Japanese Air Raids on Port Moresby / 17-Mile (Durand Drome)

April 12, 1943
The last daylight raid against Port Moresby took place. With 17 Betty bombers from the 751st Kokutai amd 27 Betty bombers from the 705th Kokutai participated in the mission flying from Rabaul. They were escorted by 131 Zeros fighters. Their targets were the airfields, succeeded in doing serious damage to parked aircraft, and damage to others.  American P-38 Lightnings of the 80th and 39th FS and P-39 Airacobras of the 41st FS intercepted the attackers.  American losses were two P-38s that force landed damaged, and four Airacobras lost, including P-39D 41-38351.

The G4M1s dropped bombs from 25,000 feet and inflicted serious damage to parked aircraft, particularly the complete destruction of a RAAF Beaufighter, three B-25 Mitchells of the 3rd BG at Durand (17-Mile Drome). Among them included: B-25D "Fair Dinkum" 41-29714, B-25D "The Grim Reaper" 41-29719 and B-25D "Baby Blitz" 41-29705.