During World War II, the already perilous jungles of the south Pacific reached new heights of danger.
When we think of the second World War, images of decimated European cities and battleships on the Pacific instantly come to mind, but jungle warfare was just as common.
U.S. Marines and Australian troops were sent to take islands that had been recently conquered by the Japanese, and the fighting was as brutal as the environment.
The Battle of Buna-Gona, the fighting at Milne Bay and the battle of Guadalcanal were some of the most deadly conflicts that ever took place in the region, and we’ve got the photos to prove it.
See soldiers brave the elements and the enemy side by side.
1
A patrol pushes its way through thick kunai grass.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
2
A Kittyhawk comes in to land at No. 1 Airstrip, guarded by a Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun of the 2/9th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery.
Milne Bay, 1942
3
A Japanese built foot bridge crossing.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
4
An infantryman receives grenades from the crew of a tank during an attack at Buna.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
5
Australian assault on a pillbox at Giropa Point.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
6
Japanese ammunition captured by Allied forces at Gona.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
7
Australian troops at Milne Bay.
1942
8
Vickers machine gunners reloading belts following the fall of Gona.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
9
Soldiers stand-to in a weapon pit filled with rainwater.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
10
Australians of the 2/12th Battalion move past a group of Americans.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
11
A captured Japanese Type 88 75 mm field anti-aircraft gun in the Buna area.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1943
12
Japanese reinforcements arriving on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Circa early September 1942
13
On the road to Buna, Australian troops cross a stream on an improvised bridge.
Battle of Buna-Gona, 1942
14
An M3 Stuart of an Indian cavalry regiment during the advance on Rangoon.
April, 1945
15
A Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go tank near Rabi, bogged in the mud and abandoned.
Milne Bay, 1942
16
Makeshift airstrip at Milne Bay.
September, 1942
17
More details A U.S. 11th Marines 75mm pack howitzer and crew.
October, 1942
18
1st Marines pose on Guadalcanal.
October, 1942
19
U.S. Marines cross the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal on a raft ferry.
November, 1942
20
Marines rest in the field on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
1943
