Allied missions against Gona
July 23, 1942–February 3, 1943
July 23, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s, 22nd BG B-26s,
A-24s and fighters pound shipping, landing barges, storage dumps, AA positions,
and troop concentrations at Gona.
July 24, 1942
(5th AF) B-26s, A-24s, and fighters continue
to pound AA positions and enemy troops at Gona as the Japanese continue to push
inland.
July 25, 1942
(5th AF) B-25s, and P-39s
pound barges and concentration
July 26, 1942
(5th AF) B-26s attack a destroyer off Gona but
fail to score
July 29, 1942
(5th AF) Seven A-24 Dive Bombers attack Japanese transports 20 miles north of Gona in two waves and are intercepted by A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai. The Kotoku Maru was hit by a bomb but departs under her own power. The first wave: A-24 41-15797 (shot down), A-24 piloted by Hill (damaged and gunner badly wounded) and A-24 piloted by Raymond Wilkins (the only aircraft to return to 7-Mile). The second wave: A-24 41-15819, A-24 41-15766, A-24 piloted by Cassels and A-24 piloted by Parker all four were shot down
July 31, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s hit Gona and
a nearby transport [Ayutosen Maru] which had been previously damaged.
August 1, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s attack installations
at Gona
August 2, 1942
(5th AF) A B-17 bombs Gona
August 13, 1942
(5th AF) A Japanese convoy near Gona bound for Basabua
with 3,000 construction troops, is attacked first by B-17 Flying Fortresses 76 miles northeast of Gona, followed by B-26 Marauders 20-25 miles north of Gona and another B-17 attack
as the convoy approaches landing position. Lost is B-26 "Sally Rand" 40-1492.
August 14, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s attack shipping off Gona.
September 24, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s bomb wrecked
vessel [Ayutosen Maru] at Gona.
October 31, 1942
(5th AF) B-25s strafe supply trucks SE of Gona
November 15, 1942
(5th AF) A-20s strafe
targets near Gona.
November 16, 1942
(5th AF) B-26s, B-25s,
and A-20s pound the area around Gona.
(US Army, Australian Army)
Australian 7 Division and U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division move forward
against the Buna-Gona beachhead.
November 17, 1942
(5th AF) B-26s hit Gona Mission.
(US Army, Australian Army) 32nd Infantry and Australian 7 Division continue to move toward
the Buna-Gona beachhead.
November 20, 1942
(RAAF) Wirraway A20-519 flies a reconnaissance mission over Gona.
November 23, 1942
(Australian Army) Australian forces begin their assault on Gona.
November 29, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s, P-40s,
and A-20s pound the Gona area.
(RAAF) DB-7 Boston A28-20 explodes midair over Gona
December 1, 1942
(Australian Army) 21 Brigade, turns back from Giruwa three large groups of Japanese reinforcements destined
for Gona, then attacks and takes Gona, forcing the enemy back to Gona Mission
for a final stand.
December 2, 1942
(5th AF) A-20s,
B-17s, B-25s and P-400s attack four destroyers off Buna and Gona. As a result of this attack, the destroyers, originally bound for Gona with 800
reinforcements, lands the troops near the mouth of the Kumment River twelve
miles to the north. After a bombardment of Gona, Allied ground forces attack
in strength but are again halted short of the village.
December 7, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s attack a wrecked
vessel [Ayutosen Maru] off Gona.
December 8, 1942
(5th AF) P-38s hit a wrecked vessel l [Ayutosen Maru] off Gona.
December 9, 1942
(Australian Army) In Gona, following
air and artillery bombardment, Australian forces overcome resistance, taking
the village in hand-to-hand combat.
December 23, 1942
(5th AF) A-20s strafe troops near Gona
December 26, 1942
(RAAF) Wirraway A20-103 claims a Japanese fighter [Ki-43 Oscar] shot down over Gona.
December 27, 1942
(5th AF)
B-26s hit
targets in the Gona area
February 3, 1943
(5th AF) A-20s continue to bomb and strafe forces around Gona
