11 Sep 1914

Australian New Guinea
  • Australian forces landed near Rabaul, Bismarck Islands and captured the wireless station after a brief but fierce firefight. The 5 Australians killed during this action were the Australian casualties of WW1. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
12 Sep 1914

Australian New Guinea
  • Australian troops captured the town of Rabaul, Bismarck Islands. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
7 Dec 1941

Australian New Guinea
8 Dec 1941

Australian New Guinea
9 Dec 1941

Australian New Guinea
15 Dec 1941

Australian New Guinea
18 Dec 1941

Australian New Guinea
26 Dec 1941

Australian New Guinea
4 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 16 Type 96 G3M bombers of Chitose Air Group of Japanese Navy 24th Air Flotilla, based at Truk in Caroline Islands, were spotted over Tabor 90 miles north of New Britain at 1000 hours. They reached Rabaul, New Britain at 1100 hours, where they were able to attack various military facilities with minimal resistance (only 2 Wirraway fighters scrambled, while anti-aircraft guns were ineffective). Shortly before sundown, 11 Type 97 H6K flying boats of Yokohama Air Group attacked the Vunakanam Airfield on New Britain; Australians failed to open fire with the anti-aircraft guns altogether, while most of the Japanese bombs missed the airfield. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese aircraft from Truk, Caroline Islands attacked Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Nine Japanese flying boats attacked Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, destroying a direction-finding station and damaging a Wirraway fighter, a Hudson bomber, and the runways; one Wirraway fighter was scrambled and reached the flying boats, but it failed to hit the attackers. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
7 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
16 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese aircraft attacked Rabaul, New Britain, destroying fuel stores, bomb stockpiles, and other facilities at Vunakanau Airfield. Two Wirraway fighters were scrambled to intercept, but they failed to reached the Japanese aircraft in time. 6 hours later, several flying boats followed up with an attack with fragmentation bombs. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
20 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Akagi's aircraft carried out strikes against Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Akagi | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Shokaku launched strikes against Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Shokaku | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Japanese South Seas Force Transport Fleet ships crossed the Equator en route to Rabaul, New Britain at 0500 hours; it was the first Japanese Army force to cross the Equator in history. At 1214 hours, coast watchers at Tabar north of Rabaul spotted 20 Japanese Zero fighters; 109 carrier aircraft reached Rabaul at 1248 hours, destroying 5 of the 8 remaining Wirraway fighters at Rabaul. Shortly after, 27 Type 97 aircraft of carrier Kaga and a number of Type 99 aircraft from carrier Shokaku and Zuikaku attacked, sinking Norwegian freighter Herstein and coal hulk Westralia, losing only one aircraft in combat (a Type 97 piloted by Petty Officer 1st Class Tatsuya Sugihara) and two during recovery. No. 24 Squadron RAAF was effectively wiped out after the attacks on Rabaul on this day. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
21 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Frustrated Australian Chaplain John May at Rabaul, New Britain sent a message to Townsville, Australia containing the Latin phrase "Morituri vos salutamus", or "we who are about to die salute you", referring to the Australian government's abandonment of those deployed to Rabaul. To the east, a Catalina aircraft from Buka Island took off at dawn and spotted a Japanese cruiser force 6 hours later; the aircraft was shot down by fighters; 3 were killed, 5 were captured by cruiser Aoba. Shortly after, 52 carrier aircraft attacked Kavieng, New Ireland. At 1630 hours, RAAF command ordered the No. 24 Squadron to attack any Japanese fleets that might be approaching Rabaul as if it did not know that No. 24 Squadron had effectively been wiped out by Japanese attacks on the previous day; nevertheless, the last surviving Hudson bomber was launched on patrol, and would return after failing to find any Japanese ships. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
22 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Akagi's aircraft carried out strikes against Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Akagi | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Japanese troops landed on New Ireland, Bismarck Islands and captured Kavieng. At nearby Rabaul, the last surviving Hudson bomber was used to evacuate the wounded airmen from the hospital on Namanula Hill, taking them to Port Moresby, British Territory of Papua. After sunrise, carrier Akagi and Kaga launched aircraft against Rabaul; they attacked two coastal guns at the cost of 2 Type 99 dive bombers. In the late morning, coast watchers at Watom Island spotted a Japanese fleet, which appears on the horizon for the Rabaul defenders by 1200 hours. In the afternoon, Australian troops began to sabotage airfield facilities to prevent Japanese use after capture; when destroying a bomb store, the resulting explosion was much larger than expected, and it killed several natives and the vibration damaged all nearby radios, thus the last message sent out at 1600 hours would become Rabaul's final radio message. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
23 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • At 0230 hours, Japanese troops began landing on New Britain on three beachheads, two of which were defended, but in general the Japanese had little difficult overcoming the defenses. Carrier aircraft from Akagi and Kaga supported the invasion after dawn, enjoying air superiority thus losing only one pilot (Flight Petty Officer 2nd Class Isao Hiraishi) all day. As the troops entered and captured Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands, as reported by Tolai natives later, Japanese troops mutilated corpses of Australian troops with axes and bayonets. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Thomas McBride Price led the second Australian attempt at attacking Rabaul, New Britain (the first having been abandoned on the previous day due to weather); clouds over Rabaul obscured both the attackers (5 Catalina aircraft) as well as the defenders, thus the only damage caused was minor friendly fire incidents on the Japanese side. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
26 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
27 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
28 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
30 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese troops executed Australian prisoner of war Captain Herbert Silverman at Rabaul, New Britain. On the same day, Australian Thomas McBride Price led 5 Catalina aircraft on an attack on Rabaul, claiming one bomb hit; Price reported the presence of newly arrived large anti-aircraft weapons. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
31 Jan 1942

