JAPAN LAUNCHES TWO-WEEK ASSAULT ON RABAUL
Rabaul, Island of New Britain • January 4, 1942 The Battle of Rabaul was fought from January 23 to late February 1942 on the island of New Britain, part of Australia’s League of Nations-mandated Territory of New Guinea (1921 to 1941) lying roughly 660 miles/1,062 km northnorthwest of Australia. More forward observation post than anything else, the 1,400‑strong…