Photographs, Black Cats, radar, and gunfire shape the bombardment plan

The air delegation brought gridded photographs and mosaics to locate targets at Munda and Vila Stanmore. Black Cat patrol aircraft carried naval spotters who could correct fall of shot from above, while the ships relied on radar for navigation. Initial ranging salvos would give way to continuous area fire intended to put the maximum number of shells onto the bases. Column formation reduced the risk that one ship's muzzle flashes would illuminate another to Japanese batteries. The plan deliberately varied earlier patterns and accepted less precise spotting at Munda in exchange for simultaneous concentrated fire. Ammunition came aboard from Pyro before the groups began an 840-mile passage to the targets.