Australian New Guinea
2 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Major General Tomitaro Horii ordered Lieutenant Colonel Masao Kuwada of Japanese 3rd Battalion to pursue Australian troops who had previously fled into the jungles of southern Gazelle Peninsula on New Britain; Kuwada delegated the task to Lieutenant Tadaichi Noda. After sundown, six Japanese flying boats were launched from Rabaul to attack Port Moresby in British Territory of Papua; they would arrive over the Seven Mile airfield on the next date. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
3 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Lieutenant Tadaichi Noda led a group of Japanese troops to the Tol plantation on the southern coast of the Gazelle Peninsula of New Britain and captured 180 Australian troops hiding there; the Australians were given hot meals, the first they had for several days; the prisoners, however, did not realize that most of them would only have days to live. Hours later, after sundown, Australian Catalina aircraft flew over Rabaul, New Britain and were engaged by Japanese A5M4 fighters; all aircraft on both sides survived this first dogfight over Rabaul since Japanese conquest. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | New Britain | CPC]
  • Tenryu departed Kavieng, New Ireland and provided support for the landings at nearby Gasmata, New Britain. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Gasmata, New Britain | CPC]
4 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese troops under Lieutenant Tadaichi Noda executed 130 Australian prisoners of war by bayoneting and machine gunning at the Tol Plantation on the southern coast of Gazelle Peninsula in New Britain; there were only 6 survivors; Noda ordered a message to be posted on the door of Tol noting that Australian Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Scanlan was responsible for these deaths for not having surrendered his command to the Japanese. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | New Britain | CPC]
5 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Kamoi arrived at Rabaul, New Britain to provide support for the occupation of this new conquest. ww2dbase [Kamoi | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • An Australian Hudson bomber conducted a reconnaissance mission over Rabaul, New Britain; a Japanese fighter rose to attack and damaged the Australian aircraft, but it would be able to escape and return to Port Moresby, British Territory of Papua. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
9 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese Special Naval Landing Force troops arrived at Gasmata airfield, renamed Surumi airfield by the Japanese, in southern New Britain to expand the existing grass runway built by the RAAF. ww2dbase [Gasmata, New Britain | CPC]
10 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Australian Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Scanlan decided to surrender to the Japanese and began to trek toward Rabaul, New Britain from the coast of Wide Bay on the southern coast of the island's Gazelle Peninsula. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 1, Bismarck Islands | New Britain | CPC]
  • The Japanese Navy established the 4th Air Group at Rabaul, New Britain under the command of Captain Yoshiyotsu Moritama. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
11 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Three Australian Hudson bombers attacked Surumi airfield near the village of Gasmata, New Britain; Flight Petty Officer 1st Class Satoshi Yoshino shot down the bombers flown by John Lerew and Graham Gibson. Lerew would parachute to safety and return to New Guinea on 21 Feb 1942. Transports Kinryu Maru and Kizui Maru were damaged by the Hudson bombers, killing several men. ww2dbase [Gasmata, New Britain | CPC]
13 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
14 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
20 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
23 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Just after 0000 hours, six B-17 bombers of US 14th Reconnaissance Squadron were launched from Garbutt Field at Townsville, Australia to attack Rabaul, New Britain. 5 bombers reached and attacked Rabaul at 0647 hours, causing little damage. Four bombers returned to Townsville safely at 1430 hours; 1 crash landed in the Agaiambo Swamp in New Guinea. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Three Australian Catalina aircraft bombed Rabaul, New Britain; 1 aircraft was lost on this mission. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
26 Feb 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Australian Wing Commander Dick Cohen led several Catalina aircraft in a night attack on Rabaul, New Britain; Cohen used his own Catalina aircraft as a dive bomber. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
3 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • At Rabaul, New Britain, the Japanese South Seas Force began embarking transports Yokohama Maru and China Maru, while the Maizaru 2nd Special Naval Landing Force began embarking transports Kongo Maru, Tenyo Maru, and Kokai Maru for the invasion of Lae and Salamaua in the Australian Territory of New Guinea. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 2 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese troop transports Yokohama Maru, China Maru, Kongo Maru, Tenyo Maru, and Kokai Maru departed Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands for New Guinea; the transports were escorted by six cruisers and eight destroyers. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 2 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain and departed for Australian New Guinea island later in the day. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
11 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
13 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Five B-17 bombers of the US 40th Reconnaissance Squadron from Australia were launched to attack Rabaul, New Britain; only one arrived over the target to drop the bomb load, which caused little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
14 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
18 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese hospital ship Hikawa Maru departed Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Hikawa Maru | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Several US B-17 bombers launched from Port Moresby, Australian Papua to attack Rabaul, New Britain, causing no damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
27 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
28 Mar 1942

Australian New Guinea
1 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • The Japanese 25th Air Flotilla was assigned to Rabaul, New Britain under the command of Rear Admiral Sadayoshi Yasuda. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, refueled, and departed later in the day. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • At 0200 hours, B-17 bombers of US 22nd Bomb Group were launched from Seven Mile airfield near Port Moresby, Australian Papua. One hour later, the faster B-26 bombers were launched. Flying toward Rabaul, New Britain, this was the first B-17 combat mission against that location as well as the first B-26 combat mission. The B-17 bombers struck first (despite the fact that the two were supposed to be attacking at the same time), causing no damage. By the time the B-26 bombers arrived, 7 Japanese A5M fighters were already in the air, although they failed to close in on the B-26 bombers. The B-26 bombers caused very little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | AC, CPC]
9 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Just before 1200 hours, eight B-26 Marauder bombers attacked Simpson Harbor and Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, damaging ships in the harbor, port facilities, and several parked aircraft. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
11 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Eight B-26 Marauder bombers took off from Port Moresby, Australian Papua at 0900 hours; one of them would return to base due to engine trouble. The remaining seven attacked Vunakanau airfield and Lakunai airfield near Rabaul, New Britain, causing minimal damage. As the bomber crews returned to base, they reported a sighting of a fleet carrier (most likely mis-identified Kasuga Maru), causing the commanders to scramble to prepare a major strike against the target. ww2dbase [Taiyo | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
12 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Three B-26 Marauder bombers were launched from Port Moresby, Australian Papua at dawn in search of the reported fleet carrier (most likely the mis-identified Kasuga Maru) at Rabaul, New Britain. At 0930, another group of four B-26 aircraft was launched. The two groups attacked Rabaul, causing little to no damage. ww2dbase [Taiyo | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Saburo Sakai and other pilots of the Japanese Navy Tainan Air Group arrived at Rabaul, New Britain via the transport ship Komaki Maru. ww2dbase [Saburo Sakai | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
18 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • B-26 Marauder bombers of US 5th Air Force attacked Simpson Harbor and Lakunai airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago at 1030 hours. Akomaki Maru was sunk (killing 11), as was Komaki Maru as her load of aviation fuel detonated. Lakunai airfield received light damage. After the attack, 80 Australian prisoners of war were executed by the Japanese for having cheered during the attack. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
29 Apr 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • In the morning, Three US B-28 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, destroying five Zero fighters on the ground and damaged four more. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
2 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 7 B-26 Marauder bombers from Port Moresby, Australian Papua attacked Rabaul, New Britain, causing little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
4 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 6 B-26 Marauder bombers from Port Moresby, Australian Papua struck Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, damaging 5 Japanese bombers on the ground, detonating fuel drums, and destroying 2 gas trucks. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
7 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
8 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • USS S-44 fired two torpedoes at an unidentified target off the coast of New Britain; both torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [S-44 | New Britain | CPC]
10 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
11 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
13 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
22 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese merchant ship Naruto Maru arrived at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 3 US B-26 Marauder bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, destroying the Genzan Air Group headquarters building and destroying four land-attack aircraft on the ground; 2 of the US bombers were damaged during this attack. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
25 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Engineers and staff officers of the Japanese 25th Air Flotilla and 8th Base Force departed Rabaul, New Britain by flying boat to inspect prospective airfield building sites on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
26 May 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese merchant ship Naruto Maru departed Rabaul, New Britain for Yokohama, Japan. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • US pilot Major Felix Hardison flew a lone B-17E bomber to attack Rabaul, New Britain at night time. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
22 Jun 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Montevideo Maru boarded 845 prisoners of war (mostly Australian) and 208 civilian internees at Rabaul, New Britain and set sail for southern China without escort. ww2dbase [Montevideo Maru | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Jul 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese merchant ship Naruto Maru took on Australian nurses and 60 prisoners of war and departed Rabaul, New Britain, sailing for Yokohama, Japan. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
19 Jul 1942

Australian New Guinea
20 Jul 1942

Australian New Guinea
21 Jul 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa of the Japanese 8th Fleet based at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago issued a request for more destroyers. ww2dbase [Gunichi Mikawa | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
23 Jul 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa of the Japanese 8th Fleet based at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago repeated his 21 Jul 1942 request for more destroyers. ww2dbase [Gunichi Mikawa | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 Jul 1942

