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Travel Associates News > Destinations > South Pacific > World War IIHistory Comes Alive In The Solomon Islands

21 May 2016 - BY Todd Sturm

Australia has been lucky in that our shores have

rarely seen the horrors of military conflict.

But while the battle scars of World War II are

still visible at the Top End, we can be thankful

that our Australian lands, and the people here

at home never had to endure the tragic price of

a large-scale military campaign or violent hand-

to-hand conflict.

Still, it’s easy to forget, that in the dark days of

the early 1940s, Australia was very much under

threat. The drum beat of war grew closer as the

Japanese marched, and sailed, ever closer to

Queensland, as they conquered one Pacific

island after another.

For those who love history, you don’t have to

travel far to visit historic World War II battle

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World War II History Comes AliveIn The Solomon Islands

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sites, where you can see up close the remnants

and artefacts of violent land and sea battles.

The Solomon Islands will always remember

History On OurDoorstep

Perhaps nowhere does World War II come alive

more, than in the Solomon Islands, a place

more important and consequential to

Australians than most people realise – and it’s

all just a three-hour flight from Brisbane.

The Solomon Islands saw some of the fiercest

fighting during World War II, and it was

here, with strong resistance from Australian

and American forces that the Japanese were

pushed back for the first time. The Solomon

Islands fight was a turning point as the slow

retreat of Japanese forces began.

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Today, evidence of the many Solomon Islands

battles can be seen on land and beneath the

warm blue waters of the Coral Sea. In fact,

HMAS Canberra lies in these very waters, in

what is today known as Iron Bottom Sound.

Located on the north shore of Guadalcanal

Island, Iron Bottom Sound is the final resting

place for dozens of destroyers, military ships,

submarines and even aircraft.

Even if you don’t see artefacts up close, the

feeling that something great took place here is

real. History seems to hang in the air.

Dive Iron Bottom Sound to explore historic war relics

Here are some of the top World War II sights

and attractions to visit in the Solomon Islands:

Henderson Airfield

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What is today the international airport, was

once the centre of the great battle for

Guadalcanal. Today, reminders include the

propeller from a Japanese Zero, one of

which hangs in the airport’s lounge.

Outside you’ll find a Japanese 75mm gun, and

just a two-minute walk away, a control tower

from 1943 and memorial to the Battle of Bloody

Ridge.

Bloody Ridge

Some of the heaviest fighting in the

Guadalcanal campaign took place at Bloody

Ridge. Within walking distance from the airport,

you can find foxholes and barbed wire erected

during the battle.

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There are numerous war relics on land too

Relics of Betikama

Just west of the airport, on the other side of

Lunga River, sits Betikama School. This was the

sight of a US military camp where relics from

both sides can be seen.

Other sights of interest include a 75mm

Japanese mountain gun and artillery pieces, an

American Airacobra P-400 fighter plane and a

massive Bren gun carrier.

Tulagi

Situated just north of Guadalcanal is the island

of Tulagi. History buffs will find Japanese

tunnels and the old Japanese military and

refuelling base.

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The waters just off Tulagi hold many air and

naval attractions too, some of which provide

excellent scuba diving opportunities.

Iron Bottom Sound

If you enjoy scuba diving, there’s plenty to see

underwater. The waters to the north of

Guadalcanal are filled with American and

Japanese fighter planes, as well as numerous

ships.

Scuba diving tours take visitors to all the top

sights and underwater attractions.

Keep an eye out for old Japanese 75mm guns

Gizo and ‘Kennedy Island’

Local ‘Coastwatchers’ hid within the jungles,

reporting to the allies on Japanese movements

during the war. They were witness to the

many battles that took place in the Western

Provinces of the Solomon Islands, the most

significant of which were around Gizo Island,

and Munda on the island of New Georgia.

There’s an informal museum in Munda

featuring personal as well as military artefacts

from soldiers. Just off Gizo Island, you’ll find

the famous ‘Kennedy Island’ where John F.

Kennedy was marooned after his PT109 patrol

boat was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer.

Guadalcanal Memorial

Located on a hill overlooking Honiara, the

Guadalcanal American Memorial features

tributes to the fallen as well as insightful

information on the battle, along with a list of

the ships lost in the waters below. The four

directional walls face the major battle areas

during the 1942-1943 conflict.

Getting there

Getting to the Solomon Islands is easy. The

capital city, Honiara is just a three-hour flight

from Brisbane, or 3.5-hours from

Sydney. Honiara is the country’s only

international airport.

From there, Solomon Airlines offers

connections to dozens of island destinations,

including Gizo and Munda in the Western

Provinces and Marau on the eastern shores of

Guadalcanal.

Inspired by our article on World War II History

Comes Alive In The Solomon Islands? Then let

the experts at Travel Associates turn your

dream holiday into reality. Call 1800 017 849

to speak with one of our friendly, experienced

consultants or submit your enquiry to us online.

TAGS Solomon Islands

About Todd Sturm

For more information please phone

1800 017 849.

I currently live in Brisbane, Australia.

No matter where my travels take me, I

enjoy experiencing each destination

from the perspective of the locals.

Some of my favourite attractions

include historic sites, national parks

and architectural landmarks.

View all posts by Todd Sturm

http://www.travel-associates.com.au/contact-us#enquirehttp://www.travel-associates.com.au/luxury-holidays-news/tags/solomon-islands/http://www.travel-associates.com.au/luxury-holidays-news/author/sturmtodd/

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