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tabpub -> Press Release SWPac Command (4/13/2006 7:11:01 AM)
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July 15, 1942
Townsville, Queensland
Australia
Recent training missions for the 11th Air Force have culminated in the first substantial raid versus Japanese held New Guinea. 3 Liberator Bomb Groups, led by a B17 pathfinder squadron hit the Lae aerodromes at dawn on the 15th. General Enis Whitehead said “This is the first step in reducing the Jap air strength in the New Guinea – Solomons operational area; based on the results that I am seeing from the BDA, we succeeded beyond our initial expectations”. 11th Air Force based out of Cairns/Cooktown runs the strategic campaign currently operating; 5th Air Force continues to train its tactical bombers and fighters for the second stage of this campaign.
07/15/42
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 2
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
LB-30 Liberator x 111
B-24D Liberator x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 8 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 6 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed
G3M Nell: 7 destroyed
H6K2-L Mavis: 2 destroyed
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 6 destroyed, 18 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
856 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 136
Aircraft Attacking:
Bombing at 7000 feet
These initial damage assessments appear low, based on later recce flights, over 100 enemy a/c were destroyed in this raid.
General MacArthur commented, “Now we are getting into this fight! With the ABDA commands success in holding the Jap advance in the East Indies, it looks like we can start on the way back to the Philippines; and from there, Tokyo. I think that the taxpayers are going to start seeing some tangible results from their sweat, blood and money.”
BDA picture of Lae aerodrome complex post-mission
[image]local://upfiles/9730/C0E49C00FF004632B5D4839547538068.jpg[/image]
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