Australian New Guinea
3 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Saburo Sakai, along with the others of Japanese Navy Tainan Air Group, was relocated to Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Saburo Sakai | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese transport Yawata Maru delivered 15 A6M3 Zero fighters and 16 Type 99 D3A carrier bombers to Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
7 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • At 0730 hours, 13 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers took off from Port Moresby, Australian Papua to attack Rabaul, New Britain. Between 0950 and 1045 hours, prior to the arrival of the US attack, 17 Zero fighters of the Japanese Tainan Air Group, 27 Type 1 G4M aircraft of 4th Air Group, and 9 Type 99 D3A aircraft of 2nd Air Group were launched from Rabaul area airfields to join the battle in the Guadalcanal area in the Solomon Islands. The US attack caused minimal damage to runways and minor damage to 12 defending Zero fighters. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
9 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 6 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, causing little damage; 2 bombers were lost on this mission. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
12 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 8 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, damaging transport Matsumoto Maru in Simpson Harbor. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
17 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
21 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 14 Zero fighters of Japanese 6th Air Group arrived at Lakunai airfield near Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
28 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, departing for Milne Bay, Australian Papua later in the day. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
29 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 8 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked the Vunakanau airfield near Rabaul, New Britain. Later on the same day, troops of the Japanese 81st Naval Garrison executed six Australians at Rabaul. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
30 Aug 1942

Australian New Guinea
1 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 130 troops of the Japanese 5th Yokosuka Special Naval Landing Forces departed Rabaul, New Britain for Milne Bay, Australian Papua. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
10 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Matome Ugaki arrived at Rabaul, New Britain to meet with officers of the Japanese Navy 8th Fleet, Japanese Navy 11st Air Fleet, and Japanese Army 17th Army. ww2dbase [Matome Ugaki | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Japanese destroyers Isokaze and Yayoi departed Rabaul, New Britain for Goodenough Island, Australian Papua with intention of evacuating the 353 troops of the Japanese 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force there. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 2 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
11 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain in search of survivors of sunken destroyer Yayoi; she would fail to locate any. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
12 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
14 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • The Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britain suffered an accidental ammunition explosion at about 1300 hours. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
15 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, causing little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, causing little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
18 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
24 Sep 1942

Australian New Guinea
1 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Tenryu disembarked her cargo of 56 Type 3 Model 1 naval mines at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
2 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of 19th Bomb Group of US 5th Air Force from Port Moresby, Australian Papua attacked Rabaul, New Britain between 0440 and 0510 hours, damaging Japanese light cruiser Tenryu with a hit at the stern, killing 22 and wounding 26. Auxiliary repair ship Hakkai Maru would provide Tenryu with temporary repairs. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 6 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of US 30th Bomb Squadron from Port Moresby, Australian Papua attacked Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. Simultaneously, 8 B-17 bombers of 28th Bomb Squadron attacked nearby Lakunai airfield. The attacks caused very minor damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
8 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Troops of the Japanese 81st Naval Garrison executed Allied prisoners of war airman Harl Pease, airman Chester Czechowski, airman Harold Massie, coast watcher Cecil John Trevelyan Mason, coast watcher Arthur King, and coast watcher Ray Woodroffe at Rabaul, New Britain. They were executed by either rifle fire or bayonet. A Japanese Army doctor was seen dissecting at least one of the six men after the execution. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • 36 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers moved from Mareeba airfield in Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, Australian Papua. Before the end of the day, they took off for Rabaul, New Britain for an attack early on the next day. 4 Australian PBY Catalina aircraft dropped bombs on Rabaul to start fires for the B-17 bombers that would arrive in a few hours. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Vice Admiral Jinichi Kusaka arrived at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Jinichi Kusaka | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
9 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain at 0400 hours, causing little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
10 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese hospital ship Hikawa Maru departed Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Hikawa Maru | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • 7 Australian PBY Catalina aircraft attacked Rabaul, New Britain at 0330 hours. At 0400 hours, 18 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers attacked Rabaul's Simpson harbor while 3 B-17 bombers attacked nearby Lakunai airfield. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
20 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • The USAAF conducted a photo reconnaissance mission over Rabaul, New Britain, revealing a concentration of about 70 ships. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Hakkai Maru completed temporary repairs for Tenryu at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
21 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Tenryu conducted post-repair trials off Rabaul, New Britain. Upon returning to port, a damaged 8-centimeter anti-aircraft gun mount was replaced. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
22 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • The USAAF conducted a photo reconnaissance mission over Rabaul, New Britain, revealing a concentration of about 70 ships. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
23 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 7 US B-17 Flying Fortress bombers launched from Port Moresby, Australian Papua at 0145 hours, followed by another 7 shortly after. As they reached Rabaul, New Britain, ,most of them conducted conventional bombing against Simpson Harbor while 3 of them skip-bombed; the skip-bombing damaged 2 submarine chasers. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
25 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
27 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
31 Oct 1942

Australian New Guinea
4 Nov 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese troops executed Australian aviator Allan Norman and his crew by decapitation at the Tavurvur crater near Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Nov 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • About 600 British prisoners of war arrived at Kokopo, New Britain as slave laborers. Most of them would soon be sent to Ballale island in the Solomon Islands to build an airfield. ww2dbase [Kokopo, New Britain | CPC]
13 Nov 1942

Australian New Guinea
17 Nov 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • The Americans launched ten bombers to attack Rabaul, New Britain, but due to stormy weather only five of them arrived over the Japanese base, and only one was successful in dropping its payload, hitting nothing. One of the ten airfield failed to return after the mission, having disappeared en route. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
23 Nov 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain and was named the flagship of Cruiser Division 18 under Rear Admiral Mitsuharu Matsuyama. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
1 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
4 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
7 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • US B-24 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain, causing no damage due to poor weather. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
17 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
18 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • Yugure completed escorting convoys between Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands and Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands. ww2dbase [Yugure | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
26 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
28 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
30 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 7 B-17 bombers of US 43rd Bomb Group attacked Rabaul, New Britain at 0530 hours, sinking small cargo ship Tomiura Maru. The pilots reported 21 warships gathering in Simpson Harbor. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
31 Dec 1942

