations and heavy losses: Riddell, p. 24. Some accounts have erroneously reported that Cpl. A. H. Lanagan died of wounds on May 4, but in fact all nine crewmembers were captured alive and taken to Rabaul. Executed six months later, they were buried in a common grave. Their remains were positively identified after th
e war.

  Fletcher’s carrier raid on the Tulagi Invasion Force: Office of Naval Intelligence, The Battle of the Coral Sea, pp. 5–9.

  B-26 attack on Rabaul, May 4, 1942: Hickey et al., pp. 88–89.

  Observations of Australian POWs: Bowman, Not Now Tomorrow, p. 82.

  Three B-17s came in… : Steinbinder diary, May 7, 1942.

  We couldn’t hit the side of a barn…”: Carmichael oral history, p. 93.

  Narrative of opening phases of Coral Sea battle: Office of Naval Intelligence, pp. 13–19.

  Maj. Teats’s recollections of B-17 attack: Teats, Coral Sea B-17s, 19th Bomb Group CD.

  Kobayashi’s search for the fleet: Tagaya, p. 41; also 25th Air Flotilla war diary, May 7, 1942.

  a formation of 10 or 12 single engine monoplanes… : Office of Naval Intelligence, p. 53.

  G4M torpedo attacks on Allied cruiser formation: Ibid., pp. 53–56; also Lundstrom, pp. 208–9.

  bunched together and flying very low: Smyth, A Coral Sea Eyewitness Account.

  4th Air Group losses: Tagaya, p. 41; also 25th Air Flotilla war diary, May 7, 1942.

  Attack on the Allied cruiser force by G3Ms: 25th Air Flotilla war diary, May 7, 1942.

  Erroneous damage claims by the Japanese: Ibid.

  Mistaken attack on the cruiser force by B-17s: Office of Naval Intelligence, p. 55.

  Failed evening attack by Japanese carrier planes on May 7: Lundstrom, pp. 209–20.

  Dismay of Combined Fleet Staff: Ugaki, p. 122.

  Outcome of carrier battle, May 8: Lundstrom, pp. 277–82.

  Exaggerated claims by Japanese: Osaka Mainichi, May 9, 1942.

  Subsequent actions by Japanese commanders: Ugaki, p. 124.

  Ugaki’s concerns, including the past weakness: Ibid., p. 125.

  Japan take Moresby… : Quoted in Bowman, p. 83.

  The ships that came into focus… : Ibid., pp. 83–84.

  How differently they returned… : Hutchinson-Smith, p. 41.

  Imperial rescript to Yamamoto: Osaka Mainichi, May 12, 1942, p. 1.

  Propaganda speech by Captain Hiraide: Ibid.

  fairly big sacrifices: Ugaki, p. 126.

  For a while we’ll have everything… Yamamoto, quoted in Agawa, p. 292.

  Chapter 16: Guests of the Emperor

  Arrest of the Harvey family, including The Japanese herded them… : Hutchinson-Smith, pp. 31–32.

  Trial and execution of Harvey family: AWM 54 (1010/9/22), statements of Daizo Hamada (rank unknown), WO Minoru Yoshimura, and Capt. Shojiro Mizusaki.

  Status of eleven-year-old Richard Harvey: roll-of-honour.org.uk/civilians/html. There are unconfirmed rumors of Australian children as young as seven being murdered by the Japanese, but the government officially recognizes Richard Harvey as the youngest.

  POWs’ concerns about Allied bombing: Hutchinson-Smith, p. 18.

  Delivery of POW letters to Port Moresby: Johnson, Carl, Little Hell, p. 128.

  Prisoners’ reluctance to use air raid shelters: May, Rabaul Story, p. 8.

  Japanese gunners’ excessive shooting: Hutchinson-Smith, pp. 27–28.

  Interrogations of American airmen: Reed, interview with author.

  Phony intelligence provided by Sergeant Lutz: Bullard, pp. 62–63.

  Last B-26 raid on Rabaul: Hickey et al., pp. 96–97.

