Us Official Photographs

Mitchell bomber over Simpson Harbor

ESCAPE — AND RUIN: A Mitchell bomber, winging over the caked lava and bush slopes of Vulcan volcano, speeds out of Simpson Harbor. "Hugging the tree tops, we escaped from Simpson Harbor to the southeast. Vulcan volcano, lined with anti-aircraft guns, and heavy cruisers in Simpson Harbor and Keravia Bay kept up steady fire. Eight Zeros attempted to intercept us near Vunakanau airdrome. (From narrative report of Flight Officer Jack K. Harrington, 90th Attack Squadron.) Photographs on this page do not detail pictorially the full damage wrought in Simpson Harbor. These pictures were made from the tail of one of the first bombers away from the target before the attack by five other squadrons. The pictures are included because of the extraordinary clarity of detail with which they depict a general view of the har-bor.