"On the night of 2 March 1943, Catalinas staging through Milne Bay shadowed a large Japanese convoy during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. The next day, the convoy was almost completely destroyed in one of the decisive actions of the South West Pacific campaign.
April 1943 saw a mixed formation of Nos 11 and 20 Squadron Catalinas carry out the RAAF's first mine laying operation when magnetic mines were successfully laid near Kaiving. This mission marked the commencement of a highly successful mining campaign that was responsible for the sinking of many ships, the disruption of maritime trade and the closure of ports. In one operation No 11 Squadron participated in a mine laying mission to Manila Bay - the Catalinas flew over 14,500 kilometres - making this operation the RAAF's longest of the war. "
Chapter 22 Minelaying by Catalinas
http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awmohww2/air/vol2/awmohww2-air-vol2-ch22.pdf