  Ordeal of Lieutenant Massie’s B-26 crew: Ibid., pp. 96–98, 177, 179.

  The jungle as a desert, lack of sustenance: Feldt, p. 36.

  Strafing of Toboi Wharf: Hutchinson-Smith, p. 19.

  Low-level attack by Suzy-Q: Salaker, p. 202.

  Japanese shipping records: Cundall, correspondence with author. Feb. 4, 2004.

  There is no food left… : Takamura, quoted in AWM 55 (12/140).

  Departure of Lark Force soldiers from camp: Gamble, pp. 233–35.

  Sinking of Montevideo Maru: Ibid., pp. 239–42.

  Transportation of officers and women to Japan: Ibid., pp. 244–47.

  Chapter 17: Fading Glory

  We have lost supremacy… : Quoted in Bullard, pp. 100–1.

  Propaganda by Information Bureau: Osaka Mainichi, June 10, 1942, p. 1.

  Isolation of Japanese wounded: Agawa, p. 322; also Prange et al., pp. 85–87.

  Deliberate cover-up by Information Bureau: Osaka Mainichi, July 21, 1942, p. 2.

  Message from Emperor Hirohito: Agawa.

  Cancellation of FS Operation and aviation assessments: Bullard, pp. 102–3.

  Reduced strength of Tainan Air Group: Hata & Izawa, p. 135.

  Construction and assembly methods of Zero fighter: Akira, Zero Fighter, pp. 137–39.

  Formation of Eighth Fleet: Bullard, p. 106.

  Ri Operation and Great Army Order 1180: Ibid., p. 95.

  Pressure on Port Moresby, July 1942: Monograph No. 120, pp. 53–54.

  Construction of airdromes at Port Moresby: PacificWrecks.org/airfields/Papua New Guinea.

  As the months passed at Lae… : Sakai, p. 121.

  Statistics for Airacobra squadrons: Stanaway & Hickey, Attack and Conquer, pp. 310–11; also Gillison, p. 549.

  Chapter 18: MacArthur’s New Airman

  Distrust of MacArthur by airmen: Griffith, MacArthur’s Airman, p. 57.

  Criticisms of MacArthur and Sutherland by General Brett: Kenney Papers, “Comments of Gen. Brett re personnel, etc.,” undated.

  Brett’s feud with Sutherland, including details of memos: Cox, pp. 53–56.

  Brett’s relationship with Australian political parties: Griffith, pp. 51–52.

  a rather easy-going Air Force officer… : Cox, pp. 59–60.

  either Brett or MacArthur must go: Ibid., p. 57.

  I would prefer Andrews to Brett… : Message, MacArthur to Marshall, June 30, 1942.

  I know intimately all officers named… : MacArthur to Marshall, July 7, 1942.

  Negative response of General Andrews to job offer: Griffith, p. 56.

  Background of General Kenney: Ibid., pp. 1–6.

  a cocky, enthusiastic little man… : Time, Jan. 18, 1943.

  Kenney’s skip-bombing tests with Major Benn: General Kenney Reports, pp. 21–22.

  Arrival of Kenney in Australia and lecture from MacArthur: Kenney diary, July 29, 1942.

  Kenney’s fact-finding visit to Port Moresby, including personnel assessments: Ibid., July 30, 1942.

  Return to Australia and debriefing with MacArthur: Ibid., Aug. 2, 1942.

  Chapter 19: Medal of Honor: Harl Pease Jr.

  Early history of Guadalcanal: Rottman, pp. 98–102, 104–7.

  Japanese development of Guadalcanal: Frank, Guadalcanal, p. 31; also Lord, Lonely Vigil, pp. 19–20.

  Establishment of coastwatchers on Guadalcanal: Lord, pp. 25–28.

  I hope they build a good one… : Quoted in 19th Bomb Group history, p. 53.

  Joint Directive of July 2, 1942: Morton, Strategy and Command, pp. 619–20.

