Japanese Air Raids Against Port Moresby
January 28, 1942 - 1943

January 28, 1942
Two H6K2 Mavis of the Yokahama Kokutai fly reconassiance over Port Moresby.

February 3, 1942
(Raid #1) Six Japanese flying boats bombed Port Moresby 3-3:30am, although no great damage was done this set the stage for the future living conditions in town. One man is KIA. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

February 5, 1942
(Raid #2) Seven flyingboats hit Port Moresby at 3am, hit an aminol (explosives) dumb do damage to the town. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

February 24, 1942
(Raid #3) 4th Kokutai A6M2 Zeros escort G4M1 Betty and bomb Port Moresby, fighters fly close escort with the bombers.

February 28, 1942
(Raid #4) Bombers and fighters hit Jacksons Drome and Anti-Aircraft gun pits. Houses in town burning, 130 bombs dropped, 10 wounded, one seriously. At about 10:00am, six A6M2 Zeros of the 4th Koktai led by Harutoshi Okamoto from Rabaul came over the heads at Port Moresby, almost at sea level, after testing their guns on the SS Pruth, they lined up and strafed PBY Catalinas  at Napa Napa.  A24-3 and A24-6 sank on their moorings and A24-2 was damaged.  George Nancarrow, electrician, was killed.  Barney Ross, fitter, was creased by a bullet.  The RAAF had established a lewis 7.7mm machine gun to cover over the slipway area, manned by the orderly room staff from a gun position dug in the hill behind the area. Jim Preston and his mates did a good job protecting A24-2 (under repair on the slipway). One Zero, A6M2 Zero piloted by Lt. Nagatoma wash hit by machine gun fire from a Lewis gun and crashed into Bootless Bay, after he bailed out and was captured. Nagatomo became the first Japanese POW taken in Australian territory during the war. He was badly burnt and taken to hospital, the to Australia to Corwa POW Camp. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 2, 1942
(Raid #5) Japanese reconnaissance bomber driven off. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 5, 1942
(Raid #6 & 7) Midnight heavy bombers came over, 3am flying boat raided moresby. 30 bombs falling on foreshore and drome without damage or casualties. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 7, 1942
(Raid #8) 10 bombers baracks and drome 80 bombs dripped, destroyed 2 tens and hurt. Lockheed (Hudson) landed during raid, but survived. AA drive them away after 17 minutes. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 9, 1942
(Raid #9) 10 bombers, no damage, one stick on AA battery. Two SBDs from USN land after raid. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 11, 1942
(Raid #11) 3 consecutive raids, 6 raids in a week. 12 heavy bomber aerodrome, 3 engined ford hit & destroyed. No other damage or casualties. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 13, 1942
(Raid #12) 6 Fighters attack Flying fortress landed during raid, but were not seen.  A Hudson chased, but escaped. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 14, 1942
(Raid #13) 9 bombers hit moresby, no damage. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 15, 1942
Zeros strafe liner MV Canberra attacked from Horn Isalnd, but avoided casualaties, athought deck hit.

March 19, 1942  Raid #14

March 20, 1942
(Raids #15 & 16th) The Japs seem to know that the fighters are expected. There's been a spy loose, but he was nearly caught and escaped by opening fire on our men. Now being chased along the coast. The Japns made two raids this morning, the first with four fighters who machine gunned the aerodrome and were driven off by A.A. MG fire, the second with a single bomber that dropped its load and dashed off. Reconnaissance planes are over all the time, apparently looking for the fighters which, alas did not arrive. The raids today resulted in no damage and no casualties but Tokyo Rose claimed that Moresby had been 'devestated'! (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 21, 1942
One Mitsubishi Type 1 land-based attack-bomber (G4M1 Betty) with aircraft commander WO Heihachi Kawai, of the 4th Kokutai, flew a recon mission from Rabaul to Port Moresby, not returning. Intercepted at 10,000' by the newly arrived RAAF 75 Squadron P-40E Kittyhawks. Shot down by two flown by 1/Lts Wackett and Cox, from astern and quarter attacks causing the Betty to explode and crash into the sea. No damage was caused to the P-40s. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 23, 1942
(Raid #17) This afternoon there was half and hour of great excitement when the Japs sent over their biggest air armade yet - 19 heavy bombers in two waves (9 + 10) and four Zero fighters - 23 planes. The bombers, tightly packed at 20,000' dropped sticks on the aerodrome and near the AA batteries without any sucess. Then the fighters came in low for a machine-gun and cannon attack and destroyed two of our fighters on the ground and damaged a third. The Japs, however ran into a hail of MG fire from many infantry posts. The pilot of one was shot through the groin. His machine swerved and crashed into hillside, ricoheted 40 yards then blew to smithereens. Fragments scattered over about 6 acres. Body of the pilot was hurled 500' through the air and the plan'es engine 100' beyond that. One other Jap fighter was seen diving into hills in flames and a thrid was hit and possibly didn't get home. Although given 35 minutes warning of the raid the fighters were on the ground or prepairing to land and never joined action (Reference: War Diary 1942)

