Today in World War II History—Feb. 19, 1944 POSTED: Tuesday, February 19, 2019 by Sarah Sundin Japanese ships burning at Rabaul, Feb 1944 (US Army Center of Military History) 75 Years Ago—Feb. 19, 1944: The major Japanese air & naval base at Rabaul is officially neutralized by Allied forces as the last Japanese planes are moved to Truk.