American Missions Against Muschu Island

February 6, 1944
A-20s hit shipping near Kairiru and Mushu Islands causing considerable damage and destruction.

February (11, 18, 25 ?)1944, Friday
Three B-25s, piloted by Captain Bert N. Smiley (Operations Officer), Lt. Herb Young and Lt. Pruitt, all from the 17th TRG "Fight'in 17th" experience their first significant combat on an armed reconnaissance mission. They flew over Kar Kar Island, but found nothing.  They proceeded to Wewak with clear weather, and low scattered clouds. Spotting a ship off Muschu and Kairiru Islands, they split up to attack a variety of targets. Prutt attacked a barge setting it on fire, and a direct hit on a 'Sugar Charlie (500 ton cargo vessel) in a cove on Kairiru. Smiley attacked a ship getting near misses and a lugger, and strafing another barge, then strafed two PETE seaplanes moored off Kairuru, and targets on land.  Young bombed a gun boat, and near missed a cargo vessel. On the south side of Muschu Island, a large concentration of barges, reportedly the largest ever seen in SWPA was strafed. The costs were Smiley's top turret gunner S/Sgt Victor McMullen, who was KIA. Young's plane was damaged, a fire in navigator's compartment and causing the left gear to drop out of the plane, and belly landed back at base. Reference: 17th TRG "Fight'in 17th" History "The Battle of Kairiru and Muschi Islands", pages 131 - 132.

March 26, 1944
B-24s, B-25s, A-20s hit Mushu Island and other targets

April 10, 1944
B-24s and A-20s hit  barges SE of Mushu Island and other targets.

April 27, 1944
B-24s, B-25s and A-20s attack Mushu and Kairiru Island

May 3, 1944
A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers, operating throughout the day hit Mushu Island and other targets.

June 25, 1944
Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft attack barges at Mushu and Kairiru Islands

June 26, 1944
PT-130 Lt. (jg) Ian Malcolm (USNR) and PT-132 (Ens Paul Jones (USNR) investigted a target on the coast of Muschu, spotted by aircraft of RAAF 78 Squadron based at Tadji. Both PT-Boats closed 75 yards of the shore, and found two barges tied up behind camoflage netting with green foliage added, and soon discovered more camoflaged 'nests'. The boats made four firing runs, setting many on fire, and revealing 14 barges, 6 set on fire. Ricocettes from firing started grass fires nearby and touched off a nearby ammo dump, sending smoke 100 feet high and four other explosions. Low on ammo, they returned to their tender and the next morning returned, covered by four P-39s, that finished destroying all targets.  They boats were sniped at from the island, and inarrate 40mm fire from Cape Pus.

July 13, 1944
A-20s and fighter-bombers pound occupied areas and gun positions on Mushu Island. Lost is Beaufighter A19-185.

August 23, 1944
fighter-bombers hit barge terminal on Mushu Island