In New Guinea waters, an enemy formation of thirty-seven aircraft attacked MV Gorgon, one of the ships of a convoy being escorted by HMAS Kapunda. One of the planes was shot down by Oerlikon fire from Kapunda and another hit by anti-aircraft fire from the merchant ship, but the others pressing home the attack scored several hits, setting Gorgon on fire. Kapunda’s Commanding Officer, however, took his ship alongside the burning vessel, put fire fighting parties aboard, and after a long struggle subdued the flames and brought the damaged ship safely to port.