Bloody Tuesday
Here are more thoughts on 2 November 1943.
Weather, another constant foe of aircrews, once again put a damper on Fifth Air Force’s plans to attack Simpson Harbor on October 26, 1943 and then again on the 29th. Everyone was on edge. The Third Marine Division was slated to invade the beaches of Bougainville on November 1st, covered by a strike from the air. With the weather still not letting up, the Marines’ plan went on as scheduled without the strike. After days of waiting, the weather finally cleared up on November 2nd.
This raid would target the shipping in the harbor instead of Rabaul itself. 57 P-38s and 75 B-25s (covered by other P-38s) were sent out to take out the harbor’s shoreline defenses and drop “Kenney’s Cocktails” (phosphorus bombs) to hinder the enemy’s view of the attack, then hit all the shipping possible. There were hundreds of guns on the shore to protect the harbor. When…
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Posted on February 20, 2016, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, History, Military, Military History, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
And now ships would sit miles away and send in missiles, possibly guided from the US. This doesn’t make war any less scary, but much less personal. –Curt
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I wonder if this makes it too easy to go to war?
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Probably, would be my thought, GP. –Curt
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Great minds and all – inevitable!
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Sad. 57 plus P-38’s !, perfectly suited for strafing attacks; some of them could have softened up those ships AA guns before the bombers went in; known but to God why Wilkins and other brave crews had to die.
Also left this comment on source site…
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Thank you for commenting on both sites, letting us all know you read the article. So few have the time.
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More tales of brave men going about their tasks steadfastly, and with great bravery. Sobering stuff, GP, and nice that they are remembered here.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I wi;; continue to try, Pete. WP doesn’t have the room for the millions involved, but hopefully people will get the gist.
Thanks, GP.
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Thank you for linking, Kathy.
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