Papua 1942-1943
In July 1942, enemy troops on the Papuan pennisula on the north-east coast of New Guinea began an advance across the Owen Stanley Mountains against Port Moresby. Exhausted Australian ground forces, reinforced by troops flown to the scene, halted the enemy advance less than 30 miles from Port Moresby and then took the offensive. By Jan. 1943, the Allies had eliminated all organized enemy resistance on Papua.

During the Papuan campaign, Aliied air forces played a vital role through close air support of ground troops, aerial transport of men and materiel, and by attacks on enemy shipping. At the same time, the 5th Air Force was perfecting such new weapons and tactics as parachute bombs and low altitude skip bombing against ships. It also was proving the value of mounting additional forward-firing guns in A-20s and B-25s and was pioneering the devastating low-level attack methods for which the 5th was to become famous.

Seconds later the
camoflaged Japanese
"Betty" bomber was
destroyed by parafrag
bombs during a low-level
attack on the airdrome.

Douglas A-20 is struck by antiaircraft fire and crashes during a low altitude bombing and strafing mission against enemy supply and barge construstion center in Dutch New Guinea. 5th AF A-20 and B-25 "Commerce Destroyers" with extra .50-cal. nose guns proved effective against enemy shipping and ground targets.
Solomon Islands - Guadalcanal 1942-1943

Combat Pacific