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    Lesson Point East New Britain Province Papua New Guinea (PNG)
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5th CCU January 5, 1943

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5th AF c1943
Location
Lesson Point is located at Lesson Point on the north coast of the Gazelle Peninsula in New Britain with a fringing coral reef. Borders Blanche Bay to the north. To the west is Rapopo and beyond Vunapope and Kokopo. To the east is Ulaveo Plantation. To the southeast is Rainau Plantation. Between 1884 until September 1914 part of Deutsch Neu Guinea (German New Guinea). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the New Britain District in the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Prewar
Rapopo Plantation (Kabakaul Plantation) planted with coconut palms harvesting copra spanned Lesson Point. Two plantation houses were located at the northeast tip: Duncan's House and Randal's House and a small jetty. To the west was another plantation.

Wartime History
During late January 1942, occupied by the Japanese and developed into a base. During late 1942, Rapopo Airfield was built at this location. The runway was completed by January 1943. By early March, a light anti-aircraft battery was established at the tip of Lesson Point with other anti-aircraft guns and defenses nearby. Between January 1943 until the end of the Pacific War, this area was targeted by Allied aircraft.

American missions against Rapopo (Lesson Point)
January 26, 1943–June 23, 1944

Rapopo Airfield (Rabaul South, South Airfield)
Japanese built airfield, abandoned since the war.

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Last Updated
September 14, 2025

 

Map
Map
March 12, 1943

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