Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands

We’ve lost our first airfield in almost two years to the Japs. The 500 foot strip (Cubs) at Ibu was abandoned by the Fijians to a superior force of Japs. The Jap trap was successfully circumnavigated and the Fijians are headed for the coast above Torokina.

(My four-year Navy flying contract is up today! Feb. 16, 1940, I entered Pensacola for four years of Naval Aviation. If this were peacetime, I’d be out!)