| Scenario in dates: |
| July 28, 1943: |
The Bismarck Archipelago - Near the Cape of Gloucester (Tuluvu) off New Britain, two Japanese destroyers Ariake and Mikazuki, which have carried here soldiers from Rabaul, are bombed by American B-25 Mitchell bombers. |
| October 6, 1943: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - Small parties of US troops secretly land around Cape Gloucester, on New Britain Island to reconnoiter. |
| November 2, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - The Japanese base at Rabaul on New Britain is raided by about 160 land-based aircraft of the US 5th Air Force. About 20 planes on each side are lost. Three ships are sunk in the harbor. |
| November 4, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - A new Japanese squadron led by Admiral Kurita arrives in Rabaul, New Britain Island. The Japanese force consists of 10 cruisers and 10 destroyers. American reconnaissance sights the squadron en route and Task Force 38 prepares to attack with its carrier aircraft. |
| November 29, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - Four American destroyers bombard Japanese positions on the south coast of New Britain Island, near Gasmata. |
| December 15, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - The US 112th Cavalry Regiment (General Cunningham) lands at Arawe, off the island of New Britain. This is a diversionary operation. Task Force 76 (Admiral Barbey) provides naval support for the operation. There is an air attack on the Japanese airfield at Cape Gloucester in support of the operation as well. |
| December 26, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - The US 1st Marine Division lands on New Britain by Cape Gloucester, without incident, after a preliminary bombardment. Task Force 76 (Admiral Barbey) provides naval support along with two other groups of cruisers and destroyers. An American destroyer USS Brownson (DD-518) is sunk by a Japanese air attack. |
| December 27, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - The American divisional beachhead near Cape Gloucester is extended with little resistance from the Japanese. The weather and terrain prove more formidable obstacles. The US 112th Cavalry Regiment on Arawe receives reinforcements. |
| December 28, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - On New Britain, the US 1st Marine Division begins advancing to attack the Japanese airfield at Cape Gloucester. |
| December 30, 1943: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - On New Britain, the 1st US marine division captures the Japanese airfield at Cape Gloucester. |
| January 1, 1944: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - American aircraft attack a Japanese convoy off Kavieng, New Ireland. The planes are from the carrier task group led by Admiral Sherman. |
| January 2, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, the American 7th Marine Regiment launches attacks to expand its beachhead near Cape Gloucester but fails to meet its objectives. |
| January 3, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain there is continued fighting in the Borgen Bay area (near Cape Gloucester) as the US 7th Marine Regiment continues its offensive. American forces lack armor support at this time. |
| January 3, 1944: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, the Flying Tigers and USMC fighter ace, is shot down over sea outnumbered by Zeros near Rabaul after downing the last 3 of his 26 victories, tying World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker´s record of 26 enemy planes destroyed. Boyington will be later picked up by japanese submarine and will spend the rest of war in Japanese POW Camps. Japanese fighter ace Masajiro Kawato, who shot down Pappy, will find him after the war and both pilots will became friends. |
| January 4, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Ireland, American aircraft from Admiral Sherman´s carrier task group attack Kavieng. The Japanese destroyer Fumizuki is damaged. |
| January 6, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, the US 7th Marine Regiment extend their beachhead at Cape Gloucester southward to the Aogiri Ridge. |
| January 10, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, Americans send reinforcements to Arawe. There is a small advance by US regimental forces along the Aogiri Ridge, despite Japanese resistance. |
| January 14, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain fighting continues around Cape Gloucester, held by the US 1st Marine Division (Rupertus). Japanese counterattacks delay American plans to expand the beachhead. |
| January 16, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, Japanese counterattacks toward the American beachhead at Cape Gloucester are defeated. |
| January 26, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, there is a heavy bombing raid on the Japanese base at Rabaul, by US aircraft. Many Japanese planes are claimed to be shot down. |
| February 9, 1944: |
Bismarck Archipelago - Captain Donald N. Aldrich shoots down a Japanese Nakajima Ki-44 fighter in his F4U Corsair over New Britain. In the last four weeks, this is his 15th victory and at the same time he becomes the last Marine ace, who has reached the limit of 20 victories, and this number closes his final total score. |
| February 12, 1944: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - On New Britain, US marines capture Gorissi, 25 miles east of Cape Gloucester. Meanwhile, Allied forces land on Rooke Island (today Umboi). |
| February 15, 1944: |
Bismarck Archipelago - bombers A-20 Havoc and B-25 Mitchell 5th Air Force carry out raid on Kavieng on the island of New Ireland. Unexpectedly accurate anti-aircraft defense of the Japanese downes 8 of them. To pick up the crews from the sea is sent a flying boat PBY Catalina "Arkansas Traveler" Lieutenant, junior grade, Nathan Gordon, who gradually lands four times off the coast under enemy fire and takes on board an aviator to eventually take off with the dangerously overloaded and aircraft. For a successful rescue mission far beyond his call of duty, Gordon will be awarded by the Medal of Honor and will be elected to the post of Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas ten times after the war. |
| March 6, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, the US 1st Marine Division is sent to land on the east side of Willaumez Peninsula with the objective of capturing Talasea. Japanese resistance is weak but the terrain is difficult, so the advance inland is slow. |
| March 8, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, the attacks of US 1st Marine Division makes progress as does the American advance along the coast from Cape Gloucester. |
| March 10, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - On New Britain, American forces capture Talasea. |
| May 7, 1944: |
In the Bismark Archipelago - US Marine Corps units occupy Cape Hopkins Airport on the island of New Britain (the name used by the Japanese is Gavuvu Airfield). There is no Japanese resistance encountered. |
| August 27, 1945: |
In the Bismarck Archipelago - An armed truce has been declared throughout New Britain. |
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| Literature sources: |
 . | Šnajdr, Miroslav: Flying Marines, Akcent, 2015, Třebíč |
