The Japanese Zero was the most effective fighter plane in the world when it was introduced in 1940.

The plane and its sophisticated design were a key reason why Japan won victory after amazing victory in the opening months of the war in the Pacific.

But by 1943, Allied air units were overwhelming their Japanese counterparts.

Japanese air superiority became a thing of the past.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

The 20th century. Episode 412 Hero to Zero.

Today, let's look at developments in 1943 in the Pacific Theater.

In January, the Japanese decided to abandon the campaign to retake Guadalcanal

from the Americans and began to withdraw.

In eastern New Guinea, Australian ground forces had been steadily pushing the Japanese westward.

The Navy's decision to abandon Guadalcanal persuaded the Japanese army

that holding the northeastern coast of New Guinea was more crucial than ever.

If the Australians and the Americans succeeded in driving Japanese troops off New Guinea,

then Japan's most important military base in the region,

Rabau on New Britain, would be vulnerable.

The port town of Lai was now Japan's most important base on New Guinea.

With the Australians closing in after their victories in 1942,

some 6,500 Japanese soldiers were defending Lai.

In January, the Japanese sent a force inland, with the goal of seizing an Australian-controlled air base at Wao, but the Australians were able to turn back the Japanese advance. In February, the Japanese Army transferred its 51st infantry division from Indochina to Rabao, intending to send it forward

to Lai in early March. But the American general, George Kenney, commander of Allied Air Forces in the

region, took note of increased Japanese aerial reconnaissance and deduced the Japanese were planning

something important. He increased his own reconnaissance flights deduced the Japanese were planning something important.

...