The landing of New Zealand troops on Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, 15 August 1943

Photograph, World War Two, Far East (1941-1945), 1943.

The Japanese had occupied Vella Lavell in January 1942. American and New Zealand troops landed at Barakoma on 15 August 1943 and eventually forced the Japanese to evacuate in October. The operation was one of several landings that, in tandem with air and naval attacks, helped isolate the powerful Japanese base at Rabaul on nearby New Britain. The Solomons campaign also prevented the Japanese from disrupting the sea and air links between the United States and Australia.

From a collection of 650 photographs compiled by the Commando Association.