36 SBD, 16 TBF, and about 80 fighters from Munda Airfield in New Georgia attacked Rabaul, New Britain after a stop at Piva Airfield on Bougainville to refuel. 84 A6M intercepted them over New Ireland, but most American aircraft were able to make their way to Rabaul to commence their attacks. The Japanese lost 3 A6M fighters and the Americans lost 2 SBD, 1 TBF, 5 F4U, and 2 F6F aircraft. Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor at Rabaul suffered 3 direct hits and 16 near misses.