  Operation Watchtower assignments and establishment of boundaries: Frank, pp. 34–35.

  When I told [MacArthur]… : Kenney diary, Aug. 4, 1942.

  Reconnaissance figures for air strength at Rabaul: Kenney diary, Aug. 5, 1942.

  Kenney’s expectations for group commanders: Ibid.

  Japanese discovery of Milne Bay Airdrome, including a great threat: Bullard, p. 127.

  Air strength at Rabaul on Aug. 6, 1942: Monograph No. 121, p. 2.

  Arrival of 2nd Air Group at Rabaul: Hata & Izawa, p. 157.

  Background of Harl Pease Jr.: Mitchell, pp. 125–27.

  Operational details of Aug. 7 mission to Rabaul: Salaker, p. 226.

  Crash of B-17 on takeoff: Ibid., p. 227.

  Urgent radio messages from Tulagi and Guadalcanal: Frank, p. 64.

  Orders from Eleventh Air Fleet Headquarters: Monograph No. 121, p. 2.

  Capabilities of long- and short-range Zeros: Ibid., p. 3; also Lundstrom, The First Team (Guadalcanal), p. 44.

  Decision to send dive-bombers on one-way mission: Mono
graph No. 121, p. 3.

  Arrangement of Carmichael’s formation and bombardier technique: Mitchell, p. 129.

  Radar and early warning capabilities: United States Strategic Bombing Survey, pp. 15–16.

  Initial interception of B-17s: Lundstrom, The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign, p. 71.

  Damage to Queenie: Salaker, p. 227.

  Bomb load: Mitchell, p. 126. The B-17s were loaded with a mix of 100-, 300-, and 500-pounders.

  Details of renewed fighter attacks and results: Salaker, p. 228.

  Japanese fighter doctrine: Sakaida, Siege of Rabaul, p. 9.

  Recollection of Ed Jaquet: Pacific Wrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41–2429 (accessed Sep. 10, 2008).

  Observations of Troccia and Bridges: Mitchell, pp. 125, 130.

  Carmichael’s opinion on auxiliary fuel tank: Air Force oral history, p. 90.

  Location of aircraft wreckage: PacificWrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41–2429.

  Claims by American gunners and bombardiers: Lundstrom, p.71.

  Kenney’s exaggerations on damage: General Kenney Reports, pp. 59, 61.

  Status of land attack aircraft on Aug. 7: Monograph No. 121, p. 4.

  The Marines landed with no opposition… : General Kenney Reports, p. 60.

  little bits of pretty ribbon… : Ibid., p. 43.

  MacArthur’s endorsement of awards: Kenney diary, Aug. 4, 1942.

  had no business in the show: General Kenney Reports, p. 59.

  We don’t treat American airmen!: Quoted in Mitchell, p. 135.

  Chapter 20: The Personification of Evil

  Downing of Lieutenant Keel’s B-25 and rescue of crewmember: Marsh Casualty File, encl. 52b, statement of Cpl. Louis Murphy, Nov. 17, 1942.

  only partially clad: Ibid., encl. 102a, statement of Naohei Okabe, rank unknown, Mar. 23, 1948.

  Hospitalization of Keel and unknown sergeant: Ibid., encl. 103a, testimony of Lieutenant Yamaguchi, Sep. 9, 1949.

  in a bad way: AWM 54 (1010/9/22), statement of Captain Mizusaki.

  administered what comfort he could: Marsh Casualty File, encl. 103a.

  Execution of Lieutenant Durand: Stanaway & Hickey, p. 36.

  Hunter hospitalized with burns or light wounds… : Dept. of External Affairs, statement of Maj. L. F. Darling, RNZAF.

  Capture of Massie and King: Hickey et al., Revenge of the Red Raiders, p. 179.

  Background of Sub-Lieutenant Page and early rescue attempts: Feldt, pp. 22–24.

  Search for Page by the SNLF, including With the use of wireless… : ATIS 46, serial number 93, “Fate of Allied Coast Watchers” p. 14.