 The Japanese base at Rabaul came under attack by American forces on 12 October 1943, but "Chōgei" was undamaged.She suffered minor damage due to strafing during the subsequent attack on 2 November 1943, and none during the third raid of 5 November 1943.However, the repeated air raids led the Imperial Japanese Navy to order the withdrawal of "Chōgei" back to Japan.