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Although the Japanese could replace their aircraft losses with new replacements from Japan, which was only a day's ferry from factories on the home islands, they could not replace their pilot losses. Novice Japanese aviators were thrown in the air against experienced, fresh and well equipped Allied opponents who were able to out fly and out fight them.
Beginning of the End: November 1943
During November, the Japanese were able to launch 50 - 70 interceptors against incoming raids. They had radar detection equipment to war them of incoming raids, and Japanese observers on adjacent islands to report over flights.Previously, only Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft were based in Rabaul. At the end of 1943, their ranks were bolstered with Army Air Force pilots, flying Tonys, Tojos and Oscars. Antiaircraft defenses were regard as heavy over airfields, where a combination of heavy, medium and small arms fire was encountered, and from Naval targets in the harbor.
As the months progressed, fewer and fewer interceptors were encountered, and also their willingness to engage in combat declined. It was obvious from the "easy" kills some pilots were getting that alot of their opponents were green. Despite this, a tough contingent of crack Zero pilots who aggressively engaged bomber formations and escorting fighters remained until the end.
Pre-Dawn Aircraft Withdrawal
Just days before the Japanese decided to withdraw aircraft and Naval forces from Rabaul, U.S. Destroyers shelled Rabaul and Kavering on February 17th and 18th. At Rabaul, destroyers sailed all the way up to St. George's Channel and fired 3,868 five inch shells against the town and shore installations at Praed Point.
The Japanese decided to withdrawal all flyable combat aircraft out of Rabaul on February 20, 1944. The widthdrawal didnt end until February 24-25. About 30 Zekes, six Bettys, 8 Vals, 10 Judy and 5-6 Kates departed fpr Truk. This date effectively marked the end of the air war over Rabaul. Only about 30 damaged or grounded Japanese remained at Rabaul area airfields. Only occasional Japanese aircraft returned to Rabaul after that date. Otherwise, the flight was just too risky for the Japanese.The remaining fighters flew north, to Truk and the Marianas to bases out of range of Allied planes. It was only a matter of time before the war came to these locations too, where these survivors were subsequently lost in future combat.
Wither on a Vine
On that same day, the Imperial Navy withdrew surface ships and support on the same date. The huge garrison of Japanese Navy and Army troops was left to fend for themselves with no air cover or Naval forces, in the face of (what the Japanese) considered to be an immanent Allied landing or assault in the area.Troops were forced to fall back on the tenacity of the foot soldier to hold Rabaul. Elaborate networks of fortifications and tunnels were dug and occupied to protect valuable equipment from air strikes, and hopefully, to allow Japanese defenders to fight on indefinitely in the terrain of the area.
Rabaul was still a target for Allied aircraft, many squadrons were not told about the Japanese withdrawal, although their commanders knew. Missions to Rabaul after February 20, 1944 were still opposed by AA fire from the airfields and shore installations.
Although the Allies never invaded Rabaul, it was a target used to train new air crews, and even to test new weapons. The US Navy tested guided bombs on targets.