Australian New Guinea
  • 6 B-17 bombers attacked Lakunai airfield near Rabaul, New Britain with wire-wrapped 500-pound bombs, causing very little damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
1 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
3 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • The Japanese leadership in Rabaul, New Britain received the text of the Army-Navy Central Agreement on South Pacific Area Operations, which called for the strengthening of Solomon Islands and New Guinea footholds upon the completion of the evacuation of Guadalcanal. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Despite George Kenney's orders for an all-out attack on Rabaul, New Britain at dawn, Kenneth Walker launched a limited (without 63rd Bomb Squadron, whose commander William Benn disagreed with the timing of the attack) mid-day attack. Bad weather in Australia prevented some of the B-24 bombers from launching, thus ultimately only 6 B-24 bombers and 6 B-17 bombers took off for the attack. Two B-17 bombers attacked Lakunai and Vunakanau airfields near Rabaul between 0900 and 0930 hours. At 1200 hours, 6 B-24 bombers and 3 B-17 bombers (one of which carried Walker) attacked, sinking army transport Keifuku Maru, damaging two merchant ships, and damaging destroyer Tachikaze; 3 Ki-43 fighters were shot down during the raid. At 1317 hours, B-17 bomber San Antonio Rose was shot down; Walker and the entire crew were reported as missing, and none of them would be found. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 2 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
7 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • USAAF B-17, B-24, B-25, and A-20 bombers, escorted by USAAF P-38 fighters and RAF Catalina flying boats, attacked a Japanese convoy en route to Lae, New Guinea, sinking transport Nichiryu Maru off Gasmata, New Britain. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 2 | Gasmata, New Britain | CPC]
  • 44 Japanese bombers and 60 fighters took off from Rabaul, New Britain, intending to attack Port Moresby, Australian Papua; the attack was canceled after the aircraft ran into bad weather. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
21 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Allied aircraft attacked Rabaul, New Britain, sinking small freighter Tetsusan Maru. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
26 Jan 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • US bombers conducted a night raid on Rabaul, New Britain; Zero fighters rose to intercept and shot down one B-17 bomber. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
15 Feb 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Starting at 0340 hours, a total of 34 US B-17 bombers in four waves attacked Rabaul, New Britain, dropping 98,000 pounds of various bombs including flares, 300-pound demolition bombs, 100-pound daisy cutter bombs, 20-pound fragmentation bombs, and incendiary bombs, damaging aircraft and destroying food stores, oil drums, and ammunition dumps; three bombs were lost on this mission. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Feb 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 17 US B-17 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain before dawn. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
28 Feb 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese convoy Operation 81 assembled at Rabaul, New Britain and readied for departure scheduled for the next day. The convoy was consisted of 6 transports (carrying 6,000 troops and supplies), 1 old navy supply ship (carrying 600 Special Naval Landing Force troops), and 1 small freighter (carrying 1,650 drums of aviation gas); it was escorted by 8 destroyers. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
1 Mar 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • The Japanese convoy Operation 81 (consisted of 6 transports, 1 old navy supply ship, and 1 small freighter, carrying a total of 6,600 troops) departed Rabaul, New Britain. The convoy was discovered by Lieutenant Walt Higgins' B-24 patrol along the northern coast of New Britain at 1500 hours; 7 B-17 bombers were dispatched to attack, but they failed to locate the convoy. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • USS Greenling dropped off Australian and New Britain natives at Cape Orford, New Britain. They were to serve as coast watchers. ww2dbase [Greenling | Cape Orford, New Britain | CPC]
2 Mar 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • After nightfall, USS Greenling unloaded supplies off Cape Orford, New Britain for newly deployed coast watchers. ww2dbase [Greenling | Cape Orford, New Britain | CPC]
7 Mar 1943

Australian New Guinea
23 Mar 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 9 US B-17 bombers attacked the Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britain, causing damage to the airfields. One of the bombers dropped large bombs in the Rabalanakaia volcano in an attempt to artificially cause an eruption, but the attempt was unsuccessful; the Americans did not realize that the volcano was actually dormant. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
27 Mar 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Japanese 6th Field Kempeitai arrived at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
3 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Admiral Yamamoto and his staff departed Truk, Caroline Islands for Rabaul, New Britain on two Kawanishi H8K flying boats to supervise Operation I-GO from 7 to 14 Apr 1943, expecting to return to flagship Musashi on 19 Apr 1943. They arrived at Rabaul at 1340 hours. ww2dbase [Isoroku Yamamoto | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
4 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
5 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Yugure departed Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands at 0600 to make rendezvous with Nichiei Maru at sea. ww2dbase [Yugure | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
12 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
13 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Matome Ugaki, still recovering from dengue fever at Rabaul, New Britain, was given permission by the doctor to leave his bed. ww2dbase [Matome Ugaki | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • At Rabaul, New Britain, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto played a game of Shogi with Vice Admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka, discussing Pacific War strategy. When Yamamoto spoke of his intention to personally inspect forward bases to raise morale, Rear Admiral Takatsugu Jojima and Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa protested but failed to dissuade Yamamoto. Yamamoto's lieutenants were particularly worried about the fact that Yamamoto's detailed travel itinerary were sent over the radio. ww2dbase [Isoroku Yamamoto | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • A scheduled fighter sweep from Rabaul, New Britain was cancelled as a reconnaissance aircraft failed to return from northeastern New Guinea island region. Despite of this cancellation, Isoroku Yamamoto announced the successful conclusion of the I-Go air offensive. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
17 Apr 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Matome Ugaki chaired a conference at the 8th Base Force Headquarters at Rabaul, New Britain. Among other topics, the admirals discussed the lack of armor on Japanese aircraft and the concern that Isoroku Yamamoto was soon to personally visit the front lines. ww2dbase [Friedrich Paulus | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 17 Apr 1943
Isoroku Yamamoto
10 May 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 59 Zero fighters, 7 J1N reconnaissance aircraft, and 47 G4M bombers arrived at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • An experimental J1N1 aircraft arrived at Lakunaia Airfield, Rabaul, New Britain. It was armed with aerial burst bomb launchers, a weapon designed against US bombers. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
11 May 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • US B-17 and B-24 bombers attacked Lakunai Airfield and Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
20 May 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 12 US heavy bombers attacked Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain between 0300 and 0430 hours, causing limited damage to the facilities, but greatly affected Japanese morale. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
21 May 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 4 US B-17 bombers attacked Vunakanau Airfield and Rapopo Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. Pilot Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo and observer Lieutenant (jg) Akira Sugawara, in the J1N reconnaissance aircraft equipped with experimental aerial burst bomb launchers, shot down B-17E bomber "Honi Kuu Okole" (Major Paul Williams) and a unnamed B-17F bomber (Captain Joseph Geddes); it was this particular J1N aircraft's first combat. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 May 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Five B-17 and six B-24 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain with 17 tons of bombs between 0030 and 0145 hours, hitting Lakunai, Rapopo, and Vunakanau airfields. One B-24D bomber crashed at Port Moresby, Australian Papua upon its return at 0530 hours, killing all aboard. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
1 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • B-17E bomber "Texas #6" was shot down over Waterfall Bay, New Britain by A6M Zero fighters. ww2dbase [New Britain | CPC]
5 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • F-5A reconnaissance aircraft "Eager Beaver" flown by pilot Lieutenant Frederic Hargesheimer detected a new Japanese aircraft under construction at Ubili, New Britain. His aircraft was in turn spotted by the Japanese and was shot down; Hargesheimer survived the attack and would spend the next eight months in the jungle. ww2dbase [Ubili, New Britain | CPC]
9 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 21 B-17 bombers attacked Lakunai, Vunakanau, and Rapopo airfields at Rabaul, New Britain with 73,000 pounds of bombs between 0215 and 0520 hours. A J1N1 nightfighter (pilot Chief Flight Officer Satoru Ono, observer Lieutenant (jg) Kisaku Hamano) damaged two of the US bombers. ww2dbase [J1N | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
11 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 10 B-24 bombers of US 43rd Bomb Group attacked Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul, New Britain with 39,000 pounds of bombs between 0000 and 0500 hours, destroying some Japanese aircraft on the ground. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
13 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 21 B-17 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain with 87,000 pounds of bombs before dawn; a J1N1 nightfighter (pilot Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo, observer Lieutenant (jg) Akira Sugawara) shot down B-17 bomber "Georgia Peach" at 0326 hours. ww2dbase [J1N | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
15 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • More than 20 B-17 and B-24 bombers attacked Lakunai airfield at Rabaul, New Britain before dawn. A J1N1 nightfighter (pilot Chief Flight Officer Satoru Ono, observer Lieutenant (jg) Kisaku Hamano) shot down one bomber, while two B-24 bombers fired on each other over Rabaul in confusion. ww2dbase [J1N | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
20 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Captain Arthur Post of US 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron was shot down near Wide Bay, New Britain. He survived the ordeal and was taken in by natives, who later brought him to coast watchers. ww2dbase [New Britain | CPC]
26 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 11 B-17 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain before dawn. A J1N nightfighter (pilot Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo, observer Warrant Officer Michitaro Ichikawa) shot down B-17F bomber "Taxpayer's Pride" and B-17E bomber "Naughty But Nice", which made Shigetoshi Kudo the first Japanese nightfighter ace. ww2dbase [J1N | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
30 Jun 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo shot down B-17F bomber "Pluto" over Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [J1N | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Jul 1943

