FIGHTER PILOT REPORTS:"Enemy was aggressive, eager ..."
Operating as extreme close cover for Mitchell striking forces, Lightning fighters definitely destroyed 42 and probably destroyed another 11 enemy interceptors. "I saw an Oscar climbing up in front of us. I got on his tail, giving him a short burst. He caught fire. The fire went out momentarily and after a few seconds burst out again and the airplane exploded. Next I got on the tail of a Zeke. I followed him around in a turn and gave him several long bursts. My wingman saw him burning and losing altitude after my pass." (From narrative report by Lt. Grover Gholson.) "Lightning cover throughout the attack was perfect. No bomber element was left unprotected and none had to fight off Nip planes without almost constant support from the P-38s." (From report by Maj. John P. Henebry, commander of the Simpson Harbor force.) BUT: "Our tactics bewildered him ..."
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LIGHTNING ACTION: One of the outstanding features of bombardment attack in the Southwest Pacific Area has been the spirit of cooperation and excellent battle techniques perfected between bomber and fighter elements. That spirit and those techniques have
never been more effectively demonstrated than at Rabaul on 2 November.