Two flights of ten and nine Japanese bombers sighted near Port Moresby at 1325K.  Bombs dropped, though little damage caused. Four A6M2 Zeros straffed 7-Mile at 1415K. Two Kittyhawks destroyed on ground, another damaged.  One [A6M2 Zero piloted by Yoshii] crashed on Morris Hill after being shot down by fire from machine gun post.  Another A6M2 seen trailing white smoke at low level.

March 24, 1942
(Raid 18) This morning Japs sent over 18 heavy bombers and three fighters. About 20 tons of bombs were dropped on the military hospital, the town and the drome. At the hospital one bomb made a direct hit right in the middle off the red cross on the roof. A couple of wards and other buildings were destroyed but all patients had been moved to slit trenches and were unharmed, although showered with dirt, debris and bomb fragments. As usual the hospital was bult right in the middle of a group of military objects - RAAF wireless station, store dumps, barracks and craters, but not a single casualty was reported. Our AA fire was very accurate and one bomber peeled off and headed for home with smoke pouring from its tail. The fighter organizatoin slipped again. Only two got into the air the rest sticking in the camoflaged bays, where one was hit by a bomb. The best part of the squadron which arrived only 3 days ago is now out of action and only two have been lost in combat! (Reference: War Diary 1942)

At 0710 hours, RAAF 75 Squadron P-40E flown by Piper shoots down twin engine Japanese bomber who jettisoned bombs (recon?) which crashes into sea 4-5 miles south of Hood point.

F/Lt Jackson and Sgt Bailey take off at 1030K to intercept 18 Japanese aircraft.  F/Lt Jackson delivered head-on attack on three escorting A6M2 Zeros – probably destroying one.  F/Lt Jackson’s aircraft suffered bullet damage to mainplate.

March 25, 1942
(Raid 19) Heavy cloud but small Japanese force of 3 bombers, 4 fighters came over at 9:30am at extreme height. Our fighters were in the air but could not find the Japs in the clouds. The bombers dropped their bombs hurriedly when the AA opened up and all bombs fell harmlessly in the harbor. Since the first raid on Feb 3, the Japs have dropped 1,650 bombs in this area and have used a total of 185 planes in all raids: 151 bombers and 34 fighters. Britain shot down exactly the same number of planes (185) in one day in the Battle of Britain! The 1,650 bombs have caused almost negligible damage and casualties have been two killed and about 22 wounded. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

Four Kittyhawks departed 7-Mile at approximately 0900K to intercept three Japanese bombers, escorted by Zeros reported to be approaching.  No sightings made.

March 26, 1942
Spies active in Moresby? Still looking for pro-Jap agents. The immediate problem is to find the chap who sends up coloured meteorological balloons as a guide every time the japs come over. The come up from different positions and are usually not seen until they are will up in the air. All quite today, raining like hell.

March 27, 1942
(Raid 20) Two Japanese bombers and three zeros attack Port Moresby. One P-40 shot down, one Japanese bomber is seen to crash in flames approximately 30 miles east (near Abau) of Port Moresby. Parts recovered, including its 20mm cannon and ammunition is later recovered, and brought to Port Moresby with Lt. Eaton, whose crew is being ferried aboard a coastal ship after force landing their B-17E 41-2446 on the north coast.

Two Japanese bombers sighted 0833K – Twelve bombs dropped on dispersal bays with no damage.