Australian New Guinea
6 Jul 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Lieutenant Frederic Hargesheimer of US 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, who had survived the shot down of his aircraft over New Britain, was found by natives after spending a month in the jungle. ww2dbase [New Britain | CPC]
16 Jul 1943

Australian New Guinea
17 Jul 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Yugure received word at 0900 hours that her current transport mission was canceled; she arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands at 1850 hours. ww2dbase [Yugure | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
28 Jul 1943

Photo(s) dated 28 Jul 1943
Mikazuki under attack by USAAF B-25 bombers, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 28 Jul 1943, photo 04 of 10Mikazuki under attack by USAAF B-25 bombers, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 28 Jul 1943, photo 01 of 10Mikazuki under attack by USAAF B-25 bombers, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 28 Jul 1943, photo 06 of 10Mikazuki under attack by USAAF B-25 bombers, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 28 Jul 1943, photo 09 of 10
See all photos dated 28 Jul 1943
6 Aug 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • The 10,000-strong Japanese 4th Air Army under Lieutenant General Kumaichi Teramoto arrived at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
7 Aug 1943

Photo(s) dated 7 Aug 1943
Aviation navigational Approach Map to designed guide strike aircraft to Lakunai Aerodrome at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands. Map dated Aug 7, 1943. Note other airfields marked on the map.
9 Aug 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • A party of German officers departed Rabaul, New Britain. They had inspected Japanese facilities and spoke to American prisoners of war prior to their departure. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
18 Aug 1943

Australian New Guinea
3 Sep 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Nine RAAF Catalina aircraft based at Cairns, Queensland, Australia attacked Vunakanau Airfield, Lakunai Airfield, and Rapopo Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, causing no damage and suffering no damage. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
28 Sep 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • USS Grouper unloaded supplies for coast watchers on New Britain. She also picked up downed airman Captain Arthur Post of US 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, who had been shot down three months prior. ww2dbase [Grouper | New Britain | CPC]
6 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
9 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
10 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
11 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
12 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 8 squadrons of bombers launched from Dobodura Airfield, Australian Papua, with escorting US and Australian fighters, attacked Rapopo Airfield, Vunakanau Airfield, and Tobera Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. The Allies lost 3 B-24, 1 B-25, and 1 Beaufighter aircraft. The Japanese suffered eight damaged ships (transport Tsukushi, oiler Naruto, destroyer Mochizuki, destroyer Minazuki, destroyer Tachikaze, submarine I-7, submarine I-80, and submarine RO-105), six transports sunk, 4 A6M aircraft destroyed, 9 A6M aicraft damaged, and some fuel dumps destroyed. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
17 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
18 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 77 B-24 bombers from Port Moresby, Australian Papua made rendezvous with 55 P-38 fighters over Kiriwina, Trobriand Islands for a raid on Rabaul, New Britain; a separate group of 54 B-25 bombers, modified for strafing, flew for Rabaul separately. Poor weather would force the first group to cancel its mission, but the B-25 bombers proceeded without fighter escort. They heavily damaged Japanese submarine chaser CH-23, lightly damaged transport Johore Maru, and shot down 8 Japanese fighters (3 additional fighters were lost on landings); the Japanese shot down many B-25 bombers. Subsequent investigation on why the B-25 bombers proceeded despite having no escorts would find no faults. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
19 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
24 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 62 B-25 bombers (modified for ground attack) from Dobodura, Australian Papua made rendezvous with 54 P-38 fighters from Kiriwina of Trobriand Islands, and the group attacked Rabaul, New Britain. The Americans lost 2 B-25 and 1 P-38 aircraft. The Japanese suffered 8 A6M fighters lost, 6 A6M fighters damaged, 2 G4M bombers lost, 5 G4M bombers heavily damaged, 27 G4M bombers lightly damaged. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • A Japanese patrol found a group of Australian and native coast watchers about 100 miles from Cape Orford on New Britain. Lieutenant Francis Barrett was killed in the engagement; Captain John Murphy, Sergeant Lambert Carlson, and others escaped. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | New Britain | CPC]
25 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 61 B-24 bombers, escorted by 81 P-38 fighters from Kiriwina of Trobriand Islands, attacked Lakunai Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. The Americans suffered 1 B-24 bomber lost and several damaged. The Japanese suffered 20 aircraft lost or heavily damaged, 18 aircraft slightly damaged, the airstrip of Lakunai temporarily out of commission, and 8 ships damaged in the harbor. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
27 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • From Rabaul in New Britain, Jinichi Kusaka reported to his superiors at the Combined Fleet headquarters at Truk, Caroline Islands that only 10 D3Y dive bombers, 70 A6M fighters, and 36 G3M bombers were left at Rabaul. He requested four divisions of fighters and three divisions of dive bombers to be sent to reinforce the base. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
29 Oct 1943

Australian New Guinea
1 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
2 Nov 1943

Photo(s) dated 2 Nov 1943
USAAF 3rd Bomb Group aircraft attacking Haguro and other ships in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain, 2 Nov 1943, photo 2 of 2Haguro under air attack by USAAF 3rd Bomb Group, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain, 2 Nov 1943USAAF 3rd Bomb Group aircraft attacking Haguro and other ships in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain, 2 Nov 1943, photo 1 of 2B-25D Mitchell bomber of the 13th Bomb Squadron departing Simpson Harbor after an attack, Rabaul, New Britain, 2 Nov 1943
See all photos dated 2 Nov 1943
3 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
4 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
5 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • US Task Force 38, with carriers USS Saratoga and USS Princeton, launched aircraft 60 miles southwest of Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands against Japanese Cruiser Division 4 anchored at Rabaul, New Britain; the Japanese detected the arrival of Task Force 38 but had mistakenly identified the carriers as transports, thus there was no immediate response. USS Saratoga launched 33 F6F, 16 TBF, and 22 SBD aircraft; USS Princeton launched 19 F6F and 7 TBF aircraft. Facing up to 70 Japanese fighters, the dive bombers attacked first, damaging several cruisers and two destroyers. The torpedo bombers attacked next, making only two hits, and both torpedoes were duds. The US suffered 9 aircraft lost and 14 airmen killed. In addition to the damage to Cruiser Division 4, the Japanese lost 1 D4Y1, 3 A6M, and 1 twin-engine transport aircraft. After the raid by carrier aircraft, US Army B-24 bombers conducted a follow-up attack, killing hundreds but causing minimal damage to shipping and facilities. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | TH, CPC]
  • Naka arrived at Rabaul, New Britain; later that day, she was slightly damaged by near misses by US carrier aircraft. ww2dbase [Naka | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Chikuma was damaged by a near miss from a dive bomber piloted by Lieutenant (jg) John Lucas. ww2dbase [Chikuma | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Maya was damaged by a hit on the port side scout plane deck, resulting in a fire that would raise the total death toll to 70 when all battle damage came under control. ww2dbase [Maya | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Takao was hit on the main deck near No. 2 turret, killing 23. ww2dbase [Takao | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Atago was damaged by three near misses, killing 22, including commanding officer Captain Nobuki Nakaoka. ww2dbase [Atago | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Mogami was hit on the main deck between No. 1 and No. 2 turrets, killing 19; skilled flooding of the forward magazine prevented detonation. ww2dbase [Mogami | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Agano was damaged by a near miss, killing one. ww2dbase [Agano | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Noshiro suffered punctured hull by strafing of dive bombers and a dent in the hull by a torpedo dud hit. ww2dbase [Noshiro | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • During the US raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Amagiri was damaged by a near miss. ww2dbase [Amagiri | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
6 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Naka departed Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Naka | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Atago departed Rabaul, New Britain for Truk, Caroline Islands to receive temporary repairs. ww2dbase [Atago | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Mogami departed Rabaul, New Britain for Truk, Caroline Islands to receive temporary repairs. ww2dbase [Mogami | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Takao departed Rabaul, New Britain for Truk, Caroline Islands to receive temporary repairs. ww2dbase [Takao | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
7 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
11 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • In the morning, 276 US Navy carrier aircraft (78 from USS Saratoga, 29 from USS Princeton, 69 from USS Bunker Hill, 75 from USS Essex, and 25 from USS Independence), 23 land-based US Navy F4U-1 fighters, 1 squadron of land-based US Navy F6F fighters, and 23 US Army Air Forces B-24 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain. While the USAAF bombers did minimal damage on Lakunai airfield, the US Navy aircraft were able to sink destroyer Suzunami (148 killed including commanding officer Captain Masao Kamiyama), damage destroyer Naganami, and damage two other destroyers. 11 Japanese aircraft were lost in this engagement. The Americans lost 4 TBF and 5 F6F aircraft in combat; 1 TBF, 2 SB2C, and 4 F6F written off due to extensive damage; and 30 aircraft lightly damaged. In response to the attack, the Japanese launched 23 D3A, 14 B5N, 4 D4Y, and 33 A6M aircraft (32 Japanese Army fighters were also launched but they lost their way) to attack the American carrier fleet; they shot down 6 US aircraft at the cost of 33 aircraft lost (including famed pilot Lieutenant Masao Sato). ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
12 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Admiral Mineichi Koga ordered the remaining Carrier Division 1 aircraft at Rabaul, New Britain to be withdrawn to Truk, Caroline Islands. After the departure of Carrier Division 1, Vice Admiral Jinichi Kusaka noted that 11th Air Fleet had the strength of only 202 aircraft, only 110 of which were combat-ready. ww2dbase [Mineichi Koga | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
14 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
25 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Father Joseph Lamarre witnessed two Australian and ten American captives, blindfolded and bounded at the wrists, being loaded onto trucks. While the Japanese said that they were being transported to Japan, Lamarre noted that the trucks did not stop by the wharves. Instead, they were taken to a field of volcanic ash near Tavurvur for their execution. US Lieutenant Marcus Mangett, Jr. and US Staff Sergeant Kenneth Vetter, who were wounded and could not stand, were executed by rifle fire. The remaining ten prisoners of war were executed by beheading at the hands of newly arrived junior officers as a test of their courage; the ten victims included Australian Warrant Officer John Bailey, Australian Flight Officer Charles Vincent, US Lieutenant John Rippy, US Lieutenant Philip Bek, US First Lieutenant Ernest Naumann, US Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Harlan Burrus, US Lieutenant Leslie Neuman, US Staff Sergeant Ernest Burnside, US Corporal John Mulligan, and US Private Robert George. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | New Britain | CPC]
30 Nov 1943

Australian New Guinea
14 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • A raid by bombers of the 5th USAAF dropped 433 tons of bombs on Arawe island, New Britain was followed by a landing of VII Amphibious Force (TF 76) under Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey. The force had set out from the Goodenough Islands the previous day with the Australian transport Westralia, the dock landing ship Carter Hall and the fast transports Sands and Humphreys. 1,600 men of the US 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team under Brigadier General Julian Cunningham. Operation Director was supported by the US destroyers Smith, Reid, Lamson, Mahan and Flusser with the escort destroyers Conyngham, Shaw, Mugford, Bagley and Drayton. The Australian cruisers Australia and Shorshire with destroyers Arunta and Warramunga provide the Covering Force (TF 74). This battle involved the first use of an Australian infantry landing ship, HMAS Westralia, in combat and the first time a dock landing ship (USS Carter Hall) was used to carry amtracs to cross the coral reefs. The fire support was provided with tank landing craft with rockets, this proved so successful that Barbey had more of the made. This battle also saw Barbey use his landing control officers; they provided a fully trained beach party for the first time. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Arawe, New Britain | HM]
Photo(s) dated 14 Dec 1943
Cape Gloucester Air Strip No. 2 being bombed by American aircraft in preparation for invasion, New Britain, Dec 1943B-25 Mitchell bomber of 71st Bomb Squadron of US 38th Bomb Group flying low above a Japanese transport during a raid on Rabaul, New Britain, Nov 1943; photograph taken from the B-25 aircraft piloted by Frank CecilRichmond Kelsey (far left), Douglas MacArthur (second from left), Amor Sims (second from right), and others studying a relief map of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 14 Dec 1943
15 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 15 Dec 1943
US Marines moving ashore at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, 15 Dec 1943Troops of the US Army 112th Cavalry Regiment (Texas National Guard) landing at Arawe, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, 15 Dec 1943; note LVTs and M1 Garand riflesUS Army LCI landing craft moving toward Cape Gloucester as smoke screened Target Hill and the beaches, New Britain, Dec 1943Tanks of Company B, US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion at Arawe, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, Dec 1943
16 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 16 Dec 1943
Japanese Army corporal Shigeto being dug out of his burrowed defensive position, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, circa mid-Dec 1943M4 Sherman tank and men of the US 1st Marine Division moving toward the airfield at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, Dec 1943
17 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 78 Allied fighters (US Marine Corps F4U fighters, US Navy F6F fighters, RNZAF Kittyhawk fighters) took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville, Solomon Islands for a fighter sweep over Rabaul, New Britain. 70 Japanese fighters rose to defend. RNZAF pilots claimed 5 Japanese shot down while suffering 2 losses, while the Americans claimed 4; Japanese records would later show that only 2 A6M aircraft were lost on this day (with only 1 pilot killed). Gregory Boyington, who participated in the sweep, thought the Japanese only launched a limited number of aircraft in defense because the Allies sent too many fighters, and it made more sense for the Japanese to rely more on anti-aircraft guns rather than risking fighters. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
19 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
20 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 20 Dec 1943
US Army LVT vehicle in mud, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, circa late 1943
21 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
23 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 24 US Army Air Force bombers conducted an attack on Lakunai Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, escorted by 48 US Navy F6F and US Marine Corps F4U fighters; 1 F6F and 2 F4U aircraft were shot down by ground fire during the bombing mission. Shortly after, 48 USMC F4U fighters and a number of USAAF P-38 fighters conducted a fighter sweep over Rabaul. 99 Japanese A6M fighters rose to defend against the sweep. USMC airmen claimed 21 Japanese shot down, and USAAF 8; Gregory Boyington of USMC squadron VMF-214 alone claimed 4; Japanese records would later reveal that only 6 aircraft were lost during the fighter sweep. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
24 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
25 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 15 B-24 bombers escorted by about 50 fighters (P-38, F4U, F6F, and Kittyhawk fighters) attacked Rabaul, New Britain. 88 Japanese fighters rose to defend. The Americans lost 1 F4U and 2 P-38 aircraft; the Japanese lost 3 aircraft. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 25 Dec 1943
US Marines sitting atop a M3 light tank, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, late Dec 1943; note fallen Japanese soldiersUS Marines building a sandbag ramp for an incoming LST ship, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, Dec 1943
26 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
27 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
28 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • 64 F4U Corsair fighters of US Marine Corps squadrons VMF-214 and VMF-216 conducted a fighter sweep over Rabaul, New Britain. 72 Japanese fighters rose to defend. The Americans claimed 30 Japanese shot down, but Japanese records would later revealed that only 3 fighters were actually lost. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
30 Dec 1943

