- Treasury Islands
Treasury Islands (coord|7|23|15|S|155|33|30|E |region:SB_type:isle |display=title,inline) are a small group of islands a few kilometers to the south of Bougainville and 24 kilometers from the
Shortland Islands . They form part of the Western Province of theSolomon Islands . The two largest islands in the Treasuries areMono Island and the smallerStirling Island . The deep water strait between these two islands is calledBlanche Harbor .These islands were first discovered in 1788 by British
Royal Navy officer Lieutenant Shortland.During
World War II the islands were held by theJapan ese until October 25–27, 1943, when the islands were invaded via amphibious assault by units of theNew Zealand 8th Brigade.Following the invasion, an airstrip was built on the flatter Stirling Island by the USN 87th Construction battalion. This airfield was then used to support a campaign to neutralize Japanese air power atRabaul . Stirling airfield is still in use today by the Solomons Airlines.External links
* [http://au.geocities.com/third_div/mono.html The Treasury Islands Campaign]
* [http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/solomons_stirling.html Stirling Island]
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