More Air Raids on Port Moresby (continued)

From the reclamation area we had a grandstand view of the action but while my memory of the event is quite clear I cannot be sure of the number of Zeros involved and the number of Catalinas which were attacked at their moorings. I do recall that behind the bitter disappointment of witnessing the destruction of the Catalinas was a growing awareness that the Japanese airmen possessed remarkable skill and ability. As I was not keeping a diary I have no record of the date of the attack, but the listing of the raids on Port Moresby appearing in a number of the references in Appendix 2, particularly Wilson (1991), quoting Wing Cmdr Keith Bolitho, confirms that the date of this raid was 28 February 1942.

One reference in Appendix 2 lists the air-raid of 28 February 1942 as a bombing mission on the Seven-mile airstrip, supported by fighters. Other references in the Appendix describe the raid as resulting in the destruction of three Catalinas in the harbour. Another suggests that No 32 Squadron was formed in Port Moresby on 21 February equipped with Hudsons and Beauforts. It seems that while Japanese Zero fighters were destroying Catalinas moored in the harbour high level bombers were attacking the Hudsons and Beauforts on the Seven-mile airstrip. I had no transport to visit the Seven-mile airstrip and there was no source of news apart from the bush-telegraph or rumour-mill. After the raid of 28 February the only serviceable aircraft in Port Moresby were two Catalinas and one Hudson and these were withdrawn to Horn Island, Cooktown, Cairns or Townsville. So at that time there were no aircraft based at Port Moresby. For some time No 11, No 20 and No 32 Squadrons were withdrawn from Port Moresby, which was then used to refuel aircraft from Queensland bases en route to reconnaissance or bombing missions.

Bureau of Meteorology