American missions against Arawe (Cape Merkus) and Arawe Harbor
November 5, 1942–January 16, 1944

November 5, 1942
(5th AF) B-25s unsuccessfully attack a schooner near Arawe, New Britain.

November 22, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s and B-25s hit warships 68 miles SW of Arawe.

December 22, 1942
(5th AF) B-17s hit a ship in the harbor at Arawe.

December 23, 1942
(5th AF) B-24s attack a cargo ship at Arawe.

December 24, 1942
(5th AF) Single B-24 bombs the harbor of Arawe.

February 4, 1943
(5th AF) Heavy bomber scores hits on vessel off Arawe.

March 19, 1943
(5th AF) Single B-17's strike Arawe.

December 14, 1943
(5th AF) In the heaviest raid to date in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA), 228 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb Arawe in an almost continuous attack from 0645 to 1548 hours.

April 10, 1943
(5th AF) Single B-17 bombs the airfield at Arawe.

May 18, 1943
(5th AF) Single heavy bomber hits Arawe.

July 20, 1943
(5th AF) Single B-24 bombs Arawe.

December 15, 1943
(USN) Task Force 76 (TF 76) commanded by USN Admiral Barbey departed Goodenough on December 13 and makes and arrives at Arawe on December 14. The force includes 2 cruisers, 13 destroyers, 2 high speed transports, 1 landing ship, 1 transport, landing 1,600 soldiers.

(US Army) The 112th Cavalry Regiment lands 1,600 soldiers at Arawe.

(5th AF) In support of US Army landing, B-25s pound villages in Arawe.

December 17, 1943
(5th AF) P-47's intercept 35-40 aircraft attacking Allied forces on the Arawe peninsula; at least 10 airplanes are claimed shot down.

December 19, 1943
(5th AF) 20 A-20's pound forces NE of Arawe.

December 20, 1943
(5th AF) A-20's hit the Arawe and P-38's claim 10 enemy along the southern coast.

December 21, 1943
(5th AF) P-47's claim 17 fighters shot down in the Arawe area.

December 24, 1943
(5th AF) Japanese forces in Arawe area are hit by A-20s.

December 25, 1943
(5th AF) A-20's attack Japanese forces in the Arawe area where Allied outposts and observation posts are being pushed back by fierce enemy assaults on the beachhead.

December 31, 1943
(5th AF) P-47's intercept a small force of airplanes attacking the Arawe beachhead area and 12 aircraft are claimed shot down.

January 7, 1944
(5th AF) A-20's hit forces near Arawe.

January 8, 1944
(5th AF) A-20's hit positions near Arawe.

January 16, 1944
(5th AF) B-24's and B-25's attack positions near Arawe.

Japanese missions against Arawe (Cape Merkus)
December 15, 1943–December 31, 1943

December 15, 1943
(IJN) 7 x D3A2 Vals from the 582 Kokutai attack Arawe (Mercus) at 7:30am local time. Over the target, two Vals were lost.

December 17, 1943
(IJN) 12 x D3A2 Vals from the 582nd Kokutai plus D3A2 Vals from the 552 Kokutai bomb Mercus at 7:06am local time, claiming damage to one small cargo ship, 1 sea tiger and an LVCP sunk. Plus, one small and one sea tiger burning. Also, one "P-43" [sic] shot down. Over the target, three Vals are lost. They report the American forces as APC 21, YMS 50, SC743 and 4 LSTs.

December 21, 1943
(IJN) A formation of 32 D3A2 Vals (12 x 582nd Kokutai plus 20 x 552nd Koktuai) attack Mercus between 10:55am until 11:08 and are intercepted by P-38 Lightnings.

December 27, 1943
(IJN) 17 D3A2 Vals (8 x 582 Kokutai, two abort plus 9 x 552 Kokutai) attack shipping off Mercus escorted by 40+ Zeros. Over the target, three Vals are lost including D3A2 Val piloted by Ishisugi (MIA).

December 29, 1943
(IJN) 17 x D3A2 Vals (9 x 582nd Kokutai, 8 x 552nd Kokutai) attack Mercus at 7:50pm and claim two PT Boats sunk and enemy base on island burned.

December 31, 1943
(IJN) Japanese D3A2 Vals from the 582 Kokutai and 552 Kokutai based Rabaul, escorted by 40+ Zeros made several raids against Arawe beachhead. Mission #7 of 7 over six days, with 40 killed in action among the Vals, attempting to strike the shipping and shore positions.

In total, twenty Vals were lost attacking Arawe between December 15-31, 1943. Eight crash sites are known including:
1) D3A2 Val off Arawe, 2) D3A2 Val crashed Wako, 3) D3A2 Val crashed Angap Island, 4) D3A2 Val 1520, 5) D3A2 Val 3487, 6) D3A2 Val 3450, 7) D3A2 Val 3373, 8) D3A2 Val 3179.