Solomon Islands campaign

Pacific War campaign begun by Japan's seizure of the British Solomon Islands and Bougainville in early 1942, where it built naval and air bases. To defend South Pacific supply lines, the Allies landed on Guadalcanal and nearby islands on 7 August 1942; the ensuing attrition inflicted heavy Japanese losses, especially among experienced aircrew, as the Allies converged on the base at Rabaul.