Islands in the South Pacific

A group of islands that form the western province of the Solomon Islands. Some of these islands supported copra plantations but on the whole were undeveloped. In October of 1943, they were taken by the Allied forces in Operation Goodtime and a still functional airstrip was built by the U.S. Navy 87th Construction Battalion. Total Allied casualties were 40 New Zealand and 12 U.S. troops killed and 145 New Zealand and 21 U.S. troops wounded. About 305 Japanese were killed and another eight taken prisoner.

In the mid 19th century, France took control of what is modern day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. They divided the region into Annam, Cochinchina, and Tonkin. The regions were characterized by their rice production and dense populations. The culture most closely resembled that of southern China, sharing a common language, religion (Buddhism) and ethno-cultural makeup.

During WWII, French Indochina was occupied by the Japanese after a series of tumultuous political negotiations. During 1944-1945, the Japanese seized all rice plantations and caused nearly 2 million natives to starve to death.

The largest island in the archipelago of the New Hebrides - in the nation of Vanautu. During WWII it was a major base for U.S. troops, serving as an operational base for the Guadalcanal Campaign. After the troops withdrew, leaving behind wreckage from the S.S. Coolidge and creating a dumpsite for their unneeded equipment now called "Million Dollar Point", Espiritu Santo became an active tourist island. Known for its diving and tourism, Santo also supports its economy with crops of peanuts, copra, cacao and kava. Most Santo Islanders are Christian.