Battle of the Green Islands

Not to be confused with Green Island Raid.

Battle of the Green Islands
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II

Troops from New Zealand disembark from US Landing Craft Infantry ship LCI-444 to occupy Green Island on 16 February 1944.
Date15–20 February 1944
Location
Green Islands in the South Pacific
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 New Zealand
 United States		  Japan
Commanders and leaders
Dominion of New Zealand Harold Barrowclough Empire of Japan Hitoshi Imamura
Strength
5,806[1] 120[2]
Casualties and losses
13 killed
26 wounded[3]		 120 killed,
12 aircraft destroyed[4]

The Battle of the Green Islands or Operation Squarepeg was fought from 15 to 20 February 1944, between Imperial Japan and Allied forces from the New Zealand 3rd Division and the United States. Undertaken after landings to secure lodgments on New Britain and Bougainville, the main focus of the operation was the capture of Nissan Island, which was secured by New Zealand forces after only a short ground campaign. At only very limited cost in terms of casualties, the Allied operation resulted in the capture of several small atolls in the island chain, which were subsequently used to support air and naval operations focused on reducing the main Japanese base on Rabaul.

  1. ^ Gillespie, The Pacific, p. 173. Troops included 4,242 New Zealanders and 1,564 U.S.
  2. ^ Gillespie, The Pacific, p. 178.
  3. ^ Gillespie, The Pacific, p. 188. Breakdown of deaths: New Zealand 10, U.S. 3. Breakdown of wounded: New Zealand 21, U.S. 3, and 2 native guides.
  4. ^ Gillespie, The Pacific, p. 188. A few members of the Japanese garrison may have escaped to Rabaul.