Australian New Guinea
  • Two missions were planned against Rabaul, New Britain. The fighter sweep mission was canceled due to poor weather, but the bombing raids proceeded as planned. 20 B-24 bombers escorted by 20 F4U and 20 F6F fighters dropped 70 1,000-pound bombs. At least one B-24 bomber was shot down by the Japanese. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
31 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 31 Dec 1943
Men of the US First Marines Division at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, circa late Dec 1943; note jeep being used to haul supplies
1 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
2 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • US Marine Corps 7th Regiment engaged a strong Japanese defense at Suicide Creek near Cape Gloucester, New Britain. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | New Britain | CPC]
  • 20 F6F and 28 F4U fighters from Torokina Airfield in Bougainville conducted a fighter sweep over Rabaul, New Britain; two of these fighters turned back to Torokina due to mechanical problems. 80 A6M fighters rose to defend. The Americans reported 1 kill, 1 probable, and 2 Japanese aircraft damaged. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
3 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • US Marine Corps ace pilot Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington, flying a F4U Corsair fighter, was shot down by Japanese Navy pilot Captain Masajiro Kawato, flying a Zero fighter, over Rabaul, New Britain. Boyington's wingman, Captain George Ashmun, was also shot down. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • 28 F4U and 16 F6F fighters were launched from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville at 0630 hours for a fighter sweep mission over Rabaul, New Britain; some of these fighters returned to base shortly after launch due to mechanical problems. 70 A6M fighters rose to defend Rabaul. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
4 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • Lieutenant Douglas Bedkober, a coast watcher of Australian Z Special Unit, died while in captivity at Rabaul, New Britain. It was reported by fellow prisoners of war that he had refused to eat for several days prior to his death. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
6 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • P-38 and F4U aircraft attacked Rabaul, New Britain, many of which were turned back due to poor weather. 33 A6M fighters rose to defend. The Japanese lost 2 A6M fighters, while the Americans lost 2 P-38 fighters. Harry Johnson of US Marine Corps squadron VMF-214, flying a F4U Corsair fighter, scored one of the two victories; this would be the squadron's final victory of the war. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
9 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • 16 TBF and 24 SBD aircraft from Piva Airfield on Bougainville, escorted by fighters, attacked Tobera Airfield in New Britain. 1 Japanese aircraft was destroyed on the ground, while the US lost 1 SBD aircraft and 3 fighters. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Tobera, New Britain | CPC]
10 Jan 1944

Photo(s) dated 10 Jan 1944
The senior staff of the 7th Marines on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Jan 10 1944. Chesty Puller is the second from the left.Major Victor H Streit, USMC, Operations Officer, 7th Marines planning combat operations on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Jan 10 1944.
11 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • B-25 bombers of US 42nd Bomb Group attacked Rabaul, New Britain, damaging 8 aircraft on the ground at Vunakanau Airfield. This was the first land-based bomber attack on Rabaul from the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
14 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • 36 SBD, 16 TBF, and about 80 fighters from Munda Airfield in New Georgia attacked Rabaul, New Britain after a stop at Piva Airfield on Bougainville to refuel. 84 A6M intercepted them over New Ireland, but most American aircraft were able to make their way to Rabaul to commence their attacks. The Japanese lost 3 A6M fighters and the Americans lost 2 SBD, 1 TBF, 5 F4U, and 2 F6F aircraft. Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor at Rabaul suffered 3 direct hits and 16 near misses. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • About 17 prisoners of war were beheaded by men of 81st Naval Garrison Unit of the Japanese Navy at Rabaul, New Britain as reprisal for American air raids on the town. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
17 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
20 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
23 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
25 Jan 1944

Australian New Guinea
30 Jan 1944

Photo(s) dated 30 Jan 1944
US Marines displaying a captured Japanese flag, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, late Jan 1944
5 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • USS Gar arrived at Open Bay on the northern coast of New Britain to pick up downed airmen who had been under the care of coast watchers. ww2dbase [Gar | New Britain | CPC]
8 Feb 1944

Photo(s) dated 8 Feb 1944
Wrecked Mikazuki being inspected by USMC personnel, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 8 Feb 1944; note depth charge mortar and rackWrecked Mikazuki being inspected by USMC personnel, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 8 Feb 1944; note depth charge mortar and rackWrecked Mikazuki being inspected by USMC personnel, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 8 Feb 1944; note stern, viewed from the after deckhouseWrecked Mikazuki being inspected by USMC personnel, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 8 Feb 1944; note 4.7-inch gun on the after deckhouse without breechblock
See all photos dated 8 Feb 1944
10 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • 59 SBD dive bombers, 24 TBF torpedo bombers, and 99 fighters attacked Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. This attack was followed by another attack on Vunakanau Airfield by 24 B-25 bombers escorted by 20 fighters. Finally, a third attack wave with 21 B-24 bombers escorted by 28 fighters which targeted both Vunakanau Airfield and Tobera Airfield. Vunakanau's runways were hit by two 2,000-pound bombs by B-24 bombers. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 10 Feb 1944
Wrecked Mikazuki being inspected by USMC personnel, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 10 Feb 1944; note radio direction finder antenna
12 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
13 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
14 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • At 0030 hours, 25 TBF torpedo bombers of US Marine Corps squadron VMTB-233 launched from Bougainville to mine Simpson Harbor near Rabaul, New Britain; one aircraft turned back due to mechanical problems. The Japanese shot down six TBF aircraft during the mining mission. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
15 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • A Japanese G4M bomber attempted to transfer six prisoners of war (including Gregory Boyington) from Rabaul in New Britain to Truk in the Caroline Islands, but the flight resulted in an emergency landing on another New Britain airfield as an Allied air raid was detected. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • A Japanese G4M bomber attempted to transfer six prisoners of war (including Gregory Boyington) from Rabaul in New Britain to Truk in the Caroline Islands, but the flight resulted in an emergency landing on another New Britain airfield as an Allied air raid was detected. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
17 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • Destroyer Yuzuki arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands with Convoy No. 1,123, which was to be the last convoy to successful reach Rabaul. ww2dbase [Yuzuki | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • After dark and into the next date, ships of US Navy Destroyer Squadron 12 bombarded Rabaul, New Britain, expending 3,800 5-inch shells. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
18 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
19 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • 48 SBD and 23 TBF aircraft attacked Lakunai Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain, followed by another attack on Lakunai Airfield and Tobera Airfield by 20 B-24 bombers and 35 fighters. 36 Japanese fighters rose to defend. The Japanese suffered 8 A6M fighters shot down and Lakunai airstrips temporarily taken out of action. The Americans suffered 1 F4U fighter shot down. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
  • Starting this date and into the next date, 40 A6M, 21 D3A, 4 D4Y, 13 G4M, and 7 B5N aircraft were withdrawn from Rabaul, New Britain. As a part of the same transfer, 400 ground troops and support personnel departed Rabaul aboard Kokai Maru and Kowa Maru; the convoy was escorted by submarine chaser CHa-48, submarine chaser CH-38, and repair tug Nagaura. When the transfer was complete, Rabaul would only have 10 operational A6M fighters and 2 B5N operational bombers. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
25 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • The supply depot on the coast near Kokopo, New Britain was bombarded by US destroyers for 30 minutes starting at about 2330 hours; a warehouse was damaged by fires. 2,000 5-inch shells were expended by the US Navy on this bombardment. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Kokopo, New Britain | CPC]
27 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
29 Feb 1944

Australian New Guinea
1 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
2 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
3 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • US Marine Corps squadron VMF-223 conducted a reconnaissance sweep over Tobera Airfield in New Britain. Major Robert Keller recorded a kill, but Japanese records showed that all 7 A6M fighters scrambled to defend the airfield all returned safely. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Tobera, New Britain | CPC]
4 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • About 31 prisoners of war were led out of their cells in Rabaul, New Britain and they were never to be seen again. After the war, the Japanese claimed that they were led to the Talili Bay area where a direct hit by a US bomber killed them all on 5 Mar 1944. A later study of US records showed that no missions were conducted in that region during the campaign, however. No conclusion had ever been reached on the fates of these prisoners of war, although many historians would venture that they were executed by their guards. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Mar 1944

Photo(s) dated 5 Mar 1944
B-25 Mitchell bombers of the 13th Air Force over the Japanese forward base at Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain, 5 Mar 1944
6 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
9 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • USAAF medium and heavy bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain. This was to be the first of many unescorted raids by multi-engine bombers as the Japanese fighter strength at Rabaul began to be worn down by continuous Allied aerial attacks. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
10 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
22 Mar 1944

Australian New Guinea
31 Mar 1944

Photo(s) dated 31 Mar 1944
Wrecked Mikazuki being inspected by USMC personnel, off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 31 Mar 1944; note starboard torpedo reloading tracks
5 May 1944

Australian New Guinea
21 May 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • 24 TBF, 20 SBD, a number of B-24, a number of P-39, and a number of New Zealand fighters and dive bombers attacked Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain. 1 TBF aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, and its crew was captured by the Japanese. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
9 Jun 1944

Australian New Guinea
5 Oct 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • Four TDR drones, each carrying a 2,000-pound bomb, were launched against Japanese supply caves near the coast of Keravia Bay, south of Rabaul, New Britain. One hit in the vicinity of cave entrances, one missed the target area, two were lost enroute due to interference from communications frequency used by motor gunboats operating in the waters over which the drones flew. ww2dbase [TDR | New Britain | DS]
9 Oct 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • Four TDR drones were launched against Matupi Bridge, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain. Three were lost to antiaircraft fire and one was lost enroute to the target. ww2dbase [TDR | Rabaul, New Britain | DS]
15 Oct 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • Four TDR drones were launched against Matupi Bridge, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain as part of coordinated attack by conventional bombers against Simpson Harbor. Poor picture reception and pilot error resulted in none of the TDRs hitting their targets. ww2dbase [TDR | Rabaul, New Britain | DS]
17 Oct 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • Four TDR drones were launched against Japanese installations near East Rabaul, New Britain. One of the four hit the objective, one hit a target of opportunity, a third was lost due to the failure of a tube in the receiver of the drone, and a fourth may have been shot down (light and inaccurate antiaircraft fire was noted). ww2dbase [TDR | Rabaul, New Britain | DS]
27 Oct 1944

Australian New Guinea
12 Nov 1944

Australian New Guinea
  • According to later statement by Indian soldier Havildar Changdi Ram, who was a forced laborer for the Japanese in New Britain, the Japanese Kempeitai beheaded an Allied pilot, cut flesh from his arms, legs, hips, and buttocks, and proceed to cook the flesh. The human flesh was consumed in the evening after a speech was made by a Japanese major general. ww2dbase [New Britain | CPC]
20 Dec 1944

Photo(s) dated 20 Dec 1944
An American medium tank crossing
15 Jan 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • 36 US Navy F4U fighters and several New Zealand fighters took off from Green Islands east of Australian Papua and attacked the Toboi wharf area of Rabaul, New Britain and the nearby floatplane anchorage. 7 aircraft were lost to poor weather en route back to Green Islands. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 3 | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
4 Jul 1945

Photo(s) dated 4 Jul 1945
PBJ-1 Mitchell bombers of Marine Squadron VMB-433 depart Rabaul, New Britain, after a raid 4 July 1945.
19 Jul 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Captain Enosuke Hirano, a doctor of Unit 731, examined prisoners of war Don Atkiss, Joe Holguin, Dick Lanigan, Jim McMurria, and Joe Nason at Rabaul, New Britain. During the examination he injected them with malaria-infected blood drawn from infected Japanese personnel so he could work on a possible vaccination. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
29 Jul 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Prisoner of war Dick Lanigan, who was injected with malaria-infected blood by Unit 731 doctor Captain Enosuke Hirano, died from the disease at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
30 Jul 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Prisoner of war Don Atkiss, who was injected with malaria-infected blood by Unit 731 doctor Captain Enosuke Hirano, died from the disease at Rabaul, New Britain. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Aug 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Warrant Officer Torataro Matsumoto officially declared all Allied prisoners of war at Rabaul, New Britain free. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
5 Sep 1945

Australian New Guinea
6 Sep 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Carrier HMS Glory and her task force arrived off Rabaul, New Britain in the morning. At 0900 hours, sloop HMS Hart picked up Hitoshi Imamura and Jinichi Kusaka at Kabanga Bay, who would sign the surrender documents aboard HMS Glory at 1127 hours which surrendered 139,000 remaining personnel at Rabaul plus all forces in Australian territory in the South Pacific. ww2dbase [Japan's Surrender | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 6 Sep 1945
Corsair fighter landing on HMS Glory, off Rabaul, New Britain, 6 Sep 1945
7 Sep 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Allied prisoners of war at Rabaul, New Britain, technically freed on 16 Aug 1945 but still remained under Japanese care, were liberated by men under Royal Australian Navy Captain P. Brice Morris. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
10 Sep 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • The Allied re-occupation of Rabaul, New Britain officially began. ww2dbase [Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
16 Sep 1945

Australian New Guinea
  • Four surviving Japanese aircraft (three A6M and one Ki-46) at Rabaul, New Britain were flown to the Australian airfield at Jacquinot Bay in southeastern New Britain. ww2dbase [Jacquinot Bay, New Britain | CPC]
17 Sep 1945

Photo(s) dated 17 Sep 1945
Recently liberated (by Australian troops) Chinese prisoners of war originally of Chinese 88th Division, New Britain, Territory of New Guinea, 17 Sep 1945
31 Jan 1946

Photo(s) dated 31 Jan 1946
Katsuragi refueling in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain while transporting 5,000 Japanese servicemen back to the Japanese home islands, 31 Jan 1946
11 Mar 1946

Australian New Guinea
  • Allied repatriation ship Hikawa Maru arrived at Rabaul, New Britain and embarked Japanese personnel. ww2dbase [Hikawa Maru | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
13 Mar 1946

Australian New Guinea
10 Sep 1947

Australian New Guinea

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




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