5,806 120–150 Result Allied victory | Dates 29 Jan 1944 – 27 Feb 1944 | |
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13 killed26 wounded 120 killed,12 aircraft destroyed Combatants Similar World War II, Battle of the Treasury I, Pacific War, Raid on Choiseul, New Georgia Campaign | ||
The Battle of the Green Islands or Operation Squarepeg was fought from 29 January–27 February 1944, between Japan and Allied forces from the New Zealand 3rd Division and the United States. The Green Islands—located between Bougainville and New Ireland—were part of the Australian Territory of New Guinea.
The Allied forces invaded several islands and recaptured them from heavily outnumbered Japanese forces. The main New Zealand combat elements came from the 14th Brigade, and American LSTs landed the brigades's M3 Stuart tanks on 15 February.
Once secured, the Green Islands became a forward base for the U.S. South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command (SCAT), which supplied material and mail to combat soldiers and evacuated the wounded. It also became home to United States Marine Corps fighters and bombers which participated in the allied effort to isolate the Japanese bases on Rabaul and Kavieng. The base's first commander was Lt. Richard M. Nixon, later President of the United States.