352nd Fighter Group
S3: Clash At Rabual AAR
This was a very fun frame for us. We were shipped to New Guinea to fly P-47C's and cover the attacks on New Britain. Thanks to heavy training leading up to this event we scored better than we ever have before.
Frame 1
We rolled our P-47C's from Dobodura (F5) and begun to patrol the 4 line. With DGoose and Jamdru low looking for
any cons flying under radar while the rest of us stayed at 15k to provide cover. We made one circuit out to the
5.4 cross and then returned to base.
From there we started north in order to cover the 303 Sqn and their attack on Gasmata (F10). We arrived at Gasmata just ahead of them. On their way in they spotted two Betties flying south. I ordered DGoose and Jamdru to go find them while the rest of us circled the field and port. They quickly dispatched the bombers while the 303 made short work of their targets and ran south. At that time several Ki 61's showed up. I dove on one and took off his tail. We then started running south. Audi bounced one but was caught by two that had followed him down. One of those started chasing me as I headed south. During the fight we scored a couple more kills but also lost HKriz. We rendezvoused at the 4.5 cross and started back to base. There were reports of an attack going on at Milne Bay (F3) but we didn't have the fuel to get there. We landed at Dobodura and refueled our Jugs. We climbed out north in order to make a sweep over Sag Sag (F7) but received reports of cons over Monroe Harbor. Spitfires of the 303 Sqn. got there first and became engaged with several Tony's. We arrived soon after and dove to the attack. Several more Bastards scored kills without any loses. From there we regrouped and climbed north to Lea (F6). Just east of Lae we found two Zekes which we made short work of. This left most of us low on ammo so I called a regroup at the 2.5 cross. A determined Tony chased us and paid for it.
Frame 2
We went otr and lined up at the south end of our runway at Warigela (F5). Our job was to CAP Arawe (F8) and protect
the strike forces of the Dweebs of Death and the Texas Tornado's. When the call came we rolled out and headed north
as we climbed to 25,000 feet. As we approached Arawe, 3 cons were seen to pass us to the left. We watched them as
they turned into us from behind. I ordered the Group to reverse and attack. They turned out to be Ki 61's who flew
through the formation. Then we found ourselves being attacked from the north by more Ki 61's and Ki 45's (Me 110's).
We were suddenly in a swirling dogfight and outnumbered. We kept our altitude and ran when we got low. Through use
of our wingman tactics and RW, we kept each other alive. A Ki attacked Teqiza and I went to clear him, but before I
could get there I was attacked myself. The Ki drove me low until my wingman Joemac drove him off and Frfx killed
him. Unfortunately the Ki on Teqiza succeeded in shooting him down. We fought our way out of the furball and rallied
at the 3.5 cross. Thanks to discipline and assistance from the 100th FBG we survived with one loss for 10 kills.
We were low on fuel at that point so we returned to Wanigela. After refueling we begin our mission back north. We
received reports of attackers at Oro Bay. We turned west and I spotted two cons on the deck and headed east. DGoose
and I dove on them, Goose getting his, but I missed mine. This started a small dogfight on the deck as Jamdru and
H-Kriz came in to help. We lost Kriz but DGoose was able to shot the other con down. With the attackers destroyed
we regrouped and started north again. There was no enemy activity at Arawe so we flew to Sag Sag (F7) and covered
the Dweebs as they leveled it.
Frame 3
Our orders called for us to help escort the 457th and 305th BG's to Rabaul (F13) along with the 44th FS and
4th FG. Because of the extreme range, we arranged to meet them at the 6.5 cross and pass them to the 31st FG at
the 8.6 cross. We rolled from Wanigela (F4) and began our climb to the rendezvous point. DGoose took command of
the 328th and I took the other 2 squads and combined them into one element. We made a few circles at 6.5 which
allowed some late starts to catch up and joined the buffs. We stayed over them until we reached the 8.6 cross;
where we passed them off to the 31st who showed up right on time. We then began our long trip back to Wanigela.
(1/2 there I discoed, as did Frfx. It was a bad night for beacons) The Group landed with 25% fuel in our tanks,
telling us it was a good idea we didn't go all the way to Rabaul. The Group's next assignment was to sweep Arawe
(F8), where there had been several contacts with the IJAAF. The flight out was uneventful until we reached Arawe.
We were in the process of making a large circle in preparation for flying up to Sag Sag (F7) when a large group of
Ki 61's of the 416 Sentai (RCAF) came out of the sun. This started a huge swirling furball as we tried to fend them
off. It was soon evident they had both numbers and E, so the call to bug out to the south came over the radio. The
Group started a running battle out south while being chased. It was during this period that several Bastards were
caught and shot down. I contacted the 44th FS and requested their help. With their help the tide was quickly turned
and kills by both the 44th and the 352nd quickly filled the buffer. Within minutes the sky was clear of Tony's and
just the -38F's and -47C's remained. By then the Group was low on fuel and we were forced to return to base. As the
sun began to set, our Jugs touched down at Wanigela. It was one of those frames where we were either bored silly or
scared to death.
Frame 4
Frame 5
For the last frame, our mission was to BARCAP the western half of New Britain (F7, F8, F10). We rolled from
Wanigela (F4) and began our climb north. Just south of Arawe (F8) we encountered a large group of Ki 61's heading
in the opposite direction. Initially we held our formation well, but after a few passes we started to break up. I
called for an egress out to the 4.5 cross to regroup (It was at this point I discoed and had to get back in) During
this engagement we score a few kills but lost several Jugs as we attempted to make it to the rally point. Finally
the remainders made it to 4.5 and we headed back to Wanigela to refuel and rearm. With our Thunderbolts readied, we
once again took off into the humid air and made our way north. As we approached Sag Sag (F7) we were radioed that
the 4th FG was under attack about 20 miles east of us near 4.5.8. We turned south and began searching for them.
While we were looking we spotted 6 Ki 43's headed south about 4,000 feet lower (it was later observed they were
carrying bombs). The Bastards dove to the attack from their hi 6 o'clock. YT quickly dispatched one while DGoose
and I fought another to the deck. DGoose winged him and I finished him off, getting credit for the kill, when we
found another Ki trying to egress. We engaged him and he didn't last long, DGoose scoring the kill. The 352nd
rallied at the 4.5 cross and found Soul and Wolver of the 4th FG. We joined forces with them and started climbing
back north towards Arawe. After looking for reported cons near 3.6.2 and being shadowed by several Ki 61's, we
readied to make our turn for home. At that point a large group of cons were spotted at our co-alt 12 o'clock. We
went full power and blew through a large group of Tony's and Zekes. A swirling dogfight ensued and Wolver of the
4th was shot down. Unlike our previous fight, this time the 352nd maintained cohesion and when the order to egress
was given, the Group dove out from the more numerous enemy, kept clearing 6's and kept our speed and heading.
We regrouped and began our journey home. Kriz landed at Sag Sag due to low fuel, while everyone else made Wanigela, DGoose on fumes.
Final Totals
| Sorties | 60 |
| Kills | 56 |
| Loses | 16 |
| Jamdru | 11 |
| YT | 9 |
| DGoose | 8 |
| Dune | 5 |
| Skybax | 4 |
| Frfx | 4 |
| Audi | 4 |
| BBGun | 3 |
| Smithr | 2 |
| HKriz | 2 |
| BnZ | 2 |
| Weiser | 1 |
| Foxtwo | 1 |