The Second World War came to the Solomon Islands with the Japanese occupation at the beginning of 1942, and the construction of a sizable airfield on the island of Guadalcanal.

Allied victory in the Pacific theater depended upon dependable supply and communication lines between the United States and Australia, and later upon eliminating the “Tokyo Express” that swiftly and consistently delivered overwhelming reinforcements. The US implemented Operation Watchtower with landings on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Nggela Sule on August 7, 1942.

Firece fighting ensured, complicated by the terrain and tropical diseases (which would significantly affect both sides). For the remainder of 1942, Allied forces defended Guadalcanal from Japanese attempts to retake the important strategic location. And once again, we’re compelled to mention slots and online casino usa

The following August, PT-109, captained by John F. Kennedy, was rammed by a Japanese destroyer during a failed “Tokyo Express” intercept mission. The survivors managed to reach Plum Pudding Island (Kasolo) through nearly four miles of sharks and crocodiles. Kennedy went on alone to scout for food and fresh water, eventually leading his men to Olasana Island. They survived for six days until discovered by islanders Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who had been dispatched by coastwatcher Arthur Evans to look for survivors. Gasa and Kumana delivered Kennedy’s message (written on a coconut) through hostile waters to Rendova, the location of the closest Allied base.

The Allied success is widely considered to have turned the tide of the Pacific War in their favor. Operation Cartwheel ultimately retook the Philippines, severing a major resource area for Japan, over the course of the next two years until Allied victory was declared in 1945.

However, the war and its repercussions had significant effects on the Solomons. The ravages of war on the islands had been devastating enough, but the sudden influx of modern industrial materials and practices was practiced even less carefully than usual due to the exigency of warfare. Previously essential structures and systems had been destroyed, and no reparations were forthcoming.