Rabaul is a port on the eastern tip of New Ireland, east of New Guinea. Taken on 3-Mar-42 from scant Australian forces, it was a key position for the Japanese in 1942-44:

• 700 miles from Truk Lagoon (easily with naval fighter and bomber ferry range)
• Good harbor - best for more than 500 miles in any direction.
• Good link for mutual support with New Guinea

Rabaul featured heavily as an air, naval, and army base in the New Guinea, Guadalcanal, and Solomons Islands campaigns.

It was home during this period to the IJN's 11th Koku Kentai and the IJAAF's 6th Hikoshidan.