Today in World War II History—January 23, 1942
Sunday, January 23, 2022 by Sarah Sundin

Gen. Joseph Stilwell, 1943 (US Army photo)
80 Years Ago—Jan. 23, 1942: Japanese land at crucial naval and air base of Rabaul, New Britain, and take it.
Japanese land at Kavieng, New Ireland, and Kieta, Bougainville, and secure both.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Stilwell is placed in command of US Army forces in the China-Burma-India Theater.