Coastwatchers had been monitoring Japanese movements throughout a chain of islands to the north of Rabaul. This chain included Wuvulu Island, Ninigo, the Hermit Group, the Admiralties and New Britain itself. In late December 1941 and early January 1942, sightings of enemy aircraft had been reported across this monitoring chain. On 4 January 1942, the Japanese began bombing Rabaul.
RABAUL, 1942-01. EVACUATING RESIDENTS FROM RABAUL TO A STEAMER ON THE NORTH COAST IN THE FACE OF THE JAPANESE INVASION. THIS LADY, MRS CUNNINGHAM, DIED, AND HAD TO BE TAKEN OFF TO BE BURIED BEHIND JAPANESE LINES. THE REST OF THE EVACUEES AND SOLDIERS (SHOWN REMOVING BODY FROM BOAT) ESCAPED SUCCESSFULLY. (DONOR: K. HUBBARD).
