Summary of Bruce Gamble's Fortress Rabaul

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 The town of Rabaul, located on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, boasts one of the finest harbors in the Pacific. Its numerous deepwater anchorages are ringed by rugged mountains, with a relatively narrow passage in the southeast quadrant that opens to the sea.

#2 The first known European to sail completely around New Britain was William Dampier, who arrived in 1700. He named the island New Britain and charted its coastline. For many years, explorers avoided the island because of justifiable fears of malaria and cannibals.

#3 The coconut industry was the most important thing that changed New Britain, and it grew rapidly throughout the archipelago. The German government took over the administration of the protectorate in the early 1890s, and they sent Dr. Albert Hahl to serve as its first governor.

#4 By 1910, the territorial government was established in the new town, named Rabaul, meaning place of mangroves. It featured wide boulevards and hundreds of shade trees, a bustling commercial district, and attractive bungalows along the pleasant side streets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822518445

IRB Media

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Insights on Bruce Gamble's Fortress Rabaul

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 11

Insights from Chapter 12

Insights from Chapter 13

Insights from Chapter 14

Insights from Chapter 15

Insights from Chapter 16

Insights from Chapter 17

Insights from Chapter 18

Insights from Chapter 19

Insights from Chapter 20

Insights from Chapter 21

Insights from Chapter 22

Insights from Chapter 23

Insights from Chapter 24

Insights from Chapter 25

Insights from Chapter 26

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The town of Rabaul, located on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, boasts one of the finest harbors in the Pacific. Its numerous deepwater anchorages are ringed by rugged mountains, with a relatively narrow passage in the southeast quadrant that opens to the sea.

#2

The first known European to sail completely around New Britain was William Dampier, who arrived in 1700. He named the island New Britain and charted its coastline. For many years, explorers avoided the island because of justifiable fears of malaria and cannibals.

#3

The coconut industry was the most important thing that changed New Britain, and it grew rapidly throughout the archipelago. The German government took over the administration of the protectorate in the early 1890s, and they sent Dr. Albert Hahl to serve as its first governor.

#4

By 1910, the territorial government was established in the new town, named Rabaul, meaning place of mangroves. It featured wide boulevards and hundreds of shade trees, a bustling commercial district, and attractive bungalows along the pleasant side streets.

#5

The Australian government decided to move the capital of the mandated territory away from Rabaul, but two years of bickering ensued. Eventually, the town of Lae, known as the site where Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan began the last leg of their ill-fated attempt to cross the Pacific, was selected as the new capital.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

Australia was a sleeping giant in World War II. The Commonwealth was still in dire economic straits in 1941, thanks in large part to a painfully slow recovery from the worldwide economic depression of the previous decade. Australia lacked the manpower to defend her own backyard.

#2

The RAAF had only 180 frontline aircraft in mid-1941, and they were not very formidable. The closest thing to a fighter in the inventory was the Wirraway, a copy of the renowned North American AT-6 two-seat trainer with a few add-ons.

#3

The RAAF had known for years that the Wirraway was not suitable for combat, but they still used it as a fighter. The American-built Hudson was another example of compromise in the RAAF. It was not designed for heavy combat duty, but the RAAF employed it in every manner conceivable.

#4

The pilots of 24 Squadron were highly criticized by the top officials in the RAAF after they failed to hit the ship they were tasked to destroy. Wing Commander Lerew was reprimanded by the senior air staff officer at Townsville, regional