After The Battle #133 – The Air War for Rabaul

CaptuRed by the Japanese in January 1942, Rabaul was turned into a strong naval and air force base, soon establishing itself as the keystone of Japanese presence in the south – west Pacific. By 1943 some 110,000 troops were based there. In this issue, Professor Ronnie Day tells the story of the relentless air battle to subdue the base. Wreck Recovery Aichi D3A ‘Val’ Recovery – In December 1943, a Japanese Aichi D3A ‘Val’ bomber was lost during air battles over Cape Markus in New Britain, the aircraft crash – landing into the water just off the coast, killing both of the crew. Lsot for nearly 60 years, but with rumours of its existence circulating since the 1980s, the wreck was not discoveRed until September 2001. Gail Parker and Rod Pearce explain how Mark Reichmand and his two sons, JaRed and Micah first discoveRed the wreck near Arawee. War Film They Were Not Divided – Trevor Popple gives a fascinating insight into the making and showing of this 1949 film which is centRed around the experiences of a British armouRed squadron at war. It Happened Here RŸckmarsch – to coincide with the publication of his new book, Jean Paul Pallud gives an insight with this story of the German retreat from France Ñ see our books page for RŸckmarsch – The German Retreat from France – Then & Now .

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