Prelude to the Royce Raid: Bombing Gasmata Airdrome

Gasmata was located on the southern coast of the island of New Britain in an area known as Surumi. It had been occupied by the Japanese in early February 1942. The distance from Port Moresby was 350 miles, near the maximum operating range for the B-25C bomber. This shot of the airstrip was taken in March 1942, shortly before the 3rd Bomb Group was ordered to strike Gasmata on April 6, 1942.

The story of the Royce Raid can be found on our blog and in our ebook, Stories from Fifth Air Force.