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Japanese missions against Bobdubi
May 15, 1943

May 15, 1943
(JAAF) The first Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) close air support missions are flown in New Guinea. During the morning between 7:00am to 9:00am, the Japanese launch two morning sorties against Bobdubi and a third sortie in the afternoon. There were no JAAF aircraft losses, none of the raids were intercepted by Allied fighters.

The first sortie was by nine Ki-51 Sonias from the 83rd Independent Air Chutai escorted by Ki-43 Oscars from the 24th Sentai (their first combat mission) against Australian forces at Bobdubi. On the ground, the Australians report eight bombers and 24 strafing passes. Afterwards, the bombers land at Lae Airfield and re-arm for a second sortie.

The second sortie was by roughly nine Ki-51 Sonias from the 83rd Independent Air Chutai that took off from Lae Airfield escorted by Ki-43 Oscars from the 24th Sentai against Australian forces at Bobdubi. On the ground, Australians report forty aircraft including dive bombers used by Japanese carriers (Ki-51 Sonia with fixed landing gear).

The third sortie was in the afternoon by Ki-48 Lilys from the 208th Sentai (their first combat mission in New Guinea) escorted by Ki-43 Oscars from the 11th Sentai attempted to hit Bobdubi but accidentally bomb Japanese positions near Salamaua, hitting Japanese forces and killing and wounded nearly fifty Japanese.

References: Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information

Allied missions against Bobdubi
June 30, 1943-July 11, 1943

June 30, 1943
(Australian Army) Australians open the assault on Bobdubi Ridge.
(5th AF) B-25's pound Bobdubi Ridge in support of the assault.

July 9, 1943
(5th AF) B-25's hit forces in the vicinity of Old Bobdubi.

July 11, 1943
(5th AF) A-20's and B-25's bomb Bobdubi and Bobdubi Ridge areas.

July 14, 1943
(5th AF) A-20's bomb and strafe the Orodubi area

July 15, 1943
(5th AF) A-20's hit positions along the Orodubi-Komiatum Track.

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