Land Battle of Vella Lavella

Battle of Vella Lavella
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
New Zealand soldiers land at Baka Baka, Vella Lavella to relieve the U.S. 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division, on 17 September 1943.
Date 15 August – 9 October 1943 Location Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United States  New Zealand	Empire of Japan
Commanders and leaders
Theodore S. Wilkinson Oscar Griswold H. E. Barrowclough
Strength
9,588	700
Casualties and losses
150 killed	200 killed

Coordinates: 7°44′S 156°38′E / 7.733°S 156.633°E / -7.733; 156.633 The Battle of Vella Lavella was fought from 15 August – 9 October 1943 between Japan and the Allied forces from New Zealand and the United States. Vella Lavella is an island located in the Solomon Islands that had been occupied by Japanese forces. The Allies successfully recaptured the island. Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella was later the homebase of VMF-214 "Blacksheep" and its CO Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. The main New Zealand combat elements were drawn from the 14th Brigade.

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