Authors: Bruce Gamble

Target: Rabaul (83 page)

BOOK: Target: Rabaul

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Sole survivor: Normally the F4U Corsair enjoyed an advantage over the Zero, but when twenty to thirty Japanese fighters overwhelmed a trio of Corsairs near Rabaul on December 19, 1943, only one Marine got away. Bob Marshall (center, in flight gear) landed at Torokina with extensive damage to the tail of his Corsair. He was lucky to escape. Note the large hole in the national insignia from a 20mm shell.
National Archives

In this view looking south over the caldera, a pair of B-25s from the 42nd Bomb Group overflies Rabaul on March 2, 1944, the day that saturation bombing commenced. At center left, a string of bombs explodes along Malaguna Road in Chinatown. Just one block north, the star indicates the location of the prison run by the 6th Field Kempeitai, where most of the Allied POWs were held.
National Archives

Tunnel rats: Due to the heavy bombing, the Japanese moved underground into a network of caves and tunnels around the caldera. This entrance, which stands approximately seventeen feet high, resembles poured concrete but was carved from compacted volcanic ash and pumice.
National Archives

Tunnel interiors were shored to prevent collapse. This communications center, photographed after the surrender, still has all of its radio equipment. Tunnels built for headquarters, hospitals, and barracks were finished with interior walls, electricity, and ventilation. Some even had running water.
Doug Vahry

By the conclusion of the saturation bombing in April 1944, more than 90 percent of the structures in Rabaul had been obliterated. Vegetation recovered rapidly, as shown in this photo taken in September 1945. The large ship is the hulk of the cargo liner
Komaki Maru
, sunk at its wharf on April 18, 1942, by a B-26 Marauder.
Doug Vahry

Gaunt survivors: Five of the six American POWs who emerged alive from the Kempeitai prison at Rabaul. Photographed in the Philippines more than a month after the war ended, they had regained some weight and strength, but their clothing still fit loosely. Left to right: Jim McMurria, Al Quinones, Joe Holguin, Escoe Palmer, John Kepchia. Joe Nason was still hospitalized.
Joe Nason

Wearing fresh whitewash and red crosses to prevent their accidental shoot-down, the last Japanese planes at Rabaul—three Zeros and a sleek Army Ki-46 Dinah—were flown from Vunakanau airdrome under RNZAF escort on September 16, 1945.
Doug Vahry

After the surrender, Allied troops discovered this cemetery off Tunnel Hill Road containing the bodies of POWs who had died at the 6th Field Kempeitai prison. The Japanese had made some attempts to improve its appearance with new crosses and small vases of flowers. The vertical marker reads “Graveyard of Allied Forces Personnel.”
Doug Vahry

To the thousands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who gave their lives in the longest battle of World War II. Rest, and be remembered.

First published in 2013 by Zenith Press, an imprint of MBI Publishing Company, 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA

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Digital edition: 978-1-61058-957-4
Softcover edition: 978-0-7603-4407-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gamble, Bruce.

Target Rabaul : the allied siege of Japan’s most infamous stronghold, March 1943-August 1945 / Bruce Gamble.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-7603-4407-1 (hardcover)

1. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Papua New Guinea--Rabaul. 2. Rabaul (Papua New Guinea)--History, Military--20th century. 3. World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations. I. Title.