“Cactus,” Guadalcanal

Scheduled for a night rate on the Buin-Shortland area last night, but I had to stay behind due to my #2 engine still being out of commission. Two of our planes started fires on the Kahili strip. Several Jap ships were unsuccessfully attacked in the moonlight. AA, searchlights, and night fighters encountered. All returned safely.

The staff, finally acceding to the pilots protest on day raids, has worked out a plan whereby the Army B-24s and ourselves raid on alternate nights.

A Marine, searching for Jap souvenirs in the hills, stumbled onto six very live Japs. He shot and killed two with his forty-five while the other four ran off. He got plenty of souvenirs off the two dead ones, including a few front teeth and an ear! He handed the teeth around with the comment, “Feel it. The gums are still warm!”