Missions Against Buka
January 3, 1942 - January 14, 1944

Japanese Missions Against Buka

January 3, 1942
In the afternoon, six four-engined flying boats appeared to the north of Buka Airfield and disappeared over Hahela island.

January 21, 1942
A Japanese flyingboat flew over the airstrip, and was fired on by Australian ground forces.

American Missions Against Buka

January 14, 1943
(13th AF) B-17s bomb the airfield on Buka without loss.

November 1, 1943
USN Task Force 38 (R. Adm Frederick Sherman) bombards Buka and Bonis, firing 2,700 rounds of 5" and 6" shells into the airfields, by cruisers Montpelier CL-57, Cleveland, Denver CL-58, Columbia and eight destroyers, then continues southward to bombard the Shorlands area.

USN TF 39 strikes Buka and Bonis with two raids: the first with 18 fighters, 15 SBD, 11 TBFs. The second strike hase 14 fighters, 21 SBD, 11 TBFs hits Buka.

November 2, 1943
USN TF 39 Two further attacks against both Buka and Bonis with fighters, divebombers and torpedo planes. A total of 11 USN planes are lost to all causes. They destroy an estimated 30 planes and several small ships.

November 4, 1943
8 x F4Us escort 23 B-24's strike the airfield on Buka, dropping 184 thousand pound bombs from 19,000'. They meet no fighter opposition.

Novemeber 6, 1943
9 B-25's with USN fighter support hit the airfield and harbor of Buka

November 7, 1943
21 B-24's pound the airfield on Buka

Novemember 9, 1943
B-25's hit the airfield on Buka

January 2, 1944
(13th AF): 24 B-25's bomb Buka supply area on Buka.

January 3, 1944
(13th AF): 15 B-25's hit supply areas near the Buka Passage.

January 4, 1944
(13th AF): P-39's of the RNZAF Ventura's, and night fighters, operating individually or in small flights, hit targets around Buka.

January 5, 1944
( 13th AF): B-25's bomb Hahela Mission on S Buka.

January 9, 1944
(13th AF): B-25's hit Buka seaplane base on Buka.

January 10, 1944
(13th AF): 4 B-24's hit the Chinatown area of Buka.

January 14, 1944
( 13th AF): 12 B-25's hit Buka Island