Rabaul had already been raided multiple times between 12 October and 2 November by the heavy bombers of General George C. Kenney's Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area.
Rabaul sudah diserbu beberapa kali dari 12 Oktober sampai 2 November oleh pembom berat Jenderal George C. Kenney, Angkatan Udara Sekutu Pasifik Barat Daya.