2nd Lt Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claim, March 3, 1943
First Tour of Duty

Mission History
On March 3, 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea pilot 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong took off from 14 Mile Drome piloting P-38G-5 Lightning serial number unknown on an mission to escort bombers over Lae. Over the Japanese convoy in Huon Gulf, the P-38s were intercepted by seven Oscars.

In fact, the Japanese fighters defending the convoy bound for Lae included Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Zeros from 253 Kōkūtai (253 Air Group), 204 Kōkūtai (204 Air Group), and Zuiho plus Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) Oscars from 11th Hiko Sentai (11th Flying Regiment).

At 10:15am over the Huon Gulf, Bong fired on a Oscar with a 45° deflection shot from above and behind that caused the plane to start smoking and made another pass before crashed in the water. Bong landed at 14 Mile Drome after 3 hour 15 minutes airborne per his logbook (2 hours 45 minutes according to Form 5) and claimed one Oscar shot down and one Oscar probable.

Claims
Bong was officially credited with his sixth confirmed aerial victory. He also claimed a Oscar probable.

References
Major Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claims
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Bong, Richard I. pages 25 (PDF page 30)
Individual Flight Record (Logbook) - Richard I. Bong, March 3, 1943
"3/3 / P-38 / Shot down Oscar smoking over 13 ship Jap convoy south of Finschaven. Crashed headed towards Finschaven another crash off to left. 8 Zeros attacked 8 P-38s hit another Oscar in gas tank and he heading for Gasmata loosing gas. Short mission called off / 3:15"
Individual Flight Record (Form 5) March 1943
Historical Record, 49th Fighter Group, Chapter 2 page 19
"2nd Lieut. Richard I. Bong of the 9th Squadron submitted this account of the action:
'While on cover flight for bombers, our flight was intercepted by seven Oscar type Zeros. In the ensuing engagement I made a 45 degree deflection shot from above and behind and he started smoking. I made another pass at him just before he hit the water and crashed. While pulling up I saw another smoking Zero hit the water about a mile to my right. I made two more passes at another Zero and started his gas tank leaking, but he kept on going and I came hone. I claim one certain and one probable."
Intelligence Report published by 8th Area Army 18th Army 26 Feb - 19 Jun 1943, March 3, 1944
Protect & Avenge (1995) page 117
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) page 154 (Bong victories 7-8: March 11, 1943)

Return to First Tour of Duty | Richard I. Bong

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?