Friday
On November 3 while returning to Sansapor from Morotai, Wayne participated in yet another mission. This time it was against a target on Halmahera Island, located south of Morotai.
Eight B-25Js of the 100th Bombardment Squadron with four planes of the 69th Bombardment Squadron and 70th Bombardment Squadron attached were off from Pitoe Air Field at Morotai between 1045 and 1104 on 3 November 1945. Each plane carried four 500 lb. general-purpose bombs plus a full load of ammunition. They were to attack the Lolobata River barge hideout located east of Hatetabako Air Field and return directly to Sansapor.
Due to visibility problems, the aircraft were forced to break formation and bomb in separate groups. Weather in the target area prevented observation of a certain number of bomb hits.
Observations included two possibly serviceable twin engine planes on what appeared to be the unserviceable Lolobata Airdrome. One was located in a revetment at the west end of the runway and the other in a revetment at the East End of the strip. Hatetabako was observed to appear possibly serviceable. One burned-out 400 foot, burned out cargo ship hulk was observed approximately 1000 yards east of the Lolobata River’s mouth.
The antiaircraft artillery fire varied from moderate to intense, medium and heavy and accurate to in accurate with barrage type and tracking fire received. Four aircraft were damaged by the antiaircraft fire:
B-25J #029 received three holes in its bomb bay.
B-25J #079 received a hole in its left wing oil cooler.
B-25J #015 received a hole in its fuselage.
B-25J #012, on which Wayne was the tail gunner, received a nick in its right propeller.
No personnel, however, were injured.
Eight of the mission aircraft landed at Mar Air Field between 1340 and 1350 with two planes landing at 1420 and at 1440, respectively.1,2
Notes & Commentary
1 Narrative Combat Report, 3 November 1944, 100th Bombardment Squadron (M). Office of the Intelligence Officer, 3 November 1944, microfilm A0576, Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1972, frames 1595- 1596.
2 Final Mission Report, Mission No. 142, 3 November 1944, 100th Bombardment Squadron (M). Office of the Intelligence Officer, 3 November 1944, microfilm A0576, Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1972, frames 1597-1599.
Wayne's Journal 