Captain Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claims, October 29, 1943
First Tour of Duty

Mission History
On October 29, 1943 took off from Horanda Drome (Dobodura 4) piloting P-38H-5 Lightning serial number unknown as one of thirteen P-38s that landed at Kiriwina Airfield to refuel then took off again to escort B-24 Liberators over Rabaul. Reportedly, before the mission Commanding Officer (C.O.) Captain Gerald R. Johnson ordered 1st Lt. Ralph Wandrey to change planes with Bong. Therefore, Bong was either flying P-38H Lightning 42-66847 Number 79 or P-38H-5 Lightning Squadron Number 96 assigned to 1st Lt. Ralph H. Wandrey.

Bong was leading "Red Flight" and engaged in air combat tha over Rabaul that spanned to Open Bay. At 12:30pm he claimed a Zero shot down over Rabaul. Next, he claimed a second Zero shot down over Open Bay. Bong also claimed a Zero damaged over Open Bay.

Returning, the P-38s landed at Kiriwina Airfield to refuel then flew back to Horanda Drome for a total of 5 hours 45 minutes airborne. For administrative purposes, recorded as three separate missions: 1. Dobodura–Kiriwina, 2. Kiriwina–Rabaul–Kiriwina and 3. Kiriwina–Dobodura.

Claims
Bong claiming two Zeros shot down. He was officially credited with his eighteenth and nineteenth aerial victories. He also claimed a Zero damaged.

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, October 29, 1943
"10/29 / P-38 / Escorting B-24s. Landed at Kirawina. Soht down Zeke out of control; shot down Zeke in flames both over Rabaul."
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) page 154 (Bong victories 18-19: October 29, 1943)

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