Japanese missions against Rendova Island and Rendova Harbor
July 2, 1943–July 17, 1943
July 2, 1943
(JAAF) Eighteen Ki-21 Sallys of the 14th Sentai (misidentified as G4M1 Bettys) attack the newly
landed American forces on the beachheads of Munda and Rendova, without loss
and unusually
accurate results.
July 4, 1943
(JAAF)
16 Ki-21Sallys of the 14th Sentai (misidentified as G4M1
Betty bombers), escorted by Ki-43 Oscars (misidentified as A6M Zeros), attack the newly landed American forces
on the beachheads of Munda and Rendova,
they are met by heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighters, losing five bombers,
and shooting down three American fighters. Shrapnel from a bomb exploded between USS LCI(L)-24 and USS LCI(L)-65 damaging both ships and aboard killed three and wounded seven, the first LCI casualities in the South Pacific. Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed aboard USS LCI(L)-24 and one on the beach.
July 17, 1943
(IJN) Japanese Navy 27 x G4M1 Bettys from the 751 Kokutai detachment took off on a bombing mission against the Rendova area. Escorting the bombers were forty-four Zeros including: 12 x A6M Zeros from 204 Kokutai, 16 x A6M Zeros from 251 Kokutai, 4 x A6M Zeros from 253 Kokutai plus 12 x A6M Zeros from Ryuhō detachment. The U.S. the force was 27 bombers escorted by 40-50 Zeros. Intercepted by American fighters, the Japanese suffered heavy losses including six bombers and five Zeros shot down. The Japanese claimed 19 Allied aircraft including 12 probables.
Japanese losses included: G4M1 Betty piloted by Lt. Motozu, 751 Ku detachement leader, plus five other G4M1 Bettys. Also lost were four Zeros including three from 253 Ku: A6M Zero piloted by Lt(jg) Saburo Saito,
A6M Zero piloted by PO2c Shichiro Nagai, A6M Zero piloted by PO2c Fukumitsu Shimada. Also Ryuhō A6M2 Zero piloted by PO2c Taiji Suzuki.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) A large enemy force, estimated at 27 bombers and 40-50 Zekes, is intercepted
over Vella Lavella by American fighters, which claim 15
bombers and 30 Zekes shot down. Lost were three including P-40 Warhawk piloted by Murray (MIA), F4F Wildcat 12049 (MIA) and F4U Corsair 02599 (MIA).
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