This Page Declassified IAW EO12958 curr . ARMY _AIR FORC IsTORICAL ST DIES: No.4 FIFTH AIR FORCE™ IN THE CONQUEST OF THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO Nvol CN OG NOVEMBER (945 TO MARGH 1944 eich 2b wie wethen are Sm ee Tees pivamacn, Aree ves Branele SS arwii Air Foes Base, #abande ‘st Ad GANNVOS [XAF HISTORICAL OFFICE | AMY AIR FORCE THIS PAGE Declassified IAW EO012958This Page Declassified IAW EO12958 ‘TEE FIFTH ATR FORCE In THE CONQUEST OF THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO Noveuber 1943 to Yarch 1944 The original of this nonogragh and the ch it wis written Division, Arohiver Branch, Pldy. Qk, vaxmell sar Force Base, 4ls-ama. Prepered by is AAP Hictorical orrico Mins! = ( Jomuary 1046 3 : 3 ~ eS ue = 1S FOR ATES eels THIS PAGE Declassified IAW EO12958FOREWORD qhic study, prepared by Maj. Harris 6, vanren of the Conbat Operstional Hictory Division, jAF Historice? Sitice, analyzes in considerable detail the air scticn Carnied out by AAF waite in the Bisuarck Arehipelese Carr a iovesber 1913 to Varch 194, thus supplesentiag area frovvatives in the ASF Wistorical, Series which des) coer the operations of the Thirteenth Air Force in the Solomons and the Fifth Air Force in New Gaines Tae Be see rrerations in ew Guinea, helped to male possibie The by-passing of Rabaul and Kavieng, and afforded positions the Py Minirelty Tolands waich were used as major staging pases for the later invasion of the Philippines. Like other AAF Historical Studies, the present narrative is subject to ‘revision as additional materials ‘pecome available. Readers are encouraged to submit inform=< tion or corrections on the perforated sheets attached at the end of the study. THIS PAGE Declassified IAWEO12958 =