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.