Flight consisting of F/O Woods and P/O O’Conner intercepted by three escorting Zeros at 20,000 ft.  F/O Woods at 10,000 ft saw at 3,000 to 4,000 ft below what he considered to be descending parachute of P/O O’Connor, and later saw what he believed to be P/O O’Connor’s aircraft burning.  P/O O’Connor listed Missing.

Other Kittyhawks which had taken off claimed one bomber shot down in flames.

(Japanese side) Four Bettys commanded by WO Kameichi Hasegawa, 4 Kokutai, flew on a bombing mission from Lae to Kokoda. One plane, PO1/c Takeshi Fujii, A/C, boarded by WO Hasegawa, the mission leader, shot down by two P-40Es from 75 Squadron, RAAF.

March 28, 1942
(Raid 21) 1430 three G3M2 Nell (commanded by PO1/c Takeo Harada) of 1st Kokutai, escorted by 7 Zeros flying from Lae makes a vertical suicide dive [jibaku] at Waigani / 17 Mile Drome. Lost is G3M2 Nell piloted by Harada, a Zero and one probable. One allied fighter shot down. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

All available Kittyhawks took off to intercept Japanese bombers escorted by A6M2 Zeros.  Sgt Bailey was observed by F/O Piper to be diving steeply followed by a Zero well astern over an area 20-30 miles north of Kekeni Rocks.  Sgt Baily listed as Missing.  One Zero was probably shot down; some damage caused to Kittyhawks.

March 29, 1942
No raids but Japanese recon is over in force

Wreckage of a Jap heavy bomber founbd in the hills near Rigo. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 30, 1942
(Raid #22) Wrecked Japanese bomber found near Rigo, identified as one shot down by AA  weeks ago and not claimed. One bomber made two runs accross AA positions but was driven off by gunfire and unable to drop bombs.Three Zero fighers attempted to intercept a US Flying Fortress that was about to land, but they were driven off by RAAF Kittyhawks and the guns of the Fortress. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

March 31, 1942
A single G3M2 Nell piloted by PO1/c Takeo Harada flew a suicide mission from Lae to Port Moresby, not returning. The attack-bomber made a vertical dive at Waigani Airfield, Port Moresby, and crashed. Seven of the crewmen were discovered and recovered. It was a real suicide dive and crash. The bomber crew's plane was hit on a bombing mission to Clark Field, Luzon in the Philippines, and made a forced landing on the way back on 12 December 1941. They were captured but rescued later when the Japanese occupied the islands, but they were not allowed by the command and were forced to fly suicide missions during the succeeding operations. Ironically, they survived every time they flew. On this date, they determined to kill themselves on a single-plane mission."

Australian George Johnston (War Diary 1942):
"Jap Bomber falls to pieces! An extraordinary incident this afternoon. A big Japanese bomber was overhead on reconnaissance in cloudy weather - the same plane that tried unsuccessfully to drop bombs yesterday. None of our fighters went up and the AA never fired a shot, but suddenly the bomber was seen to be falling after losing part of a wing or tail plane. It crashed into the hills in a big cloud of smoke.The bodies of the crew were found in the wreckage - including the body of a high ranking Japanese officer in full uniform and wearing his sword!"

The Decisive Factor mentions this incident:
"RAAF pilot Turnbull pointed a stick at the plane, did a mumbo jumbo dance and was dumb founded when the plane crashed."

April 5
(Raid 23)

April 7
(Raid 24)

Moresby raided today by Jap bombers and fighters. Several were damaged, but one of our fighters was shot down and another missing. One pilot was saved. Parties looking for Jap pilot who parachuted during Sunday's raid into heavy jungle country. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

April 10, 1942
(Raid 25)

Seven bombers and six Zeros are intercepted by nine 75 Squadron P-40E’s. One G4M1 Betty of the 4th Kokutai is lost.

April 17, 1942
Zeros claimed 6 P-40s destroyed in raid A6M2 Zero piloted Sakai is lost in the Owen Stanley Mountains

April 26, 1942
(Raid 32) 2350-0015GMT/26 Port Moresby area is attacked by nine Type 99 (Nell) heavy bomber with escorting A6M2 Zero fighters approached from north made one run over Kila Drome (3-Mile) at 22000' . Approx. 90 bombs mostly H.E. are dropped near dispersal area. Two 3rd BG A-24s are destroyed one other completely unservicable. No other damage no casualties. P-40s did not intercept. The partly completed Rarona (30 Mile Drome) near Galley Reach is also bombed. Reference: Combined Operational Intelligence Centre Log for 26 April 1942 New Guinea Force - HQ & Air via Edward Rogers

April 28, 1942
Six Kittyhawks took off at 1036K to intercept eight Japanese bombers escorted by A6M2 Zeros over Port Moresby.  From this combat, S/Ldr J F Jackson piloting P-40E A29-8 and F/Lt B M Cox piloting P-40E A29-47 failed to return.  S/Ldr Jackson listed as killed, F/Lt Cox listed as missing.  F/O Brereton was also wounded in this action, and his aircraft severley damaged, though returned to base. Lost is A6M2 Zero 1575 piloted by Yoshimitsu Maeda who is taken POW.

May 13, 1942
(Raid 48) Small force of 6 Zeros attack Port Moresby, but Airacobras waiting for them and a series of fierce dogfights raged up and down the valleys for 45 minutes. Two Zeros were shot down in jungle and a third was so badly hit that it probably never got home. One of our planes had to make a foce landing. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

May 14, 1942
(Raid 49 & 50) Moresby had its 49th and 50th raids one straight after the other. heaviest yet. 48 Japnese planes being used altogether. 13 Zeros came over in first wave but three were shot down by Airacobras without loss to us. Our fighters were refueling, however, when main attack came and couldn't intercept force of 26 heavy bombers and nine fighters, which bombed harbour and shipping from 21,000' unsucessfully. It is expected that this will be the beginning of the real air-blitz against Moresby. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

May 17, 1942
Moresby raided by nine Zeros. They were drivven off the target at the drome and strafed all along the Laloki Valley, as we had long expected. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

Zeros of the Tainan Kokutai 2nd Chutai took off from Lae to straff targets in Port Moresby area at 7-Mile and Berry Drome. The raid was led by Tadashi Nakajima, with Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Jnicchi Sasai, Toshio Ota, Saburo Sakai, Tsuomo Ito and Kaoru Yamaguchi. They found few targets on the ground, as American bombers were well dispersed. Sixteen Airacobras of the 8th FG intercepted them, one was shot down, P-400 41-7122. Two of the attacking Zeros were damaged by the Airacrobras or ground fire. A6M2 Zero piloted by Tsuomo Ito force landed in the mountains near Kosipe. A6M2 piloted by Kaoru Yamaguchi crashed into the foothills of the Owen Stanley Range. The Japanese claimed six shot down, and the Americans also over claimed.

C.O.I.C. Intelligence Resume to 1100Z/18/5/42
Australia Station - Sightings and Reports 17/5/42

(a) Sightings etc. New Guinea Area 17/5 - [?]
BUNA reported unidentified aircraft, probably 9, flying SW. 0944K
KIKODA " large enemy force heading P/M at 0956K/17

(b) RAID 51 PORT MORESBY 0014Z to 0027Z/17 by 9 Zero fighters. Approached from North, came down on NW end 7-Mile drome and 8 P39's and 7 P400's intercepted and prevented further straffings although further attempts were made to straff Bomana drome and shipping in harbor - .5 A/A Bomana scored hots on 2 Zeros which were seen smoking when going away to NW. .5 A/A TUAGUSA [?] also engaged Zeros attempting to straff shipping in harbour.
1 Zero shot down (confirmed)
1 P39 shot down in BOOTLESS INLET pilot safe. (injured) [Jesse Bland]
1 P39 forced landed RORONA - pilot safe.
1 P400 " " BEAGLE [?] BAY - pilot safe.

May 18, 1942
16 Type 1 Rikko of the 4th Ku attack 7 Mile Drome. P-39s of 35th & 36th FS intercept 4th Ku before Zeros of Tainan Kokutai escort could reach them. One Betty was shot down and eight damaged. Lost was P-39F 41-7191 One of damaged Bettys crash landed at Lae while rest return to Rabaul.

18 G3M2 Nells of Genzan Ku attack the new field at 12 Mile and 'severely damage' 12 Mile Drome, attacking unmolested.

May 26, 1942
A night time raid, suspected to be two H6K Mavis flying boats from Lae or Rabaul drops approximately 24 bombs
[ Read Account ]

May 27, 1942
Fifteen Tainan Kokutai A6M2 Zeros attack Port Moresby. They are intercepted by fourteen Airacobras of the 35th FS and 36th FS. Lost are P-39 41-7153 (MIA) and P-39 41-7162 (pilot survived).

May 28, 1942
Airacobras from the 36th FS and fourteen Airacobras of the 35th FS took off from 7-Mile Drome at 0750 to intercept 20 A6M Zeros over Port Moresby. Three aircraft were lost, but all pilots returned to duty: P-39D 41-6970, P-39F 41-7190, P-39 piloted by Andres. The 36th FS claims 3 Zeros (Connell, Egan, Erickson), in fact the Japanese lost none.

June 1, 1942
Heavy raid on shipping

June 16, 1942
(Raid 60) Intense air activity - Fierce dofights over Moresby when a strong force of Zeros attempted to strafe the 'dromes. Two were damaged. We lost five fighters and two were damaged and the pilots wounded. In attacks on Lae and Salamaua ....... In actual fighter combat the Zeros appear to be definately superior to the Airacobra and the American record is not anywhere near as good as that of the RAAF Kittyhawk Squadron which was in action here earlier." (Reference: War Diary 1942)

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): FEAF was planning a joint strike against Lae similar to the operation of June 9. The morning schedule was interrupted by a Tainan Kokutai fighter sweep of the Port Moresby area. Airacobra pilots were hit hard and four were shot down while the 40th C/O was badly wounded though he did land his plane. Three of the pilots shot down returned while one 40th pilot was MIA. Tainan piliots claim 17 shot down and 2 probables. Lost is P-39F 41-7204, P-39F 41-7222, P-39F 41-7136, P-39F piloted by Hutchingson.

June 17, 1942
(Raid 61)

Charles Sullivan claims a Japanese bomber over Port Moresby.

June 18, 1942
(Raid 62) Macdhui sunk

June 26, 1942
(Raid 65) About noon 18 bombers and 12 Zeros attempted to bomb Port Moresby

July 3, 1942
Raid 66

July 4, 1942
Raid 67

July 5, 1942
Raid 68

July 6, 1942
Raid 69

July 10, 1942
Raid 70

July 11, 1942
Raid 71

July 20, 1942
Raid 72

July 24, 1942
Raid 73

July 29, 1942
Raid 74 and 75

July 30, 1942
Raid 76

August 1, 1942
Raid 77

August 17, 1942
(Raid 78) Destroyed on the ground at 7-Mile Drome destroyed are DC-5 VH-CXA, C-56 Lodestar VH-CAG, C-56 Lodestar VH-CAI. Damaged are C-49 44-83228 Three other aircraft, a C-39 (probably DC-2 VH-CXG, ex PK-AFK) and two C-53s, 41-20053 VH-CCB and 41-20054 VH-CCC were damaged and temporarily repaired before being flown to the mainland.

Australian War Correspondent Damien Parer photographs the aftermath of the air raid at 7-Mile Drome.

Allied Air Transport Operations SWPA in WWII, Volume 1, page 329
"The greatest single day's loss of transport aircraft occurred as a result of a Japanese bombing raid on Jackson Field, Port Moresby, at 0920, 17 August 1942. This was the 78th raid on the Port Moresby installations and was executed by 23 bombers. Two C-56s VH-CAG (LT9-19) and VH-CAI (LT9-23) and one DC-5, VH-CXA (ex PK-ADB) were destroyed, and one DC-3, VH-CXD (ex PK-ALT) was severley damaged and out of commission for two months. Three other aircraft, a C-39 (probably DC-2 VH-CXG, ex PK-AFK) and two C-53s, 41-20053 VH-CCB and 41-20054 VH-CCC were damaged and temporarily repaired before being flown to the mainland within four or five days."

AWM A RAID BY 24 JAPANESE BOMBERS. THE CASUALTIES WERE ONE KILLED AND THIRTEEN INJURED; FOUR PLANES WERE DESTROYED AND SEVERAL DAMAGED. TRANSPORT PLANES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISPERSED.

September 8, 1942
Raid 79

September 17, 1942
Raid 80

September 19, 1942
Raid 81

September 21, 1942
Raid 82

September 23, 1942
Raid 83

October 22, 1942
Raid 84

October 25, 1942
Raid 85

October 29, 1942
Raid 86

October 31, 1942
Raid 87

November 24, 1942
Raid 88 and 89

With the full moon we had two raids during the night. At about 8pm ten bombs and incendiaries were dropped in the general hopsitial, and at about midnight eight bombs were dropped in the 7-Mile area. There was no damage or casualties in either raid. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

November 27, 1942
(Raid 90) Three Jap bombers over from 2:45 to 4:15 by moonlight. Picked up by searchlights and terrific AA barrage with shell splinters whizzing down only a couple feet from me. The Japs dropped 20 bombs in 7-Mile Valle but apparently no damage or casualties. AA claimed two probably hits. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

November 30, 1942
(Raid 91) Two planes at 17,000' raided Moresby before dawn, blowing up a dump of the 808th American Engineers. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

December 13, 1942
(Raid 92) One bomber raided Wards Drome before midnight. No casualties or damage. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

December 14, 1942
(Raid 93) Moresby raided soon after midnight but bombs again did no damage. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

December 15, 1942
(Raid 94) Two Jap bombers raided tonight with a half moon and heavy cloud. The ammount of AA thrown up was incredible, particuarly from a new US battery right next to our camp. After two bombing runs the planes were caught in the searchlights but got out of range before the guns could get on to them. Eight wounded, some seriously at Wards. (Reference: War Diary 1942)

April 12, 1943
Japanese Operation I-Go. Last major daylight raid against Port Moresby with over forty G4M1 Betty Bombers and over a hundred Zero fighters.

May 13, 1943
Night raid on Port Moreby. Red alert 8:25pm, all clear 9:00pm. A second red alert at 10:26 and all clear at 10:42.

May 15, 1943
(US Radar Notes) Two raids this night. The first at 7:30pm against an inland airfield (possibly 17-Mile Durand), and a second raid at that same area at 7:40-5pm, with all clear sounded 8:03pm. A third raid at 8:29pm to Port Moresby area (possibly 3-Mile Drome).

Richard Dunn adds: "Type 1 bombers of the 702nd Kokutai attack Port Moresby. According to Allied reports the Japanese mounted two separate attacks each with two SALLY bombers. In the first attack one SALLY was shot down by a night fighter and in the second one bomber was probably destroyed by AA fire. According to the Japanese one bomber failed to return. Exact time of loss is uncertain but presumed to be about 1849 (JST). 6th NFS P-70 piloted by 2Lt Burrell W. Adams (with F/O Paul DiLabbio R/O) claimed a SALLY at about 2000 hours (1849 JST = 1949 K or local Port Moresby time). The AA claim for a probable came later. Thus it appears Lt. Shinshichi Sumita (Sumida) a Buntai CO of Air Group 702 was shot down by Adams about 35 miles NW of Jackson Field.

June 13, 1943
Japanese bombers hit Wau and Port Moresby. During the Port Moresby raid, no damage, no casualties reported. Alert sounded at 7:19pm and red alert at 8:06. Bombers tracked on radar.

June 17, 1943
Richard Dunn adds:
"Seven bombers of Air Group 702 sortied against Port Moresby and Dobodura. Four were reported over Moresby where AA engaged and claimed one bomber was seen on fire and losing altitude. Aircraft No. 302 of the group was hit by AA and lost an engine. The pilot PO 1/C Shigeo Yokokawa got the bomber over the mountains and out over the sea trying to make Lae but after running into a severe storm the crippled bomber crashed. One crewmember was injured and soon died. The other tried to swim for shore. Three were eventually captured. The rest of the crew presumably perished."

 

 

References

War Diary 1942 by George Johnston

Losses of the Imperial Navy Land-based Bombers from March 1942 to February 1943
by Tatsuo Kamino, translated by Koji Takaki

Port Moresby Radar Traces
April 12, May 13, May 15, 1943

Mitsubishi Type 1 Rikko 'Betty' Units of WWII
by Osamu Tagaya, Osprey Publishing, 2001

Additional Research
Robert Piper: May 26, 1942 Raid
Edward Rogers: May 18, 1942, 21 March - 10 April 1942, April 26, 1942 mission notes
Richard Dunn: note on April 26, 1942, May 15, 1943, June 17, 1943, Japanese Reconnaissance Over Port Moresby