“Cactus,” Carney Field, Guadalcanal

Two PB4Y search planes have been lost the last day or so within 200 miles of Kapingamarangi (the old jinx — Van Voorhees) without any extra explanation or message. The widely scattered wreckage of both planes has been spotted. They were lost a day apart on adjoining sectors. (?) The possibility of there being midair explosions is very slim. Maybe the Japs have a secret weapon. The only reasonable possibility seems to be a Jap sub with a good AA crew.

Also two cruiser SOCs, from a task force north of Kavieng, caught a Betty in a squall and forced her to crash. Bravo.