Precision Bombing in the Upper Faria River Valley by Jack Fellows

Throughout the campaign in Papua New Guinea, battle-hardened Aussie "Diggers" penetrated the inland jungle areas where desperate Japanese troops had taken refuge after being driven out of coastal areas. The available 5th USAAF and RAAF units performed essential close air support and aerial re-supply functions.

Depicted here are elements of the 2nd Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group bombing Japanese troop positions, 5 November, 1943, very close to those of the Australians. Lt. Marshall T. Slater, bombardier in the B-25 nearest to the viewer was awarded the Air Medal, and the 22nd Bomb Group was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation, having saturated the area With four hundred 100-pound bombs only a few hundred yards from the Digger's